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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 29, 2014 11:18:46 GMT -5
Thanks, Russ. The avo season is winding down now. Still quite a few on the tree, but the seeds are starting to sprout inside the fruit, and then falling to the ground.
That was awful nice of Cyndi fixing up guac and margaritas for you that quick!
Looks like you've got yourself a salsa garden going on there. Where's the cilantro? You are way ahead of me on the peppers. I got a late start this year, could've planted peppers in early February. I've grown beans in the past, but they take up a lot of room in a small garden. Have some cucs about ready to be picked. Boysenberries do well in this area, but don't know if raspberries are a possibility. They make a great jam.
A member here wants to try his hand at growing the "purple vine" so am sending him some seed. I remembered I had picked up an alien seed pod a couple months ago. 
Interesting. 
Opened it up, there was about ten seeds total in two compartments. 
Room divider in middle 
Anyway, those got mailed out yesterday, expect them soon.
Rick, what zone are you in? I have a nursery close by that sells two varieties, both purple, that grow well in this area. I am in zone 10a (30F to 35F) - just enough cold to get them to bloom. My sister has one of them, but doesn't remember the name. I can call the nursery or just stop by and find out for you.
Lastly, there have been raccoons in the neighborhood recently. One was hit and killed by a car a week ago. Then over the weekend, one was in my yard, caught and killed one of my big alligator lizards  took it over to the small pond in the yard, washed it and devoured it. Left behind plenty of evidence. They are not around that often, I guess I can do without one lizard. But I worry that Lucy will tangle with one (and lose!) some day. I hope not.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,062 
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 29, 2014 11:33:54 GMT -5
Thanks for your offer Jean. Please don't go to any special trouble. I'm not sure what zone I'm in -- my ancient Western Garden Book (Sunset) says Zone 24 -- but it appears the designations may have been changed while I wasn't paying attention. According to the book it's the same zone as San Diego proper, as well as Oxnard and Ventura.
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Apr 29, 2014 11:44:13 GMT -5
Just don't leave filled food bowls outside and it should not be a problem...a coon will kill a cat or small dog over their food.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 29, 2014 12:12:24 GMT -5
Ash, I don't feed outside, so food is never left outside. But I can't collect all the lizards and bring them in where it's safe, lol. I also have skunks get in the yard and dig in the mulch pile for AZ fig beetle grubs, among other things. They also love to eat the avocados that drop from the tree. Dog is in the house at night (and pretty much most of the day as well - spoiled rotten!), so at least there's that. Have to do a sweep of yard before taking her out before bedtime and in the morning.
Rick, no trouble, I gave them a call. The ones they sell are Descanso hybrids. One of them is called Lavender Lady, the other she thinks is a Chinese lilac.
Good info on that link Scott posted. This site has good info, it's actually referenced towards the bottom of Scott's link www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/mild-climate-lilacs-00400000017011/ Mild-climate lilacs, tells a little history of how they were developed.
To find your zone, check this website www.plantmaps.com/. Enter your zipcode, get data. Looks like San Diego proper is 10b (35°F to 40°F), along the coast from La Jolla north it is zone 11a (40°F to 45°F).
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Apr 29, 2014 12:40:04 GMT -5
Imagine the pain the poor alien mother went thru to lay this alien egg... |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 29, 2014 13:32:01 GMT -5
With the stem on it, kinda looks like a prickly mouse! What you obviously didn't know, James, is since the aliens are so advanced, they let the women run their affairs (much more efficient), and the men give birth. Ha!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Apr 29, 2014 18:42:22 GMT -5
I wonder if a male gives birth if he would be considered mother... Baby porcupine  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 29, 2014 20:05:49 GMT -5
How 'bout "parental unit" like in the coneheads?
James, that's a baby hedgehog. Check the filename... Still pretty prickly.
When porcupines are born, their quills are soft. Still, wouldn't want one to be a breach birth.
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Post by radio on Apr 29, 2014 20:31:42 GMT -5
Gorgeous flowers and garden. I do miss the avocado and citrus in California!  Those Alligator lizards can have a mean disposition! I was in the Sierras gold prospecting and had one jump about two feet and latch onto my finger!  Had a devil of a time getting it to let loose! Ask Scott about Tokay geckos  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 29, 2014 20:51:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Radio. I love my yard+garden=yarden!
My alligator lizards aren't mean that I'm aware of, but I sure hope the one eaten by the racoon gave it what-for before being consumed.
Radio, you forget I used to live in that world of strange people that raised reptiles, lol! I know all too well about Tokay geckos, their 1000 lbs pressure per square inch bite (703 069.58 kg / m2), and all those sharp, needle-like, little bitty teeth. All the better to perforate your finger. Yeah, I had one of those at one time, it was always nipping me and drawing blood. But they sure are pretty to look at, and I love the velvety way they feel.
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Post by Pat on Apr 29, 2014 21:51:26 GMT -5
What a beautiful collection!
I love going out into the yard to pick something I need for a recipe, or just to eat right there. In the summer, we can graze whenever we are hungry. Looks like you could do it all year!
If you don't already really have a store or at least a stand, maybe it's time!
Wow!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 14:35:52 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 1, 2014 14:48:50 GMT -5
Nasty bitey thing!
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on May 1, 2014 15:27:14 GMT -5
that lizard looks like it would take a great polish!  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 1, 2014 16:17:58 GMT -5
They are pretty to look at. I should rephrase what I said earlier about being nipped by mine. They don't nip, they clamp down and you can't get them off. Like a pitbull!!! They have jaws of steel.
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Post by Pat on May 1, 2014 17:30:23 GMT -5
I thought "nasty bitey thing" was a little harsh!  What kind of lizard is it? Can it change the color of its spots? That's not a very good camouflage in lots of environments. It's 100 degrees here at the moment. 104 yesterday. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 1, 2014 19:07:22 GMT -5
Pat, "nasty, bitey thing" could be construed as a compliment when speaking of Tokay Geckos. I could have been much harsher, lol. No, they don't change their spots like chameleons. Their native habitat (according to Wiki) is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. I guess if you are in the trees, in low light conditions, you probably wouldn't stick out so much. That bright orange would be hard to see.
Got to 98 degrees here today (but it's a dry heat!), now at 5pm it's cooled down to a refreshing 94. Ahhhhh! One more day of record-breaking high temps and winds. Had a grass fire this afternoon, just a couple miles from me.
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Post by kk on May 1, 2014 19:17:25 GMT -5
WOW, what a garden. Could use all those citrus trees here (got the red grapefruit in front of the house). This year, they went absolutely wacko with prices for citrus-fruits. Love them and love to use them, but at nearly a dollar per lemon?  ?? |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 1, 2014 19:59:25 GMT -5
Kurt, citrus prices can certainly fluctuate. There's a shortage of limes right now (so they say...), and Cinco de Mayo is Monday. Previously, a pound of limes - about ten of them - had cost $3.99. Some grocery stores are getting $0.79 to $1.00 each!
In Old Town, where Mexican food is de rigueur, it takes a case of limes (175 of them) to prepare a 15 lb batch of shrimp ceviche. A case that used to cost $23 is now up to $100!!
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Post by kk on May 1, 2014 23:22:39 GMT -5
AS said; they are nuts! I'm forced to use concentrate for iced lemon-tea now. |
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took it over to the small pond in the yard, washed it and devoured it. Left behind plenty of evidence. They are not around that often, I guess I can do without one lizard. But I worry that Lucy will tangle with one (and lose!) some day. I hope not.
Had a devil of a time getting it to let loose!
??
