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(This was written 2001, before I was evicted illegally and left Needles, Ca.) Mr. and Mrs. Carter-Zio, longtime residents of Needles, Ca. visited my garden this month, as well as Maggie McShan and friend, Bonnie Sherman later. Mrs. Carter-Zio said "The garden is magnificent." And indeed it is. Its like a polished diamond compared to last year, when almost every plant evaporated in the heat. The secret? Five inches of maintained mulching. I scour the surrounding area for leaves, grass clippings to continually add to the already ample mulch. Everything but Tamarix or Salt cedar needles which are deadly to plants. Because of this mulch, my perewinkles have lush green leaves instead of sunburned ones. The whole effect is a bit more tropical, the ruellas, with their broad dark green leaves, aiding that effect. They bloom daily, in the shade not so much, but in the sunlight, cascades of lavender petunia like flowers. Ruellas are your best bet, in sun or shade, with ample daily water, they out perform any plant in our terrible heat. The local nursery has an excellent supply of them, in regular and dwarf types. They are in fact wonderful, and need no special care, just ample water. My portulaca have done well, with their pink silk flowers, a delightful accent to the lavender ruellas. Because of the mulching, I still have geraniums, and blooming! The whole garden effect definitely resembles a woodland path in a forest. FOLIAR FEEDING is one of my secrets, with one that is dominantly high in phosphates. I do this regularly every weekend, in the evening (did you know plants grow at night?). The nursery stocks one, purchase it and follow the directions. In a few weeks, perhaps less, you will notce a difference. Instantly, will be the intensity of colors of the flowers, Oh yes, another advantage of mulching is, when it decomposes, aprox. 7 per cent nitrogen will be added to your soil. Phosphate binds in the soil, difficult for plants to use, the foliar phosphate is instantly received, especially true if you add a capful or so, of the Superthrive product which stimulates root and leaf growth, plus helps plant stress from heat. Works for me and it will for you too. PROUD TOO, I am of my little lawn, the perennial dark dark green winter rye is still alive, side by side with a patch of contrasting lighter green bermuda grass, I trim all by hand. Another fascinating plant is lippia, a groundcover that I trim like one would formal boxwood. It overlaps onto a sidewalk, which must reach heat enough to fry an egg, doesnt bother it a bit. It gives the garden a finished look. Visit it, even if I'm not home, about 11:00 a.m. is best, in this heat flowers wilt later, at 304 W. Broadway8, the Palms Motel, Needles, Ca. 92363(on the fabled Rte 66), bring your camera. Also visit my website at http://www.oocities.org/poet92363, email yourself and put URL in it, and then you can link to it easily. Oh, yes, if you are from out of town, dont drink our water, its high in corrosive salts. J.B. |
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