Moving and planning for retirement this year makes for huge changes and challenges both inside and outside in the garden. No worries, as I have always found a bit of work in the garden helps me relax, it takes my mind off pressing issues. However, clearing out an old garden and moving plants to a new garden has become one of those pressing issues. I know I need to sort the new garden soon so it can provide serenity. It is not just the potted plants that need to be grouped, repotted or planted in the ground, it’s the weeds to be pulled and so much more. And it is the lack of wildlife in the new garden. Wildlife in the garden always brings a spark of awe and wonder to me and I hope everyone.
In th
ese early days one male cardinal has been visiting the bird feeder, I see mockingbirds and I hear bluejays. I can also hear sparrows and their cheerful chatter coming from a few backyards away. There chatter is like the sound of children at a playground. Hear their sounds and see more at House Sparrow | Audubon Field Guide. The new move brought my family closer to urban/rural interface and house sparrows are perhaps the most adept at thriving in urban areas. How can I entice them to my backyard. Extra bird feeders and enough berry producing plants for them and future visitors when migratory season arrives again will work.
I also see the occasional Zebra longwing moving thru my yard. I have my plant list for butterflies, birds and oh, yes, hummingbirds at the
ready. Now I am just waiting for rainy season to plant, or I will spend my time watering new plants every other day. Rainy season should start mid to late May in South Florida.
It would be good to get some of the hard work done before it really gets hot. Every evening, I do a little bit of moving plants and furniture around and repotting before I buy new plants. This past weekend brought a welcome drop in temperatures into the 50s/60s and prompted me to send time both mornings in the new garden. Unpacking boxes can literally wait for a rainy day.
Now that I can see a path forward, hints of features to highlight, and I have clear thinking on what new plant will go where. I took time to sit and think about the next plant grouping, it was a very pleasant weekend of working, looking, thinking, another coffee etc. Next on the list is installing the neat little tool shed which will also service to provide some privacy, it should arrive this week.
What’s on my list? I should keep it short. I may move again after retirement as I long for the more native, natural surroundings of pineland habitat with more rural rather than urban interface. Keeping to a short list is not so easy for me, and I will probably let my heart do some of the picking. Perhaps I should remember I just moved 43 potted plants! Traveling light, is something to think about.
My “List”
Passionflower Vine/Passiflora suberosa
Chinese Hat Vine/Holmskioldia sanguinea
Shiny-leaved wild coffee/Psychotria nervosa
Magenta Firespike/ Odontonema callistachyum
Pentas/Pentas lanceolata –“Starcluster” Series, mix colors
Salvia/Salvia guaranitica “Black & Blue”
Blue porterweed /Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
American beautyberry/Callicarpa americana
Already in pots waiting to be planted, seaside golden rod, red salvia, kiss-me-quick, aloe, bulbine, white agapanthus, and Brace’s aster.
Update: I saw a ladybug and a baby sparrow over the weekend.
For all of you wanting to do a garden update see these super tips for creating butterfly and bird gardens. Everyone should spend some time now in our dry season to visit these UF/IFAS website read through these super publications! 
Gardening for Butterflies – Gardening Solutions
Gardening for Birds – Gardening Solutions
And we’ve recorded our Miami Dade County Extension “In Your Backyard” lunch-in-learn presentations here: (4) “In Your Backyard” Webinar Series – YouTube
More on Ladybugs, Sparrows and where to find native plants.
P.S.
I have plans to continue working on the bringing pollinators to all gardens especially school gardens. as well as collaborating on the mission to find the Miami Blue Butterfly again. Stay tuned to Miamiblue.org.
Last Word, I love our new neighbors! That is the plus side of urban living.
Happy Gardening!
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