Day 2 and not much difference.

 Just checking in on things day to day now. Making sure everything is damp and not disturbed. I did add in a few drops of a hand dish soap that is 'free and clear' that we started using. No parabens, dyes, fragrance or phosphates, 100% biodegradable and actually is a really good soap. I agitated with the straw attached to the sprayer but then just closed it and swirled it around some without getting sudsy. Will try that out tomorrow morning on everything that is still green as everything is in the shade right now and it's a bit breezy. Btw, there is a commercial version of this available from a few different companies.

Not much else happening, cats stayed away, shade is keeping the dirt from losing moisture it never did rain or drizzle and today it's breezy and clear. Go figure.

I bought a small bag of 'baby gold' potatoes to eat and just couldn't resist picking out two of the smallest ones to try and plant. My last attempt at growing potatoes failed miserably but am hoping better success this time. I used 'moisture retaining' potting soil last time and they didn't get enough sun. Grew the plant really well but the tubers themselves rotted or didn't grow well.  I know they need good depth to develop along the main stem under ground so will have to see what I can do to accommodate that. Might try the old stacking pots method like last time but maybe only use one and not use any potting soil just native dirt with a little bit of compost.

The jade plant was blooming like crazy and I could see several bees dodging in and out. Doesn't do me much good for pollinating this time of year unfortunately. 

 

But I just might get some alyssum or other small flowers they like to bloom for the summer. If there were blooming fruit trees nearby it would be good timing but here I am, seeds in the ground and one tomato plant is the only thing blooming. Let's see what I can find for summer blooming bee and butterfly plants to plant out there.

Lavender of course, rosemary, salvia are perennials and have no idea where I would plant them other than the corner that needs digging out. What are some small annuals other than alyssum? I do have that long planter box if I wanted to do a row of something....

Now in my initial search for 'summer blooming annuals for bees' the first list at the top has two plants that, for San Diego, are not annuals. Lantana and something they call 'Annual Daisy' which is Osteospermum aka 'Freeway Daisy' here. So be aware of where the article is coming from and where you live to make sure you don't plant something that might take over and not die back at the end of the season.

Pansies are mentioned but aren't as big an attractant as other plants. That window box could accommodate some cosmos, alyssum and maybe cornflower. That would be a bee and butterfly heaven for sure! Not going to forget about herbs as well; mint, oregano, sage (salvia) and the taller ones, dill and fennel which are way too big to be in my small space. Can't hang anything on the fence or wall so will be looking at options. Bees love blues, purples, whites and pinks butterflies will take anything they can land on and no, I won't be planting milkweed! It's called milkWEED for a reason. 

Anyway, will figure out the potato planter, that can wait for a while since those are a summer crop, onions will take their time of course and the radishes and carrots should be up in the next few weeks. I need to remember slimy predators are around as well, hmmmm sharp gravel, eggshells, sulphur, commercial product that is environment friendly and useful in the soil ::cough::sluggo::cough::

Sluggo uses iron phosphate as a natural snail killer. So iron (which I don't really need with my red soil) and phosphorous when it breaks down in the soil is useful. A bit expensive but considering the ravenous mollusks mowed down my baby beans last time, not taking any chances.

By the time I need to use it, I'll have money, even before then I suspect. Mister Leezard needs to get out in the sun more and get busy!