Today, we're tickling tomatoes. Monday evenings are my shift in the hydroponics, checking in on our plants along with Dael the chippie and Eric the plumber. First off - business.
Check the water levels. Check the conductivity. Check the PH. Make some adjustments here and there, give the place a sweep, tidy up. Then we check in with the plants. I've got my favourites.
Firstly is the basil. Not sure how we ended up with mutated seeds down here, but the leaves that grow on these are HUGE. Nearly the size of a dinner plate. Whatever we're feeding them, it's working. Quality control check - crunchy and aromatic. Pass.
Next up is the parsley. We've got both flat and curly, much to the confusion of some expeditioners who have only known one form. They occupy a small, cramped spot between the basil and the jalapenos. Happy staying out of the spotlight also means they go unnoticed by the hungry expeditioner. They're happy with the arrangement, giving a little bit away every now and then to garnish Carl's tasty salads. Quality control check – tastes soft, sharp and green all at the same time. Pass.
Lettuce is next. A gaggle of different varieties, overflowing their pods and taking up nearly a quarter of the space in the little hut. Practically walking out the door. Live fast and die young, rather than become old and bitter they tell me. Don't mind if I do. Quality control check – refreshingly soft, subtle and full of moisture. Pass.
The snow peas look at me expectantly, eager to make their way to some exotic salad. I don't have the heart to tell them they exist purely as snacks for those maintaining hydro. I don't think any have made it out of the building yet. Quality control check – crunchy, sweet. Double check, just in case. Still crunchy, still sweet. Pass.
I walk past the cucumbers, not making eye contact. Not quite sure what they're up to.
The friendly tomatoes greet me with a rustle of their furry leaves. I'm told giving them a tickle helps with pollination, helping produce the bright red fruit we treasure down here. I just like hearing them laugh. Quality control check will have to wait for dinner.
Inspection complete. Green tooth satisfied. Off to the next thing. As I walk out the door, I realise I've been talking to the plants and they might just be talking back.
It's going to be a long winter.
Martin Kucera
Engineering Services Supervisor
