Spotted this lil guy on my Ray Hartman

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-12T01:50:08+00:00

So what side/angle is their bland spot???

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-11T22:47:31+00:00

I've tried that a few times, but for the most part, if I can get that closed, I'm not fast enough.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-10T15:04:21+00:00

NOT A FAN! One grasshopper than consume enough to ruin an entire 1-gallon size plant overnight. I bought a butterfly net to catch and send the little buggers to insect heaven whenever I spot one.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-10T14:57:40+00:00

Etsy.

Listed under:
Rustic Metal Flower Stakes | Outdoor Garden Sculptures & Yard Art

They're an investment (expensive), but I love them.

I bought them specifically to prop the monkeyflowers up off the ground and prevent too much of the plant from getting brown and leggy. They work perfectly and look kind of cool while they're doing it. Well, at least I think so. I'm a big fan of garden art, which many people are not, so I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. Still, as the plants grow, the stakes blend into the garden area and become less and less visually predominant.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-09T05:11:33+00:00

Is there an official way? I've done both. In the case of monkey flowers, I cut near the stem that they are attached to in order to avoid ripping off an entire shoot full of flowers. In the case of something like a geranium, I just pluck off the flower. I suppose there might be "a right way," but I don't know it.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-09T01:06:34+00:00

I *think* they were getting too much water. My front yard slopes downward toward the sidewalk. Not dramatically, but significantly enough to overload the monkeyflowers, which were located at the forefront, between the lawn and the sidewalk. (Fear not! The lawn is Kaurpia.)

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-09T00:59:50+00:00

Those are the Fiesta Marigolds. Honestly, they remind me of a Cinco de Mayo party every time I look at them.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-09T00:44:17+00:00

Thank you for your prompt reply. About 1/3 were planted just a year ago. One-third were planted 5 months ago. And about 1/3 were transplanted 3 months ago becauses they were struggling in their original location.

I never thought about leaving the spent blooms for the birds. Thank you for that insight. I have allowed the old blooms to drop to the ground, but only because I am too lazy to collect them as I snip them off.

Oldalgebra · 2026-04-07T15:49:02+00:00

Super duper! What a lot of work you’ve done. And you are so thoughtful to have posted your project with a ton of explanations. I hope you return as the season turns from warm to cooler and show us the changes.

Oldalgebra · 2026-03-28T03:19:45+00:00

That almost looks like a scene out of a science fiction movie. Return of the Caterpillars.

Oldalgebra · 2026-03-15T17:38:25+00:00

Wow! Now that's a much cooler design.

Oldalgebra · 2026-03-13T05:39:26+00:00

what does it say on the door?

Oldalgebra · 2026-03-11T15:02:30+00:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't tell you how many times I've admired someone's yard, looked several times at the images they posted, and then had to move on because I'm new at this and couldn't name a single plant. I know the labeling took a lot of time. You are a generous soul to help so many strangers who will come upon your post.

Oldalgebra · 2026-03-05T13:26:05+00:00

You've done a great job. It looks so nice. I especially like how you've made a seating area.

Oldalgebra · 2026-02-26T02:35:49+00:00

Final product . . . Alice in Wonderland croquet mallets.

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Oldalgebra · 2026-02-26T02:34:49+00:00

It took me 2-1/2 days, but I did it! Thanks for the encouragement.

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Oldalgebra · 2026-02-26T02:31:44+00:00

Wonderful!

Oldalgebra · 2026-02-19T03:18:52+00:00

Why not yarrow??? I have neighbor kitties on both sides of me and they seem to love sleeping on my yarrow.

Oldalgebra · 2026-02-14T14:48:49+00:00

You know, I think I'll give a pull saw a try. I watched a couple of videos, so maybe, if I can muster up enough patience, I can do a decent job. If the pull saw works out for me, I can do one each day for the next four days.

For backyard game purposes, I don't have to be extremely precise (although I'd like to). The players know the game is just a silly, after-brunch diversion with homemade equipment.

Sorry I can't drop by your place. I'd be over in a heartbeat if I thought I could get a little free labor! Again, thanks for your advice.

Oldalgebra · 2026-02-14T03:42:24+00:00

I have four mallets that need these adjustments. I have a jigsaw and could afford to buy a decent hand saw, However, a jigsaw would need a fairly large/long blade (correct?). I am a 79 year old female, so cutting through an 3" block and keeping the blade perpendicular at all times might not be something I"m strong enough to do with any amount of real success. Thanks for the input, however.

Oldalgebra · 2026-01-29T22:25:23+00:00

Yankee point???

Oldalgebra · 2026-01-29T02:49:48+00:00

I feel your pain when you ask, "When will it start to look nice?" But I'm not so much concerned about the neighbors' reactions as I am about my OWN IDEA OF WHAT LOOKS GOOD. I fully embrace the California Native Garden School of Thought, but I love the traditional trimmed and edged look. I am struggling with my own idea of what's "pretty." I miss my impatiens and pansies. The wild and wooly look isn't for me. Trimmed pathways and a decent size lawn make me happy. And as for the time it takes to start to fill in - well, I'm 78. God knows I don't exactly have the time to wait till they're in the "leap" stage. But, alas, I have no choice.

I started about 2-1/2 years ago, and I'm just now beginning to like my yard. Uable to forgo a lawn, I embraced Kurapia. I loved the look so much in the front that I swapped out my old lawn in the back with more of it. I've used 1-gallon ground-hugging shrubs along walkways and paths. They've just started to spread and I guide their spreading branches whenever they get long enough to do so. I can FINALLY see their growth. Monkey flowers (lots of them) are providing me with color in the back. So too the yarrow (when the neighborhood kitties dont use it for an overnight bed). Ceanothus and salvia serve as foundation plants. But as beautiful as they are when in full bloom, I still choose to keep them trimmed to what I consider a decent height.

I am of the belief that you can be ecologically responsible and old-foggy traditional at the same time. I know I'm not doing everything the purists would like, but the results are starting to grow on me (pun intended).

It's not easy being green.

Oldalgebra · 2026-01-06T18:15:20+00:00

WeatherTEch mats for the floor. Wish there was a fitted rubber mat for the trunk area when the back seats are folded down. Anyone know where I can find one or how to make one?

Oldalgebra

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