Hello fellow Californians....let's introduce ourselves! #2

I've been posting on here for a couple years but I don't think I ever officially introduced myself to my fellow Californians.

My real name is Chad. I was born and raised in Spokane, Washington but moved to California about 10 years ago after I got married. I had never done any real gardening until we bought our house here in Sacramento. That is when I assumed the role of yard caretaker. My love for gardening grew out of the weekly chores like mowing the lawn and pruning the shrubs. Eventually I wanted to learn more about how to properly care for the plants I had inherited from the previous owner and then I wanted to try my hand at choosing new plants on my own.

These days I really enjoy growing Japanese maples, working with stone in the landscape, composting, and container gardening.

SingingWolf, try me any time!

GardenSox, do you have a problem with variegated Maple leaves being eaten? I have, and I wonder what it might be!

Christie

Christie - no, I haven't had any problems with them being eaten. For the most part, I've just had to deal with the leaves being burnt to a crisp in the heat. Usually when I hear of critters eating JMs it's things like squirrels or raccoons eating the bark. I'd be very curious to find out what is dining on yours!

It might be earwigs?

Thanks for the welcomes. I always try to have a nice flowerbed in my front yard, this is the first year trying veggies. I have 2 daughters, 9 and 11, and thought they out to see where food really comes from! I can't wait to move my raised planters to my new house so I can plant some seeds- but I need to figure out where the sun will be.

Our new home used to look like a cottage garden gone wild- so many different plants, probably a real gardener's dream, except they didn't take care of anything well. So the property manager ripped out everything from the front yard and is trying to seed it. I'll have to see if I can make a flower border somewhere. Since the previous owners were there 28 years there a a lot of TALL trees providing lots of shade (too much maybe?). There is a nice large back patio that seems to get plenty of sun so I can grow some flowerboxes and planters there, just not sure if I should dig out the whole backyard and start over (except for the trees)? there is no grass, just a little jungle!

I'm looking forward to tinkering and seeing what I can do. I'll make sure and come back for advice once I have some pictures to post!

:) Wendallyn

wendallyn,
That would be great, although I hate it when they rip out all the old growth. Where do the fairies have to live when they do that? LOL!
Seriously, when you get a chance to decide what kind of garden you want, and where the sun falls through out the day, I'll be happy to lend any advice I have, and I know others will too.
Once again, welcome to DG!
I've really enjoyed almost all the people I've met online, especially in the CA Forum. They are wonderful, and knowledgeable folks who are willing to share their knowledge. A lot of them are lurkers, but that's okay, because when they speak up, it's always worth listening to.
Hoping you have fun gardening with your kids this summer.
BTW, it's not to late to plant corn, you might be able to still plant pumpkins but I've always tried to get them in before Memorial Day. The huge sunflowers can still be planted. If in doubt ask in the nursery about seeds! Or better yet, buy those they've already started for you.
As for me, I got to get those tomatoes planted. I've got one in a one gallon pot that is already fruiting. Then there is the weird purple tomato my brother brought me that came from New Zealand. It's supposed to have purple fruit, and be good for sauces. Hmmm. We'll see. LOL!
Happy Gardening!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Wendallyn, You might want to check out the "self watering containers" forum too, if shade is an issue. I don't have enough sun for veggies in my tiny flower beds, so I grow my veggies in Earth Boxes and E buckets, as they are portable. It's amazing what you can grow on a deck or patio if you are determined.

Hi, I have been a member for 7 years but have not been active for a while. So many new names but plenty of "old" ones. Did not realize how much I missed this place, feels like coming home. :)

For those of you that may not know me, my name is Donna & I live in Northern CA. Seems like all I do anymore is pull weeds since I got my yard and beds completed. Nice to have them done but when you reach the end it is almost with a sense of sadness, does that make sense? I kind of want to rip it all out and start over just because it was so much fun to plan out and then hunt for just the right plant. I need a new project! I think 100 acres would do for a start...HA

Welcome back. : - )
You could always come south and help me, PudgyMudpies. : - )
I live on 47 acres, part of which is planted in Monterey Pines that we sell to the Choose and Cut Christmas tree market. I'm still working on my gardens.
Weeding never seems to end, and then there is deadheading, Always something to do in the garden.
Now you need to take photos so we can all see the beauty you've created! : - )
BTW, if you really are bored, you can always volunteer at a local Botanical Garden, etc.
Personally, I would get involved with beatifying the community. But that's me, and my garden isn't even where I want it to be, yet. Give me time, tree farmers can be patient. LOL!
Got to say, when I was a little kid, I was always getting into trouble for making mud pies. It's not like I ate them. I just like to play with them. I never got over it. I still create sand sculptures on the beach. : - )
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Welcome Back! I always loved your name! Jo

Wow- thanks SingingWolf- I would have never thought I could still grow corn- the kids will love that!
When we got to the house, nearly all the growth in the backyard was gone- so we are living in a giant dirt yard. But of course they didn't take out any roots so we have unknown plants trying to poke out.
They left a big section (probably 15x15 feet) of giant ferns where I was going to try to plant a garden but it's very shaded so still undecided. The put manure on the front yard and I'm guessing some grass seed but there is a large unplanted border- so I really have a blank canvas! The front of the house faces East so it gets morning sun only. I'd like to get some color there- and the soil is very poor- I've been rototilling but it's just hard dirt, so I'll have to do some soil amendments before I try to plant anything.
anyway, I have a perfect patch for the corn- I'll have to get some seeds tonight- thanks again for the suggestion!

- Wendallyn

Wendallyn,
You could probably grow lots of tropicals, in your zone. Many of which like the shade. Go check out the Fuchsia Forum. Lots of delicate beauty there. Same with tropicals. Think Hibiscus. So many kinds and colors and they like the sun! Think really big and think about Plumeria, Yummy smell. Don't plant where the passers by can break off a piece, 'cause they will. : - (
Brazilian plume plants, lovely pink blossoms, also like your temps and the shade.
So many nice plants. You can keep them in pots until you find some that you like, and places you'd like to have them. : - )
Like I'm doing right now with these Hibiscus. They will be getting transplanted into larger pots, but will remain outside for now. The yellow one is called Butterfly, and the reddish one is the Painted Lady, I think. It's either that or the Brilliant Red Hibbie. LOL!
I will bet you could even grow Passion Flowers there. I wish I could, but they keep dying on me.
Sigh.
Keep us posted, send photos, we'll be glad to make suggestions. LOL! : - )
Prolly too many.
WIB!
SW

Annie's has a lot of great Fuchsias. But let me not enable anyone :D

About tropicals out here in the semi desert, I went to a Tropicals and Citrus class T Armstrong Gardens recently. They spoke of the challenge to growing tropicals out here with the dry heat, wind, and winter cold. They said think of buying a doz roses. You put the out and a week later they and you $30 are gone. So, invest $10 in a potted hibiscus, put the pit on your patio and enjoy it for as long as it lasts. I should have thought that way when I tried one of those. Now SW seems to be able to do tropicals. And who would guess one could have fuschias here?!

The fuchsias here get the ugly mite 'sugar coating look' sometimes, check for mite resistant varieties if you have many hummers.

Hey, it is an experiment, but not only did I get two to survive last summer and being neglected during the worst of the heat, but I got those two to overwinter in pots. Now when I went to transplant them into bigger pots I broke off the main stem to the Cardinal fuchsia. I put rooting enzyme on the broken stem, and planted the root ball too. Then I covered it with about 10 inches of mulch.
That silly thing was so happy, that it came back stronger than ever. It is now planted in the ground. Mulch really helps, as does drip irrigation. I'll take a photo of the Cardinal fuchsia. It is really important to plant them so that the base of the plant is in the shade during the heat of the day (from noon til sunset, really). I'm hoping I can convince DH's guys that mulch is a good thing. LOL!
I know that I'm not going to be able to keep up with the garden and yard like I used to be able to do. I love my Hibiscus, but I want them in pots, so that I can move them inside the gh during the winter and still have their beautiful flowers. They'd probably do well in a sheltered south facing area outside too.
QG, you know you are welcome to come by and see what I'm doing in my little oasis. : - )
I've had those roses out front for about 20 years now. Most of 'em keep coming back. We have our own little micro climates, and after we planted all those Pine trees, we actually changed our climate a little bit.
It has taken me at least 20 + years to get it this far, but I keep plugging away at it. : - )
mrs_colla, you can't enable me, I'm already collecting as many different varieties as I can get my paws on. Love a certain seller here at DG. Very happy with everything I've gotten from her. Most of the fuchsia you find down here are in hanging baskets, but I've never had much luck with them.
I remember when I was a little girl living in Santa Ana, I had neighbors who grew bleeding hearts and fuchsia's too. I loved her shady garden.
So QG, first make shade, then while trees are growing, make good dirt. : - )
Use drip irrigation, so you don't waste water.
Speaking of which, did you get any rain two days ago? I heard we did for about one minute while I was napping. I saw rain pocks in the dust.
First the earthquake and now the rain. I just keep missing everything, except the dust devils.
Yup, saw the first one of the year today.
I've seen some really powerful dust devils here too.
One time a huge one hit Mom's mobile home next door and broke a water pipe. Then it went parallel to the creek and when it got to where we had the old Tipi Village set up, it actually picked one of the Tipi's up and moved it about 8 inches. Then that whirlwind made a 90 degree turn and proceeded parallel to the paved road. It picked up those big logs we sit on around the fire ring and threw them several feet. Then the whirlwind knocked over my porta potty, (which had just been cleaned, thank goodness!), and proceeded past where the wood lot is now, (threw his wheelbarrow about 10 feet), and up the hill on the corner where as a final insult it busted the big sign we used to have up there. Broke it's posts right under the sign. Then it headed towards the 215 Fwy.
DH didn't believe me, but I had witnesses, and he had to fix Mom's water pipe. He also had to set the porta pot back up, and move them logs back around the fire ring. We left the Tipi where it was set. The sign stayed down.
Never a dull moment, but unless we get some monsoons this summer, it's going to be really dry.
That life on the farm, for now . . .
WIB!
SW

I tried to upload the photos of my bare yard but can only upload one here. I also tried on a blog but that also only allows a single photo. So here's the front yard- will be lawn but all around the front edges are planter areas with nothing in them- in front of the house, along the side of the entry courtyard and in front of the garage. Most of this is shaded in the afternoon. Any ideas are welcomed!

Wendallyn, if you get 6 hours of morning sun, almost any plants that require "full sun" will do well in your front yard. The afternoon sun tends to fry the blooms here. That being said, as the sun drops to the south as winter aproaches, those plants won't get enough sun if they are on the north side of the house. You need to figure out which direction your front faces, I'm assuming East? Even if you take the scientific aproach, Mother nature has been cruel this year, as our May grey and June gloom has lasted till the middle of July! Bad soil can be improved, but we can't control the sun!
I grow mostly perrenials, but as I am in a mobil home, most of my sun lovers are in pots so I can move them as the angle of the sun changes. The "in ground" stuff is usually later than some of my neighbors to bloom. Most tropicals do pretty well here, as we rarely get enough cold to damage them.
There are two things I would recomend to you; 1. figure out which direction the house faces, and if those shade trees are evergreen or dormant...2. invest in a Sunset Western Garden book...they have a wealth of information in the book that isn't accessable on their website.

Good luck, and happy gardening in your new home!

wendallyn - What a great blank canvas! Before you do a traditional lawn, you may want to consider the water requirements and look into a ground cover. Added bonus - no mowing!

So my front yard is looking greener. But that's not necessarily a good thing! The "landscaper" threw around some grass seed and put compost on it, but we have a TON of different things growing! They never bothered to take any roots out so we have spider plants all over the yard, 2 or 3 rosebushes (not placed well either), and several other things I can't quite tell, 1 looks like nasturtium leaves. Of course, in addition to several dandelions, crabgrass and other weeds.

Oh, and did I forget to mention... bamboo? From the neighbor's yard, it's taking over my yard and there's nothing to hold it back. Ugh! it's turning into a nightmare. I bought some nice hanging begonia bulbs to hang baskets from the eaves leading to the entry, and some calla lilly bulbs for the flower beds but I'm just torn at how to manage all the growth on the front lawn! They even left some monster tree roots from the tree they removed- about 12 inches in diameter. I'm guessing I'll have to hire someone to just tear everything up to get to all the roots- which I hate to do , but it really is growing so rapidly with so many things I can't get it under control (along with working full time, taking the kids to dance lessons, etc.)... Any suggestions?

wendallyn,
Take yourself out for a Root Beer Float or/and an Ice Cream Sunday with lots of Chocolate. Work on one corner at a time. Invest in good gardening gloves. Have your kids help you!
Those spider plants should pull out easy, and they will die forever if you don't water them. Those poor roses should be given until December and then relocated to a better place or just given away.
You'll be surprised how quickly plants can disappear if you set them curbside with a free sign on them.
Bamboo is going to be the horror story. It's terribly invasive. You will have to dig up each and every rhizome or start spraying poison. Once you finally do get rid of it, if it is in a swampy part of the yard, I'd put down a bamboo barrier (like steel or concrete!) and then fill in your swampy area with fill dirt.
I like Dandelions, but I'm weird that way. Lately, since it hurts so much to try to pull the weeds I've just been clipping them with my hand pruners at ground level. I can't fall on my butt again without doing some more harm. That way the rotten weed doesn't have a chance to set seed, and my chickens love to eat weeds. LOL! Okay that probably won't work for you, but keep your sense of humor, and just work on one corner at a time.
Oh, before I forget, before you yank unfamiliar plants, if you can post a photo of it on DG and try to ID it. It may be something that you want to keep, even if it needs relocating.
I like your hanging basket idea. Draws the eye to the house and away from the yard.
Got to go for now. Stay the course and it'll get better.
WIB,
SW

I know I would get lost. Seems I got myself really turned around. When Singing Wolf posts I now picture the great farm she lives on. Just read an article about a farm that has been passed down through 11 generations. Now it is up for sale, the 12th generation doesn't want to farm. Since I have always been a city gal I appreciate all the work that goes into farming.

Got some large pots at the thrift store so am busy cleaning them up. DH wants to know what I'm going to do with all of them. Silly boy!! He finally had the surgery on the rotator cuff two weeks ago so now is pretty helpless. Sure wish he was left handed now.

I'd like a blank canvas rather than all the darn weeds, especially the fox tails. My dog seems to love to get them inside her mouth. Had to take her to the vet and discovered fox tails wasn't her only problem. She had stones in her bladder that had to be removed. Now I'm trying to get rid of all of them (fox tails) and it isn't easy.

Gardening was put on hold for a while, but now I have some succulents from my sister so I have to start planting them.

Wendallyn - my dad had problem bamboo in his backyard in the Dallas area. When he moved there in 1970, he was sold on the 'fast growing' aspect of it and did not know the consequences. After it started cracking his foundation, his pool and the neighbor's pool we found a product that is systemic. You cut the stalk down, then pour the poison into the hole of the stem and it is carried through to the roots and dies. It is so long ago, I do not remember what it is, but with newer technology, ie internet, I am sure you could find something like it. I believe bamboo is in for the long haul and cutting it down or digging it out does not work well. Kinda like my Tree of Heaven trees, LOL

Sami - hope DH is doing well and on the mend. DH, Tony, had an angiogram for his heart that is operating at 50% efficiency. We were ready for a stent, pi-pass surgery or even a pacemaker, but the doctor has decided to treat it with medication. Oh yea, and diet. Soo0... on the way home we had to stop at In 'N Out! He had figured if he got any of the other procedures, he would not need to change his diet and it would be a "Do Over" in hisd head. He says at 70 he does not need to change his food.

I also appreciate farmers oh so much more since I am finally somewhat successful in the veggie growing arena. Previously I balked at the price of regular (bad tasting) store bought tomatoes, much less Framer's Market heirlooms. Now, I figure they should be $10 #!!

Hi there Quiltygirl, DH had an angiogram in June and they said if there was a blockage they would put in a stent right then and there. Good news, no blockage so no stent. Once in a while they do give us some good news.

Having some problems with my tomatoes again. They are supposed to be nice large ones, but turn red when they are small and had to get rid of a few that had bottom rot. That is so disguesting when your mouth is watering for the taste of home grown.

I am generally getting reports of poor performance from tomatoes in my area. Mine just started producing week before last. I only grow one variety "Juliet" which is a sweet small roma. This time last year I was getting about 5# a week off of the one plant, now I am getting maybe 1#. This week has been good roofing weather - Fog/overcast until at least noon, then it creeps in again in the evening. The tomatoes are not happy.

My tomatoes are doing a stellar job of producing this year. I had wanted to try Fried Green Tomatoes but did not pick any as I wanted to make sure I had some ripe ones, unlike last year. Now, I have more than I dreamed. 5# a week from one plant? Good grief, if I got that from each of my 11 (from small cherries to large Brandywines)?!! One DG'r, the originator of the Strawbale Forum, planted, I believe, 75 tomato plants this year in NC. Unfortunately he had an Early Blight problem though. Here is what I picked yesterday:

I just don't know why my tomatoes aren't doing very good. I did pick a couple today that didn't have the bottom rot, hope all the rest are OK. I'd be happy just getting 1# off of 1 plant. Good crop there Linda, I don't think any of my neighbors have any kind of a garden. Was hoping I could share a few with a neighbor who mowed our lawn while DH is recovering.

QG you want to trade some eggs for some maters?
LMK! : - )
WIB,
SW

My tomatoes were looking half dead, and they were small- so I started fertilizing weekly with Miracle Gro Tomato food. The leaves grew back lovely, but not much in the way of fruit. So I did a little research and pruned it a LOT and now have lots of little blossoms, it's looking like that did the trick!

Hi, I am Karen and live in Riverside County. Have been a member for a few months, trying to learn as much as i can. Retired to 5 acres of dirt, DG, and native plants. Took on a bit more than i can handle so have blocked the land off (on a drawing) into sections and working from the house out. Have lots of seeds from native Calif. plants if anyone is interested, trying to obtain as many perennial flower/herb/tree seeds that will help sustain the local birds, butterflies, etc. without using up tons of water. my dream is to someday look out over flowers of all kinds instead of chamise and buckwheat ! am learning the hard way, making mistakes, but enjoy being retired and having all the time i want to play in the dirt.

Welcome sherman99,
We're neighbors. I used and still use graph paper to help me remember what I planted where. I'm always happy to share my seeds and hope to re-introduce as many natives as I can to our farm.
Sounds like we should do a trade.
I have been growing plants for the birds, especially the hummers, and butterflys too. I get all kinds of birds here and until recently I made them forage on their own. Lately, I've been putting out some feeders for them, but they still forage too. : - )
I don't have herbs, but do have lots of flowers and some good bush and tree seed for our area.
I always liked making mudpies myself. : - )
Send me a Dmail, and we'll talk about it more.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Hi my name is Mark (deepwater805), and I live in Baja California Norte, but lived in Ventura for 15 years before moving to Baja two years ago. Both Ventura, and Bajamar have similar climates. Never too cold, and never too hot, so even though we're in zone 10 (I think) we're probably more akin to zone 9. Can someone clarirfy that for me?
The house that I live in now had a mature garden/landscaping that surrounded the entire circumference of the house, but I've trimmed quite a bit, well whacked actually, and added a few items since moving in. Everything seems to grow well here, and I'm constantly sticking things in the ground. So far the only thing I've had trouble growing are the Tiger Lillie's, and that's only because they must taste really good to the rascally rabbits, who nibble them down to the ground. The only real challenge has been to find plants that like this temperate maritime climate, but are also unpopular with the critters.


This message was edited Sep 27, 2010 12:54 AM

This message was edited Sep 27, 2010 12:55 AM

This message was edited Sep 27, 2010 1:02 AM

welcome..only if you post more pictures of your beutiful house!! LOL Jo

Welcome DeepWater,
Try succulents and thorny plants. As far as I know the rabbits will eat just about anything except for Bluecurl, which is a noxious smelling (almost astringent) nectar producing plant. The other plant is the safflower. They won't even try to get into a field that is "ringed" with safflower, even if it means that they run into the coyote's mouth or an oncoming car. Not so nice for people though.
Another plant they haven't touched is Society Garlic. Gophers will dig around it to avoid it but nothing eats it except bees and b.flys.
Looks like a beautiful home. Do you do much container gardening?
Can you give average winter & summer temps? It might help with the zone question. I don't know how they figure those out myself, but suspect your longitude and latitude play a part as well as the temps.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

has anyone noticed if gophers dig near nightshade? i cant get rid of the million or so nightshade plants popping up everywhere, but as i was walking around a bit ago i noticed there did not seem to be any gopher mounds near the huge clumps of nightshade. has anyone tried to use it to deter them? i am at my wits end, the gophers have gotten into the pumpkin vines i planted for my grandkids. so upsetting.

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome. I think that I'm gonna be a regular at Dave's. I've gardened for years, but had no clue that a site like this existed. I found Dave's Garden recently while trying to identify a plant I bought at a local nursery. I found out what the plant was at Backyard Gardener. They sent me a link to Dave's, and now I'm here.

As for the critters: I think that I'll give the Society Garlic a try, or Safflower. Hopefully this will work on squirrels too. They're actually the most destructive. We have dozens of rabbits everywhere, and having a plant they don't like would be great. Actually we have lot's of critters, rabbits, squirrels, gophers, coyote's, and all kinds of birds of prey. It's a small village, and the critters actually live in and around the houses. I love watching the rabbits, but not feeding them.

All the locals like to say that we only have two seasons here" Early spring, and late spring. Our weather is almost identical to that of San Diego, which is about an hour north. A typical spring to fall temperature would be 65 to 75 degrees, with a couple temperature spikes thrown in. Maybe hot 90 to 95 one or two days a year. The fall through winder temps probably average 60 to 70 degrees. In the two years I've been there there have been no freezing. Humidity isn't very high, and never uncomfortable.

I attached a photo from my roof deck. So far no plants up there, but that's probably gonna change next summer.

anyone for a round Up at the home of deepwater??? Jo

I'd love to go!!!

That's 2 of us....

I am in TN...visiting son and family...we are just leaving for Nashville where I will spend the night with my friend from DG, Elena...flying home tomorrow...but will be in LAX to change planes right after lunch....wave at me!!! Jo

Thanks everyone! I knew that this was gonna be a good forum. Right now I'm in central Asia, but heading home in a week. I love visitors. It's difficult to get friends and family to come down here. There's allot of misconception about Mexico. I know that there are problems here, but in the two years I've lived here, I've never seen anything. However, I'm gone for a month, every other month, and my first few days home are always spent tidying up the yard. It's amazing how much stuff accumulates, and how many weeds spring up in a month.