Russian Kale & Mrs. Kennedy

I have an old double-basin washtub that sits in the corner of my greenhouse, and it's a become a great container for my plants to grow in--as long as those plants don't require a lot of sunlight.  Don't get me wrong, the sun shines brightly throughout most of the greenhouse, but it just so happens that this particular corner tends to be a bit shady.

Now, if we're talking about people, being "a bit shady" is not a characteristic that I'm drawn to.  But if we're talking about the amount of sun exposure the corner of my greenhouse receives on a daily basis, I'm much more receptive.  So let's talk about that.

There are several plants that seem to do fine in slightly sunlight-deprived areas like this little corner.  My winter crop of leafy greens is an example.   They like colder weather and have less light exposure needs, so in late Autumn when I sow my seeds, the washtub steps into the spotlight, so to speak.
Just for fun, and mainly because I spent the tail end of last year binge reading books on Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and the Kennedy era in general, I decided to plant my Russian Kale in the shady spot this year.  I'll pause for a moment while that sinks in. 

Okay, I'll help you connect the dots.  I like to plant according to themes (Remember when I planted Lambs Ear during lambing season? Yes I did. Check the Gardens page.).  Well, this theme was a bit more political, even though I'm not--which is ironic since I happen to be married to a mayor.  Coincidentally, Jackie Kennedy was not particularly politically inclined either.  Funny how much we're alike--in my dreams!  Speaking of which, this all started with a dream I had one night...

The evening before I sowed my Fall crops in the greenhouse, I fell asleep while reading yet another biography on the President and Mrs. Kennedy.  I spent the entire night dreaming about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and not surprisingly, I didn't get much sleep.  When the alarm went off that morning, I stumbled out of bed and eventually on into the greenhouse.  As my groggy brain attempted to sort through which seeds to plant where, my eyes focused in on the corner washtub, and it hit me.  Kale.  Red Russian Kale, to be exact.  It made perfect sense.  Russian Kale is cold hardy and shade tolerant, as was (from what I've read) the Soviet Union in the early 1960's.  I mean, they were a key player in "The Cold War" for goodness sakes, and also, let's face it, were a bit shady when it came to their nuclear dealings.  At least it seemed that way on this side of the pond.

But it was all meant to be.  My planting theme, I mean.  Now if you happen to be Russian, please know that I mean no harm. The past is in the past, and we've all had our shady moments.  I just happen to love it when a theme comes together, even when it involves fifty year-old political manuevers paired with the dense, frilly, pink-tinged leaves of my favorite vitamin-drenched leafy vegetable. 

Call me crazy...and Kennedy obsessed.  I won't mind.

Thankfully that whole period in American history turned out alright, as have my kale seedlings.  They're reaching for the sky in that old wash basin nestled in the dimly-lit corner, beneath the old glass pane ceiling and the antique pink birdcage.  It's all so picturesque, it simply screams "vintage elegance".  In a very poised, breathy voice of course.   And every once in a while when I glance over there with a satisfied smile on my face, I almost think I see Mrs. Kennedy, in her pink wool suit and matching pill box hat, smiling back at me. 

Or it could just be my overactive imagination.  It's probably my imagination.  But I do love my Mrs. Kennedy...and my Russian Kale.

P.S.   I know what you're thinking, and you're right.  I need to find something else to read about for a while...and we're in luck.  Elvis is calling.  OOH!  Then I can start growing peanuts and bananas!!