Silverwind, I'm very much with Linda in what questions arise in my mind as I read your questions. Landscaping-wise, the whole thing is really a no-brainer; any one of us on this list could make more of that yard than there is, and so could you, without the help of the list. Your mom could probably even do it, given a free hand to pursue her own preferences. I think this is less about landscaping than about a whole bunch of relationships between people, and between people and properties. Your mother may be caught up in rather mixed emotions at the moment. We're all a little more cavalier about our grandparents passing on since we always know they are old and will do so eventually, but this was her mother and she may be reluctant to swing into enthusiastic re-landscaping as if released from bondage - even if she has been. Or maybe the plants, for her, are connected to her parents in a good way. Whatever, this isn't just about the plants. And, to run the risk of speaking very frankly, if she has been just released from being dominated by her mother, the last thing she needs now is to be dominated by her daughter. I also see a problem in the concept of you doing garden work for your mom - if she were hiring someone else, she could tell them exactly what to do, and if you were doing it as a favour, you could demand a little more creative freedom in the work. But neither is the case, as I'm guessing you're working for cheap, and whenever you mix roles like that you run the risk of various boundaries being crossed. The flip side of this is that she cannot expect you to do her gardening in a setting you do not like. You should feel free to simply opt out if maintaining the existing plantings is what she wants done. In order to do favours (such as work for cheap or free) you have to enjoy what you're doing. What I would suggest as a way to maintain both your sanities is to ask her to let you "garden up" a corner of the yard other than these spots that bother you. Seeing what you do might spark her to take action on things in the areas you leave to her. One of the most important aspects of decision-making that is often overlooked is the issue of timing. If your mother is just not ready to let those plants go, or make a decision about how to replace them, that cannot be changed. To push her will generate some sort of negative outcome; either she'll change her mind just when you're happy, or blame you if the outcome isn't what she wants, or something else. I wouldn't push - you'll pay later if you win. You likely will continue to discuss landscaping with her, however, and if your mom is the age I figure she might be, she might be much happier with books than with a computer. But honestly, I find that the yard itself and a few visits to a nursery get the creative and decision-making juices flowing much better than looking at other settings. Not everyone can move ideas around from context to context. KarinL

just a little update. brought mine out of the greenhouse and into some filtered shade. They overwintered pretty good. A little yellowing on a couple and just a touch of leaf drop. Not a big fruit set but thats ok because I plan to push these with more N this year to really get bigger. Fukushu, key and washington left to right meyer, bearrs lime, armstrong satsuma, seedling grapefruit and seedling lemon, left to right up close of fukushu kumquat, probably my favorite right now. Prolific bloomer, great fruit set, and always healthy. Its regulary flowers every other month or so. Steve these are for you the lemon seedling on the right is one of 2 of the very first citrus I grew. the other I gave to my mother. Both were germinated in the Fall of 2009 making them just over 6 years old. Ive neglected them a little and thats why they arent so big. One did flower last spring but just one or 2 flowers. Grapefruit is about 3 years old. and again neglected a little. mike

Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

@Silica @JoJo (Nevada 9A) Thank you both for chiming in here! As far as the watering issue, I know there is something awry, but I do not know if it's a lack of water. I gave this tree a HEFTY soak when I had posted this, and the soil feels moist around the dripline. It was dryer than the Sahara before this. I can't dig around too deep, because I know there's a gas line there somewhere. Now for the issue of the irrigation system. This house is duplex split in half, and we have one side. There is one water valve which I am assuming "irrigates" the area where my trees are in the rear of the house, and may not be regulated. In the front of the house, there's an Orbit irrigation system, with a manual on/off valve at the top (this is currently turned off). however there's some sort of wiring that looks like it was originally hooked up to something. I have no idea what it was hooked up to, but the white wire runs into the wall of the house, and I can't determine what it is. Sounds like I may have to speak to my landlord on this one first, but it seems that the soil is still moist. The Meyer is the only tree that I'm concerned about at the moment, as the leaves seem to look funny, although they're producing lots of fruit. Here are more photos if you care to see :)