gardening on SPI

The environment down here on South Padre Island, Texas, is categorized as Sector 10A on USDA maps. I think. But sometimes I've seen the area colored as 10B. Houston, Texas, where we spent several years (usually) successfully gardening, has been rated everywhere from 8A to 8B to 9A to 9B, depending upon which system you consult. 

Regardless, it's pretty fucking hot down here at the southern tip of Texas. Not as hot here as it is in the "upper" valley, around McAllen, where temps will easily be 5 to 15 degrees warmer than on the island.

But this unique environment has its own challenges, like wind. Pretty steady winds, usually from the SE but often from every direction. And not just breezes. Winds. So tender plants struggle on the island. The wind also has a higher percentage of salt in it than further inland, so that makes it hard for other plants.

Gardening here has been a bit of a struggle thus far. Tomatoes don't do that well around here unless they are well protected. Nothing seems to stop the basil, fortunately. 

The plumerias  

and bougainvillas we have planted are finally starting to grow and flower.

We're taking a pretty big chance by planting two avocado trees and a mango tree in our lot next door. Both trees are tender when young, so I built a cage for each of them, surrounded by a 40% shade cloth. That works pretty well to cut down on the harsh winds, but still allows plenty of sunlight over the top. Thus far, I see new growth on all three!

And we finally have some squash coming in in the squash patch! We planted calabasa squash seeds obtained from Dr. Bob Randall of Houston years ago, and almost all of them sprouted! 

Still we are a long way away from my vision of a lush, fragrant landscape next door, and in the back yard. Gardening takes time, and water! 

Geez, how could I forget this? Yesterday we chopped all the hibiscus down that were along the front sidewalk. They had all succumbed to the pink hibiscus mealybug, which has not "officially" invaded the United States. Originating in India, this invasive pest has slowly made it's way here, and it quickly wilted all 10 hibiscus plants. Neem oil was ineffective. So that's a big setback, because some of those plants were flowering beautifully.