This gras is not greener somewhere else

After all the earth works were done for the construction of my “Dacha” in Hunsrück the ground was really bare. The ground in some places also became a mix of soil and gravel, as the excavator left it’s heavy traces of turmoil. To get things green again, I bought 40 kg of horse meadow seeds online at Agrarshop. I just spread it thinly on the soil and gravel and went my way, expecting not too much. But, wow, after 6 weeks even gras was growing in places where I did not expect anything to boom. I was lucky with the weather, as it was a mild and humid July.

There is still a lot to do on the construction site. But if I am lucky, it will all focus on inside decoration until winter. What’s still pending is water supply, bathroom and kitchen appliances, fire place and chimney, electrical installation, and sewage pump. Then also the terrace and getting pebbles to fill up the wall fringes, so that the rain water does not splash up mud. The rain rater tank is already on the ground. An then I also need to find somebody to help me disposing the construction waste.

Gardens and markets

This year, thanks to ample rainfall in spring, local havests in Malta are good. There are two main farmer's market in Malta: one in Ta' Qali Attard (Tuesday 16:00 - 19:00, Saturday 9:00 - 17:00) and the other one at Birgu, St. Edward Street (Saturday, 7:00 - 12:00). This year's first local patatoes are available and grains will follow soon. Both markets have a decent supply of local vegetable and fruits. And of course such markets always teach you a lot about traditions and culture. It is good to see that the demand for such products is growing. The easy acess to junk food and degraded eating habits are already a public health issue in Malta. And also a success in local agriculture will return the value of agricultural and garden land, which otherwise turns too easy into a rubbish tip here.

Barley field, garden and fortress on the way to Rinella Bay.

View from the kitchen window.