Audio + Open

[keyofelde]

WHO: Souta Suzukaze
WHERE: Network / Stardew Valley
WHEN: August 24
WHAT: Showing off his summer garden
WARNINGS: Probably nothing

[The video turns on just as Souta finishes carefully positioning the phone so it's leaning on something. Clearly outside, since the sky can be seen above him.]

Ah.

Hello, everyone! [He waves.] I know this month has been difficult, so I thought I'd share what I've been working on this summer.

[He stands up and off to the side so the camera can see behind him. Those who have been to Stardew Valley might recognize the farmland. Things have changed a bit. In this section is a small yet thriving garden, full of various summer plants. Melons, radish, cabbage, corn, tomatoes, a blueberry bush... There is also a separate section with various flowers, the sunflowers starting to tower over the rest. Plastic pink flamingos can be seen on the border of the patch.]

[The camera moves as Souta picks up the phone to bring it closer to the plants.]

Isn't this great? They've all grown wonderfully this season.

Anyway, there is more land available on the farm. So if you like gardening or just want a break from the city, the train station can take you here. Just look for the one outgoing for Stardew Valley.

Oh! And if you want one last summer beach trip, there's one here now.

[If anyone takes him up on the farm visit, they'll find him carefully picking out a melon for harvesting. Feel free to say hi!]

Comments

un: Tsuna27

[theskyaccepts]

Wow! It looks like it's grown a lot since the last time I saw it!

un: clovertales

[keyofelde]

It has! These are entirely different plants from spring.

[theskyaccepts]

Yeah, I can see that. I guess that would make sense.

Will you be harvesting them all?

[keyofelde]

Over the next week, yes. Most of the crops won't last to fall.

It would be a shame to waste their efforts.

[theskyaccepts]

That's too bad...

Uh, did you want some help?

un : 007Nanny

[serpentinthegarden]

Is that anything like an allotment? How much is the rent on one of those plots?

un : clovertales

[keyofelde]

Not really. You don't have to pay to use the farmland. Just for seeds and supplies.

[And that's only if you don't forage and craft everything.]

[serpentinthegarden]

That's unexpected. Land owners don't usually let people use their farms for free.

[ But it was a pleasant surprise. Free was actually affordable to those on a fixed income. ]

I might pop around some time, dig a few holes... I've always been interested in gardening but I've never had the space to do any. Got any tips for a newbie?

[keyofelde]

Um... I'm not certain there are land owners.

[Are they the owners? Are the Junimos? Souta hadn't bothered to look into this since everyone seemed more than happy to let him garden.]

Well, all plants have different needs. Some like shade, while others like sun. So I would check the seed packets before planting to see what location would be best to plant them.

If it doesn't tell you how much water is best, I'd start with a moderate amount and check how they're doing in one or two days. If they've dried out, give them more. If the soil is too moist, you can wait to water them again.

[serpentinthegarden]

You would think some one would snap that up, huge supermarket chain or something.

[ All the better that isn't the case. ]

I heard, I can't remember when, that talking to plants helps them grow better. Have you ever tried that?

un: ecraig

[fiddlestick]

Haha wow, those look great Souta! You really went all out with your gardening this summer!

[PROUD OF YOU KIDDO]

un: clovertales

[keyofelde]

[Oh no, praise from an adult!!!]

Ahaha, thanks but it was mostly the plants doing the hard work! I just gave them water and checked in on them.

[While Souta believes this, he was 100% putting in as much effort as the plants. His care is obvious to anyone whose seen him garden before.]

[fiddlestick]

Haha, I'm sure it's more than that. You seem really attentive and caring with your plants. I'm sure they understand how much you care about them, and that helped them grow.

[keyofelde]

[Elliot, you can't just drop all that on him. The boy's too modest for compliments.]

[Souta gets a bashful expression on his face, trying to think of the polite thing to say. He can't just brush the words aside, that would be too rude!]

I try my best. I just want them to have the best chance they can to thrive. The plants do understand a lot, so I suppose they could have noticed.

[They absolutely have. The plants love him so much.]

[fiddlestick]

[you're going to take his compliments young man]

Hehe, I'm sure they have. You've done a good job looking after them.

So what's your gardening plans for fall?

Video: UN: BRUNO

[wedonttalkabout]

[There he is! The best boy!!!]

Oh wow, Kiddo! You've been really busy, look at those things. You've got a whole feast here.

Video, un: clovertales

[keyofelde]

[The bestest boy]

[Souta beams, a little bashful by all the praise.]

Thank you! Do you need any fruits or vegetables? I could bring some over.

[He certainly has plenty to go around.]

[wedonttalkabout]

You know, I'm sure Julieta would appreciate some for the kitchen, so sure thing! Thanks, Kiddo. I know they're gonna be delicious by the looks of them.

[He wants to provide all the encouragement here!]

[keyofelde]

Oh, good! I only need a melon and some to sell, so I'll have plenty to share.

[Souta's getting so much encouragement for his little hobby.]

They should be. The plants tell me happy crops make tastier fruit and vegetables.

[wedonttalkabout]

[Bless this kid, looking for ways to make sure everyone gets something.]

Well, the plants would definitely know, right? At least you can ask the true experts in their field.

[not_a_possum]

Glad to see you're human again.

[He really is pleasantly surprised by this. The kid seemed nice, and he was worried with how his change to an imp seemed to be permanent that it would be the same for the kid as well.]

I might come by some time. It's probably too late in the year to start a garden, but doing a bit of gardening is probably a good idea.

[It might save some money, and it's not like he doesn't have plenty of time.]

[keyofelde]

I'm glad too. Being a bunny wasn't all bad, but it's nice to have thumbs again.

[The height is also a big plus. Now he can open his own doors.]

Oh, there's still one more season to go for gardening. Fall's not a bad time to start, I'll be restarting mine soon as well.

[New season, new garden. Let's go!!!]

[not_a_possum]

Oh, great to know! I'll give that a go, then. That'll give me something to do and might be a fun way to save money on groceries.

[keyofelde]

The more the merrier! I'd be glad to see you around.

You do need to buy seeds from the store in town, but they aren't too expensive. If you want, Zodiac will pay for it too.

[Though that might come with ~requests~ from their corporate overlords]

[not_a_possum]

They will? I might have to take them up on that.

[Even with requests, anything that saves money right now would be a good idea.]