Angel100
Member
Hi
I hope you guys don't mind my new member questions. So very many threads and great information.
My Dad has a 100+ Desert Tortoise in a big back yard for over 40 years on Long Beach. I have helped him raise and care for two young ones for 15 years or so. So my Dad has taken great care for them. We only have Grandpa tortoise now. We have grass, fruit trees and various plants and bushes in the backyard. I have 3 dogs who love him too.
Can we apply organic compost or fertilizer to the fruit trees? Just mix it around the root area without harming our Grandpa? Also, I know about poisonous plants and flowers. I would like to plant some lavendar, sage and a couple flower plants in several high planters Grandpa will not have access to but flowers may drop. How can I safely do these things around him. I don't remember last time we put soil or fertilizer in the yard and I want to keep Grandpa very safe.
We feed Grandpa organic lettuce only. He wanders around the grass to eat the grass and gather water. Dad says that is how he gets his water. I have a flat tray filled with water every day he ignores. He has learned how to sleep and hibernate in ways to keep predators from harming him. I want to feed him other things now but don't know what is safe since he ever has lettuce. Would it hurt him or his stomach to add a few things? I enjoy him very much. He walks with me in the yard, let's me pet his head and legs and pat him gently when telling him I love him. He turns his eyes up to me. I know he is very present. I would love to let him be free but since that is not possible, he has a big back yard and things to do. I would enjoy hearing about how some of you play or interact with your tortoises too.
I'm thrilled to have found this forum. I am sorry for these pretty basic questions but thousands of topics I just could not find some for my questions. Thanks for your patience.
Angel
Long Beach
I hope you guys don't mind my new member questions. So very many threads and great information.
My Dad has a 100+ Desert Tortoise in a big back yard for over 40 years on Long Beach. I have helped him raise and care for two young ones for 15 years or so. So my Dad has taken great care for them. We only have Grandpa tortoise now. We have grass, fruit trees and various plants and bushes in the backyard. I have 3 dogs who love him too.
Can we apply organic compost or fertilizer to the fruit trees? Just mix it around the root area without harming our Grandpa? Also, I know about poisonous plants and flowers. I would like to plant some lavendar, sage and a couple flower plants in several high planters Grandpa will not have access to but flowers may drop. How can I safely do these things around him. I don't remember last time we put soil or fertilizer in the yard and I want to keep Grandpa very safe.
We feed Grandpa organic lettuce only. He wanders around the grass to eat the grass and gather water. Dad says that is how he gets his water. I have a flat tray filled with water every day he ignores. He has learned how to sleep and hibernate in ways to keep predators from harming him. I want to feed him other things now but don't know what is safe since he ever has lettuce. Would it hurt him or his stomach to add a few things? I enjoy him very much. He walks with me in the yard, let's me pet his head and legs and pat him gently when telling him I love him. He turns his eyes up to me. I know he is very present. I would love to let him be free but since that is not possible, he has a big back yard and things to do. I would enjoy hearing about how some of you play or interact with your tortoises too.
I'm thrilled to have found this forum. I am sorry for these pretty basic questions but thousands of topics I just could not find some for my questions. Thanks for your patience.
Angel
Long Beach