Things are, perhaps, a tiny bit behind schedule in the world that is plants on deck. It’s time to get back on track. Sleep is being lost. And that’s serious business.

After a lovely bonus evening’s (thanks overbooked airline!) happy hour oysters and an unspeakably delicious dinner in the Crescent City’s CBD, a leisurely bat-tastic wander around the Quarter, and a strangely unsuccessful attempt to catch one last show on Frenchman, POD’s minder and endurer retired rather early to the classy airport Ramada for a nap before rising at an hour when vampires haven’t even begun to worry about daybreak.

A full three (3!) hours before the series of alarms were scheduled to go off — and after only two restless hours “sleep” — the image of wilting, thirsty, leggy seedlings popped into this sleep-averse brain.

Gardening night terrors. Seriously?

“Damn gardeners,” muttered the endurer.

And so, just hours ago, the grow light has been restored, a healthy dose of water added (and immediately wicked up through the pots) and the fancy new French Orange hybrid melons have joined the tomatoes and poblanos.