AROUND THE FRONT YARD TO START OFF FEBRUARY

It was perfect gardening weather this weekend with high temperatures around 70 and lows in the 40s. I'm working on a major project in the front yard, but took time out to find some nice things to photograph. I'm funny that way; I get distracted by beauty. The projects get done.....eventually. I enjoy the journey and try to not stress about gardening projects. Goodness knows there's enough stress in our lives already.

"Fiery Bloom"

(shrimp plant) Justicia brandegeana

Harvey the Monarch Caterpillar (I only have one so I named it)

A pretty weed in the carrot family.

Two leaves make another leaf between them. Can you see it? (Loquat tree)

Gravel for the project. I scrape it from the road gutters before it washes down the storm drain.

Healthy root system of an agave plant.

Transplanting a new agave.

Agave 'Sharkskin'. This is a cross between two agaves to form a beautiful hybrid. It is one of the most beautiful agaves I've grown.

More info on this agave:

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2874

The first phase of the project is complete. The second phase will get rid of the carpet grass. This will be replaced with drought tolerant ground covers and gravel. I'll plant about 5 blackfoot daisies around these agaves. I can already envision the little white flowers intermingling and contrasting with the spikes. I have looked forward to this day for a long time.

It's going to look really good by summer if all goes well and nobody runs over it with a car.

 Have you ever had one of your flower beds run over by a car? I have...twice!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get some nice gardening weather soon.

David/ :0)



FAKE SPRING? REAL SPRING? MY GARDEN AND I DISAGREE

Some of my garden thinks it is Spring, but I know otherwise. After doing this for 45+ seasons here along the Texas Gulf Coast, I can trust February weather about as far as I can throw a wheelbarrow in a snowstorm.
Still, we do have early Springs on occasion. Only time will tell.

The native Carolina Laurel Cherry thinks it's Spring...

The native Cedar Elm thinks it's Spring....

The lace (asparagus) fern thinks it's Spring.

This little Tradescantia thinks it's Spring...

The elephant ears (both Alocasia and Calocasia) always thinks it's Spring...don't freeze in February!

This bothers me...the banana tree (Orinoco variety) is coming out with new leaves. Yipes!

....and the white orchid tree as well.

My chickens think it is Spring...but does that make them Spring chickens? LOL

I'll post some Houston area LAST DATES for KILLING FROSTS next time and you'll see the craziness for yourself. There's NO pattern at all.

Thanks for stopping by. David/ :0)



I DARE YOU NOT TO LAUGH: GARDEN HUMOR LANDSCAPING

Just when you THINK no one could possibly top your own crazy garden ideas, somebody comes up with things like this. So, what about it? Is it too much? Are you going try some of these yourself? Do we care what the neighbors think? Do you have any old shoes? What?!? 

My wife and I were out walking in the neighborhood when I spotted this garden.

I like it.

 It speaks to me.

It says, 'Here I am!'

A whole new twist to minimalist gardening. But, hey, no water bill and the lawn mowing's a cinch!

Here's another garden. Succulents never had it so good!

I feel like going to the resale shop and buying some kid's sandals....right NOW!

Too cute.

                                Howdy plants! Welcome to my boots!

                                 Talk about solving the 'needs well-drained soil' equation.

I need to meet these gardeners. I like the way they think. In fact,

I'm going to find some of my wife's old high heel shoes and repurpose them this weekend. She won't mind, I'm sure. (Should I tell her first?) 

There, I behaved all through this post.

 I did not slip and say one pun about shoes. Ooops, slip..shoe. That was bad.

I need to tread lightly now. Ooops, there I go again.

I feel like a heel now.

 Oh my, I must shoe these thoughts out of my head. Ugh!

Bless my SOUL, I'm stopping now.

 Hope you got a KICK out this post.

Happy Growing and thanks for stopping by!

David/:0)



FIRST MONARCH OF 2012

...and if you look just to the left of the berries, you will see the chrysalis shell. I never get tired of gazing at these beautiful creatures.
Happy Macro Monday.
Be sure to visit Lisa at http://lisaschaos.com/ for more lovely macros.

To track the northern migration of the monarchs, click on the Monarch link below:

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/monarch_spring2012.html

Maybe this one is already on its way to your garden!

David/:0)