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Photo Comments:   Bernieh wrote on Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:14 pm: Sorry Burwell, I ran out of room in my last comment. To continue - The outdoor garden beds are all well-established with drought-tolerant plants and don't get watered much by me. There is a watering system throughout most of those beds, but it rarely gets turned on during the year ... maybe once every four months. They have to wait for the summer rain or our water bill would be astronomical. We make use of any garden debris, such as fallen leaves, to mulch some of those beds.   Bernieh wrote on Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:08 pm: Burwell, yes there's an automated watering system in both the shadehouse and the courtyard garden, but it doesn't cover every pot or basket. At the moment it needs repair, so I have to water all the potted plants every second or third day. I give them all a long drink. As there are well over 100 pots and hanging baskets in both these areas, I know the value of using water-saving crystals in the potting mix and using mulch on top. I also try not to choose thirsty plants.   Burwell wrote on Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:51 pm: A full time job watering your hanging baskets I would think...unless you have an automatic sprinkler !....what do you us to mulch the rest of the garden accounting for the fact that you have such long dry periods ?   Bernieh wrote on Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:50 pm: I'm fortunate to have this area. It creates a wonderful micro-climate for lots of tropical plants on this primarily poor dry parched property. I get to look out on this garden every day from inside the house. It's a great view.   Philip Nulty wrote on Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:46 pm: Awesome plants and setting,..VERY tropical looking,..i envy you. Comment on this photo (500 characters remaining):

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