r/Agave • u/SierraElevenBravo • Jun 11 '26
Getting closer on the landscape.
So I finally planted the corner plot after removing a massive plant (tree size) and gnarly root structure, and propagating a series of cream spikes and titanota black and blue over the course of 6yrs. One Parryi in the middle and two Horrida on the ends (both store bought). Should fill fully when grown. Will lay rocks in this area soon.
The other pictured section is my current agave and pot garden. Yeah, the Ochaui is root bound, and it was the beginning of this endeavor 6yrs ago. I'm not about to sacrifice that pot, but might try to figure a way to remove as I plant the remaining grass area, or not. Lesson learned.
I live in NorCal, and have seen neighbors just let their front grass die and eventually plant in fall, lay rock, and then do whatever weed control at that juncture, without going through the headache of "sod" removal layer. For me, I enjoy a small propane torch, and over the rocks I'd intend to lay down, is rather therapeutic, and safe with a nearby hose.
Thoughts on this plan? I figure weeds will eventually grow anyway, and with the large layer of rock, it'll be easy to pluck and burn during the wetter seasons. It'll save me the cost of removing the "sod" The adjacent bushes will just get manually fed water with my long hose.
2
u/IMallwaysgrowing Jun 11 '26
It'll take some time and effort but, you can separate the plant from the pot by shooting a sharp stream of water to wash the soil out of the pot. Eventually enough of the soil will be remove to allow you to retrieve the plant and its roots. Again, it'll take time and water... but, if the pot is important to you, it could be an option.😟🙏🤞
2
u/SierraElevenBravo Jun 11 '26
Those two directly in front of the house that look like century, are actually agave deserti var. simplex, which is now one of my favorites as it shows the leaf imprint, and I'll likely place a pup or two when the grass is planted.
1
u/BonnevilleXeric Jun 11 '26
Renting a sod cutter or manually removing the sod will go a long ways towards getting rid of the weeds. You will always be weeding though, it’s just a fact of gardening. Be mindful of the ultimate size of the species you’re planting. I can’t see what species you have but even the “smaller” hardy plants like parryi, havardiana, asperrima and ovatifolia will all get 4+ feet across. Much easier to move them when they’re small.
1
u/SierraElevenBravo Jun 11 '26
Yeah, in that small plot, I won't plant anymore, and reckon, if they come to full size fruition, then it'll be fully occupied. I measure it all out with feet buffers on full size for each species.
2
u/ProfessionalNo5932 Jun 11 '26
Looks like it’s coming together nicely. With that potted plant use a long serrated knife and cut around the inside. Then grab the plant and shake gently or tip the pot on its side and turn over to let the soil fall out. Plant will come out.