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From the monthly archives:
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 [...]
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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, [...]
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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 [...]
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I was on my bike the other day and spotted this beautiful hibiscus. . The tropical hibiscus is a member of the mallow family.
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A friend brought me this plant a couple of years ago from a house that was being torn down on First Street. Epiphylliums are not the most attractive plants but their blooms are stunning. I’m not sure why this plant has been so prolific this year because I didn’t do anything except watering. The colors [...]
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These colors are so vibrant and only in one corner of the garden. Not my usual color picks, but it all sort of came together.
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I feel like I’m finally getting caught up on garden work that was pushed to the background while I was busy on the Flower Show. I have started seeds for cantaloupe, eggplant, snap beans, watermelon, Lemon & Armenian cukes, and lots of sunflowers. I’ve started all these seeds later than I had planned, but being [...]
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I inherited a bunch of cymbidiums last month and I’ve been intimidated because I’ve never grown orchids before. I’ve been looking at them for the last few weeks trying to figure out what I want to do with them and I’m beginning to get a plan together. I’ve also discovered in my reading that although [...]
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