22 March 2010 Compost Pots

We’ve seen some flirtatious signs of spring: a daffodil here and there, a pokey crocus, the occasional not-chilly breeze. In honor of the vernal equinox last weekend we bought some seeds and pots and today put them together with some compost– the term the Brits seem to use when we would say “potting soil.” (Though it could be that there are distinctions I’m missing between “compost” and “potting soil” in both American and British English).

One thing you can’t miss is the difference in pronunciation. “Compost” in British English features the short vowel sound of O. This is the O of “octopus,” the O of “pot.” Compost pots. Try saying that a couple of times really fast. That’s what Sam and I did today at the ironmongers. There’s another short O in “ironmonger.” I don’t know if anything will actually grow in our compost pots, but it seems like interesting vowels are sprouting left and right.