Monday, November 6, 2017

Getting ready for winter, Part Three of Four...

I had planned to do a much better job for this, the third installment of my "getting ready for winter" series. However when it came time to actually get the work done I wasn't in a mood to grab the camera.

Why? Because of this.

Because heading down to the basement still involves jumping off the bottom step and aiming to land beyond the pipes laying at the base, where there used to be a concrete floor.

And then once you're down there, dogging piles of soil, rocks, and cement. In other words the basement half-bath project is progressing slowly, or more accurately not at all. We've been a holding pattern since Friday, Oct. 20th.

Since the next step involves cutting the jagged edge of the old floor, before pouring the patch, the plastic walls are still up (there will be lots of concrete dust). Plus everything that normally lives on the construction half of the basement is crammed into the other half, behind the plastic. This would really only be an issue on laundry day, except for the fact it's November, time for the basement to fill up with non-hardy plants.

Part Three of this winterizing series was to be the moving of the Tillandsia and Bromeliads, but as I wasn't in the mood to photograph what I was doing as I was doing it, creating a makeshift place for them to live was challenge enough. Instead I took these photos the next morning, Nov 1st.

These plants are temporarily chilling on the box our new toilet is in. They'll get shoved behind the curtain when the concrete company shows up.

Speaking of behind the curtain, Andrew created this clever method of moving between the two spaces, a tape on zipper...

This is the scene on the other side. I was rather surprised when I collected the last of the Tillandsia from around the garden and discovered just how many there were, especially since I'd already brought quite a few in. I'm going to have to find a better way to care for them over the winter, this is just a temporary landing pad.

Oh and ya, that "landing pad" is our guest bed. And yes we're expecting a guest just two weeks from now. Fun times!


The Succulents and Cactus have already been downstairs for about a month now, I hate they're shoved into such a contained space and so have been sure to keep the fan going for a little air movement.

Don't even think about walking around to the other side of the bed!

Peeking through the plastic walls...

And in through the other side...

This big container of assorted Bromeliads hasn't made it downstairs yet. It's so heavy that I need Andrew's help and even then it's going to be a challenge. Thank goodness it hasn't been too cold yet.

Out at the shade pavilion everyone's getting shoved inside (last to go in are the tenders who need water over the winter). Which reminds me, I really should check to made sure my space heater still works...

For a look back Part One is here and Part two here. Part Four has yet to happen...

Weather Diary, Nov 5: Hi 51, Low 38/ Precip .12"

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. Looking at your make shift succulent house brought back many memories. My father did the exact same thing when we growing up in Brooklyn. Plastic sheets and all. Thank you for this great blog.

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    1. Why did he do the plastic sheets? Was there a benefit?

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  2. No scrap wood to put over the hole at the bottom of the stairs? What projects! (Both the plant migration and the bathroom.) On the bright side, the basement is an oasis now. :)

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    1. We originally thought scrap wood would be the answer, but sadly no. There's not enough cement left at the bottom of the stairs to catch the edge of the wood safely, and the angle from the stair itself is way too steep.

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  3. Our neighbors are having a sump pump put in their basement and looking at the mess made us decide to put it off and maybe not do it at all. I think the dust might be similar to your project. That Zipper is brilliant. Where did Andrew find it? And yet again, I am in total awe of the number of containers you have. Looking at the plants in them they add so much to the garden I can see why you do this.

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    1. The jackhammer dust was bad, the cutting/grinding sounds like it will be worse, I understand why you'd want to put it off! The zipper came from the big box store, he saw it in action at work with some construction projects there.

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  4. The first photo makes the plastic look like a dense tropical mist. I don't think I'd be able to sleep in that room. I'd be staring at the plants the whole time!

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    1. When we first put up the plastic in prep for this project I kept thinking it was smoky downstairs and thought "fire!"...I like your take on it much better.

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  5. Like Evan, I thought that first photo provided an exotic, tropical jungle look. The zipper is brilliant but wherever did you find one that long? I hope the bathroom addition goes smoothly from here out and that you maintain your sanity through part 4 of your winter-readiness preparations.

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    1. The big box store has the plastic zippers for this exactly purpose, cool eh? I'm trying to psych myself up for Part 4, so I don't wait until the last minute!

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  6. Sorry that the new bathroom project is still on hold, that must be really frustrating in the midst of the migration. Everything looks very healthy, happy and ready for winter hibernation. You must really enjoy going down to your basement and visiting all your plant friends there when the floor is easier to navigate.

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    1. Very frustrating! I'd rather visit my plant friends on the patio, but since that's not possible for the next few months this is the next best thing.

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  7. Holy Moly, that is a lot of plants. I hope the bathroom addition finishes soon. Alan has a great idea, to put some scrap wood as a bridge across that chasm at the bottom of the stairs, so you don't have to jump across it. My guest bedroom has a few plants in it, too, including that one with the Halloween eyeball that I posted.

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    1. We tried the wood thing, but it doesn't work, or maybe I should say seems to be more dangerous. And yes...so many plants!

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  8. I'm really sorry your bathroom project is dragging out for so long. It WILL be worth it in the end.

    That tape-on zipper is a brilliant idea. I've never seen that before.

    Are the lights on all day?

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    1. I knew it was going to be a pain, I just didn't realize how painful!

      The lights get turned on in the morning and off at night.

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  9. Good grief. I would be most stressed over the fact that company is coming so soon. Good luck with that.

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    1. Ya, I'm just trying not to think about it until the week of...

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  10. Wow, Loree, the things we do for love, huh? You might find that rex begonia is hardier than you think. Do you ever have issues with fungus gnats?

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  11. I have to sympathize with you on the bathroom. Our main bath this year was remodeled (by us). it took 8 months and 8 grands... yikes!

    Do you give any of those plants water, how about the lights? I only keep two Opuntia in the basement. They are large and one day I won't be able to anymore. No water and very little light for them through...

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    1. Yikes indeed! Construction projects magically eat money and time.

      The Bromeliads will get water throughout the season, the succulents get nothing until about February, then the ones that look a little stressed will get a drink. The lights are turned on and off every day.

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  12. Is this love or insanity? Maybe a little of both? My hat is off to you, girl!

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  13. I salute your dedication.

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