Lala Land stewardship journal March 18, 2026

Today I purchased and planted another 20 gallon yaupon bush because the first one looks great and will offer some instant privacy once it fills in a bit. I also bought a mexican plum (5 gallon), and a purple sage, 3 sege muhly, 2 giant muhly, and 2 mexican yellow grass 1 gallon plants, and 2 pint sized blue grama grasses. I got two metal raised garden containers from tractor supply and lots of organic manure, and soil to fill them. All in all, it was a 400.00 project, which was disappointing. I had wanted to install several more of those raised metal (open bottom) garden containers in my back yard. We sit on a limestone shelf here on top of the hill, so there is barely 2 inches of topsoil. In order to stabalize the erosion, I already installed a looping granite walkway around the back yard and will start building the top soil back up as I can afford it, and seed the hell out of it with buffalo grass and blue grama grass. Because it's impossible to dig a hole for a plant, I am building up. 

Lastly, I also transplanted two twisted yucca plants that were coming up in my walkway to the back yard, and planted a false indigo ornamental tree near the carport, where it will get some morning shade and plenty of water, since that's where I wash out the dog's water bowl. 

All in all, it's been a productive week. The bluebonnets are going nuts in my yard, but are barely showing up on the bottom 2/3 of the property. The water level is still high in the North Fork San Gabriel river at the bottom. I'm starting to see quite a few fish which is enticing me to drop a line. 

Today, we are headed to buy more cedar wood for a few more blue bird houses and road signs to map the property trails. The grand kids love them. 

Lala Land is our happy place.

 Lala Land Journal

Yesterday I bought 4 Arizona Cypress trees (1 gallon) and a 20 gallon yaupon bush that he had discounted to 80 bucks from 165 since it had a little freeze damage. i was worried about planting something that big but discovered a berm near the barn that was apparently a burn pile at some point. There are lots of tree roots in there, but the soil is rich and not rocky. I planted all of these new plants in that area and easily dug the hole for the large yaupon bush. Such a relief. I suppose in about 10 years I will have the privacy I desire from my shitty neighbors. 

It makes for a good wind break and food source for the birds. I have 10 yaupon bushes planted along that fence line but they are slow growers so no privacy yet. 

I also watered all the new plants I established last week and last fall. I generally water them once every 5 days, and use a 5 gallon bucket (with a small hole drilled into the bottom) so the roots get saturated. 

Spring is always a few weeks behind the city, here. We are just cooler so I suppose that's the reason it seems so much later than folks in Austin? I'm not a patient person. 

I'm leaving town until Wednesday so I think all are well cared for until I get back.