FUNGI!

 The appearance of a mushroom in one of the small garden beds we planted with cover crops was a big surprise-and a very hopeful sign. I believe this means that we have mycelium in the soil, which is a big boost to my confidence-maybe I am really doing things the right way.

Kawtar and I went straight to the local weekly souk yesterday, and 

left there in a couchie (horse drawn taxi) with a small tree saw, 

some rope to assist the bamboo in growing straight up, and a 

few buckets to help ease the watering burden. The treasures of 

the shopping were eight unglazed clay pots to use as ollas and 

three large bags of wood chips-and the ride in the couchie.

Breaking apart the larger pieces of bark.

I am not positive that I know what any of these plants are-we threw such a huge mixture of seeds and beans in these beds. The purpose of this fall planting was to cover the soil in the garden beds with "cover crops," whose purposes are to shade the ground, help break up the heavy clay soil with their roots, and to provide fertilizer.

These old clay pots are so beautiful, it is too bad that they are 

destined to be underground...