SimplyLife

One of the gardening issues of living in the high desert is caliche--that's "ka-lee-chee." It's a miserable layer of soft stone (well that depends on who's digging - person or backhoe) about 12 inches down in the sandy clay of Casa Wallace. Much to my good husband's dismay, I wanted a bush transplanted to a new location. It hasn't done lick of growth in several years where it is. The mangy looking Bird of Paradise bush hasn't bloomed or managed decent greenery in quite some time. Relocation did wonders for the Apache Plume bush which now is covered with fluffy pinkish plumes and white flowers. It was basically in the same spot as the Bird of Paradise, looking glum and unmotivated. Now in the courtyard, it's been revitalized. Apache Plume The yellow Bird of Paradise's move was to a nearby garden with a recent agave transplant and a new red yucca to keep it company.  The shovel went in easily at first, but before you knew it, caliche h...

Last week, I bought one of those mini greenhouses that you start seedlings in. It's always exciting to push  seeds into the tiny peat pots and dream about the harvest to come. I haven't always had the greatest luck and with these setups, usually because I lose interest and become negligent over time. What kind of gardener is that? Answer: a lazy one. So I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, if you'll pardon the pun and really pay attention to those little tomatoes that have peeked their heads out of the soil. I do have such high hopes for fried green tomatoes, BLT's, salads, salsa, and fat slices drizzled with balsamic vinegar, topped with fresh mozzarella.   The planting schedule for them will be early April. That seems a long ways off, but not really. What kind of seeds are you starting now? It might be too early for your area, so you might be dreaming about the ideal garden as you thumb through the gardening catalogues. Count the cost of the kind of...