Hi fellow SW Gardeners!
Thought I would stop by to see what is happening with everyone these days. Our January weather has already by a mixed bag of tricks with extreme low temps and a beautiful 60 degrees yesterday! Boy, when Webster's Dictionary defined "desert" as a sway in extreme temps as opposed to just "arid and dry", they were not kidding!!
So, I took full advantage of our beautiful weather and began the first effort for Spring in the main bed. Normally, I would have overwintered plants, but this winter it lay bare as we heavily amended after the fall harvest. One thing about letting a bed lay bare over winter is that you get a really good idea how much water is used... and I was very surprised, indeed! Definitely going to begin using straw or wood chips this year.
We added four trellis sections to the bed this winter. Three in the back and one arch cattle panel to the side. I am hoping this will keep the cucs, beans, and melons a little more tidy. Besides, I really am hoping for a walk-through grow tunnel at some point just because I think they are magical. My snow pea and sweet peas vine seeds are on their way to me, so with a bit of luck I will be able to evaluate the feasibility of the arch this Spring.
I am still working on getting those pine trees in the ground!! I have had them since May '18 and they are still in the hoop house. 2018 was a whirlwind of a year for us. Thankfully, the fence project is complete and I can concentrate more on my own improvements. I did get two holes dug yesterday and expect to dig two more today. The wire surrounds have been built, so once the threat of frost is gone, planting will be swift! I did get one in the ground last fall and it seems to be doing well.
I picked up three Wilson Olive trees this week, four creeping Rosemary, and three yellow barrel cacti. The cacti will be planted near our new arbor with the rosemary (hopefully) cascading over the railroad tie planter beds. I am thinking of braiding the olive trees to form one beautiful focal point, but I am asking the experts in the tree forum for any tips or suggestions beforehand.
Overall, it looks like the majority of last year's projects have carried over to this year. But that is okay as the year is young!
Wishing you all a wonderful 2019!!
