tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40902021028791687852024-02-02T01:55:29.060-05:00South Florida ChallengesGARDENING IN PARADISE ...MY TRIUMPHS AND TRIBULATIONSsanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-7774490555262379152011-04-06T14:45:00.008-04:002011-04-06T16:32:06.015-04:00EARLY APRIL OBSERVATIONS<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><em>The month of April has arrived once again here in South Florida. It begins the two month period that I call the <strong>blow dry months</strong> here at the Sandpit garden. April and May here are consistently hot, dry and windy. Just as a blow drier works the warm winds evaporate all the moisture out of the soil and the lack of rain compounds the drying effects. We are in a drought here now and the government has imposed water restrictions. The next two months will require dedicated watering to keep the garden going until June when the rainy season starts up.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>I have started getting away from containers for most of the plants and put them directly in the soil. It keeps them at a more constant moisture and temperature and seems to be working better for me. The containers have their advantages but during this time of year will dry out overnight. With the plants in the ground I can stretch a couple of days between watering's which can save the plants when away from the garden.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXWkuolpTSzvzjctOXqLB5J5mHLUOjJabHV63zdb1HxGZCGv7MYhAveDND-RAHziMbJegI2LySBLV7Uw9Y-11VUichjUDpNvLQD53bunKPctBLGkrazDKKyxDi2nDkri3BuZliwKLa1U/s1600/03-06-2011-white+phal-+004-r900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592551233374163794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXWkuolpTSzvzjctOXqLB5J5mHLUOjJabHV63zdb1HxGZCGv7MYhAveDND-RAHziMbJegI2LySBLV7Uw9Y-11VUichjUDpNvLQD53bunKPctBLGkrazDKKyxDi2nDkri3BuZliwKLa1U/s320/03-06-2011-white+phal-+004-r900%252BW.JPG" /></a></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Anyway since we are speaking of Orchids I found this guy stuck in the middle of some other potted plants outside. This <strong>phalaenopsis Orchid</strong> is trying its best to bloom for me but I was remiss in watering it and it has been getting too much direct sun.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>I brought it inside to get some much needed attention, kinda like Orchid CPR. I hope that it soon perks up and the when the buds on the flower stem open they will show its true form. This bloom was just wilted over itself. How do you say Orchid guilt.</em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NMHfhp6y8W-t2R542nrJv0qDgKiP-fCoHucKs7JUxIxZd2xkGGe_0J6jOzanhEGfNHh7mg7bZ3nTo1wJnhCE1SLDjPthTr_g870gpwn8HwLSOmXER73IETQaWMDo7MdpHJDWpkaZbIA/s1600/03-06-2011-yellow+phal-+001-r900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592554910121763282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NMHfhp6y8W-t2R542nrJv0qDgKiP-fCoHucKs7JUxIxZd2xkGGe_0J6jOzanhEGfNHh7mg7bZ3nTo1wJnhCE1SLDjPthTr_g870gpwn8HwLSOmXER73IETQaWMDo7MdpHJDWpkaZbIA/s320/03-06-2011-yellow+phal-+001-r900%252BW.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>I had last month brought inside some of the other <strong>Phalaenopsis</strong> Orchids and put them by a window so they get the morning light. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>This guy is solid yellow with a tinge of lime surrounding a purple throat. It is quite simple but striking. It has been blooming for over a month now.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKu25ncAbjvihHgaf8hTdvdQIFcJzqwKw3SdGdQT2MjGSPRtghML-wvVxlY9l8czXwFSA1UbBIqKy8s3WdqKonejsk12IKA9LO6Y1q1KoMRipke3xDvew8fCMRD6U23RfR-juJea1ftI/s1600/03-06-2011-freckles-+003-r900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592557044748077970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKu25ncAbjvihHgaf8hTdvdQIFcJzqwKw3SdGdQT2MjGSPRtghML-wvVxlY9l8czXwFSA1UbBIqKy8s3WdqKonejsk12IKA9LO6Y1q1KoMRipke3xDvew8fCMRD6U23RfR-juJea1ftI/s320/03-06-2011-freckles-+003-r900%252BW.JPG" /></a>The <strong>Phalaenopsis</strong> like it inside in the air conditioning seems like. These Orchids like daytime temps between <strong>70 and 80 degrees</strong> so they are much like people. During the heat you can bring them inside without worry to enjoy their spectacular bloom. They will get to stay inside while in their bloom cycle then get returned outside to the harsh world that is the Sandpit. Plants here have to be tough .</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>This <strong>Phalaenopsis Orchid</strong> has been around the Sandpit now for several years. I call it <strong>freckles</strong>. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>It has smaller blooms than some of the others but is my favorite of the Phals that I have.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaImptPk-ZtoBIRMTCvJs_ZhXzWRR2rBBHbBwdM1JLw10kvBbSf52slG91QR7rz8pakfuLdRPTJTpZAfKtnmhwc_xaS8T7JyQMTxaLodZ_fS6RBUgF-by_YEkudojil0hXd6PmjF-tYw/s1600/03-06-2011-jub+tom+007-r900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592563238526661970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaImptPk-ZtoBIRMTCvJs_ZhXzWRR2rBBHbBwdM1JLw10kvBbSf52slG91QR7rz8pakfuLdRPTJTpZAfKtnmhwc_xaS8T7JyQMTxaLodZ_fS6RBUgF-by_YEkudojil0hXd6PmjF-tYw/s320/03-06-2011-jub+tom+007-r900%252BW.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><em>And speaking of the Sandpit raised beds the <strong>Jubilee heirloom tomato</strong> plants are looking really good. No sign of disease or other Tomato malady's that seem to plague the tomato plants here. I have been feeding them with liquid tea made from the <strong>Comfrey</strong> leaves. These are yellow tomatoes and so far so good. Of course by writing this I have probably doomed them but they look good for now.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>They are growing amongst the Collard plants and both are competing for space. Maybe that is a good thing and the competition makes them grow better.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>That's the sitrep for early April here at the Sandpit garden. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Just a reminder that now is the time to plant some <strong>Moonflower seeds</strong>. It is my unscientific theory that the <strong>Moonflower plants</strong> will bend Hurricanes away from your home and garden. Even if they don't the plants are super cool opening their white flowers at night. With Hurricane season just a short time away some Moonflower plant seeds will cost you a lot less than what your windstorm damage insurance deductible in Florida is. Urban legion or not I have never been struck by a hurricane when The moon flower plants were growing at the Sandpit. Believe it or not.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>--SANDDUNE--</em></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-60249470306009931502011-03-23T14:55:00.008-04:002011-03-23T16:42:12.403-04:00MARCH IN THE SANDPIT<div><div><div><em> Around here at the Sandpit March is a pivotal month. The Winter is long gone and the heat and Sun's intensity is getting stronger as each day passes. This is the time that a lot of the plants here get moved to the precious semi shade spots. Shade or even partial shade here is very limited and in high demand at the sandpit for the survival of a lot of the plants growing in the garden.</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>This little<strong> Zinnia</strong> seems to like it in the direct sun. I read an article not to long ago that you can't grow <strong>Zinnia's</strong> in South Florida. It is really difficult to grow them here as they seem to be a target for every fungal disease that comes around as well as irresistible to the bugs. Maybe it is the humidity here that comes with summer. Don't know for sure but I keep trying different hybrids hoping to find one that can handle this climate .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr6LfhODqG7OAsqLDLpNMGJVEohvhW0C9nY_U4xpDFI38zX4rkOli8f-7_My_s8zrIUMivnXj3N5INzF1ob4gzhv1LckhRVmVb6HIEgE0jAMw_3E6a6vPvqLj1VBmI_k9uTczDiJ-gYk/s1600/03-23-2011+zinnia+-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587354313346864658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr6LfhODqG7OAsqLDLpNMGJVEohvhW0C9nY_U4xpDFI38zX4rkOli8f-7_My_s8zrIUMivnXj3N5INzF1ob4gzhv1LckhRVmVb6HIEgE0jAMw_3E6a6vPvqLj1VBmI_k9uTczDiJ-gYk/s320/03-23-2011+zinnia+-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a> This guy is a <strong>hybrid Zinnia</strong> called <span style="color:#ff0000;">Highlights</span>. I had two seeds in an old pack of seeds from several years ago and planted both seeds on January 15Th of this year into small pots made from old newspaper. One sprouted, this guy, and was transferred to this small plastic pot collected from someone's garbage. It's blooms are supposed to be exceptionally bright hence the name<span style="color:#ff0000;"> Highlights</span> like the marker pen highlighter. Comes pretty close it turns out. Since this was my last seed I might just have to break down and get some more of these <strong>Zinnia seeds</strong>. I believe they came from Parks Seed best as I can recall.</em></div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><em></em></div><div><em>Another new favorite that I discovered just last year has reseeded itself and is producing some exceptional blooms. This is a <strong>heirloom Morning glo</strong>ry called <strong>Granpa Ott</strong>. It has it's origins as a heirloom seed given to Diane Whealy in 1972 by her grandfather from his farm in Iowa. One of the original variety that started Seed Savers Exchange.</em></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HqPs7G7QPa-9SjxEerqE6EnEN1uMWLRdXN87AL6-aOLdKb-qiYNEE1BBjjgUR0EVPTBYP2SZEBKrG0NU-NF7kdBhR5BrZllIm-BWi875GniMfl9b28LQqyOKkBPgav4HRvh4t1HsJCY/s1600/03-23-2011+008gramott-R%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587365052415293698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HqPs7G7QPa-9SjxEerqE6EnEN1uMWLRdXN87AL6-aOLdKb-qiYNEE1BBjjgUR0EVPTBYP2SZEBKrG0NU-NF7kdBhR5BrZllIm-BWi875GniMfl9b28LQqyOKkBPgav4HRvh4t1HsJCY/s320/03-23-2011+008gramott-R%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><em>This <strong>Morning Glory</strong> bloom produces some of the deepest rich purple colors I have ever seen on a plant. In the sun this bloom is hypnotic as it seems to change luminance. With it's rich colors it is hard to look away. The <strong>Granpa Ott</strong> will stand out in any garden and will positively draw attention to itself. Also reseeds itself so you get lots of free plants or next season which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it.</em></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><em>I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKanz38mbPFY1YHh0JAZXSg6jpimmJdbGAf1-CWOQpRoOzpCjRhK2q4ShJkpH8614Yvloxi_05JLvm9Sf_zmUcFmTFivt34C3p_iGhXND9uVxTr5E4jaIzLOZFgRnY8CvGB8anHomXtng/s1600/03-23-2011+planter-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587369503585991394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKanz38mbPFY1YHh0JAZXSg6jpimmJdbGAf1-CWOQpRoOzpCjRhK2q4ShJkpH8614Yvloxi_05JLvm9Sf_zmUcFmTFivt34C3p_iGhXND9uVxTr5E4jaIzLOZFgRnY8CvGB8anHomXtng/s320/03-23-2011+planter-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a>am also using this month to plant out some of the brick planters with the plants that were sprouted back in January and February from seed. The brick planters are heavy and will not be blown around by the winds we get here as well as get the plants up off of the ground so they get good airflow.</em></div><div><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div><br /></div><div><em>I put one of the<strong> Four O'clock sprouts</strong> that were germinated from seed in the left side and an <strong>wild Tomato plant</strong> that had volunteered itself in the right.</em></div><div><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot more seed sprouts that will need to be planted out in the hear future. But that's ok because I have a lot of the brick planters with empty holes to stick the new sprouts in.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnJSWaJv3a-Gccncth2dobwbwtPB3JVb3G2pHZ_wN3Hlut1Ili1pk14R6uPEN7mps6TArmMV70-hiRpG6PSQSB5sQecQcr2rzvA9GaFZ1l1KZLQHSxnsXsXvYy5PIJ0evnqdwAtStmx4/s1600/03-23-2011+collards-R900-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587372280653313394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnJSWaJv3a-Gccncth2dobwbwtPB3JVb3G2pHZ_wN3Hlut1Ili1pk14R6uPEN7mps6TArmMV70-hiRpG6PSQSB5sQecQcr2rzvA9GaFZ1l1KZLQHSxnsXsXvYy5PIJ0evnqdwAtStmx4/s320/03-23-2011+collards-R900-W.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>But March is not all replanting work in the garden. This month we also get to reap some rewards for the work on the planting beds last fall. The <strong>Southern Collard Greens</strong> are ready to start harvesting before it gets to hot.</div><div> </div><div> This batch is fresh from the garden and is on the menu for dinner. If I can find where I put the cornbread mix we are going to have us a feast -<strong>Southern Style</strong>.</div><div> </div><div> And you just can't beat that.</div><div> </div><div>---SANDDUNE--</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><em></em></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-29587416313396586392011-03-05T12:49:00.011-05:002011-03-05T15:39:27.840-05:00ENDEAVORING TO PERSEVERE<div><div><div><em></em><br /><div><em>Seems like a good as any description of the sandpit garden. <strong>Endeavor</strong>- To exert oneself to do or effect something. <strong>Persevere</strong>- Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty. I like it. It describes the Sandpit garden exactly we are<strong> Endeavoring to Persevere</strong> here but are making headway albeit slowly.</em><br /><br /><div><em>The <strong>Amaryllis</strong> plants are up and blooming which is a sure sign that the cold weather is over here and the summer is fast approaching.</em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVVsIqOPKU3B1XMpiGmIlEHUPxfCmUsVbXbZR0mAxwmGVcRdL99J4qdseV01NDmQVY5YE96HGfz4NGRazr6Kl_FTiJia_nbxvH8EABMjYwRSgmQkVJn_CoEysYYQIqL5uCEbSmfawIWE/s1600/03-03-2011+021-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580658036308815074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVVsIqOPKU3B1XMpiGmIlEHUPxfCmUsVbXbZR0mAxwmGVcRdL99J4qdseV01NDmQVY5YE96HGfz4NGRazr6Kl_FTiJia_nbxvH8EABMjYwRSgmQkVJn_CoEysYYQIqL5uCEbSmfawIWE/s320/03-03-2011+021-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>These bulbs grow easily here in South Florida and are left in the ground the entire year. These particular <strong>Amaryllis bulbs</strong> are many years old collected over time from the yards of relatives. They never fail to put on a flower show this time of year and are quite dependable.</em><br /><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>Another South Florida special is the <strong>Croton </strong>plant. It is not very keen on cold weather but give it some heat and this guy is going to thrive.</em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLHkeAX-2uiEp2JtYBG6Q85WjuJGc9TIBjbkIk4vwCtPbnBETLIurQiD_iA4EfLvqeoaCukrFart_w2HpR9DbALfpsG05cL6W4NHzA0Hj_ri3lMWzujeYwPIbO-9FokFRuFhjYjy9aww/s1600/03-03-2011+019-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580660593658998162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLHkeAX-2uiEp2JtYBG6Q85WjuJGc9TIBjbkIk4vwCtPbnBETLIurQiD_iA4EfLvqeoaCukrFart_w2HpR9DbALfpsG05cL6W4NHzA0Hj_ri3lMWzujeYwPIbO-9FokFRuFhjYjy9aww/s320/03-03-2011+019-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><em>This <strong>Croton</strong> was made from a stem cutting and is responding to the rising temperatures here with new growth. They are one of the easy plants to propagate from cuttings and are found throughout the Tropics. The leaves change colors in response to the amount of sunlight the plant gets and it will stand up to the tropical heat and humidity we will get here. It's one of the tough guys to have in a tropical setting.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>One of the other plants that I have been messing with for the garden is the<strong> Four o'clock</strong>. I read that this plant is a good companion plant in the vegetable garden. Supposedly the bugs will eat the<strong> four"oclock</strong> leaves which are poison instead of the vegetable plants. So it is meant as a diversion plant for the bugs so the vegetables have a chance. </em></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYhr35L3qRqgfGHFL7QiX4ksl_Vlu17_sgSgh1ZRlvSZtya69_D9eWDLgyA283e9HkDZsi6-ttKe02MLqY7ShjvTn8LyGlLqjiKdkS6XqgmdRmnNmD9xjLp51oh7drzSofcs-CLZ1qo/s1600/03-03-2011+020-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580667925159773378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYhr35L3qRqgfGHFL7QiX4ksl_Vlu17_sgSgh1ZRlvSZtya69_D9eWDLgyA283e9HkDZsi6-ttKe02MLqY7ShjvTn8LyGlLqjiKdkS6XqgmdRmnNmD9xjLp51oh7drzSofcs-CLZ1qo/s320/03-03-2011+020-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div><em>The bugs have not shown up yet but they will come with the warming weather. The <strong>Four o'clocks</strong> are a new experiment this year to see if they will help control the hungry bugs.</em></div><br /><div><em>This <strong>Four o'clock</strong> pot has three baking potato size tubers planted in it. I dug them up from under my front yard bushes a short while back and planted them in this pot to contain their spreading. </em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>When I first transplanted them the tubers had growth a couple of feet tall on them. Once in the new pot the growth immediately died down to the bare soil. After several weeks the tubers have sent up new growth to take a look around and try to figure out what happened and how they ended up here. I am also growing some more <strong>Four o'clocks</strong> from <strong>seed</strong> and hope to get some different color flowers. This plant in the picture will have yellow flowers on it once it grows up a bit.</em></div><br /><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEYoTX4Vl6T_rirDQKZo8gvWw5_fLwa8i8SND3WTR6tr6TopxmR3T13qeD9_f8OHII5tWIcitLa9GA5_r-nah0zxD04lSmW7Zb0v__wMLM6Bu5kzs7zsxle5bX9bgTNk75qFJTpsTW98/s1600/03-03-2011+001-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580672134829211538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEYoTX4Vl6T_rirDQKZo8gvWw5_fLwa8i8SND3WTR6tr6TopxmR3T13qeD9_f8OHII5tWIcitLa9GA5_r-nah0zxD04lSmW7Zb0v__wMLM6Bu5kzs7zsxle5bX9bgTNk75qFJTpsTW98/s320/03-03-2011+001-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a> <em>On the edible side in the beds that I have been working on there are <strong>Collards</strong> ready to harvest some of the outside leaves. These <strong>Collards</strong> seem to be doing pretty well in the new bed to which was added lots and lots of last years compost. These were grown from seed that I started in homemade newspaper pots then transplanted out into the bed after they were grown up a bit.</em><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><div><em>This particular type are <strong>Creole or Georgia</strong> <strong>Southern Collards</strong>. They are a Southern staple and really good as a Winter green here in Florida. They are a heirloom really old type <strong>Collard</strong> that dates back before 1760 and was a food staple grown by slaves in the South. This type <strong>Collard</strong> takes about 75 days to harvest and tolerates sandy soil and heat which is just perfect for the Sandpit garden. These here <strong>Collards</strong> were started from seed on January 8th.</em></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR2Kqgu497ifq7wAnmgwFGLTTCul9UBik8VOVwFbskRXrIPJzgJDoSwwdXKq7QBtmZd7PkC8E0vzpfZLm3ESPCvL0r8J8UUtD3kUjAMIFyD9GxCn5k3T6PoYa1fPANBIZ3tjSrkvjoo4/s1600/03-03-2011+023-R900%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580683736875562482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR2Kqgu497ifq7wAnmgwFGLTTCul9UBik8VOVwFbskRXrIPJzgJDoSwwdXKq7QBtmZd7PkC8E0vzpfZLm3ESPCvL0r8J8UUtD3kUjAMIFyD9GxCn5k3T6PoYa1fPANBIZ3tjSrkvjoo4/s320/03-03-2011+023-R900%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div><em>Another Heirloom that is growing well so far in the new vegetable beds is the <strong>Jubilee Tomato</strong>. It dates back to 1891 and is an orange-yellow Tomato. This type is indeterminate so it will produce as long as the plant remains healthy. Growing Tomato plants here is a roll of the dice but so far these plants are looking really healthy. </em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em> As a side bonus to preparing the new vegetable beds from the new mixed compost I have about 8 to ten sprouts from the <strong>Everglades Tomato</strong> plants. These have self seeded from the compost added to the beds. I was down to just a couple of these plants because they are one of my favorites and I never get around to saving their seed because I eat all the fruit first. So It will be a priority to save some seed from this wild cherry type Tomato that nature has provided. Now if I can convince my resident Mockingbirds to cooperate in the seed saving effort with the <strong>Everglades Tomato's</strong>. They love them too and it is a fight to see who can get the fruits first.</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em> Anyway that's the update from the Sandpit for now. Here is a good you tube video that I ran across for today's times. <strong>Makes sense to me anyway</strong>.</em></div><div><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/donze52#p/u/52/u9l4l-cunSc">http://www.youtube.com/user/donze52#p/u/52/u9l4l-cunSc</a></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p> <em>Hope that your garden is thriving and that you too are <strong>endeavoring to persevere.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>---Sanddune---</strong></em></p>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-83595629521992950602011-02-06T14:32:00.008-05:002011-02-06T16:59:31.593-05:00THINKING FORWARD - COMFREY<em><strong>Read in the local paper yesterday that worldwide food prices have hit an all time record high. This is not too surprising when you consider that the food consumed now travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to the end consumer. Fuel prices keep heading up and it takes lots and lots of fuel to grow commercial crops and to power the semi trucks delivering them to your local store. This alone is causing food prices to rise but then figure in the weather events [ freeze in Florida, floods in Australia and you can go on and on ]. </strong></em><div><div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxsjX9vJTDAuoyYty2uxsz9JCisBnuOTnhOfGnnGwJXpQTweFWTBMve66amU_2r4EiQI80aW5TV1iqPniSk2MSBjC_V1vc4E_6yMnm4sL8svrXWsOua6q4WQ59QhNfzJ4_zU4BYLUkQM/s1600/550-chess-R1000%252BWATERMARK%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570668387677779746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxsjX9vJTDAuoyYty2uxsz9JCisBnuOTnhOfGnnGwJXpQTweFWTBMve66amU_2r4EiQI80aW5TV1iqPniSk2MSBjC_V1vc4E_6yMnm4sL8svrXWsOua6q4WQ59QhNfzJ4_zU4BYLUkQM/s320/550-chess-R1000%252BWATERMARK%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><em><strong>When you start to figure the steadily rising food prices, the expanding population growth, and the scary chemical pesticides we are eating in our food It makes one stop to ponder. It seems to me that it might just be a good idea to start growing some food yourself. It is not something that you can do overnight and takes some planning, education and forward thinking. Start to learn how now is some good insurance</strong></em>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><em><strong>Like in a game of chess you have to think several moves ahead of the opponent. In the case of our food it seems the opponent is being dependent on always being able to just pick something up from the grocery store. Let's become more self sufficient and less dependent. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Enable yourself</span>.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>OK, enough of the sermon but after all this is Sunday. Here is a smart move that I made that I will share with you. The first raised bed that I made in the Sandpit garden I made a dedicated bed. It is dedicated to growing plants that will support my organic beds to come. </strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>As always , with some help of my friends I discovered <span style="color:#ff0000;">Comfrey</span>. In this case it was <span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://africanaussie.blogspot.com/">Africanaussie</a></span> who suggested that I grow some Comfrey to make nutrient tea for the plants. After some research it became clear that this member of the Borage family has numerous benefits to an organic garden as well as being a medicinal herb plant.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>I decided to make an investment after researching Comfrey and purchased six root cuttings of <span style="color:#ff0000;">Russian blocking 14 Comfrey</span> from Horizon herbs. The Blocking 14 type is sterile and does not make seeds so it will not spread beyond where you plant it as is the case with regular Comfrey. The blocking 14 is <span style="color:#ff0000;">Symphytum X</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">Uplandicum</span> for the technical minded.</strong></em></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF178IDx7m0OUmN6-YVTeXrsSr60H-0p9u2R2sh38My_e0VMnzQryu-Nysm1MtXDRlq4Us7FHndF6W8VgoOl5G5FSFzOfAYsPwkZoAm_LlQl0OJjCNAX35seBax5_uzyos01Mg4AHRY5k/s1600/comfry-2011-+019-R%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570680739573673298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF178IDx7m0OUmN6-YVTeXrsSr60H-0p9u2R2sh38My_e0VMnzQryu-Nysm1MtXDRlq4Us7FHndF6W8VgoOl5G5FSFzOfAYsPwkZoAm_LlQl0OJjCNAX35seBax5_uzyos01Mg4AHRY5k/s320/comfry-2011-+019-R%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><em><strong>The root cutting grow easily into six plants that fill this dedicated bed. The Comfrey grows quickly producing large leaves that are filled with nutrients. The cold won't hurt it as it is hearty down to <span style="color:#ff0000;">minus- 35 degrees</span> and it loves the Florida sun.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong></strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>These Comfrey plants send down roots like 8 feet deep and act as a nutrient accumulator. They are like a sponge absorbing nutrients which are transported to the leaves.</strong></em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em><strong>These leaves are richer in nutrients that compost or manure. The Comfrey leaves contain Nitrogen - Potassium - Magnesium -Phosphorus - Calcium - Silica -Iron and a host of micro-nutrients. Comfrey is also one of the few plants that can take up vitamin b-12. It's like having your own <span style="color:#ff0000;">renewable fertilizer machine</span> in your garden. After you harvest some of the giant leaves others quickly grow back to take their place.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong></strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Here is just one way to use the leaves. I cut a few off and cut them up into Comfrey confetti which I then plop around the base of other plants. The Comfrey Leaf Confetti breaks down and the nutrients are leached into the soil for the plant. Or you can make Comfrey tea which works a</strong></em> <strong><em>little faster and as a nutrient</em></strong> <strong><em>spray on a plants leaves.</em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJH2oWhuu3ITqkYsC3egj1HA1vnSOBDM3ALhZMT57tXS7ajl6GQZYPn-aC6Ks9S2PtuOK-Fp1y7btzVrHCyYMeA5t-cAZwpQtu1XKM4dXnXoFlT5hIHdBJdhEW9vnKBfoVKO_n2sCvcU/s1600/comfry+conf-2011-+008-R%252BW.JPG"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570685487982398338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJH2oWhuu3ITqkYsC3egj1HA1vnSOBDM3ALhZMT57tXS7ajl6GQZYPn-aC6Ks9S2PtuOK-Fp1y7btzVrHCyYMeA5t-cAZwpQtu1XKM4dXnXoFlT5hIHdBJdhEW9vnKBfoVKO_n2sCvcU/s320/comfry+conf-2011-+008-R%252BW.JPG" /></em></a></div><div> </div><div> <em><strong>Did I say the Comfrey leaves will activate your compost pile? They will.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> Do you get Tomato end rot where much needed calcium is leached from the soil by to much rain? You guessed it, replenish the calcium with Comfrey tea.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong>Tomato, Peppers and Cucumbers all crave Potassium . Comfrey leaves provide it .</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div> <em><strong>The Comfrey plant can be harvested repeatedly and just provides more leaves without having to be replanted. Comfrey fills my first dedicated raised bed and provides year round sustainable <span style="color:#ff0000;">FREE</span> fertilizer for the other plants.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> All the above just touches the surface of the benefits of the Comfrey herb. Google it and you can read volumes as well as get info on making medicines and the Comfrey Plant Tea.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> So next time you are waiting in line at some garden center to buy some plant fertilizer just think you could be growing your own in your garden.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> If you don't already try out the Comfrey Plant. They make a great case for thinking forward.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong>--SANDDUNE--</strong></em></div><br /><br /><div><em><strong></strong></em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-38173380250711551782011-01-30T17:51:00.005-05:002011-01-30T19:04:32.355-05:00SEED COLLARS<strong> <em>In keeping with my 2011 opt out challenge goals here are a few ideas that work in my garden. The first idea came when I dug up some old pvc water pipe that was destined for the trash. I was going to cut it up for the trash pickup when it seemed like a waste not to reuse the pvc pipe for something. The pvc was 1 1/2 inch diameter and would probably last forever in the landfill. </em></strong><div><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlR3aN_F5yrbaamTDGx0glaoYo34tipsLlUGzTdVWuFRfw9F-gED3CZYKEMf92rWp6K4hI4dwH1ejGZqP1fv9-QYEHBwZcQe4NzJkzQ6Ix0A968QBlmHkmdJDANeSrkrv-29NocpVXyY/s1600/01-23-2011+025pvc-R-W.JPG"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568122642358103954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlR3aN_F5yrbaamTDGx0glaoYo34tipsLlUGzTdVWuFRfw9F-gED3CZYKEMf92rWp6K4hI4dwH1ejGZqP1fv9-QYEHBwZcQe4NzJkzQ6Ix0A968QBlmHkmdJDANeSrkrv-29NocpVXyY/s320/01-23-2011+025pvc-R-W.JPG" /></em></a><em> <strong>The idea to reuse the pipe to make some homemade seed collars from the almost indestructible pvc plastic seemed like a good reuse for it. Simple idea which is the type that always work best here at the Sandpit. So the pipe was layed our sideways and sawed through every 2 1/2 inches until I ended up with a mess of pvc collars.<br /><br /></strong></em><div><strong></strong></div><div><em><strong>They are practically indestructible and make direct sewing seed in the planting beds a snap.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Just put the collar where you wish to plant a seed and give it a half twist into the soil. Then plant the seed in the middle of the collar. Your seed placement is now marked by the pvc collar.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>The collar makes it easy to water the seeds as you can just fill the collar to the top with water and you will have the equivalent amount of water under ground when it soaks in. Besides that the sturdy collars provide protection for your new seedlings when they emerge. Protection from birds, bugs and the wind. After the seedlings form their first true set of leaves you can lift the collars off straight up over the plant and it is ready to use again with new seed starts or leave it on the plant also if you wish. These seed collars can be reused over and over so you only have make them once.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong></strong></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4zdnTheRvMus_a8wFD7ZjS_Cj1NplH3J4VW3L854PjiNTUB4ESf4nTAkpNm9v1J9sPELWyR8uH0L8iPQ4p_hLQqtroV7om-8bj0hyphenhyphenjc9tpJLi2631lMYT_S_zxSwBTDDq5E6GcKEgNM/s1600/01-28-2011+005pla1-R-W.JPG"><em><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568128022319152722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4zdnTheRvMus_a8wFD7ZjS_Cj1NplH3J4VW3L854PjiNTUB4ESf4nTAkpNm9v1J9sPELWyR8uH0L8iPQ4p_hLQqtroV7om-8bj0hyphenhyphenjc9tpJLi2631lMYT_S_zxSwBTDDq5E6GcKEgNM/s320/01-28-2011+005pla1-R-W.JPG" /></strong></em></a><br /><div><em><strong>I also have been using plastic collars on some of my transplants made from clear plastic jugs the type cleaning detergent came in. The method is the same turn the jug on its side and slice it into sections like slicing a cucumber. These clear collars fit over the larger transplants and are great for holding back the surrounding mulch as well again for filling the collar with water so the water gets to the plants root zone instead of running off to the side.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> </strong> <strong>The same idea is in play when you add some homemade nutrient tea to the plants . The collars keep the liquid over the root zone until it soaks in the soil. </strong></em></div><div><em><strong></strong></em> </div><div><em><strong> These collars work well for me here and I have been happy with their benefits to the plants.</strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Besides you can make them yourself for free and reuse some of the plastic that ends up in our landfills so we all win. </strong></em></div><div><em><strong>--SANDDUNE--</strong></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-32024528895123275892011-01-28T18:57:00.007-05:002011-01-28T21:03:20.198-05:00PERSISTENCE PAYS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdtCKGfp6XD26_jeiEy-IK4NsbXqIGme9xQ2fppafbxdZD07uhd8oaT1F9HqJfVHCv66-7DQjfDH0xcrKaUxJaK1rB3I0uOIJNGoioN1FQjQlbAPZxuaTV_0ISvF_woQc4xinp6-Cg9A/s1600/pr-08-8-2010xNASH-R1000%252BW%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567399438521899746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdtCKGfp6XD26_jeiEy-IK4NsbXqIGme9xQ2fppafbxdZD07uhd8oaT1F9HqJfVHCv66-7DQjfDH0xcrKaUxJaK1rB3I0uOIJNGoioN1FQjQlbAPZxuaTV_0ISvF_woQc4xinp6-Cg9A/s320/pr-08-8-2010xNASH-R1000%252BW%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a>Way back last early summer I picked up a pack of Burpee Nasturtium seeds. I figured to use them to fill a hanging basket whose previous occupant had keeled over. The seed pack instructions had in bold letters "blooms in Summer".<br /><br /><div>Being a newcomer to Nasturtium I sprouted the basket with the <strong>Jewel Mix Nasturtium</strong> seeds. The sprouted just fine and looked OK right up until we got some of those 100 degree temperature Summer days around the Sandpit. The Nasturtium's then proceeded to keel over in record time. Here is the picture of the fried Nasturtium plant from August of last year.</div><br /><div>I put this picture up on the blog back then and got some gentle feedback in the comments from my fellow gardeners who actually have experience with the Nasturtium. The consensus seemed to be, reading between the lines of the comments , that only morons plant Nasturtiums in Florida in the Summertime heat. You grow them here in the winter months.</div><br /><div>So taking the advice of Epictetus back from Around 100 AD who wrote, "We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak". The advice of present day experienced gardeners. As well as the advice of Winston Churchill who stated, "never,never,never ,never give up"it became clear that the best course of action was to try again in the cooler months.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lct4sfADOLW5dhtgWYwCYGGDV134F9ArT5Pm9TJQYzFakCbZpcyv0sUaBeaKn1MvvBdZnd4tkR4ZZ4RkxPHRDwQM4zJFWfYaEPR27Ak1WyPg0Gn4_DCIzUic3QMCx7XKWPvObMXv02c/s1600/01-28-2011+004-nas+yellow+flr-R%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567411168467849570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lct4sfADOLW5dhtgWYwCYGGDV134F9ArT5Pm9TJQYzFakCbZpcyv0sUaBeaKn1MvvBdZnd4tkR4ZZ4RkxPHRDwQM4zJFWfYaEPR27Ak1WyPg0Gn4_DCIzUic3QMCx7XKWPvObMXv02c/s320/01-28-2011+004-nas+yellow+flr-R%252BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>That's what I did replanting the seeds in late November in the hanging basket once again. Here are the results now in this picture.<br /><div></div><div></div><div>The Nasturtium plants are growing strong in the cooler weather. They even have started blooming orange and yellow flowers.</div><br /><div></div><div>So my observations and on hand experiments conclude that <strong>Nasturtiums grow best in cool</strong> <strong>weather</strong> [ Seem like I have heard that from somewhere before but I forget just where, gulp ]. </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQMOf8x37HBDH4fBVR42epPu1LK43eWHRUNk2hb3M4tmSupSf5os7QQmN2LbqSPr_cFfUALYngKHkX1PxpJF1HWDS-DWiIcIZGyqc9jROR0V6XpypJ02Uamky-iB3UIHBpw6crYC2c_M/s1600/01-22-2011+004-nasturtiums-R%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567407816873580610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQMOf8x37HBDH4fBVR42epPu1LK43eWHRUNk2hb3M4tmSupSf5os7QQmN2LbqSPr_cFfUALYngKHkX1PxpJF1HWDS-DWiIcIZGyqc9jROR0V6XpypJ02Uamky-iB3UIHBpw6crYC2c_M/s320/01-22-2011+004-nasturtiums-R%252BW.JPG" /></a>Anyway, I know that being able to grow a <strong>Nasturtium</strong> plant will not go down in history as some monumental accomplishment. But it is to me because it has taken me since last July to do it. But look at the results,way cool, yes? <div></div><div>As for the seed pack claiming the Nasturtium plants bloom in Summer I think that I figured that out. The Burpee Seed Co. is located in Warminster,PA. There Summer temps are my Winter temps. I think that a disclaimer on their seed pack , [Grows here in PA in Summer] seems appropriate. </div><div></div><div>Regardless, once again victory has been snatched from the jaws of defeat with a little help from my friends. </div><div></div><div>Here are the comments from my fellow gardeners back in August. Quite a funny lesson in <strong>tact</strong> and no they did not use the word Moron once in print although I'm sure it did cross their minds :-] </div><div></div><div><a href="http://sofloridagardening-sanddune.blogspot.com/2010/08/whats-up-with-nash.html">http://sofloridagardening-sanddune.blogspot.com/2010/08/whats-up-with-nash.html</a> <div></div>---SANDDUNE--</div><div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-78821011964531534532011-01-21T13:10:00.009-05:002011-01-21T15:46:46.729-05:00THE OPT OUT CHALLENGEIt has long been a goal for me to grow my own plants from seed or propagation. To me anyway, this gives a lot more satisfaction than purchasing the plants pre grown in a greenhouse from a retail store or nursery. Besides is growing your own plants not the essence of gardening. The trial and error involved is what makes gardening worthwhile along with the knowledge acquired along the way.<br /><div> </div><div>Another goal for my Sandpit garden is to practice frugality. This entails making the best use of the resources available to me by reusing ,recycling and generally becoming more thrifty. </div><br /><div>Both of the above goals tend to force you use your resources and imagination and lead you down the road to becoming more self sufficient. And being <em><strong>self sufficient</strong></em> is the end goal after all.</div><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx6eVMRylnw35XEeXuxiQlZeHz8TUhXn0FcWwgazvHqJuDj-NnXwwmT-exwZlFu7r1GAV2sPqR0knimasgKhMKkCQPZX5ySPFxocCdfccCHdLqEE12e5p3zcS6vwOMbssM84YP5l0R8Y/s1600/01-22-2011+007CO-starts-R%252BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564730839730895298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx6eVMRylnw35XEeXuxiQlZeHz8TUhXn0FcWwgazvHqJuDj-NnXwwmT-exwZlFu7r1GAV2sPqR0knimasgKhMKkCQPZX5ySPFxocCdfccCHdLqEE12e5p3zcS6vwOMbssM84YP5l0R8Y/s320/01-22-2011+007CO-starts-R%252BW.JPG" /></a>Way I figure, a lot of valuable gardening knowledge that used to be passed down from generation to generation has been lost in our society today. We take for granted that the store will always be open to buy our food and accept the inflated prices and pesticides used to grow the commercial crops for convenience sake.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>So my challenge for 2011 is to <strong>opt out</strong>. Learn how to and grow your own garden plants and vegetables from seed without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Become more self sufficient and regain the lost knowledge that past generations had. Then share your experience with others.</div><div> </div><div> The gauntlet has been thrown down and I double dog dare you to take the 2011 challenge.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU9ybFuzyf028ijiL3svGSuArmC-qCuW6MpHOOCtI37Z_Sw8Mjx5wXnb1iSFw0OBxWQsQRFJnN6uEeznSqTEjS67eXQs-CCg2LlESQhsIyKEanM0GmOvr28ho_PjjnMJgKTFc5IZ76eY/s1600/2011+challenge.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564735335906075506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU9ybFuzyf028ijiL3svGSuArmC-qCuW6MpHOOCtI37Z_Sw8Mjx5wXnb1iSFw0OBxWQsQRFJnN6uEeznSqTEjS67eXQs-CCg2LlESQhsIyKEanM0GmOvr28ho_PjjnMJgKTFc5IZ76eY/s320/2011+challenge.JPG" /></a></div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-72123269783922725572011-01-11T17:44:00.005-05:002011-01-11T19:38:49.363-05:00SANDPIT NEWS 01-11-2011<div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Just like every year the fall season is the busiest here and January is the month that things finally slow down. It's kind'a like getting of off of the interstate after a long trip and finally being able to relax with the knowledge you made it and didn't get run over by some idiot. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;"> As far as the garden the new year promises much the same challenges as last year. The main goal is bringing my dead soil back to life. I don't call my garden the sandpit for nothing. The soil is pretty much devoid of nutrients, has nematodes as well as soil borne diseases. All contribute to not being the best medium to grow healthy plants. It is apparent that building the soil will bring about the most positive change. This year my garden resolution will be to continue to add compost and try to Feed the Soil.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">It has been two years now that I have stopped using any pesticides and chemical fertilizers and there is a noticeable difference. I have a lot more bugs attacking the plants than before but keep trying to learn organic methods to control them. My plan for this season is to use <strong>Neen oil</strong> sprayed weekly to try to head off the bad bugs and control the blights. <strong>Neem</strong> is a natural biological pesticide as well as fungicide that I have experimented with in the past with varied results. I'm holding out hope that if I can keep a weekly schedule with the <strong>Neem</strong> it will show results. <em>Please feel free to offer any suggestions as to what organic products work that you use in your garden</em>.</span></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd91DnoR8IDkNGRDryULlCaCLO2wRNi4uJXCqNwBUPOsr1D6w2e_w5H_8lV4C5ig7UdV03RS6sG1wb__Aqb24dBH_nbdMBC0TExi79JDQcCGoD1smg9gcXhNvXXBtk3jvk95KuJ6M8Y0/s1600/DEC-29-2010+001-R-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561075423984080802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd91DnoR8IDkNGRDryULlCaCLO2wRNi4uJXCqNwBUPOsr1D6w2e_w5H_8lV4C5ig7UdV03RS6sG1wb__Aqb24dBH_nbdMBC0TExi79JDQcCGoD1smg9gcXhNvXXBtk3jvk95KuJ6M8Y0/s320/DEC-29-2010+001-R-W.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Some of my research suggested that companion planting <strong>Four O'clock plants</strong> will help control <strong>Japanese beetles</strong>. The <strong>Four o'clock plant</strong> is supposed to attract the beetle which eat the plants poison leaves. I happen to have some <strong>four o'clock</strong> plants that were brought down from Jacksonville years ago and were growing wild in the front shrubbery . I dug up some of these <strong>Four o'clock tubers</strong> and planted them in a container which will be set by the planting beds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">Best I can figure the container will help control the <strong>FourO'clocks</strong> from spreading which they tend to do and getting out of control. As far as if it will help control the <strong>Japanese beetles</strong> that like to munch on my garden plants we shall see. If nothing else these <strong>Four o'clocks</strong> produce nice yellow flowers. I always get lots of the hungry beetles here with warm weather. They like to fly around mostly at night and besides eating the plants like to land in your hair. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> As far as the edible garden I started some <strong>Southern Collard</strong> seeds this week in little newspaper seed pots that I made up. The <strong>Collards</strong> will go out in one of the raised beds and will be my first vegetables crop attempt this year. I'm thinking that they will do well in the cold weather which is said to improve their taste. If I can keep the bugs out of them they should do well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong> </strong>It is a fact that that a mess of homegrown <strong>Collards</strong> with a dash of pepper sauce is hard to beat. So I will be keeping my fingers crossed. So if the good lord is willing and the creek don't run dry some fine Southern Collards will be on the menu in the not too distant future.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">--SAN</span><span style="font-family:arial;">DDUNE--</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-51442095083264446432010-12-23T17:25:00.009-05:002010-12-23T18:51:35.993-05:00GARDEN RULES 2010<div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">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.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm sure that some won't apply to some folks but feel free to use any that you find useful.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #1 <strong>THRIFTY IS NOT CHEAP</strong> [ No matter what my wife says ]</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Y62WwOlVkJiatHFHoW3JrDy6VmQOc3PQkj6Sla0nrZKUhxSHAyWBDRjFjk_yKZNINct3dP_c3H6Nevhi1kYCY2ejTIS4xoCnxDL7-G6PV95Gdmdar1wW1g4tUmKP1YbD64N_56iatQ/s1600/DEC-15-2010+006R%253Dmbrom%253DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554011367408240754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Y62WwOlVkJiatHFHoW3JrDy6VmQOc3PQkj6Sla0nrZKUhxSHAyWBDRjFjk_yKZNINct3dP_c3H6Nevhi1kYCY2ejTIS4xoCnxDL7-G6PV95Gdmdar1wW1g4tUmKP1YbD64N_56iatQ/s320/DEC-15-2010+006R%253Dmbrom%253DW.JPG" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">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. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After these plants bloom more pups will emerge. These plants will continue to produce pups to supply the garden.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #2 <strong>GROW YOUR OWN AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE HOME</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Most of the plants that I grow here in the Sandpit were home grown from seed or cuttings.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc94pBjUeXCCCJGWTnYO9BlQ5d94aPXn8tuwUL9xoI5frwntGqXOkiBWD4qTZYSEzXYeS6I0JJYEYd6i3dTj1Q5r7yzKzoteC-MZ2JOZL_P7UZyX_Q0_uy2y1_XWllVhS2a4Aik7aaQA/s1600/DEC-15-2010+012R%252BNEEM%253DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 251px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554013992089084962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc94pBjUeXCCCJGWTnYO9BlQ5d94aPXn8tuwUL9xoI5frwntGqXOkiBWD4qTZYSEzXYeS6I0JJYEYd6i3dTj1Q5r7yzKzoteC-MZ2JOZL_P7UZyX_Q0_uy2y1_XWllVhS2a4Aik7aaQA/s320/DEC-15-2010+012R%252BNEEM%253DW.JPG" /></a></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">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.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Save yourself lots of money and grow your own plants . </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #3<strong> DON'T TRIM YOUR</strong> <strong>BOUGAINVILLEA BUSHES BAREFOOT</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Trust me on this one it is not a good idea. Ouch!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #4 <strong>NEVER PAY CASH IF IT IS FREE IN THE TRASH</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Lots of stuff from discarded plants to containers can be reused </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">and can be rescued from the trash. The bulk pickup day in </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">your neighborhood is a great time to look for garden treasure.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #5 <strong>SHUT UP AND LISTEN</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdBfrYSIEW5mPWhp3Mlf7C43XQ-siaRRhVDWX1GosTqJumrQm7ZDkX4TmGqDKzuSU5ZDN1_mfme-PreVagLrjkiRyB4X4YWGKQFr6zz9er8tASZhXzfeuhqJHQVB4gPpIqFXLzgVQ6IM/s1600/DEC--2010+007Raloe%253DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554021280408772642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdBfrYSIEW5mPWhp3Mlf7C43XQ-siaRRhVDWX1GosTqJumrQm7ZDkX4TmGqDKzuSU5ZDN1_mfme-PreVagLrjkiRyB4X4YWGKQFr6zz9er8tASZhXzfeuhqJHQVB4gPpIqFXLzgVQ6IM/s320/DEC--2010+007Raloe%253DW.JPG" /></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Lots of folks have lots of gardening information and will share </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">with you . Master this rule and I guarantee you will be a better </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">gardener.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Aloe blooming just in time for Christmas</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">GARDEN RULE #6 <strong>TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES</strong></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgyMNcCuSJKS1EDpJhYHccjpEXpwekq7ZWtAl7qVwnCA_VuCJOc4cztSFQaSEB7iMYG2B1eJ-0suv2FzZZ2JVsR237FcWp7tW0r0no_-PMgrdLOZnCx04GCAst9XviXktLKrEuN35hU/s1600/11-2-10cassiabushR-0016%253DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554022840114112866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgyMNcCuSJKS1EDpJhYHccjpEXpwekq7ZWtAl7qVwnCA_VuCJOc4cztSFQaSEB7iMYG2B1eJ-0suv2FzZZ2JVsR237FcWp7tW0r0no_-PMgrdLOZnCx04GCAst9XviXktLKrEuN35hU/s320/11-2-10cassiabushR-0016%253DW.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Gardening should not be a chore . Take time to watch your </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Garden and enjoy it. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Cassia bush in bloom . Every November this guy put on a show.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Well that's some of the stuff that I have learned and retained from this year .</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ybxEJdYEJ3PNkcI4Qyof2949qM5Iq12pF3zytfck708yS9GeOFcW3C0c7qozcxbzdMLRv0_E97ufOQfpddl8DLsmeXpDJvdEhhm1YSMsB2lh46MypPTQZ6zGhQZVHrGpYmaj9NV86oI/s1600/DEC--2010+011-R-ctree%253DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554024382354690338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ybxEJdYEJ3PNkcI4Qyof2949qM5Iq12pF3zytfck708yS9GeOFcW3C0c7qozcxbzdMLRv0_E97ufOQfpddl8DLsmeXpDJvdEhhm1YSMsB2lh46MypPTQZ6zGhQZVHrGpYmaj9NV86oI/s320/DEC--2010+011-R-ctree%253DW.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Hope that everyone has a fantastic Christmas !</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> SANDDUNE------</span></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-74128701749732210032010-12-03T17:11:00.013-05:002010-12-03T22:36:37.788-05:00TIME WARPINGWow, what happened to <strong>November</strong>. It flew by so fast best I can figure is that a space-time <strong>wormhole</strong> must have descended over the sandpit.<br /><br />Ever got the feeling that time has accelerated or slowed down. Last I looked it was <strong>October</strong> and now it is <strong>December</strong>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOs0aQUazuoAQGv6Athkv0vAjTr_UDLY0jYR3SpktNSub4AH_nDZvI7P5S8fBh7MmVQLJCcyxB7UgO3xRXrwtbyq0Fm1jNgYaowHCW56TV8Jd20xH3kqXLackh-GWG-jhkRdz706V07qs/s1600/Worm3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546595813029666034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOs0aQUazuoAQGv6Athkv0vAjTr_UDLY0jYR3SpktNSub4AH_nDZvI7P5S8fBh7MmVQLJCcyxB7UgO3xRXrwtbyq0Fm1jNgYaowHCW56TV8Jd20xH3kqXLackh-GWG-jhkRdz706V07qs/s320/Worm3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This here is what one of them there <strong>wormholes</strong> probably look like from Wikipedia.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />South Florida is like a magnet for weird stuff like this. Not sure if I saw one of these jokers hovering over the pit during <strong>November</strong> but the month sure did go by fast.<br />Believe it or not, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it...<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpiUizTeRbM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpiUizTeRbM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Anyway the garden is inching along fast as Molasses pours on a cold day. I have been slowly transplanting a lot of the plants that were being grown in containers directly into the ground in my new fenced section of the yard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bus0MxNSJ39xlrgwHoCfQC93EKRe26zvp7-c9QbsaSNZrmp5EkoJcvhs_nQPqFCnBnDLewwnWCKCvI8iZL5JKjHjles6dZ9kWpHJXsejYw4WAMBuj9vSfiLLDPVXZzeC4m4RAY5g28Q/s1600/DEC-03-2010+005-RRWW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546602187599417826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bus0MxNSJ39xlrgwHoCfQC93EKRe26zvp7-c9QbsaSNZrmp5EkoJcvhs_nQPqFCnBnDLewwnWCKCvI8iZL5JKjHjles6dZ9kWpHJXsejYw4WAMBuj9vSfiLLDPVXZzeC4m4RAY5g28Q/s320/DEC-03-2010+005-RRWW.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This<strong> Bougainvillea</strong> really likes getting out of a pot and into the ground. It was started from a cutting taken last year from one of my bushes . Since I do not use anything but natural fertilizer it doesn't seem as lush as a lot of the <strong>Bougainvillea's</strong> I have seen. But I am determined to stick to organic methods and have patience for them to take hold.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is another plant that is having a birthday. This <strong>Shrimp plant</strong> came from a cutting last year around this time. I almost lost it a few months ago. I had put the plant in it's pot inside a container and didn't notice that the outer containers drain hole was plugged up with a wood chip.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YLB7cl3zUW9PNT920UhgRR5VkBE-B7xyF7nA0AlNeunCfEYuMplCiMbSPMSaEu8aB7gLVV6x6rzYFx7RASGPoMujcOsb-u0EM8Cpz7mZpdrWLClZgZIGc8EIwGYq-COqXckY8pNn2BA/s1600/DEC-03-2010+001-RRWW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546635180586413602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YLB7cl3zUW9PNT920UhgRR5VkBE-B7xyF7nA0AlNeunCfEYuMplCiMbSPMSaEu8aB7gLVV6x6rzYFx7RASGPoMujcOsb-u0EM8Cpz7mZpdrWLClZgZIGc8EIwGYq-COqXckY8pNn2BA/s320/DEC-03-2010+001-RRWW.JPG" /></a><br />The plant started looking worse and worse . I figured that it was not getting enough water and was drying out as most of the plants around it were. After giving the plant some water a few days later all the leaves started falling off.<br /><br />Couldn't seem to figure out what was wrong and I finally felt the pots soil . It was underwater and had been submerged for several days.<br /><br /><br />After draining out all the accumulated water and setting the plant in the sun it finally revived itself.<br /><br />New leaves grew on the former sticks and today it is happy and blooming.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another yearling plant Is this <strong>Croton</strong>. It was made from a cutting also around one year ago.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546641228679394658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bSjf9WxJeX5c2M_2NMW1s5OEUmDfbuvQwWcKn0KhCW7xBV49dD4AVSL_4glOkZY_c0SUZS0w0L-e9WmGgVsWtVtOQqEDyQxZTp-rfbTM5d0Il_lug4yh3cLV5S1o5SFGVhvf5LqXbdA/s320/DEC-03-2010+006RRWW.JPG" /><br /><br />I put this guy in the ground and it is looking good. Matter of fact I might just make some more cuttings as these plants remind me of the principal of sustainability. The plants pictured above were all free for my garden just costing the effort to make the cuttings from the parent plants.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As for the Nasturtium hanging basket I ran out of patience waiting for December to plant seeds and try it again. So I planted eight seeds in the hanging basket round near Nov 11th .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTJYY2Do2MIQoPJsE2JbtQtJ274pOSevO-3QC5ZYJ2eeohrUE1TKK5eusKh-L2ZqOs3fTQTEsQg2ra1ydy7sLDqo6i6buqHdtoVaPpjfnbSPpLYRocEhRv4uRzI9bwBahyphenhyphen0b3HNP6XmI/s1600/DEC-03-2010+015RRWW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546644977707766850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTJYY2Do2MIQoPJsE2JbtQtJ274pOSevO-3QC5ZYJ2eeohrUE1TKK5eusKh-L2ZqOs3fTQTEsQg2ra1ydy7sLDqo6i6buqHdtoVaPpjfnbSPpLYRocEhRv4uRzI9bwBahyphenhyphen0b3HNP6XmI/s320/DEC-03-2010+015RRWW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Seems like four plants came up and are growing so far. I plan on sticking some more <strong>Nasturtium</strong> seeds in the pot so that if it takes there will be four trailing type and four upright jewel type flowers. If it grows to expectations it should be spectacular. Hope springs eternal!<br /><br />I have never grown <strong>Nasturtiums</strong> except for my summertime attempt which wasn't pretty.<br /><br />I hope that this attempt now that it is cooler will pay off. They are looking good so far anyway.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiKFt2VdW-m8FHeMBVeZMudy1yM7TyRSJ8VpQpRDUo4tLr-LaQoMgZPCgIYmQAgalVJoPPwqw7GqIaE6JLnpTnwLWc49hvcCSHSauQmKCI_5P5zWk7jMAaFKbRQpg1ltZqEvkYWJwxtI/s1600/DEC-03-2010+008RRWW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546647765592405362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiKFt2VdW-m8FHeMBVeZMudy1yM7TyRSJ8VpQpRDUo4tLr-LaQoMgZPCgIYmQAgalVJoPPwqw7GqIaE6JLnpTnwLWc49hvcCSHSauQmKCI_5P5zWk7jMAaFKbRQpg1ltZqEvkYWJwxtI/s320/DEC-03-2010+008RRWW.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The slightly cooler South Florida weather has been just what the old doctor ordered for the <strong>Dendrobium Orchids</strong>. They have all been blooming this week.<br />These purple blooms are from my <strong>Countryboy</strong> <strong>Dendrobium Orchid</strong> that grows wild attached to a Avocado tree trunk.<br /><br />It has like six large stalks each covered with these purple blooms. There are even a couple of seed pods on some of the older stalks .<br /><br />So that is a quick update from the Sandpit where I was sucked up in a <strong>time travel wormhole</strong> for the month of <strong>November </strong>and spit back out in early<strong> December.</strong><br /><br />I realize that there will be sceptics out there who do not believe in wormholes sucking people up and sending them through time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1aKrlVOSzjCTbY3X39skcRetAwVPHEuOQ6E8BLgzoC0kwhuxZ2CIKCwQsgfV2f9aBSUIpA2UJQ4j3Z8-wC8dW3HHI2S3ghrBSIW_qhFRPNcoD2VsLNQQDaISHQb8NurPjFxwTAGenEw/s1600/DEC-03-2010+009RRWW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546652768870371554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1aKrlVOSzjCTbY3X39skcRetAwVPHEuOQ6E8BLgzoC0kwhuxZ2CIKCwQsgfV2f9aBSUIpA2UJQ4j3Z8-wC8dW3HHI2S3ghrBSIW_qhFRPNcoD2VsLNQQDaISHQb8NurPjFxwTAGenEw/s320/DEC-03-2010+009RRWW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I mean that would be like saying that plants have attitudes. Like saying an Orchid can stick it's tongue out at you.<br /><br /><br /><br />Nahh, couldn't happen! Right?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />----SANDDUNE---sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-56223828311098068672010-10-23T16:57:00.015-04:002010-10-23T20:00:31.532-04:00OCTOBER STUFF<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>October here at the Sandpit is a catchup month as far as the garden is concerned. The lower temps and humidity this month in South Florida make it a fine time to attend to the grunt work that the summer heat denied.</div><br /><div>So that means the Avocado tree gets trimmed back as well as the shrubbery. The October winds start up this time of year and dry everything growing in a container out almost overnight. So I have started planting most of my container plants out into the soil adding the compost and leaf mold that came from this years composting. </div><br /><div>Most of the gardening here this month is basic boring work that needed to be done. But there are a few new things to report.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx3UhvoIipG2UD_x1fWhGwgjKjJN01vwaRRFa4A82zINHvNxZhbjND8pemAMNW8b5N6zJGa0-X2b_wttdDKAegUfRozH7m4pk0NEaLnGT-4H1PVWbpEoCd31UH11Bqc06E7tTZpc2yV4/s1600/pot+marigolds-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531363137518967618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx3UhvoIipG2UD_x1fWhGwgjKjJN01vwaRRFa4A82zINHvNxZhbjND8pemAMNW8b5N6zJGa0-X2b_wttdDKAegUfRozH7m4pk0NEaLnGT-4H1PVWbpEoCd31UH11Bqc06E7tTZpc2yV4/s320/pot+marigolds-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> The hanging basket that I had hoped to grow Nasturtiums in and replanted with Marigolds is in bloom. After learning that South Florida ,Nasturtiums, and Summertime do not belong in the same sentence this basket is the Summertime replacement.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>These were grown from seed and are supposed to be a dwarf type French Marigold. They are annual plants so by the time these are spent it should be cooled down enough to try the Nasturtiums seeds again.</div><br /><div>These were started in the newspaper rolled starter pots and the seed sprouts ,newspaper pots and all,were planted in the basket. They have done really well and I am impressed with the free rolled newspaper starter pots. They work well and are free. That kind of thing impresses me especially the free part.</div><br /><div>Marigolds usually don't grow that well here at the Sandpit but these are doing well. Maybe being in the hanging basket with lots of compost instead of the soil with lots of sand is the difference. They can look good planted in a bed with lots of plants.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCiPhPg2klMCN_oPkaCNaTHFDTcB3TjjaSdQt6AsMDWMlKPC2yognRbs4HpOnGz259umlxlrIST-H9xzYY72KaCzj83JZN2sy2_6OyqnHfIW89hlu0tjfA5b91TX8dvz84QvDJgK1_qs/s1600/California+Marigoldsr-1000%3DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531369167240069394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCiPhPg2klMCN_oPkaCNaTHFDTcB3TjjaSdQt6AsMDWMlKPC2yognRbs4HpOnGz259umlxlrIST-H9xzYY72KaCzj83JZN2sy2_6OyqnHfIW89hlu0tjfA5b91TX8dvz84QvDJgK1_qs/s320/California+Marigoldsr-1000%3DW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I saw this garden bed of Marigolds out in a hotel parking lot in L.A. California. They looked pretty good but I suspect they are replaced really often to keep the blooms going.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>I also read that certain types of Marigolds are good for repelling bad Nematodes in the soil and are used as a companion plant. You are supposed to plant them beside Tomatoes, Roses and Potatoes.</div><br /><div>You do not plant them near Beans or Cabbage. Is this true? Who knows. But it is Southern folklore that Marigolds repel snakes.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V_yr-SoYeurLE6j4JiWmW-Zaniyo4C8g0exu7rcbkP3JebuOEHUcVvpxABiMcwTKNpM1eO83i2K3jDZBThyLqlAKRpmF6NgFOSa64dTHq2l3mWJwRgXXTMVCnyOO1nVfZmLIakphOjk/s1600/orc+bloom-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531375825215582274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V_yr-SoYeurLE6j4JiWmW-Zaniyo4C8g0exu7rcbkP3JebuOEHUcVvpxABiMcwTKNpM1eO83i2K3jDZBThyLqlAKRpmF6NgFOSa64dTHq2l3mWJwRgXXTMVCnyOO1nVfZmLIakphOjk/s320/orc+bloom-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>Another plant that likes the slightly cooler warm weather is the Dendrobium Orchid. This little guy couldn't wait to bloom this year. As soon as the nighttime temp started getting below 80 degrees at the start of this month it began blooming.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>I got this Orchid a while back from a lady who gave away a bunch of Orchids on Freecycle.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>It was in kind of bad shape when I picked it up but has rebounded and doing well now. I re potted it in a homemade hanging basket made from fence wire scrap from another project.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr-7RbZpNlttUF1cBV0QzfJOAxsPmb_w6RzNF9YI7P9-C4OFKXr4QPviS8k4xakrQ7b69K3M3rG0A3i5czBpssX4K-oDf0iEmadkWtgULg9HUyzEgCFr38M7sYvjV-3lsZm2PCFJwK2c/s1600/ORC+ROOTS-R1000%2Bw.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531379422336342098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr-7RbZpNlttUF1cBV0QzfJOAxsPmb_w6RzNF9YI7P9-C4OFKXr4QPviS8k4xakrQ7b69K3M3rG0A3i5czBpssX4K-oDf0iEmadkWtgULg9HUyzEgCFr38M7sYvjV-3lsZm2PCFJwK2c/s320/ORC+ROOTS-R1000%2Bw.JPG" /></a> I put some old nylon screen on the inside of the wire pot to hold in some bark potting mix. It works real good as the Orchid roots get lots of airflow and dries out quickly. Beside it was free.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>You can see in this picture how the Orchid roots are growing out through the nylon screen. This guy would probably prefer to be mounted on a tree but the wire basket with the screen and bark mix is working fine. Besides now that it is blooming I can move it up front to be enjoyed and if the freezes come this Winter like last year move it inside.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyjxRP5i5twAgQWO4Bur41SH21sQsbZuK8r3hvV-UuU-MKe0NuJnVHmf8RQJxj_XOgV67ezBn5p1qgqKDpcKy6hnQvDcsH9Y0Nribf5xCK-gphR_gKUBEDXCF41n8W4jBgM5L8dhS_2E/s1600/blkflw-r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531382954364436418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyjxRP5i5twAgQWO4Bur41SH21sQsbZuK8r3hvV-UuU-MKe0NuJnVHmf8RQJxj_XOgV67ezBn5p1qgqKDpcKy6hnQvDcsH9Y0Nribf5xCK-gphR_gKUBEDXCF41n8W4jBgM5L8dhS_2E/s320/blkflw-r1000-W.JPG" /></a> Another plant from the Sandpit that likes October seems to be the Blanket flowers. These are wildflowers planted from seeds that I first started in the soil, moved to a hanging basket, then moved back to the soil in the garden.<br /><br /><div>In Fact this is the original plant that I first planted as a seed today still producing flowers in the garden. When it was in the hanging basket the flowers were much larger but it had to be hand watered almost twice a day to keep the plant from drying out and wilting. I moved it from the hanging pot and planted it in the garden and it gets watered whenever it rains now.It seems really happy and just blooms and blooms and blooms some more.</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelPuNqzVP3nCJcUu_DzdQs-b20tKHVcITgQWc5Pb4jM-l8CYczq6534AESlE7gZzQSrmdGap5JPzIebxOeLTY_QXgvhQ_vLZ1_7GlqHljSul-ewIxzabemepqj552WTFQmecajzbAzTU/s1600/Y+blanket+flw-r1000%2Bw.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531385421307392786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelPuNqzVP3nCJcUu_DzdQs-b20tKHVcITgQWc5Pb4jM-l8CYczq6534AESlE7gZzQSrmdGap5JPzIebxOeLTY_QXgvhQ_vLZ1_7GlqHljSul-ewIxzabemepqj552WTFQmecajzbAzTU/s320/Y+blanket+flw-r1000%2Bw.JPG" /></a> Here are two more of the Indian Blanket flowers that I planted from the seed pack later directly into the garden.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The one in back has the same red orange colors but the one in front has bloomed all solid yellow.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Weird, but I really like these flowers. They are tough wildflowers that produce abundant blooms with minimal care. I cut the blooms off all the time and give them to my wife. These plants are better than FTD florist and free.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All the work associated with my Avocado tree cutback has paid off already. When tropical storm Paula swung by South Florida the stormy weather started a lot of the Avocado's falling . Not one impacted my shed roof . So the battle plan of a no grow zone over the shed roof is working.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtKBoM_HHZJf7I-PRsnNXsOzgWGA0VLzaGJcOdJ_Tayywk884TimeF8ehNHc9UtNVdXkYj5_I1ixc0_8oG8hfATetFLlnTPQoDDDXxAR8NAtBig5neBkL_x7co01Fl86zogRENgpZNgI/s1600/Odette-r1000-W.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531389925217168290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtKBoM_HHZJf7I-PRsnNXsOzgWGA0VLzaGJcOdJ_Tayywk884TimeF8ehNHc9UtNVdXkYj5_I1ixc0_8oG8hfATetFLlnTPQoDDDXxAR8NAtBig5neBkL_x7co01Fl86zogRENgpZNgI/s320/Odette-r1000-W.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Of course my garden helper and trusty assistant Odette was the first one to claim her Avocado's.</div><div> </div><div>She has this strange ritual where she pulls out the grass all the way around the Avocado. After she is satisfied that no grass is touching the Avocado only then she eats the top off.</div><div> </div><div> Quite bizarre!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>---SANDDUNE---</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-80360215196001011302010-09-23T13:46:00.008-04:002010-09-23T15:51:03.817-04:00BATTLE PLANThis year I figure to get a jump start on the upcoming annual battle that takes place every fall between my metal shed and the <strong>Avocado tree</strong>. It starts usually in October and reaches it's peak in November when the tree rains down a barrage of cannonball size <strong>Avocados</strong> onto the thin metal roof of my shed. If we get some really strong winds whole branches weighed down with the <strong>Avocados</strong> assault the shed. The end result is by the year end the sheds roof ends up a assortment of puncture holes and twisted bent metal.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoKbuzhukcTvXwDGDZ_l4a5gjBUDbg6J1IAQ4i7BNnHDXJzjJxbF-HhihmJ7P10N1CjPKlMIepnk8XWLlUjM28QITSBpI9LTIy0z94L00xhH4fFQcYfZpBhG5mnZR9xNJRL4wt-f8jIg/s1600/pr-09-23-10x+005r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520173936547107826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoKbuzhukcTvXwDGDZ_l4a5gjBUDbg6J1IAQ4i7BNnHDXJzjJxbF-HhihmJ7P10N1CjPKlMIepnk8XWLlUjM28QITSBpI9LTIy0z94L00xhH4fFQcYfZpBhG5mnZR9xNJRL4wt-f8jIg/s320/pr-09-23-10x+005r1000-W.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div>Some early scouting has revealed that the Avocado forces are stocking up on ammunition for the coming assault. So I figure it's time to take a page from the military and come up with a battle plan to save the shed roof this year. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9grlN0ZM1BE4U1JOc5Vu_6_7qX2LXseypwlUFcAtjwONFP7NvG7JhP3PgWrb0NRLRWZ4CRVBBwVENgtDpUyMcucuMN_Nkny2q9vCTbzewHDcpfsEsSGgl17i3XRkE-5D9xwmeNp5LlqE/s1600/pr-09-23-10x+006-r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520176377901319426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9grlN0ZM1BE4U1JOc5Vu_6_7qX2LXseypwlUFcAtjwONFP7NvG7JhP3PgWrb0NRLRWZ4CRVBBwVENgtDpUyMcucuMN_Nkny2q9vCTbzewHDcpfsEsSGgl17i3XRkE-5D9xwmeNp5LlqE/s320/pr-09-23-10x+006-r1000-W.JPG" /></a></div><div>The plan involves establishing a no grow zone in the airspace above the shed roof just like the military establish a no fly zone above a battlefield. Any Avocado tree branch <strong>daring</strong> to enter this zone is to be be attacked without mercy with my expandable pole tree branch saw.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>As is evident by the picture there are some violator branches sneaking out over the shed roof already that will have to be dealt with. A crack team of commando's consisting of me and my expandable pole tree saw has already been assigned the mission to take these violators out.</div><br /><div>Unfortunately the no grow zone will require that a large portion of my <strong>Cassia</strong> bush that is growing on top of the shed will have to go. I really hate to have to cut this growth out of the bush as it will bloom about November and be just covered in yellow blooms. </div><br /><div>But it has to be done to give access to the metal roof to repair the damaged sections from last season's assault. The <strong>Cassia</strong> branches hold the moisture over the roof and are causing it to rust so the intruding sections in the no grow zone have to go.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjlzlww4iylEFZYn2gwm_-BZvUmF86_8ZVTcycvdHTGCl4LyDIaprZHJNwwIt7y2VwPRXNuHWC_JI6m40Dsoa0KKvEFQJDB1CHPpD6XaNkprJy2snTV3EWoYD9KqV51mefY8cS1tOlXE/s1600/pr-09-23-10x+015-r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520180939417019602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjlzlww4iylEFZYn2gwm_-BZvUmF86_8ZVTcycvdHTGCl4LyDIaprZHJNwwIt7y2VwPRXNuHWC_JI6m40Dsoa0KKvEFQJDB1CHPpD6XaNkprJy2snTV3EWoYD9KqV51mefY8cS1tOlXE/s320/pr-09-23-10x+015-r1000-W.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is the result after the first skirmish removing the <strong>Cassia</strong> bush overgrowth in the no grow zone. Sad for the <strong>Cassia bush</strong> ,"but to bake a cake you have to break a few eggs" eh!</div><br /><div></div><div>The damage to the roof from last season is evident and the shed has lots of areas that will have to be hammered back somewhat into shape.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But next in line is the taking out of the tree branches from the <strong>Avocado tree</strong> that have crossed the imaginary vertical line. It is no use to repair the shed roof until this is done as the offending Avocado tree branches will indubitably hit the roof causing more damage to it. That mission is a go as soon as it stops raining here.</div><div> </div><div><em><strong>Other goings on around the Sandpit</strong></em>.</div><br /><div></div><div>After waiting most of this month for the yard crew to show up I remembered that the yard crew consisted of me. That established, a meeting was held of the yard crew where I introduced a motion to make me the team leader of the yard crew. Hearing no distention the motion was passed by one vote. That's right I am now the official boss of my one man yard crew. Perhaps I shall take the title" <strong>El Jefe</strong>".</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVrZKBu9XbLus5T5PfkY-ZMZ5QgmN1EjeGQs1e_bWR1BD9eMwiJ2hwAv6lk6QHOJu3tr2-b5OKr8nVkL6BB1WKl-M-JITqURLa5e_8-10TN9BWwqSnP3E7FZZxXWWzFcfhfwTFyYSqxk/s1600/pr-09-23-10x+008-r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520192408357968818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVrZKBu9XbLus5T5PfkY-ZMZ5QgmN1EjeGQs1e_bWR1BD9eMwiJ2hwAv6lk6QHOJu3tr2-b5OKr8nVkL6BB1WKl-M-JITqURLa5e_8-10TN9BWwqSnP3E7FZZxXWWzFcfhfwTFyYSqxk/s320/pr-09-23-10x+008-r1000-W.JPG" /></a><br /><div>After all the hoopla of the election was over I did manage to make a couple more planter boxes to go into the new section of the Sandpit. They were made from scrap mostly leftover wood from other projects. Nothing fancy but that's OK they don't need to be.</div><div> </div><div> Now all that remains is to convince that lazy no good yard crew of mine to get these planters ready to go for some Fall vegetables. Not an easy task.</div><div> </div><div> Anyway with the battle plans drawn and the elections over I guess it is time to get to work. </div><div> </div><div>---<strong><em>Sanddune aka" El Jefe"</em></strong> ---</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-55378982105921971942010-09-06T14:46:00.010-04:002010-09-06T16:24:12.600-04:00GROWING TIRODS IN FLORIDA<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ7wR4D-fRKjwfdJCuLAXjV9FN6jZ4E0U7ydd1s9OwHeoADCMHkegUl0r9FDpW9py8leppULmY0elDM84Ty5vKJ8LZCB7RL9s7jq8Ayq4G0Wmy8r1sJTEDjG-nx8pvCua0JaozkCcQI0/s1600/pr-09-06-10x+006%3Dr750cr%3Dw.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513875859032725698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ7wR4D-fRKjwfdJCuLAXjV9FN6jZ4E0U7ydd1s9OwHeoADCMHkegUl0r9FDpW9py8leppULmY0elDM84Ty5vKJ8LZCB7RL9s7jq8Ayq4G0Wmy8r1sJTEDjG-nx8pvCua0JaozkCcQI0/s320/pr-09-06-10x+006%3Dr750cr%3Dw.JPG" /></a> After careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that the thing that has grown the most over the Summer months here at the Sandpit is <strong>Tirods</strong>. Now that September is here looking around the garden it is full up with <strong>Tirods</strong>.</div><div><br />What is a <strong>Tirods</strong> you ask. Well it is defined in the Sandpit slang dictionary as <strong>Things I Really</strong> <strong>Oughta Do Someday</strong>. And my garden after the summer is full of them!</div><div><br />Unfortunately here the Summer heat and Tropical humidity make a great excuse for goofing off when it comes to garden maintenance. During such times staying in the air conditioning and thinking up more Tirods seems a prudent choice.</div><div><br />Now that it is September and the temperatures are moderating a bit it is time to get back to work whittling down the list of <strong>Tirods</strong> compiled over the summer. </div><div><br />They say that if you do something everyday for thirty days it becomes a habit. Who are <strong>they</strong> you ask . I have no idea who <strong>they are</strong> but back to the point. August had 31 days in it and I was able to consistently goof off for the whole month. That means that I am one day over the habit limit. Goofing off has become a habit to me now so to break my new addiction will undoubtedly be painful. It's always something.</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD-ZCM8kTNERIPOUagyFBI4HVUWLkQbBwxPZxrDZMoC-lPVOXaW7L-OY-phxBzdaC_OGEMAWrtBu3C8Ru-H7DdAC-FUpxSuNtznFO-skkx6MKnWB9Ea9rNTfaVk5Gpn2YwHwtHQ8YsHI/s1600/pr-09-06-10x+004r-1000%2Bcr%3Dw.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513883643251294018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD-ZCM8kTNERIPOUagyFBI4HVUWLkQbBwxPZxrDZMoC-lPVOXaW7L-OY-phxBzdaC_OGEMAWrtBu3C8Ru-H7DdAC-FUpxSuNtznFO-skkx6MKnWB9Ea9rNTfaVk5Gpn2YwHwtHQ8YsHI/s320/pr-09-06-10x+004r-1000%2Bcr%3Dw.JPG" /></a> Anyway back to more pleasant things. There is some exciting news from the Sandpit. My <strong>Swampbush </strong>specimen has bloomed. I abducted this bush back in May of 09 from a tidal swamp in North Florida along the St Johns River. I have no clue as to what it is but I remember some of the mature bushes in the swamp had white flowers.</div><div><br />It was an experiment to see if the <strong>Swampbush</strong> would grow in my eco system here. Apparently it has adapted and survived to the climate change and has set it's blooms. </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>It is a good looking <strong>Swampbush</strong> as far as <strong>Swampbushes</strong> go and it appeals to me. So there!</div><div><br /><br />And on the <strong>America Beautyberry</strong> front my two grown from seed plants have berries and they are actually turning purple like they are supposed to.</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp24uyLBJ6NIuRVr0GQ7kwLD_72B2z39VfKkIKUQgKsJjmj8cFBhMAaXtOpfeMrYJB68OxSGVcG5gwemxSf-jdlwvrd7zlM5F5G3j7AnRpMg2QLF91Ml1MH-7YBYNsDeKwPREAyZbLGc/s1600/pr-09-06-10x+001-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513887790990002930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp24uyLBJ6NIuRVr0GQ7kwLD_72B2z39VfKkIKUQgKsJjmj8cFBhMAaXtOpfeMrYJB68OxSGVcG5gwemxSf-jdlwvrd7zlM5F5G3j7AnRpMg2QLF91Ml1MH-7YBYNsDeKwPREAyZbLGc/s320/pr-09-06-10x+001-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> I got the seeds from a gardener up in Tampa or thereabouts from an seed exchange by mail.</div><div><br />Now I know that the <strong>American Beautyberry</strong> is just a kind of <strong>Mulberry bush</strong> which lots of folks consider pests. But I like it and planted in the Sandpit bird corner the two bushes look good. </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>The birds like it also as I saw a <strong>Mockingbird</strong> getting some of the berrys and trying them out. The <strong>Mockingbird</strong> usually prefers my <strong>Lantana </strong>plant berrys with the occasional <strong>Everglades Tomato </strong>on the side. But now he has a choice of berrys for lunch .</div><div><br />As for my 2010 Summer favorite I have to give the award this year to the <strong>Ruella</strong> plants. These guys never fail to be amazing with their Summertime blooms. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrP4T2HCOPvQrqiGMr-7suub0HwXKfnysRRXAZ9d7q1c-w6o7WpJr3jYeQBojna82ZhUh7DlXeCIxkpxW7K65GViglhKFZnK3oVoFKeSsc6uHCztbULK4XI90jElExRyQUVUompEVBs/s1600/pr-09-06-10x+002-r1000%3DW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513890589009455778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrP4T2HCOPvQrqiGMr-7suub0HwXKfnysRRXAZ9d7q1c-w6o7WpJr3jYeQBojna82ZhUh7DlXeCIxkpxW7K65GViglhKFZnK3oVoFKeSsc6uHCztbULK4XI90jElExRyQUVUompEVBs/s320/pr-09-06-10x+002-r1000%3DW.JPG" /></a> I have two containers of the plants that I keep by my back porch. They will be covered in purple blooms each morning which drop off every afternoon around 3 pm. The next day they start over again full of new blooms for the day.</div><div><br />During the Summer these plants really work overtime to put on a new show everyday.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I think that they are also called <strong>Mexican dropflower</strong> plants or <strong>Mexican Petunias.</strong></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQdVrMqUjzgFTqE-LKczSaaUi_rDzq0tXmHS-JteeJSyGzIj5hc3MbzMQ-tV-wk1u7eidSr6RhKkbwIhPQ8jHdzESYmF1HKlMHBvuGyKHzprNfllm3MxS0IShbQmtATih3LXnxtiiEZ8/s1600/pr-09-06-10x+005-r1000%3Dw.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513892646116067986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQdVrMqUjzgFTqE-LKczSaaUi_rDzq0tXmHS-JteeJSyGzIj5hc3MbzMQ-tV-wk1u7eidSr6RhKkbwIhPQ8jHdzESYmF1HKlMHBvuGyKHzprNfllm3MxS0IShbQmtATih3LXnxtiiEZ8/s320/pr-09-06-10x+005-r1000%3Dw.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>And to wrap it up I couldn't resist adding this guys picture. He is making a picture perfect three point landing on the <strong>Mexican Sunflower</strong> that would make any pilot proud. Check out that landing flair. Now that's what I call technique.!</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> And that's the fresh poop from the pit. <strong>Here's hoping that you too don't find Your garden overgrown with Tirods from over the Summer</strong>.<br /></div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-2313880985514862522010-08-27T15:27:00.010-04:002010-08-27T17:44:13.620-04:00COLLECTING DIVIDENDS<div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHWyuFPx-8GeY51t9fH1pXNYWsLQbZ-jKubZU5zLi1ssnbtOsKjLnlGIaQwxA24zTYcFE2da_h3sDHBQHK0gMxclc3VgiqqQhO2r8MJOkFncmBiz26225B-nHhF1qnk1Vh3LRAwh999w/s1600/pr-08-27-10x5-wh+brom-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510176543494382930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHWyuFPx-8GeY51t9fH1pXNYWsLQbZ-jKubZU5zLi1ssnbtOsKjLnlGIaQwxA24zTYcFE2da_h3sDHBQHK0gMxclc3VgiqqQhO2r8MJOkFncmBiz26225B-nHhF1qnk1Vh3LRAwh999w/s320/pr-08-27-10x5-wh+brom-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>Even with the <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>smoldering</strong></span> days of August upon us in South Florida the garden still offers up some dividends.</div><div><br />This week I found that some of the <strong>Bromeliad</strong> pups that I had separated from their momma plant back last November are now starting to bloom.</div><div><br /><br />Here is the link to the post back on November 16th 2009 where this guy and his momma were separated.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://sofloridagardening-sanddune.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-home-for-pups.html">http://sofloridagardening-sanddune.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-home-for-pups.html</a></div><div><br /><br />I still have three other plants of this <strong>Bromeliad</strong> all in various stages of getting their bloom. It is one of the attributes to the <strong>Bromeliad</strong> plants that they will give you many pups . Each will produce dividends for you in the form of more pups for free.</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcouKIL7xsyvtJU1v0HKollg0zqOewjene6dOCFU5W3iUt733zfwfOKwD9BBkEF-iBCLdYgn2CJUIMgMBf30x-dlkC8HMhey_HpkP4RrotFxhpSLLizb22YB6Nh5RIPCJloXonb0g3ZY/s1600/pr-08-27-10x2-brom+flower-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510180014952769554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcouKIL7xsyvtJU1v0HKollg0zqOewjene6dOCFU5W3iUt733zfwfOKwD9BBkEF-iBCLdYgn2CJUIMgMBf30x-dlkC8HMhey_HpkP4RrotFxhpSLLizb22YB6Nh5RIPCJloXonb0g3ZY/s320/pr-08-27-10x2-brom+flower-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>The harvested pups make great gifts or trade items for other plants from fellow gardeners.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br />The <strong>Bromeliads</strong> make great tropical or sub-tropical plants. They are for the most part Idiot proof. An important consideration here at the sandpit.</div><div><br /><br />With a little patience these guys will add lots of new plants to your garden for Free. Also an important consideration here at the sandpit.</div><div><br />But the hot weather dividends are not exclusive to the <strong>Bromeliads</strong>. Back a couple of months ago I planted Sunflowers in a few of my raised beds here.</div><div><br /><br />Besides the fact that I really like <strong>Sunflowers</strong> as a plant they also produce dividends for the good of the order here.</div><div><br />When it is just too hot to grow most vegetables here the <strong>Sunflowers</strong> seem to do fine in the broiling summer heat.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiUir-s7I9D18jBG7n8ZhboCU2VE8mA_sgIHqdMgKkQlQnPGjM1hXV2g3CABO10ItUDK7YWZIkdt1jI8MsAIiNvgJUwmzb4BDaEWE5vVpCa9MqWynsJi6-IaQHlaMjph47Xh9X8x872U/s1600/pr-08-27-10x+8-sunfl+head-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510183582374359474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiUir-s7I9D18jBG7n8ZhboCU2VE8mA_sgIHqdMgKkQlQnPGjM1hXV2g3CABO10ItUDK7YWZIkdt1jI8MsAIiNvgJUwmzb4BDaEWE5vVpCa9MqWynsJi6-IaQHlaMjph47Xh9X8x872U/s320/pr-08-27-10x+8-sunfl+head-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br />And in the best permaculture practice for South Florida I let the plant remain in the soil after it is spent. </div><div><br />The intense Sun here in several weeks time will dry the plant out as well as the<strong> Sunflower</strong> seed head. After it is dried out the seed head is clipped off and the plant stalk clipped at ground level leaving the plant roots in the soil to compost naturally. </div><div><br /><br />The plant stalk goes in the compost bin and it is time to reap the dividends from the dried seed head.</div><div>And the dividends are of course <strong>free Sunflower seeds</strong>. </div><div><br /><br /><em><strong>Note: Yes bare my feet are included in the above picture. Being in the tropics it is good permaculture practice to wear as little as possible. In fact in South Florida most folks only wear shoes for ceremonial occasions. Anyone seen with shoes on South of Ft Pierce is most likely a tourist from up North, a politician, or someone trying to sell you something.</strong></em></div><div><br />Where was I . Oh yeah, <strong>Sunflower seeds</strong>.<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30tM-lLR78HCBCMk47fmDPBai8ZGPio-ibj49OJqghV9vbqy3X-UsFw0MHO-7Nr9X2fUVG7BYKb_lxoywK-oICGKkyIEvE2cvSWEFIarnmBjZZXxiIvtsShuiqcHsxvmOCB3mgP9wPZE/s1600/pr-08-27-10x+9-sunfl+harvest-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510190816290404578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30tM-lLR78HCBCMk47fmDPBai8ZGPio-ibj49OJqghV9vbqy3X-UsFw0MHO-7Nr9X2fUVG7BYKb_lxoywK-oICGKkyIEvE2cvSWEFIarnmBjZZXxiIvtsShuiqcHsxvmOCB3mgP9wPZE/s320/pr-08-27-10x+9-sunfl+harvest-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Well these here Sun dried heads that I harvested today produced some delectable dividends.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br />After cleaning the seed heads of two dried <strong>Sunflowers</strong> I came away with almost two cups of seeds. That is after deducting all the seeds that I ate while cleaning out the seed heads. </div><div><br />These remaining <strong>Sunflower seed</strong>s are going to be mixed in with my birdseed for the benefit of the wild birds that visit the bird feeder in the garden. </div><div><br />There are quite a few more <strong>Sunflower plants</strong> left not yet ready to harvest so It looks like a good supply of <strong>Sunflower seeds</strong> will be available to feed the birds, feed me , and even replant another crop from the collected seeds. </div><div><br />As for some future dividends accumulating now in the garden during this oppressive heat and humidity I submit these <strong>Watermelon plants</strong>. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjGTQImx3sxTVgvvyePt1FNxN8ajzABX5SVy5JB0cvH96a80813nZYTmEjZGVijluFfVX_pZnre_NpuxvN4IEChnCzKpt5lZM9iQDJQ25MeqRQ5zyilgexVvBxmllyE79uYAgzVzp004/s1600/pr-08-2710x6-jungle-r1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510195924711415858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjGTQImx3sxTVgvvyePt1FNxN8ajzABX5SVy5JB0cvH96a80813nZYTmEjZGVijluFfVX_pZnre_NpuxvN4IEChnCzKpt5lZM9iQDJQ25MeqRQ5zyilgexVvBxmllyE79uYAgzVzp004/s320/pr-08-2710x6-jungle-r1000+W.JPG" /></a><br />Here is the answer to what to grow in the worst heat. These <strong>Black Diamond Yellow Belly Strain Watermelon plants</strong>. So far they seem to be unstoppable by the heat and just keep on growing longer vines. It is to the point the vine tips have to be redirected every day just to keep them contained in my enclosed garden area.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Just two of these plants has turned the sandpit into a <strong>Watermelon Vine jungle</strong>.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>And as to the plant in the picture that the arrows point to, can you guess what it is.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Well it is the mighty<strong> Neem tree</strong> that I started from seed several months back. That's right this is <strong>Neem #3</strong> and it is almost three feet tall now. <strong>Neem#1</strong> and <strong>Neem#2</strong> are still in containers and need desperately to be planted out in the yard. I keep wavering back and forth as to where to put them.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoLYCSyHZBhUnxR9r3J_KGVcrHmj68vPcOQvhbdyq3W387qu0_vo4DRFd0lXIcJBn38Bx1zaWU0_8FYx0iW4ia42FroQNVZvNZGFXLX3tuPHWuCi9PAcyXaCcELQooXLvVoYPzh8eeoM/s1600/pr-08-27-10x7-baby+melon-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510201090742415858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoLYCSyHZBhUnxR9r3J_KGVcrHmj68vPcOQvhbdyq3W387qu0_vo4DRFd0lXIcJBn38Bx1zaWU0_8FYx0iW4ia42FroQNVZvNZGFXLX3tuPHWuCi9PAcyXaCcELQooXLvVoYPzh8eeoM/s320/pr-08-27-10x7-baby+melon-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>These <strong>Neem trees</strong> will definitely have some dividends in the future for the Sandpit if they keep prospering. They love the hot weather and if they survive the <strong>Watermelon Vines</strong> trying to grow up them will be a asset to the Sandpit.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /> So really August hasn't been such a bad month for gardening and it has produced dividends with prospects of future dividends to come.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Now if this here <strong>baby melon</strong> keeps doing it's thing maybe I will get a fifty pounder out of the jungle of watermelon vines. In the meantime I have plenty of <strong>Sunflower seeds</strong> to munch on.</div><div>--<strong>SANDDUNE</strong>--<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-92048517539731020902010-08-20T16:51:00.007-04:002010-08-20T18:49:22.197-04:00Mid-August UpdateBeing that August is typically the hottest month here in South Florida it is a great opportunity to be lazy. It is ok to use the excuse , " It's to friggin hot to work outside today ! Honest don't let this window of opportunity pass you by for September will soon be here and time to start more planting . <div><div><div><br /><div>One thing that I did learn this summer is that you don't plant Nasturtiums in June. In fact lots of my fellow gardeners gently advised me of this after my last post about Nasturtiums. In fact I appreciate the advise and hope to try another hanging basket with the Nasturtiums in December. This new knowledge has lead me to invoke a new garden rule here at the Sandpit.</div><br /><br /><div>Be it decreed that - <strong>Only BONEHEADS plant Nasturtiums in the Summer</strong> -everyone knows that they like cool weather. Amen...</div><br /><div>Just after I told my last Nasturtium plant in the hanging basket this rule it immediately keeled over dead. I figure it had just been holding out for confirmation before suffering heatstroke.</div><br /><br /><div>The demise of the last Nash was a clear signal to try something different in the now vacant hanging basket. So I figure that a basket with Marigolds might work with the hot Summer conditions. Besides I have lots of old <strong>Marigold seeds</strong> that I have saved and collected in the past that need to be started.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I made up some small seed starter pots from using old newspaper to start the seeds in. I had read this somewhere and decided to test it out. You make the small newspaper pots by rolling about a half page of newspaper folded on itself twice around a old paper towel cylinder and tucking in the bottom. Then pull the tube out and you have a small starter pot . Add a little starter mix and the seeds then soak from the bottom with water in a tray. Simple!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7Y0fO90-ib6ZXoJ7KYTB-HljNFsTG57FiE7FvMHZvPxVCZBE7ZlhOx7WP7DxUQ2LQMzy0QssYpGZOgDIYGaZ5wlqrRVG8Tx-utI3TC0NDbACl4BqEjkREzTee0QHOr0VBK9E4w3_O8k/s1600/pr-08-18-2010xsproutsr1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507612874133613634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7Y0fO90-ib6ZXoJ7KYTB-HljNFsTG57FiE7FvMHZvPxVCZBE7ZlhOx7WP7DxUQ2LQMzy0QssYpGZOgDIYGaZ5wlqrRVG8Tx-utI3TC0NDbACl4BqEjkREzTee0QHOr0VBK9E4w3_O8k/s320/pr-08-18-2010xsproutsr1000+W.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are the <strong>Marigolds </strong>in the newspaper pots one week later.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I have to admit that the newspaper starter pots worked really well to germinate the seeds in. Apparently using my local paper for the pots added a large amount of Manure to the sprouts.</div><br /><div>Just my observation.</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFzJRFSS_mXw-R0UtdgDro9Hm9dir8x1FhKnO3t1G65CjMqvZ2ad5TA3_K1cHsV3qi7PgQr8BI5cra77uo_zlqgFk_qLjvJAo_PHnRmMav46o6V7TuX6_hzvM1BZXHkOOwPUzRpyxOl8/s1600/pr-08-18-2010x+plt+sprout-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507618133149109138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFzJRFSS_mXw-R0UtdgDro9Hm9dir8x1FhKnO3t1G65CjMqvZ2ad5TA3_K1cHsV3qi7PgQr8BI5cra77uo_zlqgFk_qLjvJAo_PHnRmMav46o6V7TuX6_hzvM1BZXHkOOwPUzRpyxOl8/s320/pr-08-18-2010x+plt+sprout-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Anyway, I stuck a bunch of the sprouts in the vacant hanging basket soil. Before planting them you rip off the bottom of the newspaper pot and the newspaper sides protruding above the soil.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>This was easy to do because the paper is wet and pulls apart easily.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>You can leave the rest of the newspaper in the soil as it will decompose quickly and add itself as compost.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04DaqU8unmVuHc7ri_yeXEag8VsS4kSwswT0Ym1bIQ0D3moT4EIbNIFiSu0WPF3Hlq9v09Pram-PS3Uo980fc-9zeQsMV9fkHFgz304VWlsZT1LHQaCV8cFAvEYlNCSutOrigxoasxDw/s1600/pr-08-18-2010x+fin+bas-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507619440984504194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04DaqU8unmVuHc7ri_yeXEag8VsS4kSwswT0Ym1bIQ0D3moT4EIbNIFiSu0WPF3Hlq9v09Pram-PS3Uo980fc-9zeQsMV9fkHFgz304VWlsZT1LHQaCV8cFAvEYlNCSutOrigxoasxDw/s320/pr-08-18-2010x+fin+bas-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Here is the new hanging basket full of <strong>Marigold </strong>sprouts after adding the new seed starts.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If they all grow they will have to be thinned out but I figured to use one of my other hard earned garden rules . <strong>Plant two hope for one</strong>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Well that' s the latest poop from the Sandpit in a nut shell.</div><br /><div></div><div>August being the hot month that it is it is a great time just to kick back with a cold drink and watch the sky.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZgJCLUee9e7Aqu6nc-LfoNR9eCY4SEQxZxew3nNLos2F2GxAvlbjsiZwnE4Pkj7kfgLnEIql-8xPB1F1qkKoyFnKXuxD-gyTHKvzI1pdoCs_Ne0jinF_PKIIVDu-HFYvc264JWTjDpo/s1600/pr-08-18-2010x+cld1-r1000-W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507622587655282706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZgJCLUee9e7Aqu6nc-LfoNR9eCY4SEQxZxew3nNLos2F2GxAvlbjsiZwnE4Pkj7kfgLnEIql-8xPB1F1qkKoyFnKXuxD-gyTHKvzI1pdoCs_Ne0jinF_PKIIVDu-HFYvc264JWTjDpo/s320/pr-08-18-2010x+cld1-r1000-W.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are some massive clouds forming up over the Everglades being lifted by the heat.</div><div>Neat huh.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZgJCLUee9e7Aqu6nc-LfoNR9eCY4SEQxZxew3nNLos2F2GxAvlbjsiZwnE4Pkj7kfgLnEIql-8xPB1F1qkKoyFnKXuxD-gyTHKvzI1pdoCs_Ne0jinF_PKIIVDu-HFYvc264JWTjDpo/s1600/pr-08-18-2010x+cld1-r1000-W.JPG"></a> </div><div> So instead of doing any real work in the garden until September I can use my free August Excuse .</div><div>"It's to friggin' hot to work outside".</div><div>---Sanddune---</div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-4837142014088970522010-08-10T14:11:00.009-04:002010-08-10T16:04:20.331-04:00WHAT'S UP WITH THE NASH<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrSQ-1aTkFQUGfOz1vt7IpEO5HF1zVdINPx3M5Jxa_wukpNJv53eZy9-2ceyhqccPSHnyMrG7d_zoaodA2ns0tLS_SehPDTSXBw-72kXXlceTnE-ZGKziQtHD9HPA7li-oLKmmW4oSQw/s1600/pr-08-8-2010xNASH-R1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503849611352497138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrSQ-1aTkFQUGfOz1vt7IpEO5HF1zVdINPx3M5Jxa_wukpNJv53eZy9-2ceyhqccPSHnyMrG7d_zoaodA2ns0tLS_SehPDTSXBw-72kXXlceTnE-ZGKziQtHD9HPA7li-oLKmmW4oSQw/s320/pr-08-8-2010xNASH-R1000+W.JPG" /></a> Back in June I picked up some <strong>Nashturtium </strong>seeds with the idea of making a hanging basket . I had two kinds both from Burpee Seeds. One was a dwarf bush type supposed to produce assorted color flowers called <strong>Jewel mix</strong>. The other was a vining type supposed to grow 6 to 7 feet with cream color flowers called <strong>Milkmaid.<br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>The idea was to plant several of each type in the hanging basket. The dwarf one producing color in the top of the basket while the vining type would cascade down the sides.</div><br /><div>After they all sprouted and seemed to be well this is the results now. It's not what I envisioned and I am beginning to get the idea that <strong>Nashturtiums</strong> might not like the hot, humid summer weather they were exposed to .</div><br /><div>This was my first experience with the Nash's but I have plenty more seeds to restart the hanging basket. Any advice ?</div><br /><div>And speaking of seed stuff here is the result of the <strong>Sunflowers</strong> that I planted at the start of summer to shade some Squash plants.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCTWWb3UFZiNTsyeb-yZXCCEeBUAwwI-yss3pFFUxhqzDCjFsltOIMOAMhwsaRJv6PpzK4n8AwS-fK9Bx9ZezHJqlUjqwFS899fvSuDFgXvnbbRjI-m__1IejqYmn40q_eAjDgx9aiUE/s1600/pr-08-8-2010x+sun+stalk-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503854656912149858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCTWWb3UFZiNTsyeb-yZXCCEeBUAwwI-yss3pFFUxhqzDCjFsltOIMOAMhwsaRJv6PpzK4n8AwS-fK9Bx9ZezHJqlUjqwFS899fvSuDFgXvnbbRjI-m__1IejqYmn40q_eAjDgx9aiUE/s320/pr-08-8-2010x+sun+stalk-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div>These <strong>Sunflowers </strong>are all Ferry-Morse seeds called<strong> Mammoth</strong>. They were planted at the same time directly in the ground. The big one is up over eight feet tall .</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>It has a huge seed head the size of a dinner plate.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe361djwCXqKFRHOOITpLyuv_6tmXze9HJI1pFgmgZmRpVek4Am3c8v1Eo6qEKFyF0fmQc0MF4GfYUM-RNoxk2jCYvTWvH58yLsiFc76az769Be2vP9M0SAiMZD-LgF3uNR8XCXm4lB0/s1600/pr-08-8-2010xSUN+FL+HEAD-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503857281578010946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe361djwCXqKFRHOOITpLyuv_6tmXze9HJI1pFgmgZmRpVek4Am3c8v1Eo6qEKFyF0fmQc0MF4GfYUM-RNoxk2jCYvTWvH58yLsiFc76az769Be2vP9M0SAiMZD-LgF3uNR8XCXm4lB0/s320/pr-08-8-2010xSUN+FL+HEAD-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>This guy lives up to the<strong> Mammoth name</strong> and should provide lots of Sunflower seeds to be added to the bird feeder. I am not sure why some of the plants were so much smaller than this huge one in that they all came from the same seed pack. Oh well , just another South Florida Plant mystery.</div><br /><div>And even more seed stuff. I ordered some <strong>Thai Red Papaya seeds</strong> to start in my new fenced garden bed. Along with the <strong>Papaya</strong> seeds ordered from Baker creek heirloom seed company they sent along a <strong>free pack of Watermelon seed as a gift.</strong></div><br /><div>I planted some of both at the same time about a month ago.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMecWwTuGSj2vwl5bX0_xt28DwAcxhYKpYZl-UVoamDovEBSBwfUe8zFo4ObvA6u9ZsEN3UElS05lppnnfdfD99mk2Ud9jZ4iuTj8E-qGimVnD9sIBqdURpyAXr9axd4Ogn_262uVnTs/s1600/pr-08-8-2010x+WM+vine-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503861873475004898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMecWwTuGSj2vwl5bX0_xt28DwAcxhYKpYZl-UVoamDovEBSBwfUe8zFo4ObvA6u9ZsEN3UElS05lppnnfdfD99mk2Ud9jZ4iuTj8E-qGimVnD9sIBqdURpyAXr9axd4Ogn_262uVnTs/s320/pr-08-8-2010x+WM+vine-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>After returning yesterday from a two week out of town assignment here are the results I found from the seeds.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMecWwTuGSj2vwl5bX0_xt28DwAcxhYKpYZl-UVoamDovEBSBwfUe8zFo4ObvA6u9ZsEN3UElS05lppnnfdfD99mk2Ud9jZ4iuTj8E-qGimVnD9sIBqdURpyAXr9axd4Ogn_262uVnTs/s1600/pr-08-8-2010x+WM+vine-R1000%2BW.JPG"></a></div><br /><div>The Papaya seeds never sprouted. However the <strong>free Watermelon</strong> seeds are growing like wild. This large vine is two Watermelon plants.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The free Watermelon seeds are<strong> Black Diamond</strong> <strong>Yellow Belly Strain</strong>.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VRS6pJhE-AMn3QhXDQcyrEfycSQzVjeo8GkVKcxQWoKXX7hU7-TTRaGw8BEIRO_YuUh31CK7OuvXqF4qlvgeVLfJRg3FxmuRcNP8RpvQNRS3a2tUpNh4niw2Waym6MYY8XWA9DxjZLI/s1600/pr-08-8-2010xWM+BABY-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503868990113959458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VRS6pJhE-AMn3QhXDQcyrEfycSQzVjeo8GkVKcxQWoKXX7hU7-TTRaGw8BEIRO_YuUh31CK7OuvXqF4qlvgeVLfJRg3FxmuRcNP8RpvQNRS3a2tUpNh4niw2Waym6MYY8XWA9DxjZLI/s320/pr-08-8-2010xWM+BABY-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>They have lots of flowers on them and when I was pulling the vines out of the fence found a baby melon starting.</div><div> </div><div> So it would seem that the old adage is true, <strong>The best things in life are free!</strong></div><div> </div><div> As for the Nashturtiums and the Papaya plants it is back to the drawing board. </div><div> </div><div> <strong>How are your Nashturtiums faring in the Florida summer heat?</strong></div><div>---SANDDUNE---</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-9378022581595513282010-07-17T14:46:00.014-04:002010-07-17T18:13:44.219-04:00THE VENERABLE HILLBILLY ORCHID AND OTHER JULY STUFF<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CH2p1yLjQyiVBQ_n72m8Qqc0Zlp_EPK6z2MKcK0lB8-spgWiACt9io9wH5Lps2EzzLgJvN71CoYvcBtCA9Q3J_wjvo4WXMMzc1UgYGK8xTLNaPpLfapn8bp1UAWejedOfm0JXkNoTr4/s1600/pr-07-15-2010x+014-orchid-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494955214731534514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CH2p1yLjQyiVBQ_n72m8Qqc0Zlp_EPK6z2MKcK0lB8-spgWiACt9io9wH5Lps2EzzLgJvN71CoYvcBtCA9Q3J_wjvo4WXMMzc1UgYGK8xTLNaPpLfapn8bp1UAWejedOfm0JXkNoTr4/s320/pr-07-15-2010x+014-orchid-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> Mid- July seems to be the favorite time with just the right conditions for my oldest Orchid. It is a <strong>Dendrobium</strong>. It was given to me round six years ago when it was just a small plant.<br /><br /><div>I tied it to the bark of my Avocado tree with some twine and the roots attached themselves. It has been there ever since surviving hurricanes and freezes. Every summer it comes alive with purple blooms emerging from the canes.</div><br /><div>Being a Orchid novice I put it's picture on the Garden Web Forum where a fella from Australia identified it as a <strong>long cane Dendrobium</strong>. He did not know the name as there are so many Dendrobium Hybrids.</div><br /><div>I decided to name it my <strong>Hillbilly Orchid</strong> from a line in a favorite Hank Williams Jr. song. It seemed appropriate as the line from the song goes," he never called me by my name just Hillbilly".</div><br /><div>Here is the link to the Hank Williams, Jr song video. Check it out fits in about right for these times we are livin in.</div><br /><div><a href="http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2043099/v40129884">http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2043099/v40129884</a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCVy_aJFiZPkJprbJamQchQ314D89p4Ad4jl8VgMxhCSCvPDJG-j5ho-jW8EwFHNtZJjeYktztUCfOA7qlJOC0RNTk5lI0x2-qq-41Twq5nYMbOUOYJpjjqeyAO0-TkgrN2Orla5IqVA/s1600/pr-07-15-2010x+031brassovola-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494965840854674674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCVy_aJFiZPkJprbJamQchQ314D89p4Ad4jl8VgMxhCSCvPDJG-j5ho-jW8EwFHNtZJjeYktztUCfOA7qlJOC0RNTk5lI0x2-qq-41Twq5nYMbOUOYJpjjqeyAO0-TkgrN2Orla5IqVA/s320/pr-07-15-2010x+031brassovola-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>I also got another mid-July surprise from one of the Orchids that was given to me from a Freecycler last year. This guy was identified to me by another Orchid fella as a <strong>Brassavolla Orchid</strong> after I posted it's picture.<br /><br /><div>This is the first time that it has bloomed since I got it. Several folks that know about Orchids told me this type needs lots of bright light . I was always kinda hesitant to expose it to the intense sunlight here as the sun here quickly sunburns plants. But I took their advice and apparently this orchid loves the sun here evidenced by its new blooms.<br /><br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAPiqXUzG_YCCh2DRsjlCKX2zsIKMQ_dcVzinPaPIgy8jAqHv6FavPKUfJtrnzb6B3Z29fg5wmip1z3tb3o9umaj5eZJY6GybI70yAEF5t_WMtKdAQW01SWU6hzdRC-xjpgtwveji-K0/s1600/pr-07-15-2010x+071cu+brass-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494968911730426946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAPiqXUzG_YCCh2DRsjlCKX2zsIKMQ_dcVzinPaPIgy8jAqHv6FavPKUfJtrnzb6B3Z29fg5wmip1z3tb3o9umaj5eZJY6GybI70yAEF5t_WMtKdAQW01SWU6hzdRC-xjpgtwveji-K0/s320/pr-07-15-2010x+071cu+brass-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> After looking at the delicate blooms and some further research I was able to identify it as <strong>Brassavola Nodosa</strong> also called the <strong>Lady of the Night Orchid</strong>. It's blooms give off a perfume fragrance in the evening hours, hence the name.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This Orchid is native to Mexico south to Central America. It was susposed to be the first Tropical Orchid to be brought back by ship to Holland in the year 1698.</div><br /><div>Other new blooms for mid-July in the sandpit here is the <strong>Butterfly Flower</strong>. I picked up a packet of seeds for this Parennial and planted a couple back in April.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlebBf80XKFR4t0ZlBnIKhrQyWuGwX1wi9aSWu8eVvmC9QRYEIBa_K4KS2fB1b3w-CeQeTCBH9lhdNteirQnPIPmybC26PeZ55CHy3j58PKtPZuZH4hR4ioRr4pifddGH69TEN8aDr8/s1600/pr-07-15-2010x+032-asclepias-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494988459366102530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlebBf80XKFR4t0ZlBnIKhrQyWuGwX1wi9aSWu8eVvmC9QRYEIBa_K4KS2fB1b3w-CeQeTCBH9lhdNteirQnPIPmybC26PeZ55CHy3j58PKtPZuZH4hR4ioRr4pifddGH69TEN8aDr8/s320/pr-07-15-2010x+032-asclepias-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> This one is up and blooming now in the garden. It is actually an<strong> Asclepias</strong> <strong>Tuberosa</strong> for those so inclined although it didn't state that on the seedpackage.<br /><br /><div></div><div>It's common name is <strong>Milkweed</strong>. It didn't say that on the seedpack either. I suspect this was on purpose seeing that most folks wouldn't purchase Weed seeds. Them advertising fellas got it all figured out.</div><div>Whatever the name it is a kinda neat plant with golden- orange blooms that seems to be pretty rugged. The <strong>Milkweed</strong> is susposed to attract the Monarch Butterfly but I haven't seen any on it here but there have been other Butterflys on the plant's flowers.</div><br /><div></div><div>For mid-July the Florida State Butterfly is the most prolific at the sandpit.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglklArI299Z8dvI_JMcsGMLIql0ND7A-uVd4Jf5eyUh9Ykqww0tR7a4OVDBdd0OS5cHt7G3JvaJftD6SS8PckshQvN5Bgpsyv0fTEypnkmqcO1oVZdyGm3squ9QNed0ulub9aX3kHzUyc/s1600/pr-07-15-2010x+067longwing2-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494991768354889538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglklArI299Z8dvI_JMcsGMLIql0ND7A-uVd4Jf5eyUh9Ykqww0tR7a4OVDBdd0OS5cHt7G3JvaJftD6SS8PckshQvN5Bgpsyv0fTEypnkmqcO1oVZdyGm3squ9QNed0ulub9aX3kHzUyc/s320/pr-07-15-2010x+067longwing2-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>It is the <strong>Zebra Longwing</strong> which seems to like my wild Lantana bush the best.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The <strong>Lantana</strong> bush I dug up in Jacksonville and brought back to the sandpit. It is pretty much carefree except for some pruning to keep it inline and not growing wild.</div><br /><div></div><div>Lots of folks see the <strong>Lantana </strong>as invasive but I have never had a volunteer spring up from this plant. It is wild and produces seeds which the birds like. It covers itself with flowers and has one type of butterfly or another on it most of the day.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> That's the mid-July ramblings from the South Florida sandpit where it is now hotter</div><div>than a June brides featherbed { as they say in the south }.</div><div> </div><div> Oh yeah, Almost forgot it is now time to <strong>start</strong> some <strong>Tomato seed</strong>. I figure one seed every week from now till September will give a good staggered planting. That gives them about six weeks to germinate and get up to planting out size when September rolls around.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I am going to start some <strong>heirloom Jubilee yellow Tomato</strong> this week. They go back to 1943 and I figure to give them a try this year. I plan on putting them in the ground instead of a container this season to see how that will pan out. Yes I know that is tempting a hurricane to strike for sure but I will keep my fingers crossed.</div><div> </div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-60901186258273316312010-07-08T14:30:00.009-04:002010-07-08T16:24:44.612-04:00SUMMER PROJECTSWith the July summer heat and humidity my theory is that it is time to plant less and make some improvements. My list of things that I really ought to do one day has become a small book so it is time to whittle the project list down some. <div><div><div><div><br /><div>I figure that in South Florida at least June , July, and August are really not planting months. The season starts here in September for the most part unless you are a big fan of Okra.</div><br /><div>So the plan is to reduce some of my backyard grass and make space for some new planting beds before September rolls around. The St Augustine grass that makes up most of the lawns around these parts during summer is really labor intensive. It has to be mowed and edged almost weekly now that the rains have started. So the less grass the less work way I see it.</div><br /><div>Now that I have plenty of compost working it seems like a good idea to build some more small planting beds for vegetables. At the same time I am going to fence in my main backyard gardening area to keep my dogs out. Lets see; less grass = less work and better utilized space with a rustic garden fence that keeps out my dogs. Cool!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS2q_W1nCaYj006uGPEh391pt5J2EfP6h3D7qpGc-MhsgvVkYzNsnhVePOAIHVm3XTwcViO2koFjYiv-LsIYGxTYdoafBZV7zDqp-bAPBE2U-E2G6MISfxG7aPxLUsY6XcxzCPiwDyy4/s1600/pr-07-2010x+022fenprop-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611981543691474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS2q_W1nCaYj006uGPEh391pt5J2EfP6h3D7qpGc-MhsgvVkYzNsnhVePOAIHVm3XTwcViO2koFjYiv-LsIYGxTYdoafBZV7zDqp-bAPBE2U-E2G6MISfxG7aPxLUsY6XcxzCPiwDyy4/s320/pr-07-2010x+022fenprop-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is the plan that I came up with. The fence will run all the way down the yellow line in the picture and all the grass to the right of the line will be gone.</div><br /><br /><div>I already made the first section of fence and two gates last week. So this week the project continues.</div><br /><br /><div>Here it the finished rustic garden fence as it looks now. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOiKHSRRCV9UOMPNAP6wC9hOvR6w9DN66Y4Ir_4SwEawN5hOG2zYyqtrbrn7vTbrXVJvkPF1O2JgBQ2eq4LsIYlWunRaNcKVV0_ZmlI4nfSNGpuYKYfqTc8DyEkoLDaAGu02OVlGNxJE/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+038-cfen-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491614633733795682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOiKHSRRCV9UOMPNAP6wC9hOvR6w9DN66Y4Ir_4SwEawN5hOG2zYyqtrbrn7vTbrXVJvkPF1O2JgBQ2eq4LsIYlWunRaNcKVV0_ZmlI4nfSNGpuYKYfqTc8DyEkoLDaAGu02OVlGNxJE/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+038-cfen-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>I can tell it is a great success because the dogs hate it. They now cannot frolic in my plants. They have been giving me the evil eye ever since I put the garden fence up. Priceless!</div><br /><div>Now what remains is to take out all the grass to the right of the fence and replace it with some planting beds surrounded with mulch.</div><div> </div><div>This will eliminate about one third of the grass in my backyard and give me a lot more room to plant vegetables this fall.</div><br /><div>Here is the first section of the new rustic garden fence that I put up a couple of weeks ago. With the heat the only way that I could make it was to do small sections over a period of days.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdyVF2mIzP85RFB8z6QcNw2jaFR-2P-ddNd9nM7rUTowYjXc6DbGLRCJpD25K4yluM9FQc_H3MyolY3d9nEuLTyDD9pbwWowYuUWxqmKQD9px8IEBDeUcTgwB9QB_NmIPIBj_ixLB28c/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+030fgate-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491618172368779570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdyVF2mIzP85RFB8z6QcNw2jaFR-2P-ddNd9nM7rUTowYjXc6DbGLRCJpD25K4yluM9FQc_H3MyolY3d9nEuLTyDD9pbwWowYuUWxqmKQD9px8IEBDeUcTgwB9QB_NmIPIBj_ixLB28c/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+030fgate-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Now that the whole fence is in and the dogs are no longer in the garden it is already <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">more better</span></strong> [ as we say in the South ]. The birds can relax some without having to look over their shoulders for charging dogs. And the lizards can hunt unobstructed now snapping up the bugs within the fenced enclosure.</div><br /><div>As for the ongoing folk plant bug repellent here is the latest update. </div><br /><div>After getting several opinions the recipe has been refined some although the final produce may require further tweaking.</div><br /><div>Here are the ingredients for the first batch. The bar of Ivory soap was carved into slices and put into a jug of water to dissolve into a slurry last week. It has dissolved into a nasty goop now and is looking good.</div><br />Next is the ingredients for the kicker to the brew.<br /><div></div><br /><div>This includes some hot Jalapeno peppers added to a clove of Garlic and a Half of an Onion.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsH_iVWQOOWVaOlD2y785FOnGh0tko327n3z1WCQWcH73puaNcjcQb_M89UGGuMIw9ybSELhkVNm84XCKNVmEg3mPCO2HGYwjV6ZCuBa1u-D8nsGa6iSXXGz2H-qwDHOSX6GIOdOwaJg/s1600/pr-07-01-2010x+001-bji-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491623070116883122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsH_iVWQOOWVaOlD2y785FOnGh0tko327n3z1WCQWcH73puaNcjcQb_M89UGGuMIw9ybSELhkVNm84XCKNVmEg3mPCO2HGYwjV6ZCuBa1u-D8nsGa6iSXXGz2H-qwDHOSX6GIOdOwaJg/s320/pr-07-01-2010x+001-bji-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div>All the kicker ingredients were added to a food blender with water included and blended together.</div><br /><div></div><div>The end result made up a couple of bottles of Bug juice kicker.</div><br /><div></div><div>This is a really hot nasty brew with an powerful odor. Perfect. Now to let this brew set and ruminate for a few days.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzr3C4oDNS6MsiKCrFRBr3cHLBFDEO5qieSXN20fcTeta6O3s6ugekz1-gXCw_ENGTcKLWXDDqr0l6peHg123MLhYEgO611R6tXDNN0hrNtbZ5EgSTVteKBDnwcQfnq5BmgIDgb2q4Jo/s1600/pr-07-01-2010x+004-bjbot-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491625598994286770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzr3C4oDNS6MsiKCrFRBr3cHLBFDEO5qieSXN20fcTeta6O3s6ugekz1-gXCw_ENGTcKLWXDDqr0l6peHg123MLhYEgO611R6tXDNN0hrNtbZ5EgSTVteKBDnwcQfnq5BmgIDgb2q4Jo/s320/pr-07-01-2010x+004-bjbot-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> The squeezings from the bug juice will be filtered through a cloth to remove the particulate matter leaving pure liquid bug juice.</div><div> </div><div>A shot of the distilled down bug juice will go into the sprayer along with a hearty glop of the Ivory soap liquid. </div><div> </div><div>This will be mixed with water in the sprayer bottle , shaken well and sprayed onto all the plants that have been under bug attack.</div><div> </div><div>Not sure if this brew will stop the bugs from eating the plant leaves but it just might convince them to dine elsewhere.</div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-36391571995895197042010-06-30T17:42:00.008-04:002010-06-30T18:57:16.633-04:00LATE JUNE RAMBLINGS<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioccuQgUVQQh321NH53X8Xmanx22EPx_ZLLlwgRMeLhyWLQP_aHKa7xLlZ9lMCP2vO3rZTEDX40SY-ajVLn0QZ3_OQVr0QD5lLCeh8C4-L8sCjsx4fLjNH2tYlO4pu66ZxnYWZ5wlfMNo/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+002-shade+site+-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488685692127247842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioccuQgUVQQh321NH53X8Xmanx22EPx_ZLLlwgRMeLhyWLQP_aHKa7xLlZ9lMCP2vO3rZTEDX40SY-ajVLn0QZ3_OQVr0QD5lLCeh8C4-L8sCjsx4fLjNH2tYlO4pu66ZxnYWZ5wlfMNo/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+002-shade+site+-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br />With the summer heat bearing down it seemed like a fine time to work in the shade.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYvE8aZ-4AAMs-EdaIrbrsmcgzk1g7Vu-nzg_iiQi_aH30opb0J2LD7TX0shvfT8rjhVCH4pv5J7dRYmSefbJun5YNsNP7pbeUCBbpu1eh1EX9K3IK-wNtBksRg5C1OBymhU-Z39n6g/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+005-shade+bed-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div> I have been eyeballing this area beside my shed for some time . It is under my Avocado tree and stays in the shade most all day or at least heavily filtered light.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xtSXFQKV8qbcM7citrQsEiKjYcvutIbuqH3ExlpCzzWp835cOmUFEs6NdoiAFyr1yX725Ag5ta-pez0sMqFnEK1iXxq0mrGvIxLTKtcN4PVqwarMivN8dicg0WKRfhxsIDUnf9jumZM/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+040-bird+area-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>I use it to stick some of my heat stressed plants in containers here sometimes to recover when they got too much sun.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYvE8aZ-4AAMs-EdaIrbrsmcgzk1g7Vu-nzg_iiQi_aH30opb0J2LD7TX0shvfT8rjhVCH4pv5J7dRYmSefbJun5YNsNP7pbeUCBbpu1eh1EX9K3IK-wNtBksRg5C1OBymhU-Z39n6g/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+005-shade+bed-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488685836837232466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYvE8aZ-4AAMs-EdaIrbrsmcgzk1g7Vu-nzg_iiQi_aH30opb0J2LD7TX0shvfT8rjhVCH4pv5J7dRYmSefbJun5YNsNP7pbeUCBbpu1eh1EX9K3IK-wNtBksRg5C1OBymhU-Z39n6g/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+005-shade+bed-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>So this week the shade area got transformed into a small bed for some of my shade plants to have a new home and not require so much Summer care.</div><div> </div><div>Here is the finished bed into which went some shade loving <strong>Bromeliads</strong> and their divided pups. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>The short fence is there to keep the dogs from running around the corner by way of over the plant bed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwZKx1xER4XhlHPg8C1qiWgyEC8MaSXfQ3-9F_EKL-zwYTGqJL7ahDVfEyaTlGZ2x7WORdbwOVLMuMj4sFJTz0jREngsVQMqFfACsGMLH5CiOj6n4FJt7lInU1NTBqHs3HGtzkqDuWpQ/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+003-passion+vine-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488685978641174690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwZKx1xER4XhlHPg8C1qiWgyEC8MaSXfQ3-9F_EKL-zwYTGqJL7ahDVfEyaTlGZ2x7WORdbwOVLMuMj4sFJTz0jREngsVQMqFfACsGMLH5CiOj6n4FJt7lInU1NTBqHs3HGtzkqDuWpQ/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+003-passion+vine-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>The <strong>Passion Vine</strong> that I let grow up my back porch awning is really going wild.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>It has reached the awning top and grown sideways to the house in two directions . This vine is at least 12 feet long.</div><div> </div><div>It has produced Passion Flowers which last for one day before falling off the vine.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEKrXD2N32zmRENg-Di3sv81AdHblG1P7d53F86237iBbwNV7k9e4gXsnWo6MB6LErdvayUZXE03Vl5j4yo7w5KZG9IwsWvR6OYVuvBxKJW9_1AyLmEsiRYqLNa6WsezX7DEUO1NuAd0/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+009-passion+flower-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>We had ten Passion Flowers in bloom at the same time this last week.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEKrXD2N32zmRENg-Di3sv81AdHblG1P7d53F86237iBbwNV7k9e4gXsnWo6MB6LErdvayUZXE03Vl5j4yo7w5KZG9IwsWvR6OYVuvBxKJW9_1AyLmEsiRYqLNa6WsezX7DEUO1NuAd0/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+009-passion+flower-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488686111688776978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEKrXD2N32zmRENg-Di3sv81AdHblG1P7d53F86237iBbwNV7k9e4gXsnWo6MB6LErdvayUZXE03Vl5j4yo7w5KZG9IwsWvR6OYVuvBxKJW9_1AyLmEsiRYqLNa6WsezX7DEUO1NuAd0/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+009-passion+flower-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div>It is really neat to watch and this is the first time this vine has bloomed here for me. It is a volunteer that started itself from a vine around the corner.<br /></div><div>The vine will be safe until the first hurricane gets close to the sandpit when I will have to cut it out to close the awning.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_9pdFuZCFXA7k6q1ipO-BwpdlWVflzYM5iaRqalJ_GS08vuPUQwxR9Hk2WW-H8i4xPlTNUSyK799seUiMlgyp3OMsT_Ji-48cQSF9yepGTG_iPj2i6C3ncJlgLwbK3D4bZ6lhuRcOFg/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+018-spider+lilly-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>In the meantime it is producing an abundance of flowers and has numerous butterflys on it throughout the day.</div><div> </div><div>We also gave the Bird area a rearranging. This corner I save for the birds and have planted protective bushes to encourage them . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xtSXFQKV8qbcM7citrQsEiKjYcvutIbuqH3ExlpCzzWp835cOmUFEs6NdoiAFyr1yX725Ag5ta-pez0sMqFnEK1iXxq0mrGvIxLTKtcN4PVqwarMivN8dicg0WKRfhxsIDUnf9jumZM/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+040-bird+area-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488686267645953362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xtSXFQKV8qbcM7citrQsEiKjYcvutIbuqH3ExlpCzzWp835cOmUFEs6NdoiAFyr1yX725Ag5ta-pez0sMqFnEK1iXxq0mrGvIxLTKtcN4PVqwarMivN8dicg0WKRfhxsIDUnf9jumZM/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+040-bird+area-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There is <strong>Orange Jasmine</strong> shrubs in the far back and a large <strong>Cassia</strong> <strong>bush</strong> to the right of the bird feeder.</div><div> </div><div>These bushes give them a lot of hiding places which birds seem to like.</div><div> </div><div>The bush in front of the feeder is an <strong>American Beauty berry</strong> that I started from seed two years ago.</div><div> </div><div>It is almost chest high now and will produce clusters of berries that the birds eat from the stems. I think it is related to the <strong>Mulberry</strong> tree.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_9pdFuZCFXA7k6q1ipO-BwpdlWVflzYM5iaRqalJ_GS08vuPUQwxR9Hk2WW-H8i4xPlTNUSyK799seUiMlgyp3OMsT_Ji-48cQSF9yepGTG_iPj2i6C3ncJlgLwbK3D4bZ6lhuRcOFg/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+018-spider+lilly-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>Anyway the birds have more cover and seem to like it . There are two <strong>Northern Mockingbirds</strong> and a <strong>Loggerhead</strong> <strong>Shrike</strong> that hang out here eating bugs every afternoon. Free bug control for the organic garden.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_9pdFuZCFXA7k6q1ipO-BwpdlWVflzYM5iaRqalJ_GS08vuPUQwxR9Hk2WW-H8i4xPlTNUSyK799seUiMlgyp3OMsT_Ji-48cQSF9yepGTG_iPj2i6C3ncJlgLwbK3D4bZ6lhuRcOFg/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+018-spider+lilly-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488686430877673458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_9pdFuZCFXA7k6q1ipO-BwpdlWVflzYM5iaRqalJ_GS08vuPUQwxR9Hk2WW-H8i4xPlTNUSyK799seUiMlgyp3OMsT_Ji-48cQSF9yepGTG_iPj2i6C3ncJlgLwbK3D4bZ6lhuRcOFg/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+018-spider+lilly-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>And speaking on bugs here is one of my Spider lilies that has bloomed this week. </div><div> </div><div>For some reason I find this plant fascinating .</div><div> </div><div>It is just able to display a subtle simple beauty that appeals to me.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_9pdFuZCFXA7k6q1ipO-BwpdlWVflzYM5iaRqalJ_GS08vuPUQwxR9Hk2WW-H8i4xPlTNUSyK799seUiMlgyp3OMsT_Ji-48cQSF9yepGTG_iPj2i6C3ncJlgLwbK3D4bZ6lhuRcOFg/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+018-spider+lilly-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>And as far as the home made bug repellent for the vegetables I have started mixing up the ingredients for the folk brew.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>The first step was to get a bar of Ivory soap. It is supposed to be soap not detergent although I really don't know the difference or why it would matter. But it might so we got the soap bar.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a> </div><div>Now this has to be whittled down into slivers and put into a container with a bit of water so the bar will melt into a liquid slurry.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488686541994777714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s320/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFF_IkGA_gx9iz-m3VE6xtCrqCh6OWKf-RZsd2wnKitV9CTtxO0AOOORHfXHFHtQJB49kRvov7GHu4CW8dQbI8YyPONg03V83MfNSykSli2EAl-nKwkPGOu3eRcdaSeW980trlaGqOc/s1600/pr-06-30-2010x+036-Ivory+soap-r1000%2BW.JPG"></a></div><div>Done and done for step one. Going to let the Ivory slurry percolate a few days and shake the container every time I go by it to mix the soap well.</div><div> </div><div>More on the mixtures progress next time.</div><div>--Sanddune--</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-41111645947879876822010-06-22T14:27:00.008-04:002010-06-22T17:48:01.652-04:00ORGANIC LEARNING CURVEAnyone attempting to grow things organically can attest that there is a learning curve involved. The same equally applies to permaculture methods . Both involve a lot of observation of your particular backyard ecosystem and how nature reacts with it and your plants.<br /><br />The end goal is to learn to work with nature instead of against it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCws9D49BjfyLOYfNGh15IbBHdbNTDkFbPgtFpOzGAfJpQTzI87Of1LCFE98jwU7QrgesAch684o5ogQd8P7tKpZOVxGucBWPpDJi2we8Tzjb-BTJ1NjgkXf3tDHXrPO1fJuPdNPydSs/s1600/pr-06--2010x+016-squash-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485680191037881026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCws9D49BjfyLOYfNGh15IbBHdbNTDkFbPgtFpOzGAfJpQTzI87Of1LCFE98jwU7QrgesAch684o5ogQd8P7tKpZOVxGucBWPpDJi2we8Tzjb-BTJ1NjgkXf3tDHXrPO1fJuPdNPydSs/s320/pr-06--2010x+016-squash-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> My latest challenge here at the Sandpit is learning how to deal with the summer bug invasion organically. It is a challenge to not reach for the chemical poison to deal with them. But once you realize that you will be eating the same poison that you put on your vegetables and eventually drinking the poison runoff water it becomes clear that there has to be a better answer.<br /><br /><br /><br />These are what is left from my summer Squash plants that I stuck in a new small planting bed made several weeks back. They were ruthlessly attacked and eaten by a combination of Squash vine borers and unidentified Ninja bugs. I call them Ninja bugs because they feed at night and are extremely stealthy. I have concluded that they love Squash plants in particular mine.<br /><br /><br />The tops from these six squash plants are now in the compost bin. I cut them off at the ground and left the roots in the soil to decay and compost in the soil of the bed. Nothing goes to waste in an organic garden.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB0g8EcXUDh3TjJKhWrbwtQRrxNj71F4FmLogWekBu2ZX8bGy1CaAcnz69JTIWuiocz4nMQXrBTBQrYURhyphenhyphenJZ4YI73w0e_RRzvev1et5Ap3GjNCXUn-1pg6o8tLlx8863zzBSMbsN_zY/s1600/pr-06--2010x+017-y+tom-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485686756370761618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB0g8EcXUDh3TjJKhWrbwtQRrxNj71F4FmLogWekBu2ZX8bGy1CaAcnz69JTIWuiocz4nMQXrBTBQrYURhyphenhyphenJZ4YI73w0e_RRzvev1et5Ap3GjNCXUn-1pg6o8tLlx8863zzBSMbsN_zY/s320/pr-06--2010x+017-y+tom-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> Here is the result from an heirloom <strong>Jubilee Tomato plant</strong>. It was attacked by Tomato Horn worms which ate all the vegetation off of the plant . Amazingly it still produced one fruit. This was an experiment with the <strong>Jubilee </strong>seed which I plan to plant in September. I knew when I planted this one plant that it would not do well now it being the wrong time of year to plant them in South Florida.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My research on how to protect against the bugs naturally has led to my next experiment. I found this homemade recipe for a natural bug tonic on the Internet. I'm going to plant some more Squash[ the Ninja bugs favorite ] and apply this concoction to a couple and leave a couple of the plants with nothing to see if it has any positive effect. More observation to see what works here.<br /><br /><br /> The concoction involves combining diluted Ivory soap with ground up Jalapeno peppers and the mix sprayed on the plant leaves.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=altZegRslNg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQk5z0ka0dZUjd7hF5HA4M_HH9BUfP881WK90CBBNwiXBA5dwx8Xq2Rbbj53WcnDeDpBe6MRA-PE0xIuUOr4HQcGjNyzCtlghKBsvEBe_vl8u9g7j9R9_RdVnEiJfNUVGbBcqEhq3G8/s1600/pr-06-2010x+012-Thai+peppers-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485701766962204546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQk5z0ka0dZUjd7hF5HA4M_HH9BUfP881WK90CBBNwiXBA5dwx8Xq2Rbbj53WcnDeDpBe6MRA-PE0xIuUOr4HQcGjNyzCtlghKBsvEBe_vl8u9g7j9R9_RdVnEiJfNUVGbBcqEhq3G8/s320/pr-06-2010x+012-Thai+peppers-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> Sense I don't have jalapeno peppers I am going to substitute some of the hot peppers that I have growing now. These are <strong>Thai hot peppers</strong> that were started from seed back in April.<br /><br /><br />They should give me a steady supply of hot peppers for the next month or so.<br /><br /><br /><br />We will see if this will effect the Ninja bugs or not. I am still spraying with Neem Oil every couple of weeks.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Ninja's seem to attack my Zinnia leaves, Sunflower leaves and the Squash the worst. The Neem Oil has calmed them down some so I am hoping this new concoction will add a boost to the Neem Oil .<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc0SV14tRYbh_OFxhEGiC2fNRSkWyFzZY8rDviLZSw_9vIRHIvE_D0XfaUsH__8MzLahaogPS4S09OXT3ZWlHHLWUmXC33xhZQ6QQXpB16dbpUOUYeM0e8hzwdqU5P7XOwsv2U07k1yw/s1600/pr-06--2010x+004-comfrey-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485705915749685330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc0SV14tRYbh_OFxhEGiC2fNRSkWyFzZY8rDviLZSw_9vIRHIvE_D0XfaUsH__8MzLahaogPS4S09OXT3ZWlHHLWUmXC33xhZQ6QQXpB16dbpUOUYeM0e8hzwdqU5P7XOwsv2U07k1yw/s320/pr-06--2010x+004-comfrey-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br />The Ninja's liked my <strong>Russian Comfrey</strong> also but I think they started leaving the Comfrey to attack and eat the Squash. So for now the Comfrey are growing fast and looking less insect damaged .<br /><br />But with the Squash now gone I am watching to see if they return to the Comfrey leaves.<br /><br />It's always something as they say but the information learned from plants that did not do so well is invaluable to learning how to reverse that trend in the future.<br /><br />--Sanddune--sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-40110025280215730912010-06-11T15:50:00.010-04:002010-06-11T17:14:43.440-04:00ONE SHADY FLAMINGO<div><div><div><div>Seems like its kinda hard to find any tropical shade plants that produce bright flowers. Not that There is a lot of shade here at the sandpit. But there is a few areas stuck here and there that only get the filtered sunlight for a few hours each day.</div><br /><div>I was given this plant which is a<strong> Chrysothemis Pulchella</strong> or <strong>Black</strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZN47yS0hOUkscORqJrqDwaOMoZ_3IacBvKkILF52cwQmLcH59YaWC7JwMLA08A8ivZ5po9DIfldMnvtOizAH9ffzH1jiXBeHWebJ33OKb5YOsdGG6w5CzzMBq9VNYo4JCchfXXIzfl4/s1600/pr-12-06-2009+004-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481613123521548034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZN47yS0hOUkscORqJrqDwaOMoZ_3IacBvKkILF52cwQmLcH59YaWC7JwMLA08A8ivZ5po9DIfldMnvtOizAH9ffzH1jiXBeHWebJ33OKb5YOsdGG6w5CzzMBq9VNYo4JCchfXXIzfl4/s320/pr-12-06-2009+004-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><strong>Flamingo</strong> back in December of last year.</div><br /><div>This picture is how it looked last December in bloom.</div><br /><div>It produces a colorful bloom that looks like a sunset sort of. Some folks call this plant <strong>Sunset Bells</strong>.</div><br /><div>The plant has leathery large leaves that are crinkly looking. The leaves have several colors from copper to dark green with bright purple undersides. It is quite unique looking different than what is <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkublzhcMTQ1bDZoLrpFf_p2lHPzwUuVEb3l46zugrbuRwdM7YBre864NOS0-Te8JZotgdGngGHXCVb3OsTQsB46iV7R0OGwOy1V_hKDCIoKs5lcb1I1xmJHwli4L1tW-ySIBRNajjuQ/s1600/pr-03-02-2010xdie-R1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481617082736006882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkublzhcMTQ1bDZoLrpFf_p2lHPzwUuVEb3l46zugrbuRwdM7YBre864NOS0-Te8JZotgdGngGHXCVb3OsTQsB46iV7R0OGwOy1V_hKDCIoKs5lcb1I1xmJHwli4L1tW-ySIBRNajjuQ/s320/pr-03-02-2010xdie-R1000+W.JPG" /></a>commonly seen planted in a shade spot.</div><br /><div>The Black Flamingo has no use for cold weather and this is the same plant on March 2nd of this year.</div><div> </div><div>Seems as though when the cold weather comes around this plant goes dormant and the growth dies off.</div><br /><div>Not to worry there is still a tuber under the soil that is just waiting for the place to warm back up. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVplVpL8NnzHNKZV32_z0am_2hS7lOs4UYIzM67vns_AERINzurZvqKwIHPCDZ3X4CL-jzqLEq1mDWd_7Zo-Ze97do3PUijxbAfSqW1zlaHb8k7uB_51zeoS8QbOSWFw_rZXCDlt8_KY/s1600/pr-04-26-2010xfrs+growth--R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481619275615460578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVplVpL8NnzHNKZV32_z0am_2hS7lOs4UYIzM67vns_AERINzurZvqKwIHPCDZ3X4CL-jzqLEq1mDWd_7Zo-Ze97do3PUijxbAfSqW1zlaHb8k7uB_51zeoS8QbOSWFw_rZXCDlt8_KY/s320/pr-04-26-2010xfrs+growth--R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is the same plant at the end of April after the cold weather had left.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I had stuck the dead looking plant in its pot under some other plants in the full shade. Sure enough the temperature rising brought it out of dormancy and it is back with several new shoots.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>You can see the strange leave texture and colors. Cool huh!</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzvPU0I97kqGthBHrf-rhA6R9KxW3HPdKQ9A-xi7tywlloSKAllA05ep4Exm_zbU-2p-1IJjrtteKekI5ofinpCRPN-aCiMoI9rJE5utH1aWDnbU84u8fOKNnCqA2_hu-ynWV-sKSlnU/s1600/pr-06-06-2010xblk+flamingo+bloom-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481621662740564578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzvPU0I97kqGthBHrf-rhA6R9KxW3HPdKQ9A-xi7tywlloSKAllA05ep4Exm_zbU-2p-1IJjrtteKekI5ofinpCRPN-aCiMoI9rJE5utH1aWDnbU84u8fOKNnCqA2_hu-ynWV-sKSlnU/s320/pr-06-06-2010xblk+flamingo+bloom-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Anyway this is the <strong>Black Flamingo</strong> plant today starting to bloom it' summer sunset bells on three stalks now. </div><div> </div><div>This picture is not the best but it was raining and the camera lens was fogging up from the humidity.</div><div> </div><div>This plant should do well in the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> heat this summer. </div><div> </div><div>It likes the shade and is a candidate to by propagated by tuber cuttings. So that means of course there soon will be lots of <span style="color:#ff0000;">FREE</span> little <strong>Black Flamingos</strong> in the sandpit shadows in the future.</div><div> </div><div>And with this guy you can enjoy the sunset anytime it is warm.</div><div> </div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div><div> </div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-74210668990822808072010-06-02T23:28:00.013-04:002010-06-03T02:04:27.751-04:00EARLY SUMMER RAMBLINGS<div>With the Summer heat bearing down more each day it seemed like a good as any time to plan for the next three months.</div><br /><div>Lots of plants are already struggling in the sun and wind. Ever since I lost my big Mango tree to a hurricane several years back my backyard shade is mostly gone. Best I can figure about 3/4 of the yard is in the tropical sun now as long as the sun is up.</div><br /><div>It's kind of similar to growing plants on the beach. Full sun all day and no shade to escape to until the sun sets.</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4d9cCEgwuI5aMI9A_Jf2qsc3jiGbRLE1Ukn1j_s5JFnD7nGp3qwKlUe0KtdTJ_kdIr9EFzzL8JR2Ad2KgmMD53PXWZA8HKW33f1ylrEiDNqRim1DV2_SW44Daf1MDF_BjiS0hG8UMw/s1600/pr6-2010xMandevilla-R1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478389639295458034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4d9cCEgwuI5aMI9A_Jf2qsc3jiGbRLE1Ukn1j_s5JFnD7nGp3qwKlUe0KtdTJ_kdIr9EFzzL8JR2Ad2KgmMD53PXWZA8HKW33f1ylrEiDNqRim1DV2_SW44Daf1MDF_BjiS0hG8UMw/s320/pr6-2010xMandevilla-R1000+W.JPG" /></a>So here are some of my South Florida favorites that thrive in the tropical summer heat.<br /><br /><div>One plant that I can always count on is the <strong>Mandevilla.</strong></div><br /><div>It is a tropical plant and seems to grow better for me the hotter that it gets around here.</div><br /><div>It doesn't like the cold at all and every year around March I cut the vine back to about a foot tall. As it warms up the <strong>Mandevilla </strong>vine takes off and produces flowers up until about January. This guy will grow a good ten foot tall by the end of the summer and will be continuously covered in blooms.</div><br /><div>Another hot weather favorite at the sandpit is the <strong>Desert Rose</strong>.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQpDyZOYWqSF1l_SvZabj5m-RiOy3FNdKxUV8SS6285QlBZse5olo7Y1DQ5kftf1c6MAGfhdvoerQRhoMBsRHpUP3WqjBbchnhW88qT0eo7lhOTrMLbDH5JCbmoD_tb-hLVypsCerd8/s1600/pr-6-2010xdesert+rose-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478393616721924626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQpDyZOYWqSF1l_SvZabj5m-RiOy3FNdKxUV8SS6285QlBZse5olo7Y1DQ5kftf1c6MAGfhdvoerQRhoMBsRHpUP3WqjBbchnhW88qT0eo7lhOTrMLbDH5JCbmoD_tb-hLVypsCerd8/s320/pr-6-2010xdesert+rose-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> It stays in the full sun and never complains. The <strong>Desert Rose</strong> is native to Africa and likes it hot.<br /><br /><div>This plant never gets much water from me and seems to bloom better being a little water starved or so I have concluded.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Had worms eat all the leaves off it once until it was just sticks. A month later the leaves popped back out and it was blooming again. This is one tough plant great for South Florida.</div><br /><div>One other proven hot weather survivor in the sandpit is the<strong> Everglades Wild</strong> <strong>Tomato.</strong></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuE4oc1QYTT4pZpObuI8DXL0yG_IKBCmigS7Y-1UolD8DYyQRiNX_F_pircK9oLnWGTPq9EWndDg2uL4uxw2z7wZ6HEBb6dpTBol1Pg-bLd443TTM1p4HWXf2GVeT6YFki0eIOgC-32c/s1600/pr-6-2010xEverglade+tomato-R1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478396088225895570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuE4oc1QYTT4pZpObuI8DXL0yG_IKBCmigS7Y-1UolD8DYyQRiNX_F_pircK9oLnWGTPq9EWndDg2uL4uxw2z7wZ6HEBb6dpTBol1Pg-bLd443TTM1p4HWXf2GVeT6YFki0eIOgC-32c/s320/pr-6-2010xEverglade+tomato-R1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> They grow dime to quarter size fruit and are the best tasting cherry size Tomato that I have ever eaten.<br /><br /><div>They reseed themselves and pop up all over the garden as volunteers. I suspect the birds who also love to snack on the fruits spread the seeds.</div><br /><div>All the better cause I like to snack on a handful straight from the bush while working outside. There are like five bushes growing now in the garden. None of which I planted.</div><br /><div>These guys take the heat when other Tomato's are long gone. They will continue to provide tasty handfuls of fruit all summer long. They are wild so if one plants looks bad you can count on more popping up to take it's place.</div><br /><div>And here is my great hope to help with my lack of shade .<br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4TtvmH76vyEDD09tWRs-B5-yJ3rbJh3ou30q3r4az974Hn9sFN0RxdokxPDKX05DnMRbLSUk1i5y-__yVd01Jv2GZzx5dMbCpBLyffSM-8bUu_wbsmQR27JpnLngjIESYZYU_tZEwvQ/s1600/pr-NEEM-2010+R1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478400449050652018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4TtvmH76vyEDD09tWRs-B5-yJ3rbJh3ou30q3r4az974Hn9sFN0RxdokxPDKX05DnMRbLSUk1i5y-__yVd01Jv2GZzx5dMbCpBLyffSM-8bUu_wbsmQR27JpnLngjIESYZYU_tZEwvQ/s320/pr-NEEM-2010+R1000+W.JPG" /></a> It is one my baby <strong>Neem</strong> trees that has sprouted from seeds that I got from Zanzibar East Africa.<br /><br /><div>Actually I have three baby <strong>Neem</strong> tree sprouts growing for the nine seeds that I attempted to sprout. That is pretty good because the seeds are very time sensitive and must be planted quickly after harvest.</div><br /><div>The Neem tree might not look like much now but it will <strong>grow quickly into a</strong> <strong>mighty pillar of a tree</strong> to solve my shade problems. Anyway that's what I keep telling the <strong>Neem</strong> sprouts.</div><br /><div>They will have to stay in the pots until they grow to 50 cm tall. One cm is about the size of a pinky nail turned sideways so I figure by the time I figure how tall 50 pinky nails turned sideways is they should be ready to plant in the yard.</div><br /><div>And as to strange new plant experiments here is my latest entry. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWLdClYXvf7xidXMa1qWizV95akUPz3gp1qLJ2KfDJeOi0VxKaYq9WtIikFjFL83FHyT0R0P7xrQ2EM2Lt8pkuZomLm7dW48nvjHGqBoTaM5J7KgpxTMG20dQVYAIOahvFjnYo_W0s9o/s1600/pr-6-2010xSunflower+teddybear+R-1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478404585851653954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWLdClYXvf7xidXMa1qWizV95akUPz3gp1qLJ2KfDJeOi0VxKaYq9WtIikFjFL83FHyT0R0P7xrQ2EM2Lt8pkuZomLm7dW48nvjHGqBoTaM5J7KgpxTMG20dQVYAIOahvFjnYo_W0s9o/s320/pr-6-2010xSunflower+teddybear+R-1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> I picked up some hybrid <strong>Sunflower</strong> seeds a while back called Teddy Bear. Here is the results.<br /><br /><div>All I can report is that they are pretty weird looking and that the bugs absolutely find them irresistible.</div><br /><div>Going to sprout some more later in the summer when the bugs calm down a bit.</div><br /><div>I don't use pesticides anymore but have been spraying with Neem Oil to get some of the bugs under control naturally.</div><br /><div>As for the pipe dream department here is my <strong>Zinnia</strong> attempts. I like <strong>Zinnia's</strong> and try to grow them every year with less than stellar results. </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPBii6zFeLvwAvkV5zu6CcuGbcar2jTQVNGPBs-729Z9aKMhT4CsQoKhzFK7puMBrCkfAUwlODG7_U9EzRkkl0E-ScD3urtQ4A8D2OvN2uOXJAPz73_ltTnlBRuCAidv-URKBwT2CV9M/s1600/pr-6-2010xZinnia-R1000+W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478407978264120514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPBii6zFeLvwAvkV5zu6CcuGbcar2jTQVNGPBs-729Z9aKMhT4CsQoKhzFK7puMBrCkfAUwlODG7_U9EzRkkl0E-ScD3urtQ4A8D2OvN2uOXJAPz73_ltTnlBRuCAidv-URKBwT2CV9M/s320/pr-6-2010xZinnia-R1000+W.JPG" /></a> This one is a <strong>Giant Violet Queen</strong>. It has been afflicted with some unknown plant affliction as well as being ravaged by hungry bugs.<br /><br /><div></div><div>But with all that against it it still blooms for me. Now that's tenacity a trait which I admire.</div><br /><div>So if the <strong>Zinnia's</strong> keep trying so will I.</div><br /><div>And as to a summer suprise here is my <strong>Passion Vine</strong> flower. It is the first time that the vine has bloomed here.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3Tv9lJtDxwv0dmT7xstSI54dK06TM00t8tJhpWMDMljhsS_1smDpyL2TqnRxLYh4wgQGjPm3_0kTJWyRNkmou0GjUDtzk_MPCHiwxbNpul2n5DPgfjRCf2MxB1DH2vGstVWn1-dDf_o/s1600/pr-passion+flower-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478410894014327474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3Tv9lJtDxwv0dmT7xstSI54dK06TM00t8tJhpWMDMljhsS_1smDpyL2TqnRxLYh4wgQGjPm3_0kTJWyRNkmou0GjUDtzk_MPCHiwxbNpul2n5DPgfjRCf2MxB1DH2vGstVWn1-dDf_o/s320/pr-passion+flower-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>For the past couple of weeks there are 3-5 blooms that open each morning than close and fall off that night.</div><br /><div></div><div>Is that neat or what?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The bottom line is that in South Florida heat and weather you have to plan ahead to make it through the summer months.</div><br /><div></div><div>Speaking of which it is now officially the start of <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>hurricane season</strong></span>. This means it is time to plant some <strong>Moonflower</strong> seeds.</div><br /><div></div><div>My theory is that a well grown <strong>Moonflower</strong> vine can actually <strong>bend</strong> a hurricane away from it. There's not a lot of science behind the theory but seem to me every time I have had <strong>Moonflower Vines</strong> growing the hurricanes have bypassed the sandpit.</div><br /><div></div><div>More research may be required but it has worked in the past.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>--Sanddune--</div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-11850707371508343842010-05-27T23:46:00.009-04:002010-05-28T01:35:07.711-04:00CHEAP PLANT SHELFWith summer and the rainy season fast approaching it was high time to figure out a way to protect my small pots of plants. These are the plants that have been started from seed mostly and need some sun exposure and time to mature some before going out in the garden. They are mostly plants in the intermediate stages and need hardening off before enduring the full elements that South Florida dishes out. <div><div><div><br /><div>After some careful cogitating as to what would work best for me and with nature I decided to construct a plant shelf. </div><br /><div>First step was to establish what I wished to accomplish. This included placing the plants where they would get medium direct sun exposure. Getting the pots up off the ground to protect them from heavy rain, my dogs and the summer bugs. Giving the plants good air flow and allowing them to <strong>drain</strong> unhindered.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjyI-01lqNPx90GElSa3xqjc84gZpO6Wkk2TVVB2R4AYheAspb9n2GB6rmyJmM3ujRIO93uB7s_N5URFfcTftztOX4Hiq9y9MEFefeqVfxlH4nYDhS6tCKpXoVhL1GG1991HvD5l2rTA/s1600/pr-plant+shf+3-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476177524113235938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjyI-01lqNPx90GElSa3xqjc84gZpO6Wkk2TVVB2R4AYheAspb9n2GB6rmyJmM3ujRIO93uB7s_N5URFfcTftztOX4Hiq9y9MEFefeqVfxlH4nYDhS6tCKpXoVhL1GG1991HvD5l2rTA/s320/pr-plant+shf+3-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> <strong>Perma-culture principles</strong> for consideration included placing the shelf where I would see the plants everyday. Some where that would not be in my way and would be easy to work with the pots of plants.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Other considerations in line with my <strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">2010 challenge</span></strong> to myself included reusing materials that were on hand to make the project.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3I3O5o_oi8s8zazcJU_5i1HLTEaSa0iixZHsBpgzY-V6CPv4RXl_qpR9NAYkFe-KEDPO2AbWS0PYbRNZkVeBhOq1Q9tMd0hMSIgsbEu3b4q_Db3ai25CPPQ3x98rmyUN679YNq9ebPU/s1600/pr-plant+shf+2+-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476174084108112978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3I3O5o_oi8s8zazcJU_5i1HLTEaSa0iixZHsBpgzY-V6CPv4RXl_qpR9NAYkFe-KEDPO2AbWS0PYbRNZkVeBhOq1Q9tMd0hMSIgsbEu3b4q_Db3ai25CPPQ3x98rmyUN679YNq9ebPU/s320/pr-plant+shf+2+-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>After watching the sun for several weeks I concluded that the front of my screened enclosure got the direct sun from around 1 pm till dark or maybe a half day which would work out about right. It is right in front of my back porch so I could see the plants and would be out of everyone's way. Location established.</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqvXHlQInVXa_xbzyVQoJc4pLCwBotFioBE94kHMWvejuhohsd8n4MrzPB1Im2v5Ap0RApfWDqiXCfIaYOsrDbY8kppBZH10Pbe4gAOPYGVtZCdnTtKnfIbCqZGmVDUqwemirMLwXyRc/s1600/pr-plant+slf+1-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476172674083492866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqvXHlQInVXa_xbzyVQoJc4pLCwBotFioBE94kHMWvejuhohsd8n4MrzPB1Im2v5Ap0RApfWDqiXCfIaYOsrDbY8kppBZH10Pbe4gAOPYGVtZCdnTtKnfIbCqZGmVDUqwemirMLwXyRc/s320/pr-plant+slf+1-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> I found some old wooden shelf supports that were saved from a past demolition taking up space in my laundry room. Also some scrap small pieces of pine wood saved from past projects. They all would be <strong>recycled</strong> into the shelf.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I purchased six 1x2x8 pine strips and some waterproof <strong>Gorilla Glue</strong> for the rest of the materials.</div><br /><div></div><div>The assembly was easy. I sawed some 4 inch divider pieces from the strips ends. </div><br /><div>Set the strips on their edges and glued the divider pieces between each strip. This gave it a latticed shelf so the pots would drain properly and the water from rain would not puddle and rot the shelf. The strips standing on their sides also gives the shelf more mechanical strength against warping besides just looking cool.</div><div> </div><div>To add to the gestalt of the shelf I added some front and back rails . Same method glue and clamp. Next day remove the clamp them glue and clamp again until its all done.</div><div> </div><div>Finally screwed in the shelf supports after some trimming and screwed the shelf on top of the supports.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1WMTDattHxKRFQvMbvYkxRutScNPpKnn2hg0xAh_VsF7dkU3I_yIoBzg4CtHB1A8mmZGTH0uPNDdjmzbdBQLxN9JNbOhj1p5ONf-r_kqwlg40wNn3P57uTYnBdArjIJyvODxNYVAWEo/s1600/pr-plant+shf+4-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476180620809522322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1WMTDattHxKRFQvMbvYkxRutScNPpKnn2hg0xAh_VsF7dkU3I_yIoBzg4CtHB1A8mmZGTH0uPNDdjmzbdBQLxN9JNbOhj1p5ONf-r_kqwlg40wNn3P57uTYnBdArjIJyvODxNYVAWEo/s320/pr-plant+shf+4-2010%2BR1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>After a few coats of leftover paint this simple shelf blended right in.</div><div> </div><div>It is strong and now has 13 pots on it with room for a couple more. </div><div> </div><div>The shelve fits all my design and perma-culture criteria while uncluttering the ground of 13 pots. Plus my wife likes it, the real gauge of a successful project.</div><div> </div><div>--SANDDUNE--</div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-88582003902030245862010-05-18T19:32:00.011-04:002010-05-18T22:23:24.695-04:00A FINE DAY FOR A FRUGAL PARLAY<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>Parlay</strong> is such a fine two dollar word to use to impress your friends. Use it in a conversation and your friends will be rightly blown away with your worldly sophistication. Say it long for added effect as in Par' Laaaaaaaaaay. Say it ten times fast to impress yourself with your own sophistication when your bored.</div><br /><div>Anyway this post explains the principal of how to turn a simple garden asset to great advantage. The maneuver being the <strong>parlay</strong>. With proper forethought the results can be quite impressive.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nFgWJ66iR37E4NGap05kk2Jx-_nKawGqtHM-jgRUtMHMMTNF1LeRI4RJy7dHz-X3-7fIbKlAh9CIZr8XazNZGCQ0AphnkUWbTeUes175YwC_thAwnEY30spsYzRJ7p7WMnQ0qkAkhks/s1600/pr-12-06-2009+009-1000%3DWATERMARK.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472766743949588770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nFgWJ66iR37E4NGap05kk2Jx-_nKawGqtHM-jgRUtMHMMTNF1LeRI4RJy7dHz-X3-7fIbKlAh9CIZr8XazNZGCQ0AphnkUWbTeUes175YwC_thAwnEY30spsYzRJ7p7WMnQ0qkAkhks/s320/pr-12-06-2009+009-1000%3DWATERMARK.JPG" /></a> Here's an example of how it works.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>In early December I received this <strong>Aechmea Gamosepala</strong> plant as a birthday gift. A very neat Bromeliad and the cost was <strong><span style="color:#000000;">FREE</span></strong> [gift] to the Sandpit garden budget.</div><br /><br /><div>Now it just so happened that this bromeliad had three new pups growing from the Mother plant when I got her. I removed the three pups and planted them in separate containers. This was the <strong>first Parlay</strong>. From the one Bromeliad gift I now had four bromeliads.</div><br /><div>Let's do the preliminary garden math. One free plant retail value for instance let's say $5.00. Parlayed into four separate plants 4x$5.00 makes the value $20.00.</div><br /><div>Fast forward from last December up to the present.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyEktb1Hh9hc99T6aaCnYNooIe0RJwFn9uBEifino91_AAP825CPJrryOGOXsivW09PDbv-vPTrfE8x7Jxkhmbv3qhEAxGkxmM9ghLKDqh44AizrIGyZ8U1JjPw2oAvEXf2fPWkQekAc/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+020+full+old+pot%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472771249352042402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyEktb1Hh9hc99T6aaCnYNooIe0RJwFn9uBEifino91_AAP825CPJrryOGOXsivW09PDbv-vPTrfE8x7Jxkhmbv3qhEAxGkxmM9ghLKDqh44AizrIGyZ8U1JjPw2oAvEXf2fPWkQekAc/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+020+full+old+pot%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is one of the four plants present day. It is time to separate the pups from the Mother Bromeliad once again.</div><br /><div>In fact it is past time for this plant as the pups are now almost as big as the Mother plant. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>This is where the planning part comes in to play. The pups were coming for all the new plants and they would need separate containers to harvest them into.</div><br /><div>When a neighbor down the way did some landscaping he removed his new plants and promptly threw out all the plastic containers his plants had come in.</div><br /><div>Yes, Thank you for the donation to the sandpit. The free pots will look more better used in the sandpit than discarded in the county landfill. They are a perfect size for the pups new home.</div><br /><div>Collecting the pots from the garbage and storing them away fits right in to one of my frugal gardening rules.</div><br /><div>NEVER PAY CASH WHEN IT'S FREE IN THE TRASH</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDNelNBAucwRXxxGV6prvKHKn6iyDt5CuHoxsdVGtMvjY2TpAKIn8G5QkcMf9VXGlxRAw-mV6wV1z0PXLWdRUkRY3IPdtW-L4clae1r371Q8wYRF3fZBzY612Oi8RVmLKV-An-xBY__g/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+022-Screen%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472777739818615938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDNelNBAucwRXxxGV6prvKHKn6iyDt5CuHoxsdVGtMvjY2TpAKIn8G5QkcMf9VXGlxRAw-mV6wV1z0PXLWdRUkRY3IPdtW-L4clae1r371Q8wYRF3fZBzY612Oi8RVmLKV-An-xBY__g/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+022-Screen%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>As far as the new soil to plant the new pups in a visit to the compost bin gave me all that I would need. Once again at no cost.</div><br /><div>As a filter to keep the soil in and let the water drain I use simple screen in the bottom of the pots. Works better than that barrier stuff they sell and you can buy a roll of window screen for less. Better yet save your old screen to use it in the bottom of your pots.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3JmV56gwtjQlwojpAovbDQafK509m4D-zNf6oY25lS3YDwJMZRz321wMFseyLAeIZlFXYVKMeg0gc40odp1l5gHz_OKlhprGdO5gYGGQAlES0PoEA1xdZ8SbAGkNCvLVD5moXsxEzZY/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+023-ind+pl%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472782722351584418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3JmV56gwtjQlwojpAovbDQafK509m4D-zNf6oY25lS3YDwJMZRz321wMFseyLAeIZlFXYVKMeg0gc40odp1l5gHz_OKlhprGdO5gYGGQAlES0PoEA1xdZ8SbAGkNCvLVD5moXsxEzZY/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+023-ind+pl%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>After removing the Mother bromeliad from her pot it was time to harvest the pups. With a knife I just cut straight down from the top slicing the pups away trying to get a little of the root stalk with each pup removed.</div><br /><br />This one plant produced six new pups.<br /><br /><div>Each new Bromeliad pup gets it's own pot.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IcP-xf5OdJE8qjSKvY21ZvlPBiDwxRqzUkMCmdd0xRynGSWMGI1oqdW5qbopv3KrWis7bV915dNa1NnF_xSIFStShvqORABkNy5OPWRX7k2ra66_RYAxhBIym0WJoMeZsZT9E7Sr-Sw/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+024-new+pot+%2BO-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472783648977014994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IcP-xf5OdJE8qjSKvY21ZvlPBiDwxRqzUkMCmdd0xRynGSWMGI1oqdW5qbopv3KrWis7bV915dNa1NnF_xSIFStShvqORABkNy5OPWRX7k2ra66_RYAxhBIym0WJoMeZsZT9E7Sr-Sw/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+024-new+pot+%2BO-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Of course my loyal garden assistant Odette is always close by to give advice and pounce on any bug that may be uncovered and flee during the replanting.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>As the pups get re potted I like to give each one a support. This<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboMfhX2KH9Evbyfbpv3QmrQELUVRiRKVBEwBuBouxplmpZruiu6WvoLbJopJSJq9iki9t6hxpDpkLfIke0c4FpM1-STK6TvPkXfAqWH6EygKx-_b-5OGjE5EvBTofify8opgQUCTSMoQ/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+025-support%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472787189900566482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboMfhX2KH9Evbyfbpv3QmrQELUVRiRKVBEwBuBouxplmpZruiu6WvoLbJopJSJq9iki9t6hxpDpkLfIke0c4FpM1-STK6TvPkXfAqWH6EygKx-_b-5OGjE5EvBTofify8opgQUCTSMoQ/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+025-support%3Dr1000%2BW.JPG" /></a> is due to the winds that come during the intense summer storms we have here in South Florida. It supports the Bromeliad until it can get established and holds it upright so the leaves will catch water to feed the plant. I use recycled bamboo stakes cut short and tied snug to the base of the Bromeliad with sisal twine. Works great! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And for the group picture all potted up with a bit of mulch added to keep the rain from splattering the compost soil.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There is the Parlay. This one plant became seven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuSCeVCVDldiPpVdJxS9iEHhVY4dd8aagWKVM-TwyAKQIYT4RpCWkAjVYQE2JLi22muzBAfx90-TzvPNym_GIs3hLot_miGFpM5zBVhdrSNGk88y_U1B5p7U9vC8uZ3TYpU-k007UwhE/s1600/pr-05-17-2010x+026-fin-r1000%2BW.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472789437857522482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuSCeVCVDldiPpVdJxS9iEHhVY4dd8aagWKVM-TwyAKQIYT4RpCWkAjVYQE2JLi22muzBAfx90-TzvPNym_GIs3hLot_miGFpM5zBVhdrSNGk88y_U1B5p7U9vC8uZ3TYpU-k007UwhE/s320/pr-05-17-2010x+026-fin-r1000%2BW.JPG" /></a>. Add the other original three left that I have not got around to harvesting their pups and there are now ten Bromeliads so far. </div><div> </div><div>Back to the calculator. 10 plants x $5.00=$50.00. 10 free new pots salvaged from the garbage say $1.00 each retail=$10.00. Free soil from the compost bin say retail $3.00. Total value not spent $63.00. Total tax paid to the State and every other Government entity with their hand out= Zip!!!</div><div> </div><div> See the <strong>Parlay</strong>---There is hope. We can achieve a frugal garden full of wonderful plants without busting the family budget at the garden center. All it takes is a little fore thought.</div><div> </div><div>Starting plants from seeds, propagating plants from cuttings and pups and exchanging plants with other gardening folks. Finding items to reuse and recycle. Making your own rich compost to nourish your soil and plants.</div><div> </div><div>It is all subject to a plant parlay for your garden.</div><div> </div><div>PARLAY= To maneuver { an asset } to great advantage.</div><div> </div><div>Wishing you a successful Parlay,</div><div>--Sanddune--</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090202102879168785.post-53132421919474897482010-05-12T22:34:00.014-04:002010-05-13T01:17:44.322-04:00ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTERBeing that last Sunday was Mothers Day, we all went out together to the <strong>Annie Kolb</strong> <strong>Nature Center</strong>. It is part of the Broward County Parks system.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>First thing that struck me is that there was <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">no</span></strong> admission fee to get into the north side of the park and there were not that many people there. </div><br /><div>At first when I found out that this park was named after a former Broward County Commissioner my jaded nature of politicians kicked in. But further research about Annie Kolb, the centers namesake ,revealed her to be a strong environmentalist. She had convinced the Commission here to pass the Urban Wilderness Park System to preserve endangered lands. Her efforts placed a building moratorium in Southwest Boward County for 61,000 acres. The Florida Wildlife Association named her conservationist of the year in 1977.</div><br /><div>Because of her foresight this park was created and the 1,500 acres preserved. Ok maybe I was wrong.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT-4Y61XZo7f5gUIhqAhQN87EESgs03x1igqmKb8bhOPbuzAKp2bFFB6DnSi7YugnU0Vmm4rB5AFlcfyx1CZiJPHtnq68vWeAjzQlrQkgLEa0TX26ZfxP40fgm9c-ZzUoMsO8gvPr7OA/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+018RESTORATION+SIGN+R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470587601998468386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT-4Y61XZo7f5gUIhqAhQN87EESgs03x1igqmKb8bhOPbuzAKp2bFFB6DnSi7YugnU0Vmm4rB5AFlcfyx1CZiJPHtnq68vWeAjzQlrQkgLEa0TX26ZfxP40fgm9c-ZzUoMsO8gvPr7OA/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+018RESTORATION+SIGN+R1000W.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>The Nature center is enclosed within <strong>WestLake Park</strong>. It has been converted to protected coastal Mangrove wetlands and native plants and wildlife.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The idea is to return this area to a native habitat and remove the exotic plant species.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1mjawXyuEKS-ke9ZIS1JOjvPhLk4swlR7ZNyAGzFl8_5dDONDbciaw84DbmoS_apkcXHb7Io-bEB1JeC2ae6OnWTfdaP8VvJTv7iWYvd5cqEw8slDK7MOszXvKz67gAlnJ3vjuhb5kA/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+019NATURE+TRAIL+R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470589616620464562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1mjawXyuEKS-ke9ZIS1JOjvPhLk4swlR7ZNyAGzFl8_5dDONDbciaw84DbmoS_apkcXHb7Io-bEB1JeC2ae6OnWTfdaP8VvJTv7iWYvd5cqEw8slDK7MOszXvKz67gAlnJ3vjuhb5kA/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+019NATURE+TRAIL+R1000W.JPG" /></a> They have built several nature trails that you can walk extending out into the mangroves. The area is mud flats and wet ground so the elevated paths are great.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>They are all made out of that gray plastic composite from recycled plastic. This picture is from a top a five story observation tower in the park of one of the nature trails.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNcGvsJdyZWIMZYS3yA1BmlVBMmbIrWaihWodj0cWgSbu1wusCLdbOdv6z_FPxMN-2qhmbiquWwsMxsvKcmXcZsoVnP4ShjlYRvq3BrCPH2hrw6rkhCr1MrRAwr8PNiYKRB4d3Hjfk0E/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+017WEEDS+SIGN-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470591141151934882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNcGvsJdyZWIMZYS3yA1BmlVBMmbIrWaihWodj0cWgSbu1wusCLdbOdv6z_FPxMN-2qhmbiquWwsMxsvKcmXcZsoVnP4ShjlYRvq3BrCPH2hrw6rkhCr1MrRAwr8PNiYKRB4d3Hjfk0E/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+017WEEDS+SIGN-R1000W.JPG" /></a>I got the feeling that this place was serious about teaching conservation . The more that I read and saw the more I liked it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjF-HzajYO9l_-l8yGQ52lAUuEgcs9ppNYO6VTFmnS3N6XEShAGrUEpA1lAW4K2SvpYGedOLCucE2kQ8MwjNoNemVF9ZZqgF2VahiEYTBtJcItsuEg90kIRiX-_LEv_u5CINdLQ5gWKY/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+016-LANTANA-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470592071882986082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjF-HzajYO9l_-l8yGQ52lAUuEgcs9ppNYO6VTFmnS3N6XEShAGrUEpA1lAW4K2SvpYGedOLCucE2kQ8MwjNoNemVF9ZZqgF2VahiEYTBtJcItsuEg90kIRiX-_LEv_u5CINdLQ5gWKY/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+016-LANTANA-R1000W.JPG" /></a>The grounds also has lots of wild flowers growing along with native plants to this area.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here is some Lantana Plant which does great in the heat here and is drought tolerant. Did I say it is a fantastic Butterfly attractor.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JCQubQ_B4_YcQ5pG-2UuPn7CCwG6Zz593sZC5oYqhINcDQq8DfsfYpq39KNPqbKib7QVXUtjrMUdqSMxuyU2Rqs7vxLVGfcVbZk7xVyOTlF4iCyJ1uCLVd2146UqV2WJrL5XMhPFddU/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+029BUTTERFLY+SIGN-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470613273424106386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JCQubQ_B4_YcQ5pG-2UuPn7CCwG6Zz593sZC5oYqhINcDQq8DfsfYpq39KNPqbKib7QVXUtjrMUdqSMxuyU2Rqs7vxLVGfcVbZk7xVyOTlF4iCyJ1uCLVd2146UqV2WJrL5XMhPFddU/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+029BUTTERFLY+SIGN-R1000W.JPG" /></a><br /><div>They even give you an <strong>excuse</strong> to have some weeds in your lawn as well as a <strong>reason</strong> to stop wasting your money on Weed and Feed. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>The issue of pesticide use to me now is pretty much common sense. Whatever you spray on your lawn or plants sooner or later you will be drinking in your water or eating in your food.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7UFZ5IpOMk77u_vMfDrvjKpPmEBwXlpcYS3ZzpXeJ901KH_8gMo1TurOkHzCWQWr_TxTfi9uA4jpXGi-H35rxgB7RTjrHYsGBDFhdh2jSFaE65nZ-W_39gS-kMQ5TQ2WE8iRpnhbhoA/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+031BLANKET+FLOWER-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470596557689186866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7UFZ5IpOMk77u_vMfDrvjKpPmEBwXlpcYS3ZzpXeJ901KH_8gMo1TurOkHzCWQWr_TxTfi9uA4jpXGi-H35rxgB7RTjrHYsGBDFhdh2jSFaE65nZ-W_39gS-kMQ5TQ2WE8iRpnhbhoA/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+031BLANKET+FLOWER-R1000W.JPG" /></a> Some more wildflowers growing along the walkways.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>These are Blanketflower which grow really well here .</div><br /><br /><br /><div>But the real star of the place is the Mangroves themselves. This park is covered in Mangrove wetlands. The Mangrove trees themselves are really not that impressive to look at compared to a lot of other trees at first glance.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9qF9_KdzZTJx8V_N_LmZRHsdJ0NI6BsN_nQ2zk6iK7BgTMn1imPA0lEWvBAaaeqon55x1Aggkvx1wHMlll9SLIWadj8nfSO_sUJQ0FDN5AjUQt1rxfgQ_S8Musr0MCLxZFnMFUFck5g/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+052MANGROVES-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470600767847570546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9qF9_KdzZTJx8V_N_LmZRHsdJ0NI6BsN_nQ2zk6iK7BgTMn1imPA0lEWvBAaaeqon55x1Aggkvx1wHMlll9SLIWadj8nfSO_sUJQ0FDN5AjUQt1rxfgQ_S8Musr0MCLxZFnMFUFck5g/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+052MANGROVES-R1000W.JPG" /></a> But when you begin to learn just how important the mangrove tree is to the marine ecosystem they take on a new light. The Mangroves provide the nursery for countless juvenile marine fishes as well as wildlife. Their tangled root systems provide protection for the fish and wildlife giving them a place to hide and prosper.<br /><br /><div>This picture is of the Mangrove roots. It was low tide so they are visible . You can see the white tide lines on the roots to tell where the high tide water will come up to on the plants. Don't they make a great hiding place for juvenile fish.</div><br /><div>I thought this park to be an outstanding example of what we could do to conserve some of our native habitats. Personally I would much rather have my tax money spent on an effort like this than on another baseball stadium. Maybe I'm just weird. It just seems that we have to be stewards of nature.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9Z8LWcpGoWwmlT6kUqQA06_D_kFO74yFa9-yvXrlNXcp-3_E5LUlYApIzVdeNLrswn2cXVNwi2uDd5-J_AGOpKJu1A05ylqLxpXgoLyOIuh7ydE_8fAJbyCErQZ8VrGhfaJrShaObeA/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+037LAGOON-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470604511482070882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9Z8LWcpGoWwmlT6kUqQA06_D_kFO74yFa9-yvXrlNXcp-3_E5LUlYApIzVdeNLrswn2cXVNwi2uDd5-J_AGOpKJu1A05ylqLxpXgoLyOIuh7ydE_8fAJbyCErQZ8VrGhfaJrShaObeA/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+037LAGOON-R1000W.JPG" /></a> After a while we went to the other side of the park and rented some Kayaks for a few hours adventure. There are three Kayak trails carved out of the Mangroves that you can paddle down or you can just paddle around in the large shallow saltwater lake.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is a great way to observe nature close up as you want and have a lot of fun doing it.</div><br /><div>The canals extend all the way out to the inter coastal waterway just inside the beach shoreline.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85oB_xuJWd4EcRFqAb-5rwLArrEaHtDwn5nlhl75HEdI3J13hVvMp6F9nqZl5c-Lhp_r0udjaCvHpcIoHQPg70v1LexLgpFZby2PMonwD6vuQFQQwCeHf90Qy9D258v0zaemw8_yGTvg/s1600/pr-05-09-2010x+055KAYAK-R1000W.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470607839502929650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85oB_xuJWd4EcRFqAb-5rwLArrEaHtDwn5nlhl75HEdI3J13hVvMp6F9nqZl5c-Lhp_r0udjaCvHpcIoHQPg70v1LexLgpFZby2PMonwD6vuQFQQwCeHf90Qy9D258v0zaemw8_yGTvg/s320/pr-05-09-2010x+055KAYAK-R1000W.JPG" /></a> The bottom line here is that <strong>Westlake</strong> <strong>Park</strong> and the <strong>Anne Kolb Nature Center</strong> is a really neat place. Not a lot of people , Minimal costs and a lot to see both plants and wildlife.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Then add in a bright blue South Florida sky, Fresh air , and a sultry pre- summer day. Topped by being surrounded by your best girls. Who could want more?</div><br /><div>--SANDDUNE--</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>sanddunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091633099445758748noreply@blogger.com14