I woke up to a gloomy morning and within a few hours, the skies brightened up and gave way to a beautiful sight from my backyard. There is a formation of thick low clouds around the snowy mountains and it’s still very cold out there. I, for one, am grateful to be able to spend time with Nature.
Bare Tree Branches and a Blue Sky.
Some of the Daffodils ‘Thalia Sun’ and Ice King Double Daffodils, which have now fully emerged from the soil are covered in buds and thankfully, none are opening yet.
Ice King Double Daffodil Bulbs emerging.Daffodil Bulbs emerging.
My Amaryllis Belladonna bulbs have finally emerged after two consecutive years of dying back from frost. The shoots are going strong and I am hoping to see some gorgeous flowers by August. Foliage emerges in Spring (sometimes as early as mid Winter). The foliage will die back by mid Summer shortly after which leafless stems will produce elegant, aromatic, pink flowers.
Amaryllis Belladonna foliage.
The Sweet Almond Tree is almost completely covered in bloom. I placed my set of Antique Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair next to the Tree and it has become one of my favorite spots in the front yard as I occasionally lounge next to the Tree, reading the Newspaper or an Inspirational Book. Although we hardly harvest any Nuts from the Tree (as the Squirrels beat us to it), it accents the house and provides shade.
Sweet Almond Tree in Bloom.
I am looking forward to warmer days as it’s time to move on with my gardening plans and materialize my design.
Once a year, my husband and I drive to his work for a Health and Wellness screening test, a program which suggests ways to stay healthy and prevent illnesses. The program also provides discounted rates for weight loss products and services. We toured George Air Force Base before returning home.
George Air Force Base (Google Aerial View).
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in Victorville, California which was decommissioned in 1992 at the end of the Cold War. While most parts of the base remain abandoned, it is now the site of Southern California Logistics Airport. The Base was established by the United States Army Air Corps in June 1941 and was closed at the end of World War II. It was reopened in November 1950 as a training base and remained a training base throughout the Cold War until being closed in 1993.
The former Air Force Base is surrounded by few Businesses and parts of the Air Force Base are still operational and well maintained, such as the Children’s Playground and Game Courts which are in use on a daily basis by the public as well as a Church (First Christian Church of Victorville). The original 37-foot-wide, 81-foot-long and 32-foot-high Church building formerly located on George Air Force Base was purchased for $5 and moved to its current location by retired Pastor Tom Ratcliff at 9966 I Ave in 1979 .
First Christian Church of Victorville, George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.First Christian Church of Victorville (Main Entrance), George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.
There is no doubt that George Air Force Base was once a beautiful Military Community for the military personnel and their family members. It had everything from Security Kiosk, Administrative Building, Food Bank, School, Child Care Center (Children’s World), Game Courts (for entertaining and healthy recreational activities), Church, Hospital, Photo Lab, Movie Theater, Community Center, Officers Club, Burger King Restaurant, Phantom Lanes, Hangars, Westwinds Activities Center, Base Exchange, Commissary and so much more. Some of the facilities were demolished a few years ago and some are in the process of being demolished.
Movie Theater, George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.Child Care Center (Children’s World), George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.Westwinds Sports Center, George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.Family Support Center, George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.Abandoned Housing, George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA.
Given the pace at which some of these buildings are being demolished, it’s only a matter of time until pretty much everything is gone at George Air Force Base. What you should know prior to visiting the Base is that there are clear signs warning the public to keep out for various reasons and entering some buildings is considered trespassing. I heard there are installed motion sensors in the Hospital and they will go off every time someone enters the building or gets too close. Be very cautious while visiting older buildings and enter at your own risk.
Right now in the High Desert it literally feels like Spring. The days are getting warmer and the plants are reacting to the unseasonably warm weather. I noticed a few days ago, some flower buds on the branches of the Sweet Almond Tree in my front yard and I am excited to see the tree all covered in delicate White flowers. The Almond Tree is always the first to blossom after Winter around here; however, the Tree is blooming too early this year compared to the previous years. The weeds too, are coming on strong as they rob my yard of its beauty.
This year, my Sweet William Dwarf (Dianthus) are the first to bloom.
For Spring Colors, plant the following (just to name a few):
Plants with the * next to the name (as well as some species of the plants) are poisonous and/or toxic (either to Humans, Livestock or both). Click here for a list of Toxic Plants.
Spring Colors in The Garden.
How can you tell if your Garden is ready for Spring?
According to OrganicGardening.com, the best way to tell if a garden has dried out enough to be worked is to pick up about half a cup of earth in your hand. Now squeeze the soil together so that it forms a ball. If the ball of earth can readily be shattered by pressing with your fingers or dropping it from a height of 3 feet or so, it is dry enough to dig. If the ball keeps its shape or breaks only with difficulty into solid sections rather than loose soil, it still contains too much water. Clay soil that is too wet will feel slick when rubbed between thumb and forefinger and working soil that wet can spoil its texture for the whole season.
Since my soil is not quite ready for Spring Gardening yet, I am focusing most of my time and energy on various activities and yard tasks:
Surprisingly, we are having a very nice weather here in the High Desert this Winter (with warm days and cold nights). We turn on the drip system irrigation on a needed basis (depending on Plants need), for a deep watering to help our Flowers, Shrubs and Trees to establish and spread their roots systems.
Spring Bulbs Sprouting.
I am loving the Rebirth in the Garden with most of my Spring Flowering Bulbs Sprouting. Some are sprouting through pine needles (which make awesome mulch) and others sprouting from scattered/dispersed seeds randomly around the backyard. The seeds were probably carried by the Wind.
Spring Bulbs Sprouting dispersed seeds.
Around the neighborhood, some flowering trees are beginning to show buds like the Raywood Ash tree in my front yard which normally starts leafing out around April or early Spring.
Raywood Ash (Male Flower Opening Buds).
Another surprise this morning was the discovery of this tender Miniature Rose ‘Del Sol’. The new growth is poking through the gravel reminding me once again that nothing is really lost in the World. We relocated the Parent plant last Summer and I guess one of the many living roots left behind during the relocation process survived.
Click here to learn about Growing Plants with Root Cuttings.
Rose Growth from a Living Root.
After two consecutive years of dying back from frost, my Belladonna Amaryllis shoots are going strong. Most of my plants are showing signs of life except for my Saucer Magnolia, Navajo Globe Willow, Plumbago Auriculata ‘Imperial Blue’, Cleveland Sage and Red Autumn Sage which seems to be dormant.
I am looking forward to warmer days like this one, to go outside and get a couple of garden beds ready for Spring.
Click here for Real-World Winter Gardening Tips From Your Growing Zone.
This morning we took a trip to the DMV in Barstow, CA and we were impressed. Everything we heard about this Office is true. If you live in the High Desert of California and need to visit a DMV Office in person rather than pay online; I highly recommend the Barstow DMV Office. The facility is smaller than the one in Victorville with fewer , yet efficient employees. The service is amazing with shorter lines and wait time. It’s truly worth the drive.
On our way to the DMV Office, we spotted a Preserved Tank at The Rotary Centennial Park.
If you are traveling on Historic Route 66, make plans to visit the Rotary Centennial Park in Barstow, California as well as other attractions within and around the City.
Located at the northeast corner of Barstow Road and Virginia Way in Barstow, California, the Rotary Centennial Park was constructed by the Rotary Club of Barstow in recognition of Barstow’s Centennial year, 1986.
Click here to learn more.
By JM Perez
