Our Last Day at Work Together...for Now...

It's been a quick 6 months but we've had the greatest of fun working together at the park! Caves, canyons, desert, forest, wetlands and all the unique plants and animals (and a lot of interesting co-workers as well as visitors from around the globe) - all add up to an immeasurably rich experience. Steve will be at the park a bit longer and we'll both continue to explore the area until the next leg of our work-journey together begins...

Here we are at the entrance to the park on Jennifer's last day:


Here's Jennifer with a fitting memento (a great metal-sculpture bat, made in AZ):

So much fun, so little time!

Alien Space Trees - More Support for Using Native Plants

Last week we noticed what we'll call Alien Space Trees along the highway South of Carlsbad, NM. They are really just some sort of palm tree (from somewhere else like California) that is not suited to this climate. What evidence do we have to make such a definitive statement? How about the insulation (silver on the trunks) strapped on with duct tape:


There are a lot of resources nationwide to help folks make appropriate decisions when considering plantings such as the above. Here is a great place to start. Of course where there's money to be made there will be plenty of crooks so, when in doubt, check with your local Soil and Water Conservation District/NRCS office.

Natural History Photo of the Week

In the last Natural History Photo of the Week, talus slope was the topic. This time it's a critter that lives amongst the talus - the incredible Pika:

Go here for the details or just ponder the wonders of an animal that can live in boulder piles near the tops of high mountains!

Super Simple Garden Row Cover

Sure it's warm in Carlsbad (today was sunny and 70, tonight 46) but winter-like weather will eventually come along even here. Therefore, we thought we might try a simple row cover (mini greenhouse, essentially) and some fall cold weather crops. So while walking through the lumber store the other day we spied some translucent roofing panels and some contractor layout stake and we had the makings of a simple row cover:


Here's how we did it.

The contractor layout stakes were the perfect length once the sharp end was cut off:



Then we simply screwed the stakes to the roofing panel to create the arc of the row cover:


Attachment detail:


One on each end...


.. and one in the middle...


...holds the shape. We'll close the ends up with clear plastic.


We planted some fall greens and such and now are waiting for the first seedlings!


We would have preferred to build a more substantial frame but we live in an apartment for goodness' sake! If you want to get fancier, check in with the masters of 4 season gardening.