I have two sides going so far--lots of seedlings going in the areas that look bare. side 1 (this was the 1st side I did back in March): And this is side 2 (I had a bunch of herbs and potatoes but decided to go above ground with those (I just threw together the wood planters from scraps we had laying around-now ISO soil): I have corn, greens, beans, and a few other sprouts coming up--I threw the straw down (from when I cleared our side yard in May) to give them a bit of shade and extra water---this side gets like 6 hours of INTENSE sun this time of year (especially this year). I have some raspberries to plant in the back corner on side 2--I'd love to have a little berry patch. But through research I've found very few varieties grow in a 10a zone (this part is all new to me) Those retaining wall planters are my next big project but the dirt is so compacted I can't even dig---but I'm thinking of just top filling it after I pull everything...just can bring myself to get rid of all my aloe and succulents that grow up in the shade. I'd love to do something vertical... (Side 1) (Side 2) This is the first year I'm doing this---I pulled the existing shrubs (2 10 year old hibiscus, a 10 year old rosemary, among others) all by hand and turned the soil myself---my husband's around to help but it's mostly a project I've taken on myself. I'd like to get a bit more organized as far as what grows where and when, more vertical growth, etc...one thing at a time I suppose. I've shown you mine--who's showing theirs? (I apologize for any typos, I didn't proofread this)

I've had good luck here in Perth with these in partial shade and full sun. As long as they get good drainage and some water in the summer, they're good to go! They get a bit weedy in our summer sun but seem to bounce back pretty quickly. A gf gave me a small clipping of a deep, ALL PURPLE variety...and in the space of a year or two, I've now got it as ground cover in long beds by the pool (under the multiplex bamboo). They look very cool and striking. The hubby LOVES them! BTW...I've never seen or heard of this all purple variety. Has anyone else out there seen them? I've got tons of cuttings for anyone out this way who's interested.

Jenny, You could possibly plant out now but I would strongly advise against it. I do it here but with your cooler temperate climate I wouldn't. At least if you do it in spring by the time the next winter comes back around the palm will be much better established and more capable of coping with the cold. Best of luck with it though. I tried growing Cuban Royals down south when I stationed with the Navy in Nowra, NSW. I wanted a tropical garden to remind me of home but the poor things didn't fair too well (Neither did many other palms). Andrew.

Vee, no, I didn't buy any wine there because I mostly buy my wine in Chateau Cardboard 2 litre packs as they last me longer! Also most of the good stuff is available in bottle shops in Perth which saved us from lugging bottles onto the coach. I still have divided bags that I used in the UK to stop my duty frees from clanking when we drove back from the Continent with cheap wines! We did buy some red grapes and they were the best I have ever tasted and have spoiled me for supermarket ones now! Lemonhead..What a good idea to save the crop that way. I noticed that some of the late-pick vines were covered in the vineries. This would stop rain and birds, I imagine. Some of these places are very big and have venues for weddings, one had a lake with a statue of a woman on a pedestal in it, known locally as "the chick on a stick" which reminded me of the James Joyce statue in Dublin with a similar but more derogatory name!