Betts's Blog

Greetings all, 

Hope your heatwave will break soon...we dropped down 20 degrees after my last post and was really windy...that gave Rick a window to dig out more tree roots...he thought he broke the sprinkler pipe, but the roots had already taken care of that!!   Was he frustrated...the roots are really thick and working with the clay soil around them was no picnic.  We're so glad we had that last spigot put in, it wash away the clay enough so Rick could tell where those roots were.

 Long story short, he got those roots out and cut out the broken pipes, which were not the right size to begin with.  He dry fits before he cements...so it won't be long before he can back fill and amend this area!!  He is so tire of this project, lol..but says it's not as bad as when he redid our living room. 

Here are some pics of his progress...he'll know his part is done after we plant the 4th Crape Myrtle and then it will be my easy task to put in new plants.  This guy is a KEEPER!!

that stump

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  Stump roots

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 dry fit for new and correct size pipes

 

> one very thick root!!

 

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All this being in the front yard...Rick has only until noon to work on it...he's not that good with heat or how the sunlight hits him....so I take these so he can see he has really done a lot in the past 5 days!

Enjoy your weekend, wishing you all very well (^_~)

 

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and it hit 102  =P

OH, we found an Yellow Clivia at Lowe's...the only one and now it just outside my front door (^_^)

Hi all, hope you're all well and enjoying your gardens.

Here are some pics of our front yard...one with all three crape myrtles....then the stump on the other side of our driveway, we couldn't have grind because of the utilities lines underneath.  Rick has dug out a lot of roots and leveled this area manually...he made great progress after having that new spigot put in, just on the other side of the gate. You can also see the other crape myrtle that will go where that stick is.

Two of the other pics shows the new arrangement of the planters in our patio...the ficus is now on the step along with an angel begonia and the Korean Crown of Thorns.  Then by our glider is the green Hoya along with a new caladium, an orchid cactus and some amaryllis bulbs.

 The last is my White Datura, after trimming off some leaves...I may have posted this already...sorry if that is so.

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Wishing you all well (^_~)

Greetings all and hope all our G.G. Dads had a great Father's Day.

It broke 105 yesterday here in Vacaville, but we were in San Francisco with Aurora, David and his boys, plus our extended family the McKee Clan...a great day celebrating 3 great dads. 

 This morning we enjoy being outside enjoying our coffee, then came in about 1 pm to have lunch...cooler today...still under 98 degrees.

But, here are plants that can take this dry heat...excuse my pics...still using my cell phone.

 One of our 2 new Crape Myrtles...we'll plant the 2nd one tomorrow morning. 

 Lots
of Watsonia in flower...doing great in our little backyard

    and the Green Hoya covered with flower clusters (^_^)

        Have a good week! Wishing you well (^_~)

This little cactus has been giving these lovely flowers since getting it about a month ago...there may be more coming (^_^)

if you look closely you can see a 'pup' on either side!

 Wishing you well (^_~)

Greetings all, hope all is well in your part of the garden.

After saying for 15 years we need to have another spigot put where the hose would reach our cars...we finally had it done!

Our good friend, a general contractor and a very precise person, was kind enough to solder the pipes and all, after Rick did most of the prep work.  He even laid down a cardboard path to the spot.  Ken, was so happy...but both guys stop being happy when they couldn't figure out why water was still draining.  Ken tried 3 times to solder and on the third try it took!!  An hour or so job, took 3 hours, but Ken is worth every cent!

I would have took pictures of them, but they were both tired and just relieved the solder took.  This morning, Rick went back under the house to make sure all was good and DRY....it was.  Pass me some items through the house vent and put everything back in it's place. So here they are, lol.....isn't it exciting!

 All Dry...yaaaayyyyy!

  After 15 years...finally (^_^)

  Last step !!

  We're Happy....wishing you all well (-_^)

Hi everyone..hope your week is off to a good start...the temps just dropped to the mid 60's from the high 90's...Springs last stand for the year, lol

I have a quick question..not really deep enough for our forums...We bought a 2 cubit block of peat moss last year and it is really lasting.  We added some to our new bed and hopefully it will help during our hot dry summers.  

I've used a little in my plant containers, but noticed when I mix it into the potting soil, I still have tight clumps.  Should I dampen it first then mix it into the potting soil???  I'm trying to do all I can to keep moisture in my thirsty plants for the summer.  I looked on line, but found nothing...I did learn that I will have to find 'n use coco peat instead...as usual, the peat is being depleted and hurting the wetlands.  I don't want to be part of that...with both girls working for the National Parks, it just won't do! 

So if anyone has any tips, I would be grateful to hear them!!  Thanks ahead of time.  Oh, that pot we were working on, was for a ficus 4' tall...we potted up to it's LAST pot, lol.  I've already warn Rick it is going to get a lot taller, it now stands alone by our glider and Korean Goddess...have to find new spots for the Orchid cactus and a small give away pot of the Queens' Tears. 

Well, thanks again.  Wishing you all well (^_~)