New here, from Southern California

[beavis]

Hey there,

Nice to be here.

I hail from Ramona, California which is East of San Diego about 25 miles in the foothills at around 1500'. We get close to 330 days in our growing season, with a brief respite in January when the temps drop to around 30-32 degrees. summers are hot, water is scarce and wildfires and high winds keep it all interesting.

Thought I would share some pictures from our 1.5 acre property........

Tinker bell

Staghorn

Reflection Garden

Artichokes and Black-eyed Susans...

 

[beavis]

More...

 

[beavis]

I am coming up on the 5th year anniversary of living on this property...

When I moved in with my family, there was nothing planted, not one plant! Nothing!

And worst of all, no irrigation.

So in the first year alone, I planted almost 75 trees and ran driplines.

Things are starting to mature now, but as always, the property is ever-changing from its initial inception to the gardens that exist today.

Currently, at some point in the year we are harvesting almonds, plums, apples, asian pears, oranges, lemons, limes, avocados, pomegranates, mulberries and peaches from the trees.

Tomatoes dominate the summer gardenscape with over 100 plants growing usually.

We have a section devoted to wine-grapes where we harvested the first crop of Merlot grapes this year.

There is a chicken coop and run with 10 hens and 1 rooster, two Beagles, a cat and two fantastic children and my lovely wife!

Whew! Lot of work, but very satisfying and it truly feeds the soul as well as our bellies.

 

[beavis]

Had a pleasant surprise today.

One of my daughters found Monarch caterpillars on the Tropical Milkweed plants.

Seems a little late in the season to me, but we will see how they do...

We are a Monarch Waystation BTW....

 

[sunbury chick]

Beavis,
What beautiful flowers.You are a true gardener,you definitely have a green thumb!
:watering

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Welcome beavis.

Thanks for sharing the caterpillar photos. I have never seen monarch caterpillars, they are pretty cool looking.

Sounds like you have a lot of plants to keep you busy. As you say, a lot of work, but totally rewarding.

 

[vfem]

Welcome and GORGEOUS pictures. You have done wonders with your property.

 

[beavis]

I know a lot of you are chicken fanciers, as am I....

Here is the coop and 24x12 run, 90% done (if ever)

Some of the flock....

 

[beavis]

I got most of the Winter garden planted yesterday before the rains hit here in Southern California.

Planting wheat, some of it from last Summer is already coming up again...

Planted bok choy and chinese cabbage here...

My peppers are still going strong...

These beds I devoted to volunteer sunflowers, some are already sprouting...

Iris beds separated....

Future root cellar (hopefully)

Chicken run expanded, coop with new door...

 

[allabout]

Well done Beavis!! Very well done!!