tz_garden

 I hope everyone had a fantastic & delicious Thanksgiving!  We celebrated late so we could all be together, and it was lovely (and delicious).  I didn't spend much time outside this past week, but am looking forward to this Aloe ferox x. capitata opening it's bloom spikes. And a few others are close as well. It has definitely gotten colder, highs are 60-66 this week - lows look around 40, but we've dipped as low as 35 recently.  The greenhouse is packed full. The new Hakea petiolaris is hopefully happy in it's new home. The bloom is just at the beginning of a burst. The smaller petiolaris I planted in Spring.  It did not look like it would pull through (I kept it under shade cover for July & August) and it did have a bit of recovery when the temps cooled down in September.  The new leaves look healthy.  Fingers crossed they will both be happy. Before digging in to the Thanksgiving leftovers, Sophia, Ivan & I went on a nice walk down to the Arroyo Mocho Trail

 Rock Shopping.  In the midst of working out where to put plants from "The Great Plant Haul of 2023" I knew I'd need some smaller sized boulders to help build up some planting spots in the slope.  Off to  American Soil & Stone  in Richmond, about 50 minutes away from Livermore.  As luck would have it, Sophia & Ivan were free and game to go with me.  *Sophia found the rock with the bright lime green. A naughty squirrel has been busy ripping a couch apart in the back.  Isn't that nice?  I assumed it was a raccoon, but I caught the little nut zipper in the act!  Honestly, we never really use this area for sitting - so I think the new Hakea laurina can go in - I have a smaller one close to the patio, and I think this would make for a nice repetition when you walk outside. *Another gorgeous rock, the lotus berthelotii almost matches so I couldn't resist putting this rock as a border by the path. This area can have standing water during extreme rain events- so I

 Moving tenders indoors and the Great Plant Haul of 2023! As I mentioned, Ivan & Sophia did some shopping for me at the  Waltzing Matilija  blowout sale.  I was leaving for vacation the first day of the sale, and Ivan wanted to be there the first day- so I said get me any big aloes you find that can stand a freeze.  Did they deliver!  Thank you to Gerhard from  Succulents and More  for the heads up on this place.  Troy from WM is going to focus on online sales in the future, so he was getting rid of large plants that wouldn't make sense to ship.  Off to Berkeley to pick up the treasures!  Sophia walked me out on their nice patio to show me what they picked up. Ivan did the heavy lifting, some of these pots WERE HUGE! My car was completely filled.  I don't think I could've fit one more thing!  Which was good, because it was packed so tight nothing fell over or broke. Taller plants we laid down.  And unpotted a few aloes to save room. Everything made it home safe.   Below

 Happy Sunday!  Been puttering around with clean-up here & there.  I'm enjoying the way the sun hits the plants so much earlier in the day.  Although I do miss summer. Some shots from yesterday, 70 degrees and lovely. @ 2 pm, sun is so low. Close-up of the tall blue fuzzy, pilocereus. Mangave getting a nice sun shower. Brunsvigia orientalis breaking through the crust.   The goldens really bringing it this time of year. Moved some of the potted Browningia hertlingiana to the greenhouse for overwintering, and a couple larger ones cozied up to the house.  They survived in protected spots last winter so hopefully will again. And a funny before & after.  This is right after we moved in, back garden was just dirt zero.  We had added a pool and decking but I hadn't done much other than plunk in things in a frenzy to "fill it in".  If only I had patience.   This shows our adopted "camo cat"  earning her keep.  Chased a furry rat up a tree (this is a little p