Arizona Chickens

[carnivore]

I haven't tried the lye yet, but absolutely nothing else worked for killing the oleanders.  I've cut a few down to ground level, drilled the holes for the epsom salt method, a special product from Home Depot (don't remember the name), Ground Clear (perhaps that what you meant when you said Yard Clear?), burned it, soaked it in gasoline and burned it, covered the entire stump with a black opaque bucket...  Now, I've buried it beneath my compost pile, not that I have high hopes there, either.  It comes back strong as ever.  It was even growing, despite NO sunlight, enough to start pushing the bucket up off the ground!  Aside from digging the entire thing up, I've had no luck at all.

Yes, Ground Clear is what I meant. I have'nt used it on oleander (my new place in Marana doesn't have any), but it works great on mesquite stumps that keep trying to grow back.
As far as the blind snakes go, they love fallen leaves and loose litter, you will usually find them when raking up this stuff that has been undisturbed for a few years. They definitely don't like the sun! If you have "desert landscaping" you won't see many at all.

 

[carnivore]

SO ENVIOUS!!

ME TOO! Did you say earlier that you got that at Mesquite Valley? I have a greenhouse in my side yard where I grow edible plants (currently overrun with tomatoes and chilis). I've always wanted to try some guavas.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Yes, Ground Clear is what I meant. I have'nt used it on oleander (my new place in Marana doesn't have any), but it works great on mesquite stumps that keep trying to grow back.
As far as the blind snakes go, they love fallen leaves and loose litter, you will usually find them when raking up this stuff that has been undisturbed for a few years. They definitely don't like the sun! If you have "desert landscaping" you won't see many at all.

This would accurately describe my neighbor's yard, not 5' from where I found the snake. He has a ton of privet, two huge eucalyptus and a few other smaller trees. I believe he's saved every scrap of wood he's ever found and I don't think he's raked his yard in more than a decade. He really is a good neighbor though.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote: That was me and yes, MVG had them and HD had smaller ones. Not sure if HD has them right now or not.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

HA!! Got to get some!! Can you figure out how to reproduce a bunch??? Our neighborhood is completely infested with both ants & termites...

Where can we get some????

I know huh?! I wondered the same thing and did a bit of reading. Here's what the Desert Museum had to say:

Quote:
At just 7 eggs a year it would be pretty difficult to grow any numbers. One thing I didn't mention is how these things move. They're a bit wild, wiggling like crazy, EVERYTHING must love eating these guys. It's no wonder we don't commonly see them (aside from being fossorial). I'm surprised this one escaped the chickens.

 

[flower]

Gallo We learn so much from you, a most interesting fellow !!

 

[flower]

Yes, Ground Clear is what I meant. I have'nt used it on oleander (my new place in Marana doesn't have any), but it works great on mesquite stumps that keep trying to grow back.
As far as the blind snakes go, they love fallen leaves and loose litter, you will usually find them when raking up this stuff that has been undisturbed for a few years. They definitely don't like the sun! If you have "desert landscaping" you won't see many at all.

I grew up in the woodland areas of the east coast. Never rake the leaves and get wonderful topsoil. If I did rake an area where I wanted lawn to grow, I double bagged the leaves and in two years it turned into black topsoil with no other effort on my part. When I see a placed landscaped with rocks of any sort I always wonder why this is popular type of landscaping. Eventually the dust settles in and weeds grow up and in the meantime the rock collect heat. I guess that I like the natural way to enrich the poor soil of the SW. My weeds get harvested for the chickens and leaves get tilled into the soil. huh ?

 

[carnivore]

That was me and yes, MVG had them and HD had smaller ones.  Not sure if HD has them right now or not.

OK, thanks! I know the HD on Costco Dr doesn't have them. Looks like I need to drive down to Mesquite Valley this weekend. I didn't want to try them at my old house (too hot and dry) but they should do OK in the greenhouse.

 

[flower]

City Farm of the six chicks half are male, red and blue feathered with pea type combs. I gave the most pretty one to the high school VO TECH teacher since his rooster was rather mean and besides his new rooster may have the blue eggs gene. Of the three pullets only one lays a green egg and it sure is pretty. Some day I'll make photos ???????

 

[carnivore]

I grew up in the woodland areas of the east coast.  Never rake the leaves and get wonderful topsoil. If I did rake an area where I wanted lawn to grow, I double bagged the leaves and in two years it turned into black topsoil with no other effort on my part. When I see a placed landscaped with rocks of any sort I always wonder why this is popular type of landscaping.  Eventually the dust settles in and weeds grow up and in the meantime the rock collect heat. I guess that I like the natural way to enrich the poor soil of the SW. My weeds get harvested for the chickens and leaves get tilled into the soil.  huh ?

Works for me. Some of the best soil in my yard is under a huge old mesquite that has been dropping leaves for years. unfortunately, it is one of those mesquites that has the inch long thorns. Not cool to step on fallen branches! It is also the only area of my yard where I find blind snakes. The shade from this huge old tree is an excellent place to grow melons and cucumbers, the sun is filtered, and the soil is rich.