Last year, our first official year with our micro- flower farm – not that we specialized in tiny flowers, more like just a relatively small space – the weeds were very challenging. So this year, we’re using some of the more commercially available solutions which includes permeable weed cloth and planting cloth with ready-made holes in it.

I brought in several yards of almond hulls to spread on top of the pathway weed barrier, but a more knowledgeable neighbor told me that they will get very slimy and stinky when they get wet. So I removed them and put them down as a base for a row of squash etc this summer. I will put the permeable planting barrier over the top once it all gets packed a little better. The row by the fence will be for tomatoes so that I can tie the vines to the fence for support.

I used some old fencing material to use for composting. I added wood chips, from our pruning, grass clippings, almond hulls, sheep manure/straw and I introduced 1,000 worms between my six composting cylinders around the yard. Each compost cylinder will produce one yard of compost/worm castings over time.

Today 375 apricot colored Lisianthus got planted. They are densely planted so hopefully the weeds won’t take over.

Around the yard this winter my favorite tree has been some flame willows I planted two years ago.

The apricots and plums and apriums and pluots have started to blossom.

And when this tree blossoms, often called a Tulip Tree but Eliza will remember its formal name (I forgot), it means we’re about to get rain. ( The flowers quickly lose their beauty when it rains.)

The tangelos were excellent this year along with the oranges. It is on the south side of the house which is the best place to sit outside during the winter.