Garden Djinn

Goin' to the Hoedown...

The hoedown at May Dreams Gardens!

These three rakish wallflowers are late to the party, and shy because they have no fancywear like some of the hoes.  But they are all three hard workers, and called to duty in the garden time and time again.  Time for them to get a bit of a break,  kick back, relax, and watch the ladies dance.

The adjustable rake has proven itself indispensable.  Purchased over a decade ago when I was living in a townhouse in Pontiac, I was thinking about storage and portability.  Turns out those folding tines can come in handy in tightly planted borders, or opened to full extension for fall leaves.  A great rake. 

The cobra head was  a raffle prize on Heavy Petal a few years ago (Hi, Andrea!  How soon before we get Lila holding a rake?)

The short three tined rake is representing his brothers that I can't find (were they left behind?  Oh my!) - I have (maybe) a long three tined rake that can be used while standing, and a long handled version that can enable twice my normal reach and retrieve things in the depths of the plants.  Handy fellows, all. 

Been thinking of a hoe, a little scuffle number to get under this gravel 'desert' landscaping and put an end to weeds.  Been thinking.   Maybe when the boys come home tonight they'll be able to convince me. 

The Grand Canyon

Was hazy, but I got lots of great shots of nature.

I'll probably post more photos later, but I really liked this one.

Or maybe I'll post one more right now...

Side Blotched Lizard

This fellow was showing off for the ladies up on Sunrise Peak Trail. The lizards are in full breeding color right now, very lizard sexy.

Picture taken March 22, 2008

Small Blessings

When I moved to the Sonoran Desert, I took the time to select out the plants that I thought had a fighting chance of survival down here.  I still took a lot of losses that first summer. 

There is no way to understand the impact of that low humidity/high heat until you live through several months of it.  Michigan one year had a week of weather that was in the high 90s with 'low' humidity of around 40%.  Ha ha.  Low?  Low is 4% - how little did I know. 

Things died.  Thankfully, I have blanked out most of what I have lost.  Nature can be kind. 

And some things just limped along, looking pathetic, but not so gone as to be mercy tossed to the compost pile.  My african violets were in that category.  I came down here with four, quickly losing one to wilt.  One went into a long decline, finally rotting out at the base.  I have its leaves in a bag with some potting mix, hoping one will root and I can recover the plant. 

The other two?  Have suddenly decided they might be okay after all. They are both blooming very prettily at the north window I have settled them.

Although this show of happy may be short term; in late July through most of January, the humidity levels are naturally higher.   I have started to put my plants in humidity trays, and I will add these two to that system soon. 

But for now, I'm just sitting back and enjoying my small bright blessings. 

Rainy Day Reading Material

I've found a site of garden essays. Some of you who are waiting for spring might have some time on your hands.

Good reads:

Helium's:  True gardening stories: What my garden taught me - the hard way