Opuntia placed using the STUN method, update

  It has been about two months since I planted all those tunas at the new property. They look great considering no rain and no care, right?
     It won't be too long, maybe another 6 months, and I will place them around the border of the new garden. It will be just one layer of fencing around my fortress of solitude.

Gratuitous Flower Pictures

Fortress of Solitude - Building a Moat

     Other than the Prickly Pear cacti that ai am propagating for my moat, I also have plans to use Yucca filamentosa as an additional barrier. If the yuccas were spaced appropriately it would be enough danger to stop most large animals, in theory. No deer preying on my garden!
    I planted out some of the immature yuccas from my house with enough spacing in between them for a row of prickly pear and then Agave americana on the inside row. Of the three aforementioned species Agave americana is the moat useful to me at the moment, as a leaf from it needs no adulteration in order to feed the rabbits. They like it! So having agave on the inside seems to make sense to me at the moment, even if I am sick from a cold and sleep deprived.
     Here is the beginning of the plant fence near the road.

Sneaky Morning Glory Plants

    You think you canna get away with that?

Beans, Spring of 2019, Part II

May 12th, 2019

May 12th, 2019

May 12th, 2019

Beans, Spring of 2019

     This spring I decided to try something different.  I planted a bunch of mystery beans in my containers, along with some morning glory. The beans were cheap and white, and said they were bush variety, so why not? I guess I am a why not kind of person.
     The germination rate on the beans was pretty decent - more than half sprouted. I can't complain about that.

     The best thing about beans is that they have been hybridized to grow quickly. This is a boon in our short spring growing season. Beans share this trait with peas. Every day you can walk over and visibly see that there has been a change from the previous day. Suddenly there are flower buds and tiny pods. Leaves are good in salads and smoothies, or with the stalk fed to the rabbits. And the flowers are gorgeous!

     There is a lot growing on in these pictures, as I am a big fan of polycultures and diversity. I am learning to appreciate the traditional choice of potting mix - that spaghnum moss is an excellent moisture sponge. It makes me wonder what other traditions people are growing on? I will post more pictures as they flower and fruit, assuming I can keep up with rhe watering!

April 29th, 2019

Veronica spicata, Blue carpet speedwell, update

     Now that the Speedwell plants have gone to seed, they aren't nearly as beautiful as they were when they were flowering in this picture. But now they have dozens of seed pods, which are moist and mucilaginous. Perhaps when they dry out I will seed this spring flowering beauty elsewhere on the lands! It's useful as an expectorant or just as an additive to tea; almost a shame it's not native.

Dwarf Yellow Canna

     Cannas. So beautiful. They bloom all the time, and they are edible and attract pollinators. They make great bog plants and they look good in ponds. Makes a great gift.

Rabbits, Spring of 2019 update

     As cute as she looks, today she has become a mothering failure. All of her kits (2?) have disappeared. It is unclear whether the kits have become the victim of rats or another predator or some other calamity. Setbacks happen. You just do the best you can.

Another Canna for Sale

     While this particular Canna is small and easily transportable, I have several more of this variety that are more than 6 feet tall with lush and thick foliage. This canna produces bright red flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds. As I am sure you know, Cannas love full sun and water, and make great pond plants. This would be a fantastic Mother's Day gift for any mom on your list. $5.
Have many other beautiful plants that are attractive to hummingbirds and bees, including sage and ginger.
     Thank you for your interest! Feel free to ask questions.
   - Knotty Pots