Winter

[bentwright]

I just had my one year anniversary at the new house. I celebrated by hosting a pancake breakfast and had seventy or so folks stop by, including my new next door neighbors and some newly arrived neighbors living down the block

Comments

[barbarian_rat]

Glad to see and update on your house activities.

When getting plants ... Penstemon is a good one blue and red, but beware of the "garden penstemons" available at most garden centers, they are not drought tolerant.

If I may suggest ... even drought tolerant natives will look better and bloom more if given some summer water. There are some exceptions such as Romneya [Matilija poppy] and Fremontia [flannel bush], although even those have been bred for more water tolerance. A drip system will enable you to water when needed in a very efficient manner. The tubing is rather inexpensive, the emitters are what cost. There is tubing with the emitters already installed.

If you decide to go with a drip system let me know I get good pricing at the local irrigation supply place since I buy so much there.

[bentwright]

I made 4" tall "raised" beds for the WBCurls on the South side of the house so they will get optimal drainage and full Southern exposure. I expect they don't dig my clay soil, but I hope they will deal with it.

[gryphons_hole]

This update is full of awesome things...

[h0gwash]

Can you use residential grade "expandable webbed slinky" ducting for your exhaust fan or must you use the rigid metal stuff?