OT: any Reefer-Gardeners around here?!?- post your GARDENING TIPS/QUESTS here

[K' Family Reef]

Orbital



:thumbsup:



cool dog and landscape!
really like the fruit trees... that eucalyptus is huge... enjoyed viewing them... do you have any major (landscaping/remodeling) projects going on ?

we need to learn more about different vines to use too (lite/shade varieties)
that snail vine looks nice (shade isnt it?)... we have some cats claw and pretty much going to use it as 'filler' around the backyard against the brick wall... so we dont have any 'bare' spots

regards

 

[0rbital]

The snail vine is in full sun all day there's 3 sections of it that are that size. I'm surprised it grows in full sun as they usually don't. The pic of the pine trees in the front yard there's star jasmine vines on the right completely covering the trellis for about 12 ft. Those smell great when spring first hits and they bloom. Those are always in the shade. No projects going on right now but I have a good portion of bare ground in the middle of the orange trees that I want to do something with. There's four large orange trees in the backyard that are always full of oranges.

 

[K' Family Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15183092#post15183092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 0rbital
The snail vine is in full sun all day there's 3 sections of it that are that size. I'm surprised it grows in full sun as they usually don't. The pic of the pine trees in the front yard there's star jasmine vines on the right completely covering the trellis for about 12 ft. Those smell great when spring first hits and they bloom. Those are always in the shade. No projects going on right now but I have a good portion of bare ground in the middle of the orange trees that I want to do something with. There's four large orange trees in the backyard that are always full of oranges.

wondered what those vines were along there
bet the fragrance is something w/ that much vine growing there... interesting that the star jasmine is in the shade and you are getting that much blooming... we have one in full sun that is growing like crazy but only had marginal blooming in the spring (although it 'still' blooms )... then we have another in full shade that doesnt bloom at all but it looks healthy... strangest thing about that vine bec my wife and i have noticed it growing in peoples entryways (where we have ours) in the shade... and they are completely covering/blooming the way you mention yours are... hmmm sort of like (growing) different corals/different peoples experiences... more then likely these others that we have seen 'might' get 'some' sun during the day however little it might be - could be just enough to get the blooms to come out... does that SJ along the walkway get ANY sun at all or full shade all day?


if its possible (w/ having a dog)
perhaps you can do a ground cover in that area that you mention (around orange trees)... ice plant might work well and they have some 'colorful' blooms too (think they have different colors to choose)... they might need a lot of light though... its a nice looking succulent type plant... if you research different types of groundcovers you could probably find something that would do well there w/ the specific conditions for that area etc

thought snail vine was a shade plant too.
looks like its growing well for you... how long has it been planted and has it gone thru an az summer yet?...

regards

 

[0rbital]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15183167#post15183167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neptune's Oasis
wondered what those vines were along there
bet the fragrance is something w/ that much vine growing there... interesting that the star jasmine is in the shade and you are getting that much blooming... we have one in full sun that is growing like crazy but only had marginal blooming in the spring (although it 'still' blooms )... then we have another in full shade that doesnt bloom at all but it looks healthy... strangest thing about that vine bec my wife and i have noticed it growing in peoples entryways (where we have ours) in the shade... and they are completely covering/blooming the way you mention yours are... hmmm sort of like (growing) different corals/different peoples experiences... more then likely these others that we have seen 'might' get 'some' sun during the day however little it might be - could be just enough to get the blooms to come out... does that SJ along the walkway get ANY sun at all or full shade all day?


if its possible (w/ having a dog)
perhaps you can do a ground cover in that area that you mention (around orange trees)... ice plant might work well and they have some 'colorful' blooms too (think they have different colors to choose)... they might need a lot of light though... its a nice looking succulent type plant... if you research different types of groundcovers you could probably find something that would do well there w/ the specific conditions for that area etc

thought snail vine was a shade plant too.
looks like its growing well for you... how long has it been planted and has it gone thru an az summer yet?...

regards

Yeah the snail vine was just a small sprout before last summer. It grew good through spring, kind of struggled through summer. Now it's about 6x bigger and growing like crazy this year.

I was thinking of ice plants already for ground cover there I had a ton of them at my old house and always liked the look of them. That area right in the middle anyways get a lot of light so I think they'd grow pretty good.

 

[K' Family Reef]

:thumbsup:

 

[K' Family Reef]

finally the tropicanas have bloomed

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/tropicanafirstbloom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/tropicanafirstbloom1nice.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/tropicanafirstbloomwalkway.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



yellow thevetia
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/thevetiayellowbloom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


peach colored thevetia<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/thevetiapeachbloom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

these are nice blooms when viewed up close.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/thevetiapeachbloom2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


pink bower vine
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/pinkbowerbloom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/pinkbowerbloom2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[K' Family Reef]

here are some preblooms on cannas about to come out (not as blurry as the last photos) :lol:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/cannaprebloom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
:lol:

 

[K' Family Reef]

actually didnt look close enough yesterday
(in this photo or otherwise)... to see this tropicana was ready to bloom... we were surprised when we saw it today... can see it here ready to go.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/callatropicanarubbertreepygmy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[K' Family Reef]

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/tigercorner.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


one nice thing about using groundcovers
is once they fill in one doesnt need to worry about 'weeds'... can see some 'grass' under these lantanas (grass=weed in this spot)... but as these lantanas fill out more they will completely block out the sun and any weeds/grasss growing here should die off..

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/lantanasontigerside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



this wedelia (yellow dot)
has a nice 'foliage' leaf pattern etc... supposed to tolerate full sun/heat well and eventually it will completely fill in and no gravel will be exposed... again we are trying to use groundcovers as much as possible to get rid of vast gravel areas around the yard (adding a touch of 'life'/green)... most groundcovers that do well in az are low water use... vs planting/using grass = expensive in the long haul and requires regular maintenance(mowing) fertilizing, watering, replanting in winter etc etc etc... the only thing about groundcovers vs grass is its not usually something one can 'play' or walk on... so probably better to cover larger areas in the front yard vs back...
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/wedeliacloseup.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/nwsidepurplelantanas.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


we are posting these pics to another website
so dont mind posting them here too... just like reefing gardening is a very 'personal' thing... each person/family creating their own (vision) of a backyard 'oasis'... one thing that is interesting is that one becomes intimately 'familiar' w/ their 'land' in the process of landscaping/gardening their yards... we have literally 'scaped' from north to south east to west on this 'property'... seems there is no spot (area) left unturned... we still have a lot to do - now need to begin some of the 'hardscaping' (concrete/flagstone front/back, pergola, walled courtyard in front etc) as well as 'filling' in around the yard w/ things such as plumeria and any more 'technical' tropical elements that we can find/try here in az... consider this a 'base' we finally have a basic layout and have something in just about all areas of the yard... so now the fun begins w/ filling in the 'finer' details... this is where my wife really comes in as she has more the 'artistic' side (i am just the 'labor' )


anyone else out there interested in keeping this thread alive???

going once... going twice..............


regards


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/LARRYkingMONKEY.jpg" border="0" alt="larrykingLIVE"></a>

 

[BonesCJ]

I planted three citrus in containers this weekend, a mexican lime, a mandarin orange and a "improved meyers" lemon.

 

[K' Family Reef]

I planted three citrus in containers this weekend, a mexican lime, a mandarin orange and a "improved meyers" lemon.

BonesCJ

:thumbsup:


we could have used some lemons/limes tonight as we ran out (for our drinks) while enjoying BBQ (seasoned to p e r f e c t i o n !)




<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/grilledribsandveges1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/grilledribsandveges1a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[K' Family Reef]

for a 'contrasting' image
(to the 'gourmet' BBQ from last nite)... and in closing.









anyone doing their own compost
one way to feel 'connected' to the earth ... creating dirt out of leftover scraps... and great for the garden too... easy to do and as long the right combination wet/dry is maintained then there is no smell to it either... smells like 'fresh' dirt (earthy)... and it is rewarding knowing that one is 'recycling' all their leftover vegetable 'scraps' paper etc etc... did i say great for the garden TOO!




<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/WarrenAmyMadelinne/compostbin.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[BonesCJ]

I've often thought about it but I just do not have any more room in my backyard, while I was at the nursery this weekend they had a awsome composting unit that was a big black container on a frame that could easily be rotated. It was 200$ though!

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I have a compost bin(rubbermaid) but it does not seem to be working very well. I think I let it dry out too much.

 

[azsaltman]

I can almost feel my allergies exploding as I view this

Nice gardens guys.

"How does your Garden Grow? "

 

[OceanLyons]

I'm still a newbie at gardening, but I love veggies, flowers, trees, and tropical plants/fruits. I scored at Lowes a couple months ago and bought several tropical fruits (3 types of bananas, manila mango, nectarine, plum, apricot, and Frederick Passion Fruit Vine). I also have dwarf lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees which have yet to produce fruit (went in last winter).

My number one issues have been watering (too much) and nutrient levels (chloroic plants). I'm looking for a irrometer (moisture meter) with a sturdy probe. The ones I get from Lowe's and HD keep breaking.

Still a work in progress, but I love it.

I'm wanting to add starfruit, papaya, calaloo (caribbean greens), a sweet not tart apple (anyone know of a good one to plant?).

Went a little picture crazy....

My first honeydew

Gone bananas....

 

[OceanLyons]

Sage (umm... ravioli with brown butter and crispy sage)

Basil - continually pinching off blooms to keep good leaves coming

Collard Greens - these have been thriving since Feb., all my critters love these

Thyme

Tomatoes on the vine - I love tomatoes! I currently have several reds, and three yellows. I'm looking to add some funky ones in late Aug. (heirlooms, orange, green, black/purple)

 

[OceanLyons]

I think this is swiss chard. A little too bitter for my taste. I felt the same way about the arugula that I pulled up a month ago.

Broccoli going to seed. I had a very short season of broccoli because I planted it too late, but the broccoli I did get was fabulous. Everything I've grown in my garden has tasted way better than store bought, especially the tomatoes. I'll be planting brussel sprouts this fall.

My young magnolia tree planted on the east side of the house (where most other things are planted as well).

Some of my birdies in an divided outdoor cage with misters and shade. I currently have tiels on one side and I'm adding a small flock of parakeets on the other side once they come out of quarantine.

 

[OceanLyons]

Yellow cherry tomatoes

Lemon Boy tomatoes - the ones I have planted in the ground produce a lot more than this potted one

Loquat

Orchid tree that I got a killer deal on ($5) because part of it was dead. It will grow back.

Forget-me-knots I grew from seeds

An experiment for starting seeds - 100% perlite, don't know how it's going to work long term

One of my babies...

 

[OceanLyons]

I planted a chinese pistachia to the left of the picnic table. You can never have enough shade in AZ. The following link is a representation of what it would look like in the fall.

http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=15

Excuse the bad shade job on my tomato. I love the raised rock gardens we made. We used what they call "rip-rap," and they were super easy to make.

Still working on the newly put up shade structure...

The petals and leaves on the flower are made from spoons. A high schooler made it in a welding class. The students get to sell their products and keep the profit. Support your local schools and their programs!

One of my sulcatas - Can anyone guess what that black line goes to in the background? Hmm.. clue = reefer