Basu: I currently only hand irrigate, not a lot: only when things are getting to the point where they HAVE to have water. Eventually I plant to have a better set up, but probably drip irrigation and swale irrigation (a more natural alternative) along with other alternative forms of irrigation. I will say that if your land slopes away from your home, I wouldn't worry about leveling the land too much. Be thankful. My entire property, the water goes TOWARDS all buildings (especially since neighbor removed her gutters). It's been a huge problem and a very $$$: we get more frequent torrential rains now than when I moved here 15 years ago: meaning it doesn't rain as often, but when it does: boy, lookout!! it's hard to deal with. I have purchased some plants from Johnson's but I have found their current catalog lacks any of the wonderful cultural information their previous catalogs has, but their website still seems the same. Their orchard supply has many organic or low toxicity sprays for conventional fruit, but you'd still have to do it unless you find the "magic tree" (yes, sometimes they exist!!). You also have to hope that the climate works in your favor and flowering for fruit happens when the bees are able to do their work. It's becoming more variable with climate change. New and alternative fruits (for this climate) often flower during warmer periods, and provide a new source of fruit during challenging times.

at one of our tower sites we have 2 street lights, one up front on the pole the transformers are on, and one in the rear of the lot. the rear light is fed by 12/2 UF that runs about 300 ft and is unprotected at either end. so for a POCO install this seems standard.

We shifted into our new place over Christmas, and I planted up our first section of garden by the pool on new years day. I'm going for a more seaside tropical style (Mauritian to be specific). There was one established queen palm in the bed, so I planted my orange bromeliads around it because of the root competition. But I did also stick a golden cane palm I behind to screen the fence more. The other plants chosen are tolerant of hot sun and low watering, frangipani, Dianella and bulbous lilies. The white Madagascar periwinkle seems very happy, there are now seedlings popping up all over the bed. I brought the pots with us from the old house, but planted them with tough cycads and Euphorbias.

You are getting there :-)) You will have an entirely different perspective once you get the black pots elevated. And you can always add more color with flowering plants. What happened to the white/cream colored containers? You could mix them in with the black ones to make more of a statement. The pots in the middle photo (mostly blue tones) are still too lined up. btw, the groupings do not need to be equal in impact or quantity :-)