It looks like my poor little Mayhaw may finally have hit its stride. It is still small, but looks great. Best of all, I have a handfull of little 1/2" Mayhaws growing on it.
My PawPaw on the other hand, has not hit is stride. It made a little handfull of flowers again, as it did last year, but I have the feeling it will drop them all, as it also did last year.
Last but not least, my Ichi-Ki-Kei-Jiro Persimmon is also looking much better. I doubt it will fruit, but at least this year, it looks like it will live, lol.
More to come, lots more, it's spring, yahoooooo!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Spring Can Be Tough Here for a New or Young Plant
Springs here consist of windy, continually heating, drought. Not a friendly beginning for a new spring planting. This is not a problem for established plantings. With our wet winters and water hodling clay soils, they rarely required supplmental watering. Only when the summer rains run late, do they suffer. New plantings however lose moisture at alarming rates and have no roots spread into the surrounding clay soils to grab moisture. Even worse, the silty clay loam tends to crack, so you can water all you want, it just runs off into endless cracks. End result is the first year, in the spring and fall in particular you must water constantly.
The 1-Step formula really has helped with this. It has both water absorbing crystal to less the loss of water, and mycorriza fungus to improve root efficiency and root growth. I have not lost a new planting since I began using it, where before it was no uncommon.
So far, new plantings this year include 2 Figs, 2 Raintrees, 3 Camellias, and 3 Blueberries. I still have a few seedlings/young plants still to be planted as well. I am always planting some kind of seed. I remember as a small boy, one of the trees in our neighborhood made these giant Acorns, more than an inch across. I parked in a parking lot a month or so ago, and sure enough under one of the trees were those large Acorns, which I had not seen in over 40 years. I grabbed five of them. Already, 2 trees have sprouted.
And we are looking for a couple more Camellias to finish the Camellia Garden Room. Cel has also just identified an area where she would like more Azaleas. I'd like just 2 more hardy palms, but they need to be kind of large, so that won't happen anytime soon. I am looking for a sale, haha.
The 1-Step formula really has helped with this. It has both water absorbing crystal to less the loss of water, and mycorriza fungus to improve root efficiency and root growth. I have not lost a new planting since I began using it, where before it was no uncommon.
So far, new plantings this year include 2 Figs, 2 Raintrees, 3 Camellias, and 3 Blueberries. I still have a few seedlings/young plants still to be planted as well. I am always planting some kind of seed. I remember as a small boy, one of the trees in our neighborhood made these giant Acorns, more than an inch across. I parked in a parking lot a month or so ago, and sure enough under one of the trees were those large Acorns, which I had not seen in over 40 years. I grabbed five of them. Already, 2 trees have sprouted.
And we are looking for a couple more Camellias to finish the Camellia Garden Room. Cel has also just identified an area where she would like more Azaleas. I'd like just 2 more hardy palms, but they need to be kind of large, so that won't happen anytime soon. I am looking for a sale, haha.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
No Longer Bamboozled by Bamboo, I Think
Low and behold, the east facing Moso has sent up 4 new shoots. Yahoo. Nothing yet form the west facing one, but I'll hit it with high nitro fertilizer one more time at the next rain, just for the heck of it. Worst case is I'll give the St. Augustine in that area a shot in the arm. At least for now, I still have Moso.
The Earth Box Rig, Not Sure Who Would be Prouder, Dad or Norbert
I cut the MiracleGrow plastic bag for a cover. For the vertical supports I found on old piece of PVC pipe for one side and an old bird feeder post for the other side.
On one side I planted a Razzleberry Tomato and on the other a Red Currant Tomato. And just for grins, I put a Perique Tobacco plants in the center.
When is a Weed not a Weed
This clover popped up at the base of one of the Kumquat trees. It's a pretty little thing, not the normal white or yellow flowered clovers that are common here, but a little pink flower. I didn't catch it at its best here, but you can see the charm.
Weeds, Birds, Compost, and Gravy
In spite of 4 hours of weed eating yesterday, today there was still more. But now I have it done. All good for another month
I was taking a break marveling at the diversity of bird life here. In a few minutes, I observed ducks, geese, mockingbirds, blue jays, wrens, doves, swifts, sparrows, crows, hummingbird, kill deer, black capped chickadees, cardinals, and hawks. I guess we are suceeding at making a wildlife friendly habitat. Almost forgot, chickens, too.
I was tossing plants into the compost when I got a pleasant surprise. The Cattaleya Orchids which I were sure were done in by winters, and some Champanellte grape cuttings from last year were alive, just not showing it yet. I quickly repotted them in some great soil. Hopefully they'll come back strong now.
So its 4 o'clock and I am toast. Decided to make a little custom gravy with everything in the kitchen sink boiling down, chicken, beef, and pork along with all kinds of ingredients. Might be great, might be horrible, but it won't kill ya.
So much more to write, but so tired. Maybe later.
I was taking a break marveling at the diversity of bird life here. In a few minutes, I observed ducks, geese, mockingbirds, blue jays, wrens, doves, swifts, sparrows, crows, hummingbird, kill deer, black capped chickadees, cardinals, and hawks. I guess we are suceeding at making a wildlife friendly habitat. Almost forgot, chickens, too.
I was tossing plants into the compost when I got a pleasant surprise. The Cattaleya Orchids which I were sure were done in by winters, and some Champanellte grape cuttings from last year were alive, just not showing it yet. I quickly repotted them in some great soil. Hopefully they'll come back strong now.
So its 4 o'clock and I am toast. Decided to make a little custom gravy with everything in the kitchen sink boiling down, chicken, beef, and pork along with all kinds of ingredients. Might be great, might be horrible, but it won't kill ya.
So much more to write, but so tired. Maybe later.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I Have Eaten Many Weeds
Today, I spent approx. 4 hours manning the weedeater. And I still have another hour or so to go. Now, its not that bad every weekend. This is a about a once a month or so job, and with some carefull application of Roundup here and there, along with some heavy mulching it will shorten by a half of so. Much of what I am knocking out are the spring weeds. Next will be the summer batch headlined by our old favorite, Johnson Grass. But it won't show up till the summer rains start, and they certainly have not started. It is quite dry out, and we could really use a good rain.
The vegetable gardens are looking really good this spring. My best effort so far, on this property, for sure. We'll have a nice Potato and Tomato crop. Onions will be OK, with a little Spinach, Lettuce, and Onions too. If the winter weather had cooperated, we would have easily quadrupled our output, be regardless, I am pleased for this year.
I may not be bamboozled by bamboo after all. Although the west Moso appeared to be a loss, the East Moso had 4 new shoots.
Palms - I started pruning the death from the palms. The bizzies are goners. All of the Mules look great, except for the smallest which had a spear pull along with the Jubutea. That is a big disappointment for sure. But we'll see. I haven't given up on them yet.
The vegetable gardens are looking really good this spring. My best effort so far, on this property, for sure. We'll have a nice Potato and Tomato crop. Onions will be OK, with a little Spinach, Lettuce, and Onions too. If the winter weather had cooperated, we would have easily quadrupled our output, be regardless, I am pleased for this year.
I may not be bamboozled by bamboo after all. Although the west Moso appeared to be a loss, the East Moso had 4 new shoots.
Palms - I started pruning the death from the palms. The bizzies are goners. All of the Mules look great, except for the smallest which had a spear pull along with the Jubutea. That is a big disappointment for sure. But we'll see. I haven't given up on them yet.
Friday, April 9, 2010
All Hail the Grapes, for They Have Joined Us for Spring
Almost forgot to note that the Grapes have sprung forth. My grapes are 'Champanelle' given to me as cutting from my late neighbor Mr. Picard. I would stop short of calling them robust, but each year they continue to grow larger with better crops. I propagated some cuttings last year as an experiment, but they did not make the wnter, which was my fault. Next year, I hope to expand the vinyard a bit.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A Rain, A Small Rain, But Rain Non-the-Less
Seems like yesterday I was whining from the rainiest winter on record, and seems like forever since we had a good rain. A few weeks for sure. The clay was cracking already. We got a little rain tonight, not enough to do any good, but it made me feel better. Maybe they'll be more later.
Fire Reared Its Ugly Head at New Dawn, Fire Blight That Is
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Dentist and Camellias Don't Go Together, But 2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad
After a tortuous trip to the dentist. Nothing wrong with the dentist, it is just I consider all trips to the dentist torture. I had hoped to get the 3 new Camellias planted after work today, but after the dentist trip I thought I was done for the day. Then it happened, right around 6pm I got this little burst of energy, so out I went. I planted the 2 white Camellias, leaving the 3rd for tomorrow. You know everytime I write Camellias, I feel like it should be Camellia, as in the same word for both plural and singular.
So, back to the planting. The White Camellia in the center was planted in a normal fashion with minimal soil amendments consisting mostly of Black Kow. I watered it in with Compost Tea brewed with Thrive cultures. The second white Camellia planted to the right had the same soil amendments but 1-Step was added and it was watered in with plain water. The soils in both holes was the same, black with little organic matter or visible soil life. In each 24 inch diameter hole I count only 1 Earthworm. Not good, but I know how to build soil.
So, back to the planting. The White Camellia in the center was planted in a normal fashion with minimal soil amendments consisting mostly of Black Kow. I watered it in with Compost Tea brewed with Thrive cultures. The second white Camellia planted to the right had the same soil amendments but 1-Step was added and it was watered in with plain water. The soils in both holes was the same, black with little organic matter or visible soil life. In each 24 inch diameter hole I count only 1 Earthworm. Not good, but I know how to build soil.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Sunday Puttering
So, I am not supposed to work on Easter Sunday, thus I did lots and lots of puttering.
First I trimmed the winter damage on the Phoenix sylvestris palms. They are fine. The I trimmed the Bizmarckia palms. They are dead. Since I have tons of Tomato seedlings, I got the old Earthbox out of mothballs just to have a place to grow a couple more. Of course I have no idea what I'll do with the other 60 seedlings. I think I'll just put them here and there in the ornamental beds and leave them to there own devices.
I decided to convert an old burn area in front of the barn to flower area. I put in the yellow Dahlia's there. They are going in a bit late, but I got them on sale, and I know my boogs loves yellow and Dahlias.
My frst potatoes are looking good., but the onions are pathetic. My fault on the Onions as they were planted far too late with all of the winter rains.
Even later than that are the Purple Potatoes I planted today. I got them last week at the grocery store and they were just too cute. I ate a few, but saved most to plant. Probably won't grow here, and planted much to late, but ce la vie'. This is what gardeners do.
First I trimmed the winter damage on the Phoenix sylvestris palms. They are fine. The I trimmed the Bizmarckia palms. They are dead. Since I have tons of Tomato seedlings, I got the old Earthbox out of mothballs just to have a place to grow a couple more. Of course I have no idea what I'll do with the other 60 seedlings. I think I'll just put them here and there in the ornamental beds and leave them to there own devices.
I decided to convert an old burn area in front of the barn to flower area. I put in the yellow Dahlia's there. They are going in a bit late, but I got them on sale, and I know my boogs loves yellow and Dahlias.
My frst potatoes are looking good., but the onions are pathetic. My fault on the Onions as they were planted far too late with all of the winter rains.
Even later than that are the Purple Potatoes I planted today. I got them last week at the grocery store and they were just too cute. I ate a few, but saved most to plant. Probably won't grow here, and planted much to late, but ce la vie'. This is what gardeners do.
Holy Saturday's Crawfish Boil
This used to be Good Friday's Crawfish Boil until it became popular to add Sausage to the Crawfish Boil. Well, you know there is that meat thing on Good Friday, so it became a drop the sausage or move the boil thing. Well, the boil got moved. But the most magical part did not get moved, which is the location Ca' Pete. It is hard to describe the place, but it is not of this time. It is as close to a time machine as exist. One step on the property is a step back in time. And each step takes you further back.
I was feeling a bit artistic, so here goes. First shot is a view through the weeping willow.
I was feeling a bit artistic, so here goes. First shot is a view through the weeping willow.
And my father-in-law holding court while making some Hog Cracklings.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
Today was mostly a day of recuperation from a long work week.
It was a nice day out, but with strong winds that wear on you. I got no major jobs done, but lots of little ones. I spread out about 20 bags of Oak Leaves I had collected. Watered this and that. Things are really dry out. We could use a good rain.
I put the Thrive enzymes in the fountain pond and started the pump running with an extension cord. Before pictures were taken so progress compared week by week. I fixed another wheelbarrow of Organic Potting Soil and Black Kow. I have found this to be a very useful mixture for everything from soil amendments to potting soil for houseplants.
It was a nice day out, but with strong winds that wear on you. I got no major jobs done, but lots of little ones. I spread out about 20 bags of Oak Leaves I had collected. Watered this and that. Things are really dry out. We could use a good rain.
I put the Thrive enzymes in the fountain pond and started the pump running with an extension cord. Before pictures were taken so progress compared week by week. I fixed another wheelbarrow of Organic Potting Soil and Black Kow. I have found this to be a very useful mixture for everything from soil amendments to potting soil for houseplants.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
3-Day Weekend, Yahoo!
It was a long short week at work, so I didn't get much done in the evenings. So, I am really looking forward to this 3 day weekend. I did get my Soil Soup Compost Tea Brewer repaired and back online. All I can say on that repair is God Bless Silicone Rubber in a tube. I'll be happy if it'll finish the season. Then I can replace it over the winter.
Being a technologist at heart, I have to bring some new tech into the garden, that being modern enzymes. I got my first "Thrive" products today. So, here's the propaganda:
Thrive Concentrate
An Earth-friendly living microbial treatment with Mycorrhizal fungi for the health of your soil. Safe for use around pets. Available for flowers, vegetables, tomatoes, tree & shrub, and new plants.
Detailed Description
THRIVE works from the roots up. The microbial activity introduced into the soil stimulates root growth, mass and length. THRIVE can be used with all types of fertilizers. In addition to enhancing the bioavailability of fertilizer and decaying organic matter, the bacteria in THRIVE colonize on the hair like structures of the plant root to increase nutrient absorption and stimulate growth. The result is more resilient and robust plants that are better able to withstand transplant stress, excessive heat and disease.
You will find outstanding results with increased flowering and fruit bearing. THRIVE can be mixed with water or applied directly to the soil. THRIVE contains no fertilizer, herbicide or pesticide. It is environmentally friendly, safe to use around children and pets and will not interfere with other treatments. The bacteria in THRIVE will remain viable between 35 and 120 degrees with as little as 18% soil moisture.
Being a technologist at heart, I have to bring some new tech into the garden, that being modern enzymes. I got my first "Thrive" products today. So, here's the propaganda:
Thrive Concentrate
An Earth-friendly living microbial treatment with Mycorrhizal fungi for the health of your soil. Safe for use around pets. Available for flowers, vegetables, tomatoes, tree & shrub, and new plants.
Detailed Description
THRIVE works from the roots up. The microbial activity introduced into the soil stimulates root growth, mass and length. THRIVE can be used with all types of fertilizers. In addition to enhancing the bioavailability of fertilizer and decaying organic matter, the bacteria in THRIVE colonize on the hair like structures of the plant root to increase nutrient absorption and stimulate growth. The result is more resilient and robust plants that are better able to withstand transplant stress, excessive heat and disease.
You will find outstanding results with increased flowering and fruit bearing. THRIVE can be mixed with water or applied directly to the soil. THRIVE contains no fertilizer, herbicide or pesticide. It is environmentally friendly, safe to use around children and pets and will not interfere with other treatments. The bacteria in THRIVE will remain viable between 35 and 120 degrees with as little as 18% soil moisture.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
God in the Garden #2
I could hardly sleep last night, what with all the racket the Cayotes were making howling at the full Moon. So, I walked out to shoo them away, and yep, sure enough God was out there just a howling. God looked back at me and said, "what? I created the Cayotes so I could have a chorus."
This is the #2 post of God in the Garden, but many more preceded it as status updates on my Facebook account. I just didn't save them. Several folks said I should, so as part of my Garden Blog here goes. Which is as it should be, as I re-discovered God, or maybe discovered him for the first time in my garden many years ago.
This is the #2 post of God in the Garden, but many more preceded it as status updates on my Facebook account. I just didn't save them. Several folks said I should, so as part of my Garden Blog here goes. Which is as it should be, as I re-discovered God, or maybe discovered him for the first time in my garden many years ago.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
We're Both Hurting, Big Time
Today was a massive spring cleaning on the property, and my wife, not me, pulled the biggest load. I don't know how she kept going, but one thing I do know is that we is gonna regret it tomorrow. First, the 40 foot Pine Tree that had split a couple of yearsa ago in the hurricanes and was cut down was hauled to burn pile. The same for some massive trimmings from a hurricane damaged Oak as well. Then came the Banana and Ginger remains. And lots of freeze dead other things that were cut down as well had to be hauled off. About 20 large bags of Oak leaves picked up here and there alongside the road were distributed out into the garden beds.
The only planting today was the replacement GG Gerbing Azalea. I hope the third time is a charm on this one. Not sure what took the first one out, but last year it was early heat and drought that it in. I was amazed to find the soil dry down 12 inches already in this spot. I did use the 1-Step on this planting. Since using this product I have not lost a single new planting and had outstanding growth in the first year and second year as well.
We have 3 new Camellia to add to the Camellia room. I would have planted them today, but I only had 1 pack of 1-Step left and it was used on the Azalea. Getting those is first on the to-do list tomorrow.
The only planting today was the replacement GG Gerbing Azalea. I hope the third time is a charm on this one. Not sure what took the first one out, but last year it was early heat and drought that it in. I was amazed to find the soil dry down 12 inches already in this spot. I did use the 1-Step on this planting. Since using this product I have not lost a single new planting and had outstanding growth in the first year and second year as well.
We have 3 new Camellia to add to the Camellia room. I would have planted them today, but I only had 1 pack of 1-Step left and it was used on the Azalea. Getting those is first on the to-do list tomorrow.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Do, Do, Do, Lookin' Out My Back Door
Well, on this beautiful spring Saturday I was particularly useless. Not sure why, but I just never got into anything. Maybe tomorrow will bring more energy and enthusiasm. We have some new Camellia's to plant, vegetables to water, bags upon bags of Oak Leaves to put out, and many palms and other plants to clean the winter dead from. Oh, and about a thousand other things as well. No problem, it'll still be waiting on us tomorrow.
So, I'll leave you with the landscape view from my back door. God has blessed me.
Oh, I almost forgot. I did get something done. I woke up this morning, walked out and did not hear the familiar hum of my Soil Soup Compost Tea Maker. The Bio-Blender was not turning and just about to burn up. It failed last year, and when I had the motor rebuilt I got a spare as well. Good thing as the old motor was fried this time. I suspect it was a failed bearing. Well, as I went to install the new motor, I discovered the old motor was reinstalled in a less than optimal manner. It was over torgued and the plastic seat distorted. Another screw was stripped too. So, after a quick trip to Lowe's for a new screw and some high heat Silcon to create a new seat for the motor, I think I am back in the saddle. We'll know on Monday morning, after the Silicon dries and I can crank it off. Either way this is the last hayride for the current housing, so I need to start budgeting for a new Bio Blender. Hopefully, this one will make the summer. Now, please note that I am not complaining, but I am guessing the Bio Blenders has a 4 to 5 year life. More to come.
Oh, I almost forgot. I did get something done. I woke up this morning, walked out and did not hear the familiar hum of my Soil Soup Compost Tea Maker. The Bio-Blender was not turning and just about to burn up. It failed last year, and when I had the motor rebuilt I got a spare as well. Good thing as the old motor was fried this time. I suspect it was a failed bearing. Well, as I went to install the new motor, I discovered the old motor was reinstalled in a less than optimal manner. It was over torgued and the plastic seat distorted. Another screw was stripped too. So, after a quick trip to Lowe's for a new screw and some high heat Silcon to create a new seat for the motor, I think I am back in the saddle. We'll know on Monday morning, after the Silicon dries and I can crank it off. Either way this is the last hayride for the current housing, so I need to start budgeting for a new Bio Blender. Hopefully, this one will make the summer. Now, please note that I am not complaining, but I am guessing the Bio Blenders has a 4 to 5 year life. More to come.
Bamboozled by Bamboo
My Moso Bamboo seems to be a total loss. The first broke in half last year in strong winds. I duck taped it together with steel rods and it lived till this winter. The other broke in half during stongs winds early in the spring. Now it seems that I have nothing left of my investment. As a last resort, I sprinkled the area around both with a high nitrogen grass fertilizer. What could it hurt? Now we wait.
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