We have been home for a couple of days following our recent visit to the California Deserts in the Coachella Valley and the Colorado River. We were fortunate to have had wonderful, warm (for the season) weather the whole time we were gone. Better yet, the weather here at home is just as beautiful and warm.
We did a little yard work today; since the weeds are vigorously growing, it was time to spray weed killer wherever we see them growing out of the rocks or near the trees in the orchard and in the courtyard. We noticed several indications that spring is coming soon – the plum tree in the courtyard has a lot of new flowers and growth, plus the beavertail cactus in the photo above is showing several flower buds. It won’t be long until the vivid pink flowers on this cactus are catching our attention (and the attention of the pollinators as well).
Unfortunately for the cactus shown in the photo above, it is one of the rapid growing species that we have decided to move out of the front part of the yard and into the rock and cactus garden on the west side of the lot. We will let it do it’s spring thing and then it will either be moved to the R&C garden or some of the paddles will be transplanted to that part of the yard. There are some bare spots on the hill near the fence line to the west where these will suffice as barrier cactus to divert the javelina to the back wash rather than into our improved areas.
Click on the image to enlarge.