AUSTIN guys...

Hi There!

I haven't been on here (with any regularity!) in months because of two things: end of school, AND a new hobby, making glass beads. BUT, I have spent hours in my yard weeding, then mulching, then filling in a few areas.

So...what's up? Anyone planning a Nursery Tour like we did last summer? Any fun "watering hole" parties that end up with plant sharing??? (I'd host one, but we are--yes--again embarking on a new yard project: a very large spa that waterfalls to a reflection pool. We just got approval from Lakeway, so the digging will begin soon.)

Hope to see you (and others from around Austin) soon!! Check in here if reading and we'll see if there's interest in something! I'm interested if you are! :)

Here are the plants on the top level of my kitchen garden. I have gazanias from last year, and new annuals including cascading petunia, red salvia (but they are NOT 'Red Hot Sally' like I had last year and I don't like how the color fades so quickly!), some blue sage, and anjelonia (sp?).

This message was edited Jun 15, 2007 9:54 PM

Gorgeous colors Connie!!

Have you read or has anyone told you, Hou is going to have a local swap, tour, wine tasting, choc-covered mints, choc covered eclaurs, etc, get-to-gether July 21?
Come join us & can I bring my sleeping bag & sleep in your garden? lol
I'm serious!!!

Good to 'see' you. How did the front turn out?

Connie that bed is beautiful. I've gone from one extreme to the other with my beds. I used to put too few plants in allowing too much room for growth and they never looked full enough. Now I've swung too far the other direction and it looks good when planted, but too crowded when they grow. You seem to have hit a perfect balance in scale and color in this one. It looks great!

Ohhh...I might just be able to make the Houston swap, etc. My daughter is doing an internship at a Houston Dillard's and I will see if she will be available that weekend and kill 2 birds...

And...thanks for the compliments on the bed I pictured. I want more gazanias, but they're hard to find here in Austin!

The front beds are nicer this year...I"ll take pics and post soon.

Still waiting for Austin people to check in...where are ya?? !!

I used to live in Maplewood for 13 yrs (near 38 1/2 St & I35), does that count?

Hi Dale!
Sure...you are a Texan if you've ever lived here!

The problem is...we need you here to come to our Nursery Crawls! Do y'all (notice I said "y'all!!) have them in Florida?

For Spring Break DH and I were in Naples and St. Petersburg...and we flew into Tampa...maybe flew over your house?? We love YOUR state also!

I prefer TX. Had to go where the work is, sigh.

This message was edited Jun 16, 2007 11:20 PM

Is that a Jap. maple? I remember from last summer that you always post the BEST pics! :) I LOVE photography!

And what type of work do you do that you moved with the biz? You can send a private message if you don't want to tell the world...OR can ignore if it's none of my business! :)

I was at the Natural Gardener on Old Bee Caves Rd. today and thought of y'all!

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/530076/


: - >

Connie....I can almost smell your beautiful garden from here....lol

Connie, my name and my profession are the same.

There are Landscape Architects, landscapers & garden designers. And then there are gardeners. I am one of those people who comes in after the others have gone, cleans up the messes and mistakes of the other professions. I keep all those plants you bought alive & growing (or replace them with something more appropriate). Since gardeners are the last ones hired we are you usually the first to be fired when the economy shifts.

I left Austin in 1985 for San Francisco. I lost 80% of my Austin clients in a week, when the bottom fell out of the TX real estate market.

I left SF in 1998 as my situation changed again. It is politically incorrect to blame cheap migratory labor, but, it is a factor in all our lives, both positive and negative.

I was a 'snowbird' gardener for a couple summers in the Twin Cities (MN) until the tech stock bust of 2000.

I have family here and FL is still growing.

I tried TX in 2000, but, the economy was 'slow' and I was under bid on jobs. Cheap labor is a problem in my field. For most people it is all about cost. Skill, professional standards etc are not an important factor for many folks.

I had one job in San Antonio (Castle Hills) where I where I did a job planting and mulching a backyard. I spent 3 days preparing soil, grading, buying plants, planting and mulching for $500. I made less than $300. I had the client call me a couple weeks after to meet with her and a friend (he worked in the local media). They loved my work, but, he just wanted me to know that he could have had the job done with cheaper labor and that I should refund some of my wages. Yeah right.

That is the reader's digest version of my 'current events'.

I love my job, but, I am almost 60 and it is time for a new career. I have been looking for a place to set up a small wholesale grow operation. Prices and rents are very high here in FL, but, hopefully I will find a place.

I just read what I wrote above. I am not going to change it, but, it sure sounds depressing. I am not depressed. I am very happy with my life. I have lots of interesting things to do and see. I have my digital camera and I am always out on 'safrai' trying to bag another trophy. I have a very pleasant life.

This is a sunflower, it is grey>

Dale,

I am ANGRY at that whiney client who wanted $ back from the job! Wow...and I think sometimes I have it bad when a parent (I teach high school) acts like ...well, we won't put it into words here on this family site!

Yes, you need to do something that is not so dependent on labor. Use your KNOWLEDGE and let someone else supply the brawn. My DH is 60, and he constantly says, "I'm not what I used to be." I think about age 60 is when most men start to feel the ageing factor when it comes to physicality.

That sunflower is odd. Do you like it? I'm not partial to silver/gray flowers or foliage. Lots of people here in Austin love a bush that has silvery leaves (sage of some sort...has pretty little lilac-colored blooms once a year) and I have never liked them, because they look half dead, AND after about 5 years they are leggy/have huge holes in the density of foliage.

The amaryllis here is one I grew from a bulb around Christmas. It was fun to photograph in various ways.

Connie, I missed last summer's nursery tours in Austin because of DH's health emergencies, but he is doing well now and promises to keep doing so. If anyone organizes a tour, I'd love to come and bring my sister who has moved to Pflugerville from Lubbock. She has just bought a home and is looking for landscaping ideas for a small space.
Patricia

Patricia,

I hope some of last year's "regulars" will sign on here and we can organize one.

I didn't make last year's but would love to try to make it this year. I KNOW connie has some stuff on her place I would love to trade for.

Where are you...Austin guys who did the Nursery Tour last year????? (Bumping up thread...)

Connie, I empathize with you. I taught biology and chemistry for 6 years before going on maternity leave. For the most part, parents were harder to deal with than students. I did have a student who threatened my life and who continued to harass me throughout my first year teaching. I returned to teaching after being a stay-at-home mom for 12 years, but as a 4th grade teacher. That meant having to go back to school for a multiple subject credential. Part of our agreement six years ago when we moved to Texas was that I would not return to teaching. Boy, I had thought teacher pay in California was bad. Teaching in Texas, besides having to get a Texas Credential, would have meant a pay cut of over 1/3. I couldn't do it.

I live about 60 miles southeast of Austin, in the triangle between Giddings, LaGrange and Smithville. I had originally planned to attend last year, but couldn't. I would love to to on a nursery tour if it were held in the fall. With my diabetes and a rare genetic disorder (Triggered by new medication and the Texas heat.), I find I cannot handle the Texas heat too well. I hang out in the house during most of the day, going out late in the afternoon. At times I feel like Countess Dracula. LOL

BettyDee...just keep watching here. Maybe we will get one going! The summer one we did last year was SOOO hot..probably in the fall would be better, but would have to be on a Saturday since some of us work.

Where is BigBubbles....???

Hi Connie and everyone!
I am new to Austin (13 years) and live in SE off William Cannon on a standard size urban lot.
The last couple of years I have been planting for butterflies and hummers and I have a lot of butterflies this year. When I get a chance I will post some on my photosite and maybe you guys can help me identify some.
We have recently learned about Permaculture (google it) and are in the process of digging up and getting rid of grass in our backyard to build raised beds for growing vegs and herbs. I have been growing some herbs in pots for the past couple of years.
Connie, how long have you been growing here in Austin? Do you grow vegs at all? Do you fool with cold frames, greenhouses etc.? I am researching this right now.
Well back to work here ... (-:
Oh, my name is Karen Poore, age 59 and work for the State. I moved here from Los Angeles.

Welcome to Texas, kpoore............everyone in Texas claims Austin in some way........my alma mater with UT......have a son who lives there .........
by the way, Dale, I lived on 38th street in Austin a long time ago..........we all love Austin!!!
Austin is bursting at its' seams in every direction.........head south on 35 and it is one place from Austin to San Antonio...........
head north on 35 until you are almost in Dallas..........
simply amazing to me since I really knew Austin back in the early 60's in school..........

Welcome to Texas, Karen. My only connection with Austin is that hubby works in east Austin. We moved to Texas from San Jose, CA 6 years ago. We live close enough to go into the city for special occasions.

Welcome to texas. I live in boerne but get either to or through austin about a doz times a year.

Good morning all,
Well, we have July 4th off, but it looks like it will rain (again) so I will not be able to complete digging up my grass. I have just a little to go. Shoot!
A lot of my outdoor plants that do not like to be watered a lot and they are starting to complain about all this rain. My Lemon Balm which is potted is showing little brown spots and I am sure it is all this rain.
My sage in my curb garden is complaining too.
Maybe I will work on photos for the holiday. I have a few to get up on my photosite of butterflies and flowers in my garden and from a Permaculture weekend class I took in June with Dick Pierce.
When I have them up I will let you all know.
See ya later ...
Karen in Austin

Hi to all in Austin!
I have put a new album up on my photosite to document the process of developing my backyard as a butterfly and raised garden site for herbs and vegs. There are only four images up so far of my zinnias and a butterfly.
There is another new album of Dick Pierce's Permaculture class I attended June 3rd of this year.
I am new to Dave's website and I am really enjoying it and appreciate all the knowledge shared. Now I can talked about gardening, plants, etc. whenever I want and for as long as I want!
Happy 4th ...
Karen in Austin
www.visionsbykaren.com

Hi All (and Welcome, Karen!)

I've just returned from a trip to Seattle; Victoria, B.C.; and LA, but I'm HOME now and no more travel this summer that I know of!

Karen, I only have a few herbs at this point: basil, mint, oregano, dill, and chervil (actually, I have NO idea what this is...I just planted it last year bc it looked pretty and it came up again!. I also have LOADS of rosemary, but I think everyone here in Lakeway grows it bc the deer don't like it!!

DH and I plan to do raised beds on our side yard someday...after the spa/pool, driveway, underhouse storage...my studio...haha. Our house has been one Loooong 5-year project!!!

If we can get a group together, we could have a nursery tour / get together here in Austin. Anyone game? The Great Outdoors has a cute little cafe on the grounds.....and I just got a $30. rebate check from them a few weeks ago that is burning a hole in my pocket!!!

Hi Connie,
Shoot! I was in the middle of a reply and just scrolled up to read posts and the message is gone. )-;
Well, a tour sounds like fun but closer to Fall would be ideal for me. I have swore off Spring planting for the most part. It is Summer now.
Where is everyone else in Austin?
Karen
www.visionsbykaren.com

Karen,

I went to your photo site...great pics! Question: Do you have to pay to have them online? I use Picasa 2 (owned by Google) and it's free on my puter, but they want $25. a year for an album that people can access....after only a few (like 200) photos stored for free.

i think flickr photo is free............

Hi Connie and all,
I joined Photosite when it was owned by Homestead a few year ago. My price structure remained the same when it went to Photosite. I do pay under $5.00 a month and I am happy with the options I have with them. I do not know what they charge now.
How is everyone doing with this mold count? It's killing me!
I thought the rain was over and I took the plastic down from my potted Lemon Verbenas yesterday. I went to bed last night hearing thunder big time. I do not know if it rained or not. A few of my in ground plants are suffering from all this rain. Geesh ...
Well, I am waking up here and wondering if I will go to work today.
Karen

Karen...just curious. Do you have a job that rain "rains out" or you just couldn't decide whether or not to take a "sick day"?

I thought we were going to get more rain here in Lakeway, but I don't think it ever happened, altho I heard a bit of thunder last night.

LOL
I have never heard the term "rains out". I do have a job that on RARE occasions we have ice days. This last winter we had 2/3 days off with pay to stay home.
If you have not quessed, I work for the State. I get a day (8 hrs) sick leave a month and eleven hours a month vacation. I've been here for almost thirteen years. This may sound good, but I never get a raise from the agency I work for. I think we have received 2/3 small raises mandated by the State in the time I have been here. I would not really use the word "raise" though ... due to the cost of living and they raise something some where else like health insurance dedutibles.
BUT, AS THEY SAY, I AM GLAD TO HAVE A JOB. (-:
Oops, I almost got on my soapbox here ...
This morning I was thinking about staying home because I felt real bad with this mold, but I made it in.
Karen

Ah...thanks for the explanation, Karen. (About the term...it's just another "forced tense" of "rained out" as in "our picnic got rained out" or "our picnic inevitably rains out every year"... :)

I also work for the State.... as a teacher!.....so I totally understand about no merit raises. Isn't it a uniquely stupid way of doing thing? LOL

LOL
Sorry to hear you are a state worker too! (-:
I'am being sarcastic here.
It looks like there are not a lot of Austin people on Dave's Garden huh?
Karen

Good Morning All!

I'm all set to "weed eat" my yard (whatever happened to that brand??) ...bought a Toro yesterday and it charged all day...finally ready!! I bought electric bc I hate wrestling with long orange cords! The lady at Home Depot said it will work "under NORMAL operating conditions" --what tha heck does that mean?-- for 2 hours with a full charge. Now to check it out...:)

that means it will work about an hour of weed wacking! *giggle

I got rid of my cordless .... just had too much land to cut

Well, I got about 1/2 of it done and...no, it didn't run out of power...BUT the little cord just disappeared into the bottom, and the directions said you MAY need a screwdriver to undo the bottom...and I said "driver it"...I'm taking this puppy back!!

I have an electric weedeater, it's fine for trimming up the backyard but when it's a big job it is annoying to have to charge it over and over just to finish everything. Now my parents are down here so dad brings his gas one to help out once in a while.

My parents and I traveled to Austin over the weekend, we visited The Natural Gardener, Pots and Plants, and Barton Springs Nursery. Oh my goodness....what a plant shopping experience! I came home with some goodies and so did my mom. And we saw some things we are keeping an eye out for as well. In particular mom is looking for a deep red bee balm, can't remember the name offhand but she has it written down. It was a great day!

:) Kim

Kim,
What did you buy? Is it planted yet? I'll keep my eyes open for the deep red bb...