rooftop garden

OK, so I really, really hate to clean the gutters...but this is ridiculous! The situation has been compounded by the size of the porch roof (can't get the stuff stuck in the middle from the sides) and the fact that the porch is not really sturdy enough to hold a full-size human.


After taking this photo, I did manage to uproot some of the larger plants that were closest to the roof-side. It actually makes a pretty nice place to start new plants. I was able to transplant some of the specimens to the yard and so far, they are doing quite well. Now if only I can figure out a way to make it a little more accessible!

Suggestions I've received:

• Use a rake - the rakes that I have are too wide to fit between the channels. But I do plan to try to find a narrower one this weekend. This is plan A.
  
• Get a high-powered pressure washer - this is probably the most practical suggestion. However, it involves the hassle of renting the equipment and then climbing onto the main roof. This option scares me a little.
• Embrace it - consider it a benefit and use it until the weight and/or the TREE growing there brings the whole thing crashing down

backyard spider

For weeks I've been wondering what kind of spider it is that has moved in over the compost heap and so this weekend I've spent several hours scouring spider images to find a match. And when I say hours, I am NOT exaggerating! I knew it must be some type of orb weaver but even looking up "common Florida spiders" did not turn up anything that resembled it more than slightly. It was particularly evident since this spider has an odd body shape - very conical - which none of the spiders I was looking at seemed to have. (Although I was a little unsure b/c due to their position, I could never get a good look at them from the top).

Anyway, FINALLY discovered that what I have living all around my yard is the Leucauge venusta (aka "orchard spider"). Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information out there on them but I must say that they are beautiful spiders. They are also fascinating to watch.