Some Call This Food And Some Call This Art

and some call this...you know where this is going without
my completing this sentence.

Eat your veggies!

Finally Found A Spot For A Spinach Tree, Also Called Chaya - Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

This among two other specimens are hurricane Irma souvenirs. Started
from cuttings that were put to the curb when it's parent tree was felled
by nature. Planted this first one in a friends yard. The remaining one
will be sent back the yard whence it came, not knowing if it will
be welcomed or not. By telling you this, it is no longer a random
act of gardening.

I to had to battle a lot of tree roots in digging a spot for this plant. With
my typical two week, watering every day regime should get it off to
a great start. 

Spirit Moon Or Scandinavian Sun?

Gave my Yoga room the gift of light. Although this room has plenty
of natural lighting. I've had these lights for almost six months and it took some
procrastination from another task to see this lighting task come to fruition.

Installed a couple of dimmer switches to replace some 1920's light switches
to give this room some illumination in both senses of the word.

Fisherman's Hook Repurposed?

Just acquired this well used instrument of hook and haul.

As a generous thank you in helping a friend clear and organize
her garage. Among other tools this one could help me in the
yard, maybe. What's the use in collecting more stuff when you
can't honestly have a use. In this case, just appreciating this
device can also be good reason to make room.

After grinding most of the rust away along a coconut rub on the well worn handle
gives it new life, but will it find a new life in this constant  garden?

Potted Peppers Perfroming Perfectly

These sweet Hungarian peppers got through our cold snaps
quite well.

First Attempt To Graffitti My Garden Altar - Revisited...Now Some Blue

Should anybody ask, those blue orbs at the bottom are micro meteorites. 

Been helping a friend clear out her garage and paint a bedroom, so I know

where I can score some white paint for my next application.

First Attempt To Graffitti My Garden Altar

There's nothing natural about this salvaged back porch steps. Using that

as my starting point. Using what I have around the house to. There's still

a bright blue can of paint that's begging to being applied.

Getting Ready For Easter

Child of the sixties here and if this don't invoke those vinegar
infused, oil based egg coloring kits of the day, don't know what
will.

It's That Time For This Big Blue Leviathan To Show Some Architecture

 This old gal is going on it's seventh season and getting ready to put on
a display of it's life.

The more shade my yard gets it can sometime delay and or extend it's
life cycle. This specimen in the past throws up it's florescence/flowering
spike in six seasons.

This old gal is showing it's age, not unlike dog years perhaps.

New spike emerging as shown below.

This picture is showing it's dramatic curve to seek out what light is has
available. Time will tell and it's going to happen fast. The energy stored
to produce this phenomenon is remarkable.

Not Only March for Our Lives But Vote For Our Lives

In solidarity for today's march in protest for the safety of not only
our young kids that get caught in mass shootings at our schools
of all places. The ease of acquiring weapons that are used in
these assassinations, the NRA's total manipulation of our
Florida legislature ,voting rights and voting system in general
and lets not forget to mention the deplorable voter apathy that
brought us the worst legislature in this state's history. Whom rely
on monies from special interest, majority from out of state to
get them elected, because this legislature is not, I repeat not
the voice of Florida, not even close.

Like to add that these young student's parents, grandparents,
neighbors and fellow citizens have failed this generation big time.
I can only hope that this young generation will follow through
and get out the vote and show everyone the power and strength that
numbers at the polls will show that there is not enough money in the
world to hold back what can be done by getting out and vote.

Thank you Blogger for this platform and letting me ramble on.

Yesterday's Bounty From My Potted Garden

First Eggplant of the season. Threw in some penne pasta and favorite
Marinara sauce with a drizzle of some olive oil made it complete.

Contrasting Colors

The peak of orange crush bodes well with the lilac purple.

Almost need sun glasses to view this orange blast. I will have to put
this one in the ground instead of keeping it in a small pot, besides it
looks quite anemic to. A bit sensitive to the cold was another reason
to keeping it in the post, but since the roots have grown into the
ground, just another indication that this is a spot.

Tomato Plants Potted

Tomato seedlings and cuttings are potted in planters today. Trying to get
a jump on the tomato season, but our cold snaps these past three weeks
puts a hamper on any gains.

Still have to dress one planter with a top dressing of our obnoxious
hanging Spanish moss. The lite colored gray helps reflect some
of the Sun's heat, keeping the soil a tad cooler. Now that I have a
practical use for the stuff and sometimes can't collect enough for
my garden needs. I must admit that I've changed my attitude about
the stuff just a wee bit.

Establishing Some Liriopi spicata - Creeping Lilyturf

Acquired me some dwarf Liropi from a friend's yard yesterday and
transplanted them today along side my newly designed patio pavers.

I noticed some nodules at the roots of some of these plants thinking
to myself I will have do an online search to find out if these plants
might have what's called nitrogen fixiating capabilities. Hmmm!

Today's First Meal

Red Thai rice, Steel Cut oats, fresh Blueberries, Walnuts, Oui french style
Coconut flavored yogurt and Vanilla flavored Peach half shipped all the
way from Greece, compliments of Aldi's store chain.

2018 IS Going Down As The Year Of First Blooms

Another first bloom, third one this year and only three months in and still
hopeful for one more first time bloom in the making.

This either it's the sixth or seventh year since being planted by seed. For
those not familiar with this specimen, it's an Amyrilla. Like the old
adage for when's the best time to plant an oak tree, twenty years ago
and today. Well for this line of flowering bulbs, it would be seven
years ago and today.

There are three different Amyrillas varieties in this mix planted at four
different year cycles. The curiosity of what variation that seed can bring
forth is always interesting and of course having the abundance that starting
from seed is welcomed for these long lived flowering bulbs.

Seeing Red & Winter Rain - Pampered Cacao Tree Update

This specimen got to spend a week outdoors to take advantage of our
Winter balmy temperatures. Although short lived but it did wonders
for this tree and can be seen by the lush rosy red new growth. This
time of the year also generates some windy conditions, which is not
advantageous to this plant now that it's in it's tender stage of new
growth.

Twice within a week and on a Monday, we received a welcome burst
of showers. Enough to fill more than one and a half fifty gallon barrels.
We are after all in the midst of our dry season.
A manual task (playing in the rain) I look forward to when ever the
opportunity arises.

Tuesday following this post: Red leaves turning to bronze. While the
remaining green leaves start to turn yellow. As I waste no time in
trimming said yellowing green leaves, off.

New Patio Design Cat Tested

Podacarpus Tree Transformed Redux

Last year a walking buddy, she and I searched for some seedlings
and by only walking away with none. This specimen has been known
to throw down seeds and perhaps this one is the exception.

Intown Podacarpus Tree Transformed

Google image of a specimen planted toooooooo close to a building. Oblivious
to it's potential and not looking into the future. All to often trees are planted
with out thought and out of ignorance. Where as they could have easily have
cut this down. Again out of fear and ignorance let alone not knowing it's
history, knowing that this specimen is quite old. Not to mention that this
survived our latest hurricane among many others.

What a surprise to discovered a couple of weeks ago to see tree trimmed up
while on one of my weekly bike rides.

Here is a transition photo picturing it's transformation to it's current state.

Now for the reveal.

 Many only know Podacarpus to being used for a hedge. Like many
hedge specimens that are actually trees being subjugated in a constant
trimmed state. It is known to for obvious reason for landscaping
fits to recommend tree types for the high maintenance.

Whereas in this case the exception is shown when these get to grow
into their own and given a standard trim that is another man made
state of being, but a more recognizable state we mostly associate
as an urban tree.

Michelia Shrub Blooms Redux

More Potted Specimens Among Many - Two Pots Up, Two Pots Back

This newly repotted volunteer Bald Cypress seedling went from
a large shared pot to it's very own. Out of the blast of our Florida
sun to recuperate from it's recent disruption. Only time now will
tell if it grow up to it's potential.

Here is a rare case where a specimen goes from ground to potted. This vining
like fern is considered to be an invasive species but that fact does not
preclude it's beauty and allure.

Before I knew what this plant was and apply named Japanese climbing fern
(Lygodium japonicum) also called Old World climbing fern. I must have
seen it's spores lying underneath it's leaves and then grab a handful from
my neighbor's side yard that has been there for at least a couple years and
being kept back by her yard man and for the lack of any supplemented
watering. So doing what any avid gardener would do and dig up a small
clump of this twining green of a bute and only to be discouraged after
losing it in the process. Needless to say there is a reason why this is
considered to be invasive. Spores are very successful at reproducing, after
all they been at it for billion of years.  Yes, guilty as accused, unknowingly
perpetuating this so called monster. Beautiful monster I might add.

Imagine my amazement to find this plant sprouting up among the cracks
in concrete months later.

So when I transferred this specimen to a pot. To think for a moment that
I had concerns that this would survive the transition. There was quite a
mass of roots but from early observations only a small portion has taken
to the sky. I even scouted a few spares in my side yard in case this one
didn't make it.

This potted specimen includes a jungle gym for both vine and the local lizards.

I'm afraid that my last two interned potted plants get canceled by the fact
that I just gained to new potted specimens. Oh well.

Fast Food At The Bachelor Cafe

Lightly toasted sprouted bread, Smart Balance spread, yellow mustard and
some fresh spinach. Fold in half and you have a delicious bite.

A Couple More Honorable Mentions For Our Florida Spring

What would Spring be without a show of newly sprouted green.
This trio of Bald Cypress never get in sync when it comes to
it's flush of green.

Less than two months ago these trees had their Fall of needles.
So go bald in that time frame, hence the name. My Live Oak also
went through it's leaf dropping, new leaf sprouting along with
green pollen dusting and cattail dropping ritual these last three
weeks.

A good indication from our Winter blue skies that cool temperatures
are still in the forecast.

This Florida native blueberry bush, called Pillberry is right on schedule.
They may be small, but they can be packed with flavor. Never enough to
make a cobbler, after all I have to share some with our Winter bird visitors.
Just one more added treat when least expected.

This gorgeous leaved and flowering bush speaks volumes. The downside, to me
is it's fragrance. It's common name, Banana Shrub - Michelia figo has the
the fragrance of a man made banana flavoring. At the time I was admiring this
specimen at the nursery, it was not in bloom. As I was being told that it had
this fragrance of a banana. I took my chances while speaking allowed, that
I hope it doesn't smell like so many fake banana flavorings. Months later after
being dazzled by their opened flower and at the same time disappointed by it's
so called banana fragrance.

The first place I planted this specimen it had gotten infested with some scale
along with it's industrious helpers, what appeared to be some carpenter
ants. That was almost enough for me to dispense with with plant.

Looking back on how much I enjoyed this specimen's initial introduction
made me find another more hospitable location. Perhaps moving it from
our harsh western sunny location to a more partially shaded spot might
reduce the stress and less apt for the scale to develope. That has now
been over a year and no more scale/ants and I can admire this plant
from a distance.

I try to dig up their botanical name the best I can using this wonderful
resource, the internet. I can also find other common names while on
this search. I did see a reference to it's common name using Michelia
in it's name, there fore I will officially call this the Michelia Shrub by
dropping the banana, as they say.

More Potted Specimens Among Many Finds A Spot To Shine.

This makes two in two weeks. Had this ornamental grass for nearly
two years. It had since multiplied and since nearly out grown it's
confines to, another incentive to get in the ground, but not the
reason.

Most times I may pass a specimen and I will get a notion or
clear idea where this specimen will go. Then if it is strong
enough and enough to cause me to react as if it was meant
all along. That is when i act on that task and it gets done.
Just like yesterday, while sitting on my back steps eating
my first meal and knowing that where to plop this long
awaiting task to reveal it's self to me.

Dressed with some found concrete chips to help corral the water.
Even if this is the worst time to intern plants due to it being in
the middle of the dry season. I still have a fifty-five gallon drum
of rain water. Will just have to share the water with my the rest
of my thirsty plants.

Had this potted Lemon grass for at least two years. This year is the first time
that I took a couple of strands of grass to add it to my egg dishes. The fall
and winter colors of this grass can be striking. While transitioning this to
ground I cut it back severely but as you can see it's coming back well.

One More Rain Barrel For This Thirsty Lot

I even bought another drum last week to add to the other two, now
that I got the hang of the process of collecting rain water.

Painted white to help shade the inside and reflect our harsh Florida sunlight.
My so called process is all manual. I couldn't see poking holes in a perfectly
sealed container. Cuts down on leakage and keeps our mosquitoes out. The
upside, it gives me some exercise lifting a five gallon bucket from downspout
to the barrels and fun getting wet in the rain at all hours of the day or night.
It's amazing how it may be in the middle of the night and being a lite sleeper
to wake up to the sound of rain and dashing outside to capture rain I can.

Fast Food From The Bachelor Cafe

Lightly toasted sprouted bread, Smart Balance spread, yellow mustard and
some fresh Spinach. Fold over and you have a quick bite.

Not everything from my kitchen needs to be all that involved.

Pampered Cacao Tree Update

This Cacao tree spent nearly three weeks outdoors, that is until last evening
where I brought it indoors to escape our low fifties temps. Might as well
keep it indoors for another week to avoid some predicted low forties and
possible upper thirties temps.

As you can see by all the new salmon colored new growth that it is going
through it's own Spring spurt of growth.

Moon Gate In The Making

This old school Pyrocantha specimen would make a great Moon Gate. All
it needs is a stake or two to bring it into shape.

Volunteer Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum Seedling Update

Where there were two, now there is one.

I've got a place picked out for this survivor. This
rare occurring seedling should make it through it's
first year, it should be smooth sailing from there.
That's assuming that it survives my transplanting
skills and who knows what else folly that both

nature and man can throw at it.

The other seedling that emerged along with this one
succumbed or perhaps only crippled by that ever
presence of dampening off fungus is still holding
it's own. That is, it's in some water, quite stunted
but holds a lot of hope in this aquatic nursery, (specimen
circled in red).