It's hot out

[Evans, Marv]

Low here last night was in the mid to high 30s. Mid to high 60s for a high today. I'm glad to have nice weather to get some thing done outside. We need rain though.

[Baz]

Well we got our little rain shower.......wish I could send some out to you, Marv!

[GH85Carrera]

We are at 62 here right now. I am going out to wash my 911 in an hour. I am waiting for some shade from a large tree.

[Evans, Marv]

[QUOTE=Baz;12381727]Well we got our little rain shower.......wish I could send some out to you, Marv!

Hey Baz, that would be greatly appreciated. Our record keeping starts in October, and we usually have around three inches at this point. Problem is we've only received about an eighth so far.

[Baz]

6 more weeks of winter!

[Baz]

[billybek]

Balzac Billy says an early spring is on its way for us...
Currently -17 deg F here this morning so bring on spring.

[ted]

could be mildest winter here ever.

taming the big bird, many plumerias never lost leaves.

[GH85Carrera]

It's 80 degrees here today.

We are getting a new roof, so it is rather noisy. No, it is damn noisy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It's 80 degrees here today.

We are getting a new roof, so it is rather noisy. No, it is damn noisy.

Getting a new roof and getting a slab foundation dealt with, 2 tasks that are LOUD.

[masraum]

I'm glad that winter is done.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by ted

taming the big bird,

I did some whacking on my big (White) birds yesterday! Need to do more.

Glad to hear you guys are getting some decent outdoor working weather!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

I did some whacking on my big (White) birds yesterday! Need to do more.

Glad to hear you guys are getting some decent outdoor working weather!

I love the strelitzia nicolai. I'd never seen them before my mom moved to Vero Beach. They are really fantastic1 I'd only seen the usual, smaller more colorful version over in the Tampa/St Pete area.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by masraum

I love the strelitzia nicolai. I'd never seen them before my mom moved to Vero Beach. They are really fantastic1 I'd only seen the usual, smaller more colorful version over in the Tampa/St Pete area.

Yes - a very popular landscape plant here in Florida.

I tried to use them on almost every job I did - even if just one of them - maybe in a corner in the backyard but especially to help screen out unwanted views.

Here are some nice fat ones I scored for this project to use along the back property line to screen out the stuff behind the fence.



(install all trees/palms first.....then do the irrigation. Used mostly rotary spray nozzles for this job)




(the 3 little palms to the right in a triangular pattern - 2 along the fence & 1 on the patio corner - are Piccabeen Palms - native to Australia )


(this is what we started with in front. The pergola was my idea)


(small 3 plant set of Red Fountain Grass lower left)


(Rainbird drip irrigation in all beds)

[Baz]

Making a shed disappear......

[masraum]

Awesomes stuff! My wife would love that kind of yard.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by masraum

Awesomes stuff! My wife would love that kind of yard.

Thanks.....overall it's been fun working in Florida doing this work. LOT of blood sweat - and yes....tears over the years.

I have folders for every project I have done. These pics were from two jobs that had White Birds used to accomplish an architectural use. There were many more.

I actually weaned them off my "plants to use list" as time went on and I got sick of seeing them get too dang tall and out of control.

Eventually, I arrived at the "less is more" design philosophy!

[ted]

Originally Posted by Baz

Eventually, I arrived at the "less is more" design philosophy!

wow so green, do you fertilize? triple 15? Sulfate of ammonia?

all my stuff is on drip, we get no rain here.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by ted

wow so green, do you fertilize? triple 15? Sulfate of ammonia?

all my stuff is on drip, we get no rain here.

Fertilizers for ornamentals contain less than 2% chloride...due to the potassium source material. K sulfate over K chloride. The K sulfate is more expensive so be sure to check the label.

Most fertilizers say right on the bag what it's for too.

Turf can withstand higher levels of chloride....ornamentals (shrubs, trees, groundcovers, etc) cannot.

Then.....high quality fertilizers contains slow-release nitrogen...and sometimes potassium. Both of which can readily leach through the soil.

The label will reveal the amount of slow release and from what source material. Niroform is the blue stuff...there's also sulfur-coated and encapsulated (Osmocote and Nutracoat). And others.

If you have a Site One nearby - you can go there and get what you need along with professional advice.

Home Depot carries "Lesco" brand (in limited types) - which is what Site One also sells.

Also, most trees/palms that are planted in the yard that has turf which is fertilized, get plenty of their nutrients from the turf fertilizer, so do not need anything else.

One more tip.....most nurseries and tree farms maintain a supply of fertilizer for their own use. They have it brought in by the pallet. You may be able to buy a bag or two directly from them - and thus get something of high quality not as easily obtained as a consumer. I used to do this as a contractor - offering a quick "cash sale". Sometimes that is a helpful inducement.....sometimes not. Depends on if you're talking to the actual owner or not, etc.....many factors.

I would try Site One and/or Home Depot, otherwise.....

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ted

wow so green, do you fertilize? triple 15? Sulfate of ammonia?

all my stuff is on drip, we get no rain here.

Coastal FL gets plenty of rain and shine, so stuff is generally pretty green, despite what I suspect is fairly poor soil as far as nutrients is concerned (mostly well draining sandy soils).

My first visit to the Seattle area (spring time) it struck me how green everything was. I don't know that they get much sun, but I suspect they get plenty of rain, and must have a decent mineral content to their soil.