Tied Up and Fenced In
Posted: July 6, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Gardening, Ginger, Gulf Coast gardening, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 12 Comments
The gingers are about to bloom, which means they need to be tied up to keep the flowers from pulling the stalks over.
I finally have gotten to the point of keeping a cord permanently nailed to the fence to make the task easier.
Unfortunately, the rabbits have developed a taste for my low growing Peacock Gingers.
The are now permanently fenced in.
The fencing takes away from the beauty of the plants, but it is better than no plants.
Possible Suspect in “Bed” Case
Posted: June 24, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Drimiopsis maculata, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, My Kitchen Window, nature photography, Red Eared Slider, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 24 Comments
I glanced out of the window and saw one of my plants jiggling. While I was trying to figure out why, this Red-eared Slider came out of the bed. I grabbed my camera and headed outside. I assumed the turtle was away from water to lay some eggs. I inspected my flower bed and found the African Hosta, Drimiopsis maculata, in this bed was flatten also. Did I solve the mystery of my previous blog “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?”
After the photo shoot, the turtle headed back into the flower bed. Female Red-eared Sliders will travel long distances over land to lay their eggs. I would guess this one is from the lake not too far from my house. She had to cross the street to get here.
The female turtle will search for a suitable place to lay 2 to 17 eggs. This may explain why I am finding plants that are flattened, but not eaten.
Red-eared Sliders can lay 5 clutches in a year. The eggs incubate in 2 to 3 months. One problem with incubation is that raccoons like to eat the eggs.
After the turtles hatch, the babies must find their own way to water. A few years ago, I found this one heading down my driveway to the lake.
With gloved hands I caught the little turtle and took it across the street to the woods near the lake. Hopefully, this year I will find some more hatchlings.
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?
Posted: June 18, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: African Hosta, Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Drimiopsis maculata, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Little White Soldiers, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 14 Comments
During my morning walk through the yard, I noticed my little bed of Drimiopsis maculata was partially flatten. What critter decided to curl up in my bed? I will probably never know, but I sure don’t like it.
Drimiopsis Maculata grow really well in the Southern garden. They are a great substitute for hostas and are sometimes called African Hostas, as they are originally from South Africa. The plant grows in shade, any kind of soil and easily reproduces which makes it the perfect plant for the Automatic Garden.
Black Gold
Posted: May 23, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, compost, composter, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 11 Comments
I bought this composter many years ago and now I feel I didn’t really think it through. It does its job well, but getting the compost out is a chore. I need to sit on a stool with a shovel to dig it out. This past year or so I haven’t been very motivated to do that.
As you can see from the photo, the plants around the composter are benefiting from my lack of motivation and I’m sure my neighbor’s grass is very green on the other side of the fence.
I finally got around to the task and was rewarded with the most amazing “black gold”. Like a fine wine, the yard waste got better over time.
Lizard Spa Day
Posted: April 29, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Anolis sagrei, Backyard Critters, Brown Anole, nature photography 11 Comments
What is a lizard spa day? Hot rocks, tanning and a good peel.
Camellias Still Blooming
Posted: April 10, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, My Kitchen Window, Professor Sargent Camellia, Red Velvet Camellia, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, White by the Gate Camellia, Year-round gardening 12 Comments
My camellias have been having an outstanding year. They have been blooming since the end of January. I am so thrilled, I just had to take more pictures of them. The Red Velvet has more flowers than ever. I think it helped that deer didn’t eat the shrub this year.
White by the Gate has had very little discoloration from fungus despite the rains this year.
I do not know what is different this year, but the Camellias have given me months of pleasure. Professor Sargent has a few more buds to open.
Green for St. Pat’s Day
Posted: March 16, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: anole lizard, Backyard Critters, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, nature photography, Southern Gardening 14 Comments
I was checking out all the new growth on my fern and spotted a Green Anole Lizard hanging out on a frond. Can you find it?
