This past week we finally had some springlike weather - today we are back to clouds, rain and January temps for the next 7-10 days. The past 18 months have taken a brutal toll on our gardens: Hurricane Ian in 2022, drought in summer 2023, then non-stop clouds, more rain than last summer and protracted low temps in 2024. We've had a record 84+ days of clouds and no sun.

I spent much of last fall living at Airbnbs in Tampa while my husband was treated at Moffitt Cancer Center. My container gardens were on their own. In early October I moved many of my potted tropical palms onto the back lanai where they had access to irrigation and shade cloth. I haven't done much to/for them for the past 4-1/2 months because the weather has been so bad, also I am a 24/7 caregiver and responsible for overseeing the house and yard. So, the lanai looked appropriately shabby.

I'm no longer used to spending long, dreary days cooped up inside the house performing chores, i.e., cleaning, washing, cooking etc. and the experience made me a bit wonky. So, when the weather warmed up last week I decided to tackle the neglected back lanai and its container garden for as many hours as I had energy. I decided to take before/after photos. Spring is out there somewhere. Time for spring cleanup.

Back Lanai Spring Cleanup "Before" Photos - First I had to untangle the mess of pots shoved into the SE corner of the lanai. Then remove all the dead palms - I was blessed with about a dozen casualties, far fewer than I expected. I moved the empty shade houses and placed pots on a work table for weeding, picked up the shelf units and rolling carts. Finally, I swept the floor: over and over and over.

Back Lanai Spring Cleanup "After" Photos I trimmed the palms and watered them as needed. I will apply fertilizer in March. Finally, I replaced them onto shelf units or into a shade house. I made sure no pots were left sitting on the floor as rain was due to begin overnight. When spring returns I will tackle the container gardens in the back and side yards.

 

Final photo: Chamaedorea brachypoda. It is considered invasive in FL so I keep these in pots. I'd like to part with some of them but they are too tall to mail. Pickup in Cape Coral only

Sorry to hear about the personal and palm challenges.  Wishing all of you the best. Your strong spirit is shining through. 

Glad you had a chance to get out there and attend to the inhabitants of your garden. For me it’s always time well spent. I love the shelving being used as ground platforms, that's a what a great idea!