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May 2009
My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant’s point of view.
~H. Fred Ale
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This morning I was hacking away at the Mexican Flame vine because it was really starting to get out of control. I filled a garbage can full of the vines and right on top of the pile I found the molted skin of an alligator lizard. I know they are out in the garden because Ringo is on constant patrol and occasionally gets a tail if he’s fast. I just assumed they are living on the ground, hiding in the bushes, but now I know they are climbing things, too. Not that I’ll be any less startled if one jumps out at me someday! Anyway, this lizard skin is completely intact, it just slid off, and you can even see the little feet with five little toes!
According to Wikipedia, alligator lizards eat slugs, spiders, small mammals (?!) and sometimes bird eggs. They are fearless and will bite if your hand is in the way. They shed their skins all in one piece just like snakes. The San Diego Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata webbii) is our local variety. I have noticed more lizards around lately than I’ve seen in a long time; maybe our little habitat here is a happy place for them.
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I’m using shredded paper in my compost bins and also mixing it with potting soil in the bottoms of pots I’m planting. This stuff is so finely shredded and the worms love it so I figure I might as well spread it around in the yard instead of putting it out with the recycling. I can’t think of any reason why this isn’t a good idea, but time will tell.
P.S. In reading this post I realized I need to clarify a few points. If I put it in the compost bins then I just throw it in there. If I put it in my planting beds then I’m burying the shredded paper so it doesn’t show. Plastic crabs and life-like iguana aside, I do try to maintain a little decorum in the garden!!!
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I love this time of year when the jacaranda trees are in bloom. If you walk the neighborhoods early in the morning and come across a jacaranda tree, there is something a little magical about a velvet purple carpet of flowers undisturbed under the trees. I think jacarandas get a bad rap for being messy, but of all the trees we’ve had on our properties this is probably the easiest tree to clean up after.
According to the internet, Jacaranda trees grow well in USDA Zones 9-11, prefer enriched sandy, well drained soils but is tolerant of most soil types. This tree will tolerate some shade, but prefers bright, sunny conditions for a more productive bloom. Once the tree is established it is fairly drought tolerant.
Propagation: By seed. Selected varieties are grafted. Cutting from half-ripened wood can also be started by treating with rooting hormone.
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This grape vine came from my mom’s yard about 3 years ago and is finally starting to stretch out in the back yard. I’m excited to see little flower clusters starting to develop fruit. I have done some reading and realize that I haven’t done a good job of pruning the plant over the last couple of years and I was probably supposed to pinch back most of the fruit clusters to concentrate energy into the few that are left, but I didn’t. The vine is planted in a good draining soil (important!) and I think I should fertilize this weekend. According to my reading they like nitrogen, zinc and potassium so I’ll look through my fertilizers to see which one is a good fit. Aren’t these cute? Time will tell!
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I was on my bike the other day and spotted this beautiful hibiscus.
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The tropical hibiscus is a member of the mallow family.
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