As the year 2010 is almost over the time to sum up some important things learned this year is at hand. I call the garden rules so that they are easy to remember and assist me when considering what to do in my journey to grow an organic garden from a sandpit.
I'm sure that some won't apply to some folks but feel free to use any that you find useful.
GARDEN RULE #1 THRIFTY IS NOT CHEAP [ No matter what my wife says ]
Here is a prime example. This Matchstick Bromeliad is sending up its bloom stalk. It was made from a pup along with Eight other pups taken from the parent Bromeliad plant.
After these plants bloom more pups will emerge. These plants will continue to produce pups to supply the garden.
GARDEN RULE #2 GROW YOUR OWN AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE HOME
Most of the plants that I grow here in the Sandpit were home grown from seed or cuttings.
Here is a picture of one of the Neem Trees that I started from seed this year . This is Neem Three and it is over eight feet tall now. Neem one and Neem two are planted out in my front yard . Both are about two feet tall now because I was lazy about planting them out from their containers.
Save yourself lots of money and grow your own plants .
GARDEN RULE #3 DON'T TRIM YOUR BOUGAINVILLEA BUSHES BAREFOOT
Trust me on this one it is not a good idea. Ouch!
GARDEN RULE #4 NEVER PAY CASH IF IT IS FREE IN THE TRASH
Lots of stuff from discarded plants to containers can be reused
and can be rescued from the trash. The bulk pickup day in
your neighborhood is a great time to look for garden treasure.
GARDEN RULE #5 SHUT UP AND LISTEN
Lots of folks have lots of gardening information and will share
with you . Master this rule and I guarantee you will be a better
gardener.
Aloe blooming just in time for Christmas
GARDEN RULE #6 TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES
Gardening should not be a chore . Take time to watch your
Garden and enjoy it.
Cassia bush in bloom . Every November this guy put on a show.
Well that's some of the stuff that I have learned and retained from this year .
Hope that everyone has a fantastic Christmas !
SANDDUNE------
Great post!! Thanks for sharing. Trimming bouganvillea is nasty! It looks great when it's all tidy. I still have to master a couple of those rules yet:) Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteI follow all of those rules, but thanks for reminding us of them!
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you, Sanddune. And, I agree with you..."thrift is NOT cheap"...in my book, it's smart! Your cassia bush looks fabulous. I bet you're enjoying looking at all those beautiful blossoms. Have a VERY merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with all your rules. That Neem tree is impressive! How does it take the cold? Merry Christmas, sanddune!
ReplyDeleteRohrerbot,
ReplyDeleteThe Bougainvillea rule came to be from experience. Step on one of their thorns and it will hurt for days. Thanks for stopping by the blog.
Grower Jim,
I am learning a lot about gardening and the rules just help to keep me on track. Thanks for stopping by.
Susan,
The Cassia bush is a favorite that I look forward to every November. As for being thrifty that is my choice in a materialistic world. Kind of like opting out. Wishing you the best in the new year.
NanaK,
Doesn't the Neem look cool. It is growing quickly but the jury is still out on how it will take the cold. It got down to 32.5 temp for a few hours the other week but the Neem seems ok so far. The cold and wind will be trials it will have to overcome. We shall see. Best wishes to you for the new year.
i hope you see this, as i have been scouring the internet for info on frost damage and neem trees. mine was planted out way too late, (november) and has been totally de-leaved due to the recent frosts. i was curious how your neem 3 did since it was more established and larger than mine. could you comment on how it looks as of now? thank you so much. i love the neem tree benefits and want to have my own, but am expecting frosts every year due to climate changes here in swfl,(fort myers)
ReplyDeleteAbberz,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read the Neem likes and thrives in hot weather. It can tolerate cold temp to about 35f but might loose all its leaves and get frost damage. They are most vunerable the first year. I have three plants growing now from seeds I planted this April. The biggest is now over 8 feet tall. We got temps so far at 32.5 for a few hours only. The neems all look ok and have not shed any leaves so far. I have noticed that they appear to have stopped growing i'm thinking they will start again when it heats up. http://www.discoverneem.com/growing-neem-trees.html has lots of good info that might help answer your questions. Mine are still on their first year so how they will survive the winter here is still a question. Best of luck to you with your Neem trees.