. This statement has always been true for us, except this year. Since the beginning of the year, we have been tested so many times and in so many ways by one of our new neighbors. Neighbors who do not respect boundaries are a pain. To save ourselves from aggravation and not wanting to start a fight (with people who are clearly in for one), we had to turn to the law. We installed a security camera last month and decided to put up a fence, nice and high. The next step will most likely be to electrify the fence to keep animals and intruders out of our yard.
Yesterday we dug out four holes for the posts and used concrete to set the fence posts in place (keeping the fence away from the property line). This morning we installed the supporting rails and screwed in the individual fence pickets to the support rails. As of this moment, the left side of the backyard fence is almost done. Even thought the height blocks part of the mountain and we will miss seeing some of the beautiful sceneries, it’s just a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Left side of the backyard fence, almost complete.
Four years ago as we put in the privacy fence slats, we dug up and disposed of the mature Oleanders growing along the chain link fence. I don’t think I will be planting anything on this side of the backyard since it’s too far back. I am growing trees (the pomegranate, Navajo Globe Willow, Bird of Paradise Bush, California Fan Palm, Mimosa tree, Mexican Bird of Paradise) and shrubs (Silvery Cassia, Texas Sage, Scotch Broom and Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae) almost at the end of the backyard as well as its left side.
Breath of fresh air …
With most of the fence up, I will begin implementing a few of my design ideas.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day here in the High Desert. I got the kids ready and drop them off to school and head right back home to tend to my garden and spend a great time in the backyard. The weather was great, the air was fresh, nature was peaceful and plants were covered with beautiful blooms.
Texas Sage in Bloom.Aptenia Cordifolia.Gaura Lindheimeri.
Our newest addition to the garden is the Pygmy Date Palm. Last year I got rid of all the rose bushes from the right section of my front yard (view here, picture captioned “Front Yard, Right“) and planted the the Pygmy Date Palm six months ago.
Pygmy Date Palm.
I came across a young bird this morning. It seems like the little bird came out of its nest for the first time and fell down to the ground. I spotted its mother on a nearby tree, so I left the baby alone.
Young Bird.
The squirrels are keeping me quite busy this summer, particularly the little ones. Early in the Summer the Pomegranate tree was covered in fruits and just a few days later, those little critters stripped almost all the fruit from the tree. I read somewhere that squirrels do not like the scent of spicy foods, garlic, peppermint and mothballs. I will try some of these to deter them and will be looking into other ideas since they have no problems climbing fences.