No professional help needed

The morning started with the idea of cutting a few branches from the powderpuff tree in the front of the house, the same tree that I was going to hired professional help to cut back.  Fast forward two hours later and I did it all myself.  My wife was not too happy this tree is her favorite.  Powderpuff trees are fast growing, so I expect it will be back full of flowers next summer.  I scheduled a bulk pick up with my county, hopefully it will be done within seven days, we get two free pick ups per year.

PS – I will not be doing that again.  

I got these orchids from a friend a few years ago; every summer I get many white flowers, this year has been spectacular.  If anyone out there knows the name of the orchid let me know.

Hacking through the summer jungle

It has been a busy couple of weeks at the DragonFly garden; I am trying to put a dent on all the summer growth.  My goal is to trim one tree a day or until the garbage container is full.  So far I cut back all my fruit trees and a few of the flowering trees, except for the powderpuff tree in the front yard (For that tree I need professional help), many of the bushes and pulled out lot’s of weeds. 

 Back garden

Side gaden

Front garden

Powerpuff tree

The avocado tree was not easy

I’m also been busy starting some of the projects I mention in previous postings.  I started with the old vegetable garden, as you can see in the photos below.  I am turning this section of the garden into an all purpose garden, succulents, bromeliads and any extra plant that needs a home.  

I found this piece of wood on Sanibel Beach while on vacation this summer

Before picture, all that survived from the vegetable garden, were the chives and the mint plant

Zika - Miami’s new normal

Zika has been knocking at our front doors for several weeks and last week it walked in through an open door.  We knew it was going to be a matter of time before local infested cases were going to be reported.  So far all cases are concentrated in the small neighborhood of Windward in Miami, our local authorities are doing all they can to keep it contain to that area, but this is summer in Florida and mosquitoes are not going anywhere no matter what you do.  The only solution to the Zika virus is a vaccine, but funding for research and development for such vaccine is not coming anytime soon from our federal government.  Our representatives in Washington decided to make this a political issue and left town for their summer vacation.

Zika is making me change the way I garden.  These days I cover myself with mosquito repellent when I am outside, I change the water in the birdbaths daily, I am more conscious of standing water and I put mosquito bits in all my bromeliads water cups.  Mosquito bits kills the larvae and are fish and bird friendly.