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Patricia's avatar

It's looking fantastic, Dan (& Frank)! Yes, the white fluffy stuff is "cottonwood candy" as it's called in the Hank the Cowdog books. What I want to see is irrelevant. I've taken the approach that most plants must be useful: I have flower gardens, but most of what I grow are edibles like fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetable garden beds. You do what you most enjoy... all those edibles have to be canned/frozen/dehydrated so require additional work. You must garden for your own fulfillment.

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Dan Pal's avatar

For sure! I think if we had more sun, which we didn't when we first started gardening, we'd have grown more vegetables. I have, in the past, planted cucumbers, basil, and broccoli. The first two generally turned out well, but not the broccoli! We have lots of rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and the occasional racoon. They seem to enjoy nibbling on some of it. That's why Frank has so much netting around his tomatoes. But yes, it's very fulfilling to watch it develop over the years.

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David P Bangtson's avatar

Those who have said the white fluffies are from cottonwood trees are correct. One of your neighbors must have a large one and on a strong windy day blowing toward your house, an amazing number of the seeds with built-in parachutes can find resting places in your yard. Loved the whole video of course.

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The Twelve Inch (Disco/80s)'s avatar

Missing Whrigley 😁 Has he been banned from the outdoors? 😃

And that white fluffy stuff, we had the same thing in our garden this spring. Definitely odd… probably alien invaders! 👽

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Dan Pal's avatar

I know, I need to bring back Wrigley! It's easier to see between our houses in the Spring and Fall so I have better idea if he's out there. Don't worry, he'll be back! People are telling me that the fluffy stuff is from cottonwood trees. I'm not sure where they are by me but that stuff has been everywhere!

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The Twelve Inch (Disco/80s)'s avatar

I’m not sure if it’s the same stuff we had in the spring (though it definitely looks like it), but it showed up in abundance in our garden, and we’d never seen it before. I don’t know anything about a cotton tree, and we couldn’t find an immediate explanation.

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Jim Geschke's avatar

Beautiful, Dan. Congrats!

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Dan Pal's avatar

Thanks Jim!

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Lauren Morgan's avatar

I suggest sweeping up the cotton from the cottonwoods. If it rains, the cotton sticks to the pavement, and if it dries, you might need a broom to take it up.

I also saw an Oriole in one of our trees yesterday. We need a trip to Birds Unlimited!

Might you be willing to dig up a little primrose and share? I’d love to put some in our front yard.

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Dan Pal's avatar

Good call on the cotton! It is supposed to rain this week. I need to clean it up! Birds Unlimited trip later this week?? Yes, you can have some primrose. I've got a ton and it is constantly on the move!

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Judith Stewart's avatar

Fuzz definitely looks like it is from a cottonwood tree. I like seeing how your new plantings bloom over time. I would like to see how the area in front of the house is doing. Seeing more birds is always good too.

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Dan Pal's avatar

Yeah, Frank mentioned that the fuzz might be cottonwood too. I've never noticed it here before! Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I'll focus on the front next week.

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Jeff Przybylo's avatar

I'm interested in seeing your Hardscape a little bit. I know you spent some time redoing the wall and the brick pavers. And is there anything going on back in your meditation area?

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Dan Pal's avatar

Good idea! Haven't done much with the zen garden since the guys power washed the fencing. I need some ideas!

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Jeff Przybylo's avatar

Looking good!

That white puffy stuff is from a nearby cottonwood tree. We've got tons of it this time of year. Every year without fail. Causes havoc on our pool filter lol

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