Today I had the wonderful experience of pruning a variety of gorgeous flowering bushes in Kona Hawaii.  Life is rough.

I learned several things that are specific to pruning in the tropics.

First lesson:  always look for 12′ spider webs in the bushes prior to pruning.

Second:  ALWAYS look for the mama spider who is happily nested in the spider web….especially when she is HUGE and drooling.

3)  spider eggs stick in your hair

4) it is not a proper custom to SCREAM when you encounter the spider in the bush.

5)  it is really hard on your pruning shears when you drop them on lava rock while you are fleeing.

6)  If the neighbors hear you scream it is best to act like you were actually trying to communicate with the twice dead spirit of the great white whale…..NOT running away from the gecko that fell on your head.

7)  NEVER EVER prune a coconut tree without looking up.

Aloha and stay tuned for the next adventures in hawaii!

April

It is truly wonderful to have a little space to share visions and to nurture nature.  I was serenaded today by 4 brand new baby barn sparrows and 2 baby goats and it reminded me of the true simplicity of nature.  To that end I thought I would share the 7 simple steps to xeriscape.  It’s only natural.  There aren’t any hidden secrets.  I hope you find some piece of this that calls to you and please feel free to pass it on.  A little planning will give mother nature the help she needs this summer to make your garden of dreams come to life!  Happy planting!  ☺  April

7 Steps of Xeriscape

1. Planning and Design

Before you ever pick up a shovel, pick up a pencil first. What will the yard be used for? Do you have children, dogs, cats, a vegetable garden, compost bin, clothes line? Will you be entertaining, playing games like horseshoes? Do you love the view of the mountains, but not the view of you neighbor’s hot tub? Do you have drainage problems? A first step is to sketch out your yard. Do several “goose egg studies” on where you might put play areas, gardens, beds, or service areas. Indicate places you do or don’t want screens. Work off of these studies for you final design. At this point, you can either go to a landscape architect or continue on your own. Read the rest of this entry »