tz_garden

 I'm off to Orchids in the Park @ Golden Gate Park, San Francisco this morning -after a quick run.  I went out for a quick looksee in the back and was pleased to see this sweet zephyranthes bloom.  I don't remember planting, and after a quick look at bulb orders from last year only found an order from Plant Delights for zephyranthes Batik - which this is obviously too pink to be.  So either they did a switcheroo - or I I picked this up who knows where?  Yesterday, it looked like this - a bright magenta little stick.  I'm surprised I even saw it in the slope. I get over excited at bulbs, hahaha.  It's incredible what blooms they push out.  We went from picking only cherry tomatoes, to all the varieties ripening one or two !  Mmmmm, so good. Have a great day, hopefully it is not too scorching wherever you are!

 A quick porch clean-up update.  I didn't take proper "before" pictures, well because this wasn't a plan and who wants pictures of their mess?   When I moved the couch out, so MUCH had blown back there - leaves, spiders, lots of cobwebs.  *Ivan and Sophia designing a lovely manzanita branch with various air plants.  Some air plants I had inside (incredibly neglected during the summer when my focus is definitely OUTSIDE).  And a few of the bigger healthier specimens from Casper's garden in Oakland.  I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Casper's garden, but through Ivan & Sophia it is just a phone call away.  I really look forward to it.  Casper's garden was featured (if I'm not mistaken) on  Succulents and More blog  in November, 2020.    I'm thankful for the gift through their friendship with him! All of this spurred a cleaning frenzy of the porch.  After dragging everything off the porch and  hanging the staghorn ferns that were remounte

I'm back!   The crinums began opening while I was away, probably a "grandma plant" to some, but I love them. My friends and I attended Harefest for the weekend, camping in Canby at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds.  Was a great time.  It was at 100 in Livermore for 4 of the days I was gone - I was sure my perennial garden in the front would be crispy and crunchy, but it really pulled through pretty well.  I put up shade cloth and watered really deeply before I left.   My friend Tina (choking Ozzy) and I (I guess I'm trying to growl? hahaha) with the Black Sabbath tribute band.   Family dinner Saturday, fast forward to Sunday -my oldest daughter Sophia and her BF Ivan have been encouraging me to properly mount some staghorn ferns that were stuck here and there in pots.  Ivan found some manzanita branches, and bark to bring over.  Also, he trimmed my palm trees and had the fantastic idea of using those curved palm branches as a good base.  Here is a large potted staghor

 Feelin' Hot HOT HOT!  Livermore hit 108 Saturday, and Sunday will be the 3rd day of triple digits.   I jumped in the pool a number of times yesterday to cool my head off while I was "trying" to put some shades up on the most wilty and sulky of plants.  Happy 4th!  In Livermore, a flag is placed in every yard in the weeks leading up to the 4th.  I think by the Boy Scouts, but I can't find real confirmation on that.  All fireworks are prohibited, and they passed a law this year that property owners/party hosts are liable for any fireworks set, all damages and includes a $500 fine.  Considering how dry & hot it is here, I'm completely on board.  Not to mention the pets that are really traumatized by the booms.  They do have a big fireworks celebration held at Robertson Park, which I think deters people from setting off their own. *Planters from ikea.  The begonia Santa Cruz has doubled in size - and the hummers are visiting it frequently.  My 3 acacia cousin itt