Yesterday morning there was a mandatory fire evacuation a couple miles from me and we were on standby. As the helicopters and planes were flying over my house and officials on loudspeaker saying to prepare for evacuation, we were prioritizing what we needed to take. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to get it under control, but it was really windy and Laguna Beach had a huge fire in the past, so I was seriously assessing what I would save. Besides my pets, photos and important documents, the only thing I cared about were my plants. Our van is in the shop, so I couldn't really take anything with me.
In the past couple of years, we have been simplifying our life and considering what really matters to us as we plan our future. Now I was in a situation thinking I could lose my garden and plants and what I've worked to create over 20 years. I surrendered to the moment and put the container plants that would be difficult to replace in the garage, my jaboticaba collection, yangmeis, hilo white pineapple, passiflora antioquiensis, a young surinam cherry that is said to be large and taste like tangerines, yellow grumichama, butterscotch sapodilla, a couple eugenias, and my favorite rare orchids. As I walked through the garden later, I was/am so grateful to have all these plants in my life. Also, so grateful for the firefighters, they are heroes to me.
This opportunity also made me realize I need to make back ups of my rare plants to keep at the farm, and share the genetics with others so they're not lost. In my personal life, there aren't very many people passionate about plants and fruits. So I am thankful to have found this community here. I am assuming there are others here who would be priortizing plants during an emergency evacuation.
Janet