Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Happy Two Year Anniversary!


Two years.  My how time flies.  Hard to believe.  
To be fair, seventeen years in the industry, but two years here at this location and two years open to the public.  (And two years with me being involved.)  Had someone asked me two years ago if I was going to end up loving getting dirty, scratched up by agaves and poked by cactus on basically a daily basis, I would most certainly have answered "No".  Today, I would have to wonder, is there anything else I would rather do?

It is amazing to me how much I have learned in the last two years about plants.  What likes full sun, what likes shade, what likes both, the water requirements, how long it takes to establish a plant, the "funny names" of plants (the botanical names), what the deer do and don't eat (which I don't think anyone really ever can truly answer that one), perennial vs evergreen, and deciduous plants and trees.  
It used to all make my head spin, now I find myself calling things by the "funny name" and pointing out things growing in our neighborhood on our nightly walks to my husband, (who basically knows everything about plants there is to know) impressing him no doubt.  

 Before, I just used to admire pretty flowers and never really thought much about them or the trees other than if I liked it or not.  My how I have changed.... and I love it.  I enjoy watching everything grow and transform.
   I love the production aspect of it and watching all the babies grow.

It has been a learning experience and one that continues to educate me on a daily basis.  It is different every day- you just never know.  I love the variety of wildlife that appears in here as well- several varieties of butterflies, caterpillars, birds, bees, insects,  reptiles with a few field mice and raccoons here and there.  We have a few that have taken up residence- a Road Runner that hangs out in the back in the Olives.
Kermit the frog appeared one day in our fish tank and seems to be getting along with the fish- Bosephis, Huey and Casper, and then there are several hummingbirds that live in the oaks in the front and in the back.
I have learned that deer eat what they want when they want regardless of what the books say.  If they are hungry, they will eat it.  I get that.  I have found that they for the most part stay away from things that "smell", things that are fuzzy and love Hibiscus.  I also have learned that it seems to matter where you are as in some places they tend to favor Gold Lantana and in others the Purple.  Go figure.  Deer don't read you see, so they don't know what they are supposed to like and what they are not.
They sure are cute though.
So is our little visitor Noel who stops by around four o'clock on basically a daily basis.  I wrote about her earlier this week.  We are all happy the weather has cooled down enough for her to resume her daily visits.  We missed her!
Wow.  Two years!  Time flies when you're having fun!!


16 comments:

  1. Wow...two years! In retail, that is sometimes a long time. Especially, with the gardening challenges we've all had the last couple years.

    Congratulations! Hope there are many, many more years ahead. It must be great, to make a living, doing something you love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I feel very fortunate to be doing what I love- and with whom I love =0) Working with my husband has been wonderful and I truly love what I do.

      Delete
  2. Yay! Loved hearing your story. I can feel your joy through your words! Congratulations and best wishes for many more gardening years for you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations! You've made an incredible nursery in two short years. Your place is fabulous! It's obvious that your plant babies are well-cared for and loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!!! Lots of hard work but I love it. Yes they are, all of them. =0)

      Delete
  4. Happy Anniversary. It's hard to imagine that you've built such a beautiful place in only 2 years. Your plants are always the healthiest and best maintained and everyone there is so wonderful to work with (especially you!) Cheers to many more wonderful years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Time flies- I'm telling you. I couldn't believe it's been two years. Thank you for the compliment- we work hard on keeping them that way. And thanks again! I try to be helpful- I'm still learning - there are actually a few days that go by that I don't have to ask Michael a question... hahaha

      Delete
  5. Happy Second Anniversary! The nursery looks so nice and I loved seeing your road runner and hummingbird visitors even if I'm too far to drop in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! They are fun- we have a crew. The raccoons I can do without... they are a bit destructive... but the rest are fun to watch. The road runner has a personality of his own.

      Delete
  6. Happy Anniversary, great photos. I'm enjoying your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy second anniversary!!! Isn't it great that you are doing what you love. So many people would like to be able to say the same. I hope you have many, many more years of success, peppered with learning and growing.
    P.S. I love the orange door and the pictures of Noel in the last post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!!! Yes, I am very lucky to be able to do what I love. Thanks for the good wishes!! =0)
      Sweet little Noel- she is so much fun and so sweet. We are happy she is back to her daily visits.

      Delete
  8. Happy second anniversary. I love all your animal stories mixed in with the plants! I wish I could see a roadrunner up close. You are so lucky to have one there.
    One of these days I'm coming to Austin to see your fine nursery. :0)
    David/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! That roadrunner is hilarious. He walks right down the middle aisle and if you are in it he stands and just waits for you to leave then he toodles right on down the middle. Such a funny little guy (or girl).
      Would love to have you come visit! Austin isn't that far away!! I say that all the time but hardly ever get down to Houston- much to my mothers dismay.....

      Delete