INCREDIBLE TREES

"THE ROOF OF ARABIA: Socotra is considered the "jewel" of biodiversity in the Arabian sea. The long geological isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular endemic flora (which may, therefore, be vulnerable to introduced species such as goats and to climate change). Surveys have revealed that more than a third of the 800 or so plant species of Socotra are found nowhere else". This information is taken from one of thier tourist sites.
Here is a sample of the trees. I have seen these before by thier comman names of Umbrella tree, bottle tree..etc. Aren't these incredible?

THE GREEN ROOF HAPPENING

These photos were taken by Felder Rushing, our Mississippi, gardening guru. He loves green roofs. This first picture is his home. I love his yard. It is just full of all kinds of garden whimsy and unusual plants. I don't know if I would put a green roof on my house but maybe on a birdhouse. : )

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TODAY...COME SEE

Look what I found when I made my usual rounds this morning. Over on...Brenda's blog I have won a $100 gift certificate to French Garden House.
I am just thrilled and since we are a little stressed on finances, it gives me a chance to do something for someone else at Christimas that I may not have been able to do. We have an Angel tree for those who live in homes for the elderly and no one to buy them a present at Christmas. Thank you Brenda, I am so happy. The certificate is to this beautiful shop...french Garden House. Go take a look. She has some very beautiful things. The picture above is from her shop. Let's pay it forward, Brenda and Lidy!
Lidy's blog

French Garden House

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"We have a winner of my 200th post giveaway, folks. And the winner is...

Eve! Of Gardening On The Gulf Coast!

Eve, you have just won a $100 gift certificate to French Garden House. As soon as I finish this post, I will contact Lidy, owner of this beautiful boutique, and order your gift certificate. Please email me your full name and address so I can have this gift ordered for you.

I know you will find something for home, garden, or self. And you will also be donating to charity. So have fun with your gift! Start shopping! Congratulations, Eve."

YOUR DINNER IS READY MR SQUIRREL

Do squirrels get your bulbs every year? I have heard that you can take chicken wire and anchor it over your bulbs after you plant them and that will work to keep them out. but you must remember to remove it when they they start to grow.

You could always just plant a double layer too, and hope they won't find the second layer. The bulbs will come up a couple of weeks later but at least some will come up. I don't have a problem with squirrels where I am now, but when we lived in the country, they were a bit of problem. Rodent repellents are useless according to all the information I can find, so don’t waste your money on them. You don't want the squirrels laughing at you behind your back. : )


If you are planting a large area, you could try using an electric fence, but that may only slow them down. The same goes for using ground up oyster shells in the soil where you plant the bulbs. If the squirrels are hungry enough and your neighbors aren't feeding them their bulbs, it won't do much good. You could also try to keep the squirrels away by getting a dog. But again, if the squirrels are hungry and the dog is one of those "could care less" dogs, like my Solo, who makes friends with all wild creatures including the family of rabbits in the woods.....it won’t work. : )

BLUE IN THE MORNING SUN

As usual, one is to dark, one is too light, and one is perfect! Guess who took the perfect one? Billy takes much better pics than I do. He says you have to do more than point and shoot. In this, I have to agree.

I got this old chair to sit a plant on but it always has a cat on it, so I just let them have it. It is their porch! How spoiled is that?

I love how the center of this morning glory looks like it contains a reflection of the entire surface of the sun. The beautiful blue looks like some expensive silk fabric. Billy took this early one morning and when I uploaded it, I couldn't believe how breathtaking it was. I just love it. Click on it to get the full effect!

MAMA'S GONNA BUY ME A MOCKINGBIRD

No, this is not a Mockingbird. This is the Wyoming State Bird: Western Meadow Lark (Sturnella neglecta)

Do you know your state bird? The state bird of Mississippi is a Mockingbird and I just saw one land on my herb garden on the back porch. Of course, I didn't have time to get my camera but he sure was pretty. I think he likes basil or thyme. He is always at that end of the bed.

I love the pretty Wyoming state bird. It think he is really pretty. Here is a link to find out if you don't know yours, which I am sure all you enlightened readers already know yours. But it is fun to see the other states. You can even hear most of the birds sing. Unfortunately all I got was a rocked out version of "Mama's Gonna Buy me a Mockingbird" when I clicked on my bird video. LOL


Click here to check out your bird

VERTICAL GROWING

I want to do more vertical growing next year. Pole beans, both contender and Kentucky Wonder, cherry tomatoes, cukes were just great for me this year. We had worlds of cukes as I expected but the abundance of peppers surprised me, especially the ones that grew so tall I had to trellis them. So apparently you can grow them up a trellis if you pick the right ones. It sure is a lot easier on the back than bending over to pick them.

A lot of cantaloupes served as dinner for the rabbits. I'm ready for them next year. I am growing the small ones and putting them up in the air. I'll use netting as a sling to hold them up. I think vertical growing is so much fun. You have less disease and pests and it is just so much easier on the back to harvest. Can rabbits climb? I believe I can train yellow squash to go up a trellis too. It is worth a try.

I am going to check into the baby type veggies too. I love the baby ones for salads. Baby corn is something I love. Baby carrots, baby corn, pearl onions, cherry tomatoes, baby pumpkins ( they call one "baby boo"), midget cucumbers, tiny cabbage heads, tom thumb lettuce, baby eggplant, Easter egg radishes, little dumpling squash...and the list goes on. These could be raised in containers all around the property. A healthy vegetable plant is as pretty as any other green plant.