Made It
I am really proud of all we got done. We made 2 plant stands out of recycled dock wood, plus a new outdoor shower platform from wood we actually had to buy. At least it was done in time to throw the old, rotten one on the pile of scraps the dock guys were taking away. One plant stand is inside William’s pen, the other is outside in the narrow bed next to our neighbor’s white fence. During the winter, that bed gets no sun; during the summer, it is in full. So far, all I’ve been able to grow in it is giants liriope. I’m thinking of trying thornless blackberries. In the meantime, we put the stand at the western end of the bed so it gets a little shade in late afternoon. Then I took some pig wire scraps and made forms to arch over my orchids, attached some screen scraps with clothespins for shade, set up mist sprinklers, and crossed my fingers the plants will be happy while I’m gone.
The dock is finished, however, the pathway leading up to it was about 2’ below the deck. I had Mandy and Mike, my newly found handy people, put in 3 cubic yards of dirt, tamp it down, then put sod on top. I can’t believe I paid someone to put in grass when I spend so much time pulling it out. This is, maybe, a temporary solution to see if the dirt stays in place after spending almost $10,000 to have the dock crew pound in tongue-and-groove at the path edge and lining the boat slip to create a seawall. Crossing my fingers, but definitely not paying for pavers or other walkway until I see it holds. And perhaps we will just have grass. Certainly more environmental friendly.
Mandy and Mike had already power washed the pool patio, which looks great. They are a full service yard and house maintenance duo, so I plan to hire them for any heavy lifting I need in the future. Bright, hard working, and reasonable. All I need is the weather to cool off, so we can tackle a couple of bigger projects I can’t do by myself.
I did get the bed by the dock all weeded, rediscovering one hole that may need just a touch more blockage to keep the dirt stable. We shall see. In that bed, I left the volunteer tropical milkweed and beauty berry. I planted my 4 remaining unlabeled squash/watermelon seedlings. They make it or not. And I put in a lot of gaillardia sprouts that I’d started from a seed head I took from Magnolia Park. If the rains would just start, I think they have a chance. I can water them with the canal pump which I have on a Monday, Wednesday, Saturday watering schedule. I may have to run it every day for a while. Unfortunately, none of the sprinklers reach the new sod, so we’ve watered it with a hose and moveable sprinkler which has to be turned in by hand. It will have to depend on any rain that happens while we’re gone. Each afternoon, the clouds build up, however they just don’t quite break. Soon.
I also hacked back my beautiful sky-blue cluster vine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) which had fallen over in a windstorm. We will have to decide about a new trellis or archway for it. When we get back. Now it is a short lump on the ground. I also took lots of pieces for starts to give to Steph for her new pergola. I stuck some vine ends and some bigger stems in a jar of water to see if any would root.
Of my other wildflower seeds, only the native canna lilies and the liatris have sprouted. Grant scarified the canna seeds to get them to grow. Like hard little bb’s, they need a break in their outer coat to germinate. I’d soaked them for a week with no change. He put each in a vice grip, then rubbed it with a file until he saw white. A couple broke in the process, however 6 have come up since I planted them in my smaller self-watering planter. According to the Florida Native Plant Society’s website, they like damp and shade, which should be perfect under our lanai.
I sewn the liatris in a plastic tray which I put out in the misted veg bed. I was afraid they’d be overgrown by time we get back, so I planted some in small peat pots and the rest in a big pot. Assuming they survive under the mist system, I’ll plant them in the front beds. Their tall purple spike will be the flowers in the fall. My goldenrod didn’t sprout, so I will resew them when I get back. I may try some direct seed in a couple of patches.
Saturday, we drove to Fort Lauderdale for dinner with Kristine, to say goodbye to Deb and Rob who are moving to Connecticut to be near their granddaughter. Or as we say, to run their BnB for us to visit. We’ve offered to help drive cars north. Diane and David added candles to the hummingbird cake I made, so a happy birthday party too. They gave him a motion activated bird that chirps and peeps plus warbles songs from “Jingle Bells”, “Oh, Susannah”, and “Old MacDonald”. Amazing. Breakfast with Patten and Ryann at the Egg and You in Wilton Manors, then home to pack.
I’m trying some different outfits than usual. Since the trip is mostly sit and see, I abandoned my nylon pants and brought my black velvet jeans, black dress with leggings, and a longer blouse ditto. It’s supposed to be smokey from all the wildfires. However, perhaps the expected rain will wash some of that from the skies.
Boarding has started.
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