The GreatWall's Vacation

Yep-the GreatWall took some time off,and spent one week on Sanibel Island.soaking up the rays,tossing a line to the fishes,and collecting seashells(some of which will be used as mulch around the potted plants on the GreatWall).

Erich,the Younger,graciously,accepted the task of keeping an eye on the GreatWall.He did his best.Why do we gardeners think that they are the only ones who can tend their gardens?

We had told him he could help himself to whatever veggies were ready,and that he did!He must have eaten well,as there wasn't much left to be picked.He did mention that he ate alot of salads and veggies while we were gone,and everything was delish......But things are starting to blossom again!And we came home the plumeria in bloom,or in bud!The nasturtiums are budding,too!

The eggplants are setting fruit,and the zucchini,yellow squash,beans,peas,and the cucumbers are all growing great guns.We did lose one tomato plant;one is slowing down,but the grape tomato is quite happy these days.

But the the highlight of the trip was a visit to Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation native plant nursery.I cannot say enough about this organization.Not only do they do so much to help the environment(including a sea turtle nesting program.Check out this blog,if you want more info),but they also have a plant nursery,where they sell plants,that are only native to Florida.

I don't know what all of these are,but I want one of each!There was a moment when I thought about if I could ditch the hubs and bring back more stuff,but I didn't.(just kidding.....about the ditching the hubs part)

The propagation area.Actually,this was quite interesting.Even more interesting was the fact they have interns there,who explain what each area is,etc.Definitely not like a big-box store.These people know their stuff,and are quite happy to talk about the plants,and their growth needs.

The area on the left(which is covered with screen)is the area where they are keeping plants for sale,which butterflies love.Just behind it is the area where they keep the same plants that the butterflies are allowed to play with.This way,the plants are pretty and the butterflies are happy,too.Pretty neat idea!

In the gift shop,I did buy a book on Florida Native Plants.I find it a good beach read,and I'm still poring over it. I love this book!!!!

I did buy a plant.Yes,it was more $$$ than I wanted to spend($2.50 for a 4" pot),but it does go to a worthwhile organization.All the money they make off of the nursery goes to education,the interns salaries,and to further the sea turtle nesting program.I just thiought I'd rather spend the money that way,than at some big-box store where it all goes to corporate profit.

Anywho.....the person who takes a picture of everything and anything that stays still long enough to have it's picture taken,totally forgot to take a picture of the plant tag. I think it's a SpiderWort,but I'm not sure.Thoughts?Anyone?Feel free to jump in........

And that was our vacation.

Kinda-sorta.Did other things.Had great times with great friends,etc......Something we look forward to doing,at least twice a year.The next time can't come soon enough,that's for sure.But for now,it's back to gardening.And giving thoughts to the fall garden.

But,for now,we leave you with why we loves this place.How could you not,when this is outside your front door?

Spring Has Sprung On the GreatWall !!!

Am I the only person who gets up in the early morning hours(as soon as it is light enough to see),who goes out into their garden just to peruse the state of the land?In their jammies?

This morning,I get up,and what do I find?But pseudo mass destruction.My first thought was,WTF? The Van Hyning Cockles that I collected from Cayo Costa and Ft.DeSoto,and which we use as mulch around the potted plants on the Cantina,were strewn everywhere,including in the pool! The oyster clusters that have been under the Cantina Kitchen bench were all spread around.The yard-art whelks were all topsy-turvy and spread all over.The blue glass marbles that are under the fire pit were scattered like someone was playing marbles(we are still finding them this evening!).

Now,anyone can tell you,I love shelling in the early morning hours.But only if it's a minus low tide,a front has blown through,and the company is great(ok-I don't mind being by myself),but shelling in your swimming pool is not what I like to do.Especially,in my jammies.Now,if I was on

Sanibel Island,it might be a different story.But I'm in Lutz,and it ain't quite the same.But,I digress.....

We are of the mind it was one dumb raccoon,or some playful otters(the marble thing...).We're leaning towards the dumb raccoon.

Pretty much all cleaned up now.And,now,onward to the arrival of Spring on The GreatWall....

Birds bathing ........

After the Great Freezes of '09,the plumeria all show signs of life.

Including the contraband plumeria.They may not bloom this year,but they're all still alive!

This poor pineapple really took a hit from the freezes,but lo and behold,it's trying to put out a pineapple.The Pineapple Plantation may still be in business,after all.

Pole beans have spouted.

Wild bromeliads are blooming(is that the correct term for what bromeliads do?)

Underneath the Norfolk Island Pines,we have started to put in a woodland garden.We still have a ways to go on that project.The plantings are in,but we need to lower part of it,so we have good water drainage.If and when the summer rains start.....

Next,we need to have a couple of yards of topsoil brought in,and,also,some sod.For the back corner(once known as The Jungle)we already have a bench that we made out of the old cypress beam(from our rotted out entryway).Once we get the dirt in,and the sod laid,it will go there.It's never ending work,but great satisfaction.Not to mention,a great work-out.

Now,it's time for this(what a great gardening companion she is,isn't she?Someone has to take care of napping.):

And this: