June
Dynamira stood before her garden and cast her gaze over months of hard work. It was laborious and long, but in the end so very well worth it. When the mare and her mice had begun, the whole place was overgrown and covered in brambles - one was unable to tell where certain plots began and where others ended. Now that’s changed. Each section was carefully tended to, weeds were fully removed and only beneficial plants were growing next to each other. She sighed happily.
In one place a patch of strawberries were gaining their first berries, some already ripening. The young Soquili knew those would be her companions first picks, and rightfully so with all of the help they have been. Another much larger patch housed her very large pumpkin patch, or would in the Autumn. For now it was just rows of freshly tilled soil and freshly planted seedlings. It was imperative to keep that large space weed free.
Her hooves clattered on the cobblestone paths, no longer covered by the original overgrown vegetation, as she moved around her garden and conducted her daily inspection. She grew a bit of everything; fruit, vegetables, medicinal plants and even decorative flowers. Dynamira Darling always provided a bit of food for her neighbors and brought the rest to the market. The Briarwood sisters would often stop by and stock up on the medicinal plants, trading away the salves (and the rare potion) that they concocted with the plants they traded for. It was a beneficial partnership for everyone involved.
She passed the other plots of run of the mill plants and the fruit trees that lined some of the plots as if it were nature creating a fence. Further out, and a bit more hidden was her true prize - her collection of unusual flora. Most of what was growing had been brought and planted there by her and her mice. Only a few things were originally found in this plant utopia, including another of the strange purple plant. Despite getting rid of one such plant last year, the mice had stumbled upon another and partook. Their symptoms were still the same as the last time; distorted vision and overcome with glee. After multiple tastings, the group decided they were safe enough to consume but kept them here for safe keeping just in case. Dynamira named them kookberries because one bite made you quite kooky!
She counted each berry. It appeared to be the same number as yesterday. “Good, looks like no one has snuck a taste in a while.”
One white mouse shrugged their shoulders, the other two just looked away. “We have to be careful, these are our last two plants. Even if they are quite yummy and fun.” She admonished them.
“What’s quite yummy and fun?” A voice rang out from between the trees behind her.
She whirled around, slightly embarrassed that someone had snuck up on them. “Oh! Umm hello?”
“Hello!” A radiantly red Soquili made up of curls, scales, gems and a clubbed tail strode into view. On top of her head sat a complimentary red and blue half wreath floral arrangement. She smiled warmly at her, “Are you Dynamira Darling?”
Dyna had never met the mare before. She would have recalled seeing someone as stunning as her at the open market. She hesitated a moment before answering, “Yes, and you are?”
“Genoise. I’m new to the area. I was really hoping to have a stall at the Fallowcenter Faire this next moon. Unfortunately that might not be possible. There’s a problem with my roses.” She paused briefly during her rambling, “So Darren told me about your expertise. I do feel a bit silly asking, but I’d really appreciate it. Would you mind taking a look at my roses and tell me what’s wrong?”
That was a lot for Dyna to take in. She knew Darren, he was in charge of assigning the stalls at the market, and she wouldn’t put it past him to give her information out to a struggling gardener. She glanced at her rodent friends. “Well I suppose we can. How far are you from here?”
Genoise smiled brightly, “Oh thank you! I’m just a few hops to the east, near the riverbank. Are you free now? I can take you there now.”
The orange mare looked at her companions. They had essentially finished all that they were doing today. “Sure. Lead the way.”
“Great!” She headed off towards the East. Dynamira quickly followed her hoofsteps. The trek wasn’t very long, just like she said, and the five arrived at the riverbank. Genoise’s home was filled with all manner of flowers. The nearby meadow was so full they had barely squeezed by, and across the water hidden in partial to full shade were the rest of her collection. They crossed a small makeshift bridge to take a closer look at the rose bushes. Most appeared healthy and well tended but a few were looking ill.
Dyna leaned in close, one mouse grabbed a leaf and turned it over in its hands. “Hmm…”
At each wilted bush they stopped and peered closely at its leaves and stems. They were definitely dying. Dried petals fell to the ground as one of the mice spread the bloom to take a closer look at its center. He shook his head at Dynamira, indicating he hadn’t found anything. The ruby hued mare watched them quizzically.
“First we check for pests, “ she explained.
“Ah.”
“Then we check for fungus. Though sometimes it can be a problem with the root.” A small squeak interrupted her.
“Oh?” She turned to her friend. The smallest of the trio motioned to her then to the leaf of a nearby rose. “Ah! I see! Is this on every affected plant?”
The mouse nodded matter-of-factly. She turned to Genoise. “We’re lucky today. It looks like it’s only one reason. Sometimes you’ll have multiple culprits and all different for each plant. In this case, my companions have deduced it’s leaf spot. It’s a fungus!”
“That’s not good news! Are you sure?”
“Yup, see this spot here? There’s a few more of them spread out on the other leaves. It looks like we’ve caught it early. And I know of the perfect milk remedy. The Briarwood sisters make a fantastic tonic, it clears it up very quickly! But first, we need to clear out the diseased leaves. Looks like you’ve done a wonderful job at clearing the debris underhoof, so just keep that up this winter and you should be swell by next season.”
Genoise Fraise nodded along taking mental notes, “Right, right. Erm…Briarwood?”
“Oh right, you’re new here. The sisters are a bit of a trek, they do like their privacy, along the river. I can take you there.”
“Thank you so much, from one gardener to another! If you’re ever in need of a floral arrangement, or seeds, all you need to do is ask!”
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