Author Topic: A makeover , thanks to the water shortage (Read 2222 times)

Jerry · « **on:** August 30, 2009, 10:19:15 AM »

We are supposed to water 2 days a week! It has been as high as 107 this past week.
Even my Citrus trees are stressed, and they do well on water every 2 weeks.
So, I am slowly, but surely making some areas into cactus and succulent gardens.
Here are a few shots of Agaves. Yep I divide like mad and got a few from Craig's List.
The drip system will be altered.

jw · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2009, 10:41:13 AM »

Jerry I love your Agave's and I wish I could grow them here

. Your garden will be beautiful and just perfect for your low watering schedule. I can't wait to see when you get them growing all lush and full. It's looks great

ponderer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2009, 10:46:07 AM »

Here in CT we have the opposite problem,rainiest July since 1938. August was OK til yesterday . 3'' of rain over 2 days.

Veggie garden very poor . Split tomatoes, corn had tiny ears but over mature melons ng, we did have some yellow squash.Bah!

Jerry · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:51:52 AM »

The Mayor ( a real Jerk) was caught watering illegally!

I do too but carefully. and I use drip.
Building permits are given out freely. So where will they get water?

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2009, 04:52:10 PM »

Tell me about it! I am slowly ripping out plants that suck too much water and adding succulents and cactus to my gardens. Attractive but I miss all those water sucking flowers!

Looking good Jerry!

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2009, 08:03:27 PM »

In addition to my already too high water bill I was also hit with a $40.00 penalty for using too much water....

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2009, 09:50:44 PM »

That really sucks, Mike.

:'(

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:38:09 PM »

I suspect I will get it too. Look at the billions of gallons lost to evaporation from swimming pool!
I am the only home in the area without one!

jw · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2009, 01:48:09 PM »

Well Jerry, get a swim pool (no chlorine) and then siphon the water out to water your plants....................voila

Jerry · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2009, 01:51:55 PM »

and only 40,000 to do it!

Johns · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2009, 03:46:45 PM »

jw,

There are agaves that grow nicely in zone 7 (and even zone 6). I have several that put out pups every year. Go here for ideas: http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page4.html

jw · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:16:00 PM »

Thanks Johns I'll check it out................I think they are such awesome plants and I've heard there are some that will grow here but they say that if they get too much rain they will rot. Some plant them under the eaves of there roofs so as to stay fairly dry

. I may want to try a few

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2009, 06:09:34 PM »

I scored on Agaves today through Craig's List, Nice variety's too.
I will post pics.

HOWELL · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2009, 09:28:47 PM »

We have not seen the sun as far as maybe a week, this hurricane is putting us under this biggo cloud and it rains all the time I am not that happy the temperatures had dropped maybe around the 60's but good thing is my tropicals are in monclova where the temperatures are as high as in the 70's, wish we were getting more sun though..

HOWELL · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2009, 09:29:17 PM »

I love your tequila makers...(agave)...

Jerry · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2009, 08:33:13 AM »

Howell OSH (a hardwae store) is selling little ones and calling them Tequilla plants. A clever marketing ploy, Way over priced too!

Desertponder · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2009, 09:36:00 AM »

We don't have any water restrictions here but I'm sure it will come some day.
We don't have any lawn but we are going to put some in this weekend in the back of the house to help keep the dirt down and out of the house. The front will eventually be all rock. I can't really afford to water, the garden has hit me hard enough this year.

I'm getting quite agitated with our county planning dept. because they are not restricting the amount of lawn, etc. that people can put in. Some of the wealthy people move in here, build their huge houses and plant these enormous lawns. They shouldn't be letting them do that.

karen J · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2009, 09:51:47 AM »

Quote from: Desertponder on September 01, 2009, 09:36:00 AM

I'm getting quite agitated with our county planning dept. because they are not restricting the amount of lawn, etc. that people can put in. Some of the wealthy people move in here, build their huge houses and plant these enormous lawns. They shouldn't be letting them do that.

Funny how things are so different from place to place. My neighbor built a house in the woods, and the county wouldn't give him a certificate of occupancy until he planted a lawn. They made him plant grass seeds... in the woods!

We got 4 inches of rain from wed to fri last week- split all my tomatoes.

Lucky I brought a few in beforehand.

Jerry your plants look really nice! Must be challenging to garden in Cali... earthquakes, fires, no water. Yikes.

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2009, 04:10:45 PM »

well no floods!

There is no fire danger if you don't choose to live in an area that is covered with dry chapperal,

HOWELL · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2009, 04:22:42 PM »

That is a good way to sell agave then and rising the price...tequila plants lovely name hahahaha.

I know some people will buy them because they will think they will make their own..but I am not so sure it will be easy to do it.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 01, 2009, 07:28:44 PM »

I got rid of my lawn with homeowners association kicking and screaming at me. I wrote to the city to report them. I now have lots of gravel to enjoy a patio and lots of less water needy plants all around. I saved plenty of water like that.

That was 3 years ago. Now the water company says I need to cut back another 15%?!?!?!? Wonder if HOA will appreciate plastic plants?