acacia

acacia

Monday, November 29, 2010

Lesson of the day

Pant cuffs and landscaping don't mix. At least empty the cuffs outside the door and not on the living room floor.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Yes, I stopped to smell the roses.....

I walked to the library today to return some movies. It was a beautiful day, full of blue sky and the slightest taste of crispness on the air. I strolled past the Black Friday shoppers at Target and Best Buy, headed out past Ralph's and McDonalds, enjoying the fact that I was not driving, not shopping and not.... busy. I was enjoying the sun, the sounds and smells and the plants that I was able to stop and admire. I wonder about their stories. Of the people that have cared for them over the years. The people who have looked out through the branches from their kitchen windows, or brushed off the leaves from their cars. The birds and squirrels and other animals that have perhaps made homes and partaken of their bounty. It was so nice to breath in the beauty of a tree, a rose, some grass. Feel the life all around me amidst all of the bustle of our human lives. So nice, so very relaxing and so very recommended!

Here are a few photos from yesterday and today. We went out for a hike and the sky was so clear! This is looking to the west to the Pacific. The silver glow on the horizon is the ocean:

And to the east is downtown:
And this is some crazy citrus tree which I have never seen before:

Monday, November 15, 2010

another day at the office

this little lavender of mine

I have a problem at one of my gardens. It seems that a lavender seed has germinated in a crack along the edge of the patio. And it is literally a crack so there is no way I can get the lavender out without killing it (or breaking up the patio - not going to happen). I have never seen a lavender self seed! I was very excited. I sure wish it had picked a better spot. Should I just leave it and see what happens?

Thursday, November 11, 2010

winter vegetable garden


winter vegetable garden

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grapefruits almost ready!


grapefruits almost ready!

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Huge Aloe!


Huge Aloe!

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Another nursery - much nicer!


Another nursery - much nicer!

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Checking out a nursery on the north east of the valley I have never been to. Lots of weeds and dead plants! Very messy - won't come here again.

crazy big gold statue!


crazy big gold statue!

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crazy big gold statue!


crazy big gold statue!

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the best thing about wind - the view!


the best thing about wind - the view!

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the best thing about wind - the view!


the best thing about wind - the view!

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net


the best thing about wind - the view!


the best thing about wind - the view!

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mmmmmm, vegetables

We replanted a vegetable garden in bel aire yesterday. Beautiful property with a view of the Getty Museum and right next to a vineyard. From the vegetable garden you can look up the ridge and see rows and rows of grapevines, all starting to turn a brownish yellow for the fall. My helper and I carried up very heavy bags of amend and steer manure and one bag of worm poop. After cleaning out the summer stuff, and the weeds! (oops), we dumped all of the good compost over the beds and dug it in. Then we were able to plant, some starters and some seeds. Dinosaur Kale, which can get to be 4 feet tall, Lettuces, onions, leeks, broccoli and asparagus. I am going back tomorrow to plant lots of parsley and some cilantro and dill which should round everything out. I also planted spinach and celery. We shall see how this goes. I am afraid that this yard is quite cold and may get hit with some frosts over the winter.

Today I worked in a garden that is full of native plants. I really trimmed things back from the walkways and cut out the dead stuff. Native plants are getting ready to bloom right now so if I cut them back, I will lose all of the flowers. I planted a few penstemons here and they are huge and gorgeous! I cant wait to see everything in full bloom.

Ok, back to work. I have two designs and two bids to write up!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ugh

It was 95 degrees today and it was hot! And I was mad! I don't like it when it is that hot, especially when it is November. And of course I had to go to the valley which is always hotter than my side of the hill (Hollywood). Hopefully it will cool down as I have a lot of work to do. Now is the time of year to cut things back for the winter - yes, we do have winter. Things that bloom in the summer should be cut back now, whilst things that bloom in the spring should be cut in the summer. That gives the plant 6 months to grow before it blooms again. Grasses should be cut around now. Though, as I have mentioned before, I like to spread out the cutting of ornamentals so the home owner doesn't come home to a nude yard! We have winter but no frost so it still needs to look good all year round. It is a balance of science and aesthetics.
It is also the time for the cool-season vegetables. Spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, lettuce. There has to be more variety than just the greens. I will look it up!

Salvia leucantha

Another Day, another spider!