A little spring gardening

There is such seduction in planting in the spring before the summer heat sets in. The winds have stopped - at least temporarily. This morning I've been out putting in some tomatoes and a couple of basils.

This is an olla. It is a fired but not glazed terra cotta pot. 

The idea is that you put the olla in the ground or the pot with the plants to help provide water in this dry hot desert. 

This is the pot where I'm going to bury the olla. The top of the olla should be just above the dirt level.

There is just enough room to put a couple of tomatoe plants alongside. 

Here the rest of the potting soil is filled in. 

The stone keeps things from falling into the water. It will also help keep us from growing our own Mosquitos! By the end of the summer those tomato roots will have wrapped all around the clay pot. It is a good method for growing plants where it is so dry. 

Solar dyeing part two

Who wouldn't be inspired by all this spring color?

From the previous post - the roving was Corriedale with some mohair locks thrown in for good measure. I am a kettle dyer most of the time so the solar dye process fits in well with my expectations. I love how the variations in color turn out. I also think there is less chance of felting the fibers. 

Solar dyeing

Just in time for the weather to get warm a little solar dyeing. These are Corriedale and mohair locks.