The Half-Buck and a follow-up

When I posted about the whitetail bucks in our neighborhood a few weeks ago I mentioned that this one was limping and missing an antler.  Readers had a few questions and concerns.

I spotted him running through the yard a few days ago so he's doing just fine.

Another question is about recognizing individual deer.  We do recognize them if they have a distinguishing feature like one spiky antler or if they follow a pattern by appearing at the same time each day.   Sometimes we even name them so we've decided that since he's a "half-buck" we'll call him 50-Cent which will last until he loses the other antler.

The comical expression might still give him away after that.  No word on a recording contract yet.

Two-wheelin' and cupholders with my new wheelbarrow

I received a question about my fancy wheelbarrow shown in my previous post on this year's topsoil delivery.  It is indeed fancy since it has two wheels, stabilizer bars, implement holders, and even dual cupholders -- you might say it is a "loaded" wheelbarrow, although it could use a GPS sometimes.  My wheelbarrow is new since spring 2012 when we moved a truckload of topsoil and I had trouble controlling the traditional single-wheel model.  After a couple "incidents" with tipping over on turns last year, I decided to find one better suited for my needs.  I went with the Majik wheelbarrow from Sam's Club and it's a lot more stable which made moving topsoil and just about anything else much easier for me this year. 

Sixteen Tons and What Did We Get? -- Topsoil!

We also had our work cut out for us this past weekend.  A yard of topsoil weighs in at just over a ton and last Friday we had approximately 14 yards of topsoil delivered to our driveway.  We estimated the weight to be about sixteen tons.

Oh Deary, Deery, Deer 2: Bismarckia and yucca get hit

A few posts back I mentioned one of the two Bismarck palms in my yard had been "antlered" by a deer and I was both surprised and touched by the expressions of concern for the plant.  The damage was superficial and mostly affected older fronds.  The crown was not damaged so I'm sure it will make a full recovery--eventually.

Here's how it looked when first planted August 2012

Visiting Vivero Growers

On my return trip from Austin I avoided the crowded interstate and headed west on US 290 into the Texas Hill Country.  My route took me right past Vivero Growers near Dripping Springs so of course I had to stop for a visit.

The vignette by the office near the front caught my eye immediately.  Gorgeous colors!  I've been planning to add a bright color to my garden and orange is emerging as the front runner.  The talavera pot looks so fresh here.

Visiting The Natural Gardener

When I learned that Pam Penick's first Lawn Gone! book presentation would be at The Natural Gardener I was thrilled.  Not only could I attend, but it was an opportunity for plant shopping at a great nursery which has been on my "must-see" list for several years.  After the main event I headed out to explore the grounds of a legend in the world of organic gardening.

First to the agave, yucca, and succulent display area.  This beautiful array of spikiness made me catch my breath.

Debut for Lawn Gone!

It was standing room only at The Natural Gardener in Austin yesterday as Pam Penick, local author and award-winning blogger at Digging, discussed her new book Lawn Gone! which was released on February 12th.  The audience was in for a treat as she is both entertaining and informative.  Pam had their attention as she discussed trading in the traditional lawn in favor of options covered in the book such as groundcover, perennials, and hardscape.