it will be an easier start for them if
they are pinned down gently to be in
contact with the soil under the mulch, but
if the mulch is moist enough they'll root
into that as well. i usually use a few
small rocks (that won't crush the runner,
but hold it down), some folks use pieces
of wire or sticks, whatever works to keep
the runner stable.

i recently pulled a few dozen rooted runners
from last year that were growing in crushed
limestone. not much of what you would call
dirt for them to use, but they had roots down
and were growing/flowering, they didn't miss
a beat when put into the pots with soil. i'll
see them this weekend and be able to tell how
my brother is treating them at their new home.

today was the first day of ripe strawberries
here. surprised me, as in many places they are
still forming. it was out back in the unfenced
strawberry patch on the plants that were most
exposed to the sun and not crowded by other
plants. some were ate right there after wiping
the dirt mostly off (a little minerals in the
diet...).

i'm trying to get everything weeded and planted
this week so i won't have to do that and keep up
with the strawberry harvest at the same time.
today's remaining task is to get the squash
seedlings out of the onion patch. i hate to do
it as they look so healthy and green, but when i
don't keep the onions bare they don't do much at
all... so *snip* *snip* for them.


songbird