The tales of tread bare pathways

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.