Off the Grid

Buddha approves! Using a push mower is not so bad after all. First, I de-dog and pull the dandelions (usually not in the same day). We leave the clipping on the lawn to work as a fertilizer. I have cut down to watering the lawn twice each week (other areas less!), therefore we only need mow once or maybe twice each month.

Sunday Trip: South Coast Botanical Gardens for a Workshop on Succulents

My Mum and I went to a talk succulents this Sunday. It was a great idea since I have all ready planted and propagated like crazy. I changed my front yard from overgrown hedged lavender to (work in progress) mostly succulents, lantana and roses. My policy has been not to purchase any new plants, just to rearrange and propagate them from different parts of the property. I have bought some cinder blocks to make granite benches and of course, good potting soil.

What We Learned:

1. Mum and I live in different climate zones. She can put plants in unglazed pots because she lives by the coast. I live near Pasadena so I should put my plants in glazed pots to help retain moisture.

2. Leave room in the garden for succulents to clump. Luckily, these plants can handle being almost nomadic so they don't mind being moved around when a certain person changes her mind.

3. Watering should be set for twice a week for 30 minutes not everyday for 5 minutes. Five minutes of water only penetrates about 2 inches deep and most of it evaporates.

Okay, it is finally manana!

Here is my garden bench! It has a removable "sink" where potting can be accomplished without making a mess. I have lavender, rosemary, rose geranium and jasmine volunteers just waiting to be potted. I love this bench, but will level the wheel side with wood because they look a bit dodgy.

Potting Around the Garden

Yeah, my hubby assembled the gardening work bench that my Mum gave me for Xmas! For most of the morning I potted succulent cuttings and volunteers. I will photo the bench manana!