Santa Fe, New Mexico

[Barbara Weintraub]

I'm a life member of NARGS, New Mexico Native Plant Society, and member of several other botanical and horticultural societies, but have been absent from the social scene for several years.

I've been living in this house for about 10 years and have done little actual gardening, except for the entry way, much of which had to be removed prior to last year's construction. Instead, I've been trying to restore my 1.75 acres of native grassland from a couple hundred years of overgrazing. This entails removing weeds, shrubs and a much-too-dense population of Cylindropuntia imbricata, and introducing forbs that should be here. It's slow going. Most of the native dryland species don't like being transplanted, and direct seeding is inefficient. I think I have a few species finally established, and will spread locally-collected seed again this year.

I had some pretty decent rock gardens and perennial beds associated with my previous home. Perhaps some of the NARGS and Penstemon Society old timers saw it. I'll try to find and digitize slides of it.

Last year, I had some major renovations performed on my home and have several new garden areas as a result! I need help with the hardscape and hard labor now, but hope that I'm still a pretty decent designer and grower. I have at least one rock garden planned, and another area that will include perennials and mat-forming plants along with plenty of local stone. In some areas, I will keep to color schemes and try for a sequence of bloom throughout the growing season. In others, I'll probably fall prey to "plant collector syndrome!"

I have a passion for photographing native plants in habitat. This is the first year when the southern New Mexico desert received enough winter moisture to bloom. I've taken one road trip already, and am heading down again this weekend. Since I still use film, I'll have to develop and digitize slides before posting photos both here and on my Facebook page.

See y'all at the annual meeting, and maybe Eriogonum and Penstemon Society meetings too!

[McDonough]

I have a passion for photographing native plants in habitat. This is the first year when the southern New Mexico desert received enough winter moisture to bloom. I've taken one road trip already, and am heading down again this weekend. Since I still use film, I'll have to develop and digitize slides before posting photos both here and on my Facebook page.

Barbara, you've set yourself up... now we all want to see lots of photographs of native plant in habitat.  Bring em on! 

Any reason not to jump into the digital era with digital cameras, even entry level ones like the one I share with my daughter (entry level Nikon Coolpix for $100) brings me a boatload of photos at 0$ cost... shoot all I want, many are ok or garbage, but I get lots of TERRIFIC pics too.  Then use some sort of inexpensive photo editing/management software (there are even some free versions out there), to do basic editing (cropping, resizing, light exposure adjustment, sharpening).  I find that there are typically significant losses of photo quality going from film images, converted to digital slides.  I shot about 200 images today alone, will probably get about 25 good shots of it, but when there are no film costs... just rechargeable batteries, it doesn't really matter... just shoot away and see what you get.

[RickR]

It's great to know a little more about you, Barbara.  I am late in the film to digital transition, buying my first digital camera in fall 2008.  And I'll never go back.  I have always photographed nature and flowers, and as you know the depth of field in close ups is a constant headache.  I've won awards for some of my close up photography, many years ago,  and now with the digital camera I feel cheated.  All that time setting up the tripod, waiting for an absolutely still moment, dealing with light that is so critical, etc.: they all are practically inconsequential to get a good picture.  Now anyone can take good close ups like my best ones from years ago, and they are so easy to transfer to the computer and post here! 

I also know what a chore it can be to scan film shot photos and convert to digital format. That pic of Jerffersonia diphylla I posted was a film photo, and scanned with a not so great scanner.  We will cherish any pics you post all the more.

[Hoy]

Hello Barbara!
interesting to learn about your plans. Isn't this what gardening is about: Ever having plans for projects and always wanting to try another plant. Contrary to the guys who buy their gardens ready and only mow the lawn.

[Todd Boland]

Welcome Barbara!  Like Mark, I look forward to seeing some of your natives...they would be completely foreign to me way up in the north!...well, maybe not as north as Trond, but colder!

[Spiegel]

Hi Barbara,
Nice to be in touch with you again even if it's only through the computer.  Good luck on your new rock garden construction, the end result will be worth the labors.  Hope to be seeing lots of your pictures on this Forum. Any pictures of the glorious peas would of course be more than welcome!
Anne Spiegel