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36 Years old--born and raised in Kansas City, lived in Hawaii, Los Angeles, New York and a year in Tokyo/Japan. Came to Costa Rica in 1998, started my garden in 2001.

Gave up life in the rat race for something different--best decision, so far.

My garden is a wild garden. I have no grass and about 85% of my property is planted so far. Property is 1550 mts sq. or about (17,050 sq feet) I have badly compacted clayish soil & some erosion problems, but am changing that quickly with a lot of mulch and lasagna style gardening.

I have many ornamentals mixed with some indigenous volunteers. Trying to develop a shelter belt of local natives as a windbreak. Also creating privacy by planting compact yet tall plants to screen out views of the neighbors. I started with two lots that were completely bare after some construction in 2001.

Because I live in Costa Rica people think I live in the rain forest with constant moisture. However where I live in the western central valley there is a distinct 6 month dry season, with constant extremely strong dry winds, making it very arid half of the year.

I also have a new piece of land in the mountains that is more rainforest like. Its located in Turrialba and gets much more rain than where I live.

I enjoy all the plants and all the wildlife that comes with them. I often have to deal with fire ants, I just try to avoid them and usually ware tall rubber work boots when working and theres no problem.

Often I think we need to learn how better to adjust ourselves to our environment rather than trying to recreate or adjust the environment to our liking. I think the contamination of the worlds water sources and reserves is one largest problems we will face in our future.

Permaculture, organic gardening, reforestation, forestry, ecology, conservation, composting, mulching, vermicomposting.

Bamboos planted late March 2004: B. lako, B. Multiplex fernleaf, B. Oldhami, B. Vulgaris \"whamin\", D. Brandisii, D. Giganteus, G. Atroviolacae, G. atter, Gaudua Angustiflolia \"sur\", S. jaculans, and my favorite S. brachycladum.

I live in: Costa Rica

My zone is: Costa Rica

First registered on June 09,2003.