...and my husband has been the primary outlet for my gardening concerns lately, as I have had little time for blogging. Much of my free time, such as it is, has been spent outside, taking advantage of every remotely tolerable moment of decent weather to get as much heavy outdoor work done as possible before the summer heat confines me to light weeding, seed scattering, and small container gardening. However, plenty has been happening, so while I wait till I have a little more time for more detailed posting, here are a few things I have learned during my (monthlong now) blogging silence:
Radishes do not always grow as fast as the book says they will.
Squash plants grow very fast when planted in good conditions.
Round-up (despite its drawbacks) is by far the most efficient method I have yet tried for getting rid of unwanted areas of lawn.
Containerized Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis) does not like neglect. Do not allow to dry out for more than a couple of days, or risk losing the year's fruit crop.
Containerized feijoa's hate drying out, too.
It is possible to neglect a bougainvillea too much.
Thornless Prickly Pears like south facing Houston walls in the springtime
Cherimoya seeds can be sprouted by wrapping in a wet paper towel kept constantly moist.
Sophora Secundiflora sometimes drops its immature seed pod crop, thwarting plans to send ripened seeds to waiting relatives. Cause as yet unknown. However, happy plants grow well. Next year's flowers may come from this year's growth.
Double Knockout Roses are awesome.
So are "Wave" petunias.
Checkerboard fuschias are both collectible and hardy, and look great growing in the shade near star jasmine and Southern Maidenhair ferns.
Pinto beans can sprout in the bottom of a wet kitchen sink, if left long enough.
Air potatoes can, apparently, sprout in a dark closet in a plastic bag with no soil, no water, and next to no light while certain persons try to decide whether to plant them at all due to their potentially invasive qualities.
That just about covers it!
The outdoor adventures of a California native putting down roots along the Texas Gulf Coast.
