It looks like everything is going forward with buying the house behind ours. But, I won't count my chickens before they've hatched. Offer accepted, appraisal is good, home insurance in the works, we've signed a lot of papers. Just waiting on final approval. Thankfully you can do all that from home sweet home now.
I got a bid on tree removal. That is tentatively set for the 22nd. I realized there is no reason to wait on removing the golden barrels for easy access up and down the slope to the "new side". I'm definitely not hoarding plants on the retaining wall.
The spot is good for stairs, and these cactus don't mind being moved around. They get quite a bit of shade here in the winter. The magic time for golden barrels is when they are backlit, a better spot will be found!
I popped them out of the ground...
and rolled them onto an old towel.
And drug them over to the waiting room.
I need to move the Banksia blechnifolia, some rocks and likely the Aeonium. Full disclosure it was 91° today, so I took a 10 minute float in the pool break. You can see stain worn away on the fence, that's where the good Doctor would slide his front paws down the fence after napping on the neighbor's chicken coop.
The first waiting room is full of barrels, they are tough balls of spikes and should be fine sitting in the open for a good while.
And a second waiting room for overflow.
I started a fence planter renovation project. I've never loved these pocket planters, they look like they should be holding slippers.
You can see the whole thing is pulling away from the fence. The soil in the pockets is like dust, time for a rethink! The spikes are to keep the squirrels from digging and removing plants.
They are fairly large, larger than my wingspan. So snip, snip I started cutting them off in sections. *No, I didn't bother to paint under there, hahaha.
I contemplated stopping here and not doing the other one. For a minute.
Stained and it looks so empty!
TBD, I have some planters on the way. I need to figure out some sort of frame to attach them.
I'll share some things I've been enjoying. Ptilotus exaltatus 'Matilda'
Step back.
Dude. Dudleya - I cut all the blooms off because they were all over the place and crazy. Nope, not done.
Agave bovicornuta
The nutty blooms of silver torch cactus, Cleistocactus strausii
The Arbutus is doing it's peeling bit.
And this little mound planting (front garden, entry path) of Sempervivum borisii, Agave nickelsiae(s) and AVR(s) are filling in kinda nicely. Time will tell.
I can't wait to *hopefully post about tearing the fence down between the 2 properties... but our close date is 2 weeks from now. I'm sure we'll see each other before then! Have a great weekend 😀
Me reading: “I bet she says she rolled the golden barrels”…. Ha! Thanks for the laugh. I’ve never liked those pocket planters either, I mean yours looked great for what they were, but you can do better! -Loree/danger garden (Wondering if I can post as anonymous since I’m on my iPad and not logged in, we’ll see!)
ReplyDeletehahaha, and managed to roll one over my toes. The con of flip flops.
DeleteSounds like you're keeping busy while the sale is pending. And then you get a whole new yard to play with.
ReplyDeleteI'm overwhelmed with ideas, and excitement. I just hope it all goes through.
DeleteI never had an inkling that you could roll cacti about like that. You certainly know what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, one rolled itself down and I followed the example!
DeleteIt's sounding good on all counts but I'll still keep my fingers crossed to the end for you., Tracy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris, I've felt nervous the past few days.
DeleteMaybe I missed it, but which tree(s) is on the chopping block?
ReplyDeleteYou moved the golden barrels closer together last year(?). Luckily they are good sport about frequent transfers. I can already see the steps in my mind's eyes.
I thought the pocket planter on the fence looked good, but served its purpose. Now you'll dream up something creative and better to take its place. Though with the grand addition to your garden you may be busy, busy, busy :-D
The Arbutus peeling is stunning!
"...that's where the good Doctor would slide his front paws down the fence after napping on the neighbor's chicken coop". Hilarious. Did you say the old coop was taken down? The Doctor must be flabbergasted.
Chavli
The trees to be removed -on the other side of the fence, a CA pepper, olive, pomegranate & Tree of Heaven. The first 2 have pockets of rot, and are terribly messy. The pom & ToH have been so neglected, the pruning wildly bad. I'd want to get rid of the Tree of Heaven in any case, they are wildly invasive. In fact there is another one on the property that we will need to take care of later. We will plant definitely plant new trees. I think that pocket planter looks better in photos than in real life. Arbutus are pretty, and the peeling is so cool!
DeleteDr. has been doing more nosing around over there now that it's empty. He probably misses his sun spot (on top of the coop). You are right, I did move the barrels before. I think I always knew that wasn't exactly the right spot.
This is shaping up to be a momentous year! Can't wait to see what happens next - and what the new house and garden look like.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you remove the golden barrels wearing flip-flops? You are brave!
More dumb than brave, I rolled one across my toes. Still swollen, lol.
DeleteYikes!! I can only imagine.
DeleteWow, this will be so much fun for us to watch and learn from you as you take on this project.
ReplyDeleteI love the cat planter with the plant as the tail. SOOOOO CUTE!!!!
xo
Carla
Oh, thank you Carla. *The cat planter is from amazon :).
DeleteI am so excited for you! You have such a different climate and native species. I really enjoy seeing what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn :). I'm excited and nervous!
DeleteUprooting plants with ouchies while wearing flip flops? You are brave! You wrote another post that left me utterly exhausted. You are going to have enough blogging material for a long time. I've read about home insurance in your state and I hope you don't have problems obtaining it without spending a fortune.
ReplyDeleteThe home insurance wasn't awful, thankfully. My daughter who works in the industry gave me some great tips which really helped. The flip flops were a bad idea, I'm still dealing with a swollen toe.
DeleteExciting times for you with the purchase of the adjancent property--congratulations! Love the Ptilotus exaltatus 'Matilda,' and all your other plants, of course. Thanks for sharing your upgrades and designs!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth !
DeleteAh, the suspense! I hope it all works out. My gosh. Your renovations have been a real motivating factor behind some of the things happening in my own home garden. That means your inspirational!
ReplyDeleteWhat?! That's so nice to hear. :). I can't wait to see what you're up to.
DeleteYou’ll have enough yard to get a donkey. Hee haw!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, there has been some donkey talk! Of course, I'd have to get 2. I'm not sure I'm ready for the responsibility. 10 years ago, I'd have done it.
DeleteComplimenti per il futuro acquisto! Sono proprio curioso di vedere i prossimi lavori. Ne avrai molti da fare immagino! L'Arbutus è davvero incredibile con quel colore acceso, complimenti!
ReplyDeleteUn caro saluto e a risentirci presto!