Five years ago, we resurfaced the garden pathways with a fresh
layer of broken apricot pips. Recently, the tread bare pathway in the rosarium,
was a clear indicator that the garden pathways needed resurfacing in places.
The patches where more pips were required, told the story of how important a
section in the garden was. In these areas, the pathways had accordingly become
more tread worn.
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| Fresh broken apricot pips in the pathway at the top of the steps leading into the rosarium |
Clearly a lot more time was spent in the rosarium. To
describe the path as tread bare is quite fitting. Where one could see the soil peering
through the pips, the bareness could only be ascribed to all the treading. If
one had the time and inclination, one might even determine which areas of the
rosarium were more popular.
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| Mountains of broken apricot pips |
Following this assessment, after the rosarium, the vegetable
garden clearly had seen more traffic than the herb garden, for instance. We had
already decided to resurface these pathways at the end of 2018. However, a
shortage of broken pips at the supplier forced us to wait until after the
apricot harvest season this year. Clearly, there is either a great demand for
this eco-friendly surfacing material, or fewer apricots are being processed.
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| Mountains of broken peach pips |
I can remember when we started using them 28 years ago. There
were mountains and mountains of broken pips that were readily available all
year round. A greater demand for the broken pips as well as a reduction in
apricot orchards in the valley, means that we only have them available at
certain times of the year as demand outstrips supply.
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| Broken apricot pips |
Suddenly, we find that we need to plan the resurfacing of pathways
for when the pips are available. Not when we have a convenient break in the
gardening calendar, as in years past. I anticipate
that soon we might have to book our pip orders in advance. The citrus orchards
that have replaced many apricot orchards, will not be supplying pips for
pathways in the future.
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| Broken peach pips |
It is still an adventure to fetch bakkie (pick-up truck)
loads of pips from among the mountains of dried broken pips in the neighbouring
town of Montagu. The pathway in the rosarium was refreshed first. The rest of
the pathways will follow once I have upgraded the irrigation system and the winter
pruning has been completed.
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| Broken apricot pips |
Where I sit in the dining room for breakfast, I have a
doorframe view of the rosarium and its freshly pipped pathway. My seating position
makes me feel like I am at the centre of our world. There is a view to the
orchard on my left, a view to the oaks on the lawn to my right, a view to the
rosarium in front of me and if I were to turn around, I would see the neighbouring
olive trees bordering the front garden.
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| The freshly pipped pathway in the rosarium |
Lately, I have noticed a small flock of laughing- and turtle
doves, frequenting the rosarium pathway. I discovered that they are there to eat
the broken kernels that have remained within the broken pips. The apricot
kernels contain a toxic chemical known as amygdalin. This chemical is converted
in the body to cyanide, which is poisonous. It was thought that amygdalin was
taken up first by cancer cells and converted to cyanide. Thus, making it a
subject of interest in attempting to use apricot kernels in the fight against cancer.
The doves, however, seem unperturbed by this. They can be seen walking up and down the rosarium path, enjoying their daily treat of dried apricot kernels. We are quite happy that the apricot pips serve a further purpose in the garden, adding yet another dimension to their already diverse eco-friendly uses.
The former tread bare pathways have another tale to tell as
dove feet tread lightly over freshly pipped pathways and the feasting doves
forage for crushed kernels.
