2008 - Page 10 of 15

Going Native

An enthusiastic gardenerd writes in:

"Where can I get a variety of CA native plants are cheap or free? I've got a 30 X 25 foot area that has been cleared of weeds, etc and is screaming to go native!"

Congratulations on the weeding, first of all, and secondly your decision to go native. There are a lot of ways to get native plants for your area, not all of them are legal. It really depends on how quickly you want to your garden to take shape. Here are a few suggestions:

Let's start with Free. The most free way ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:May 3, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:3 Comments

Long Live Asparagus!

Plant asparagus crowns now for years of tasty treats to come. This quick guide will have you growing in no time.

Post author:Christy
Post published:May 2, 2008
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

Starting Them Young

On Easter, I spent some time with my brother and his wife and their 20 month year old daughter, Arianwen (that's a Welsh name, pronounced Ar-e-ahn-wen). Not only am I completely in love with this child, I am completely biased in believing that everything she does is magical and fabulous. This Easter proved to be no different, when Arianwen began to garden right before my eyes.

Since it fits into our theme, I felt compelled to share some home videos. I know, I know, it's ridiculous to think that anyone would be interested in watching my niece garden, but it's ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 29, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Pickin’ and Plantin’

I just got back from my plot at Ocean View Farms community garden. It's seems that the heat wave has drawn everyone out into the garden this late afternoon. As the cloud cover started to provide some relief from the 90 degree weather, the breeze actually did its job of cooling us off.

Today I planted out some Jalapeño peppers and Anaheim chili peppers. I also planted out the eggplants that, along with their peppery friends had been sitting under grow lights for the last couple of months. I'm hoping they will take off once they get established. ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 29, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

A Feel-Good Moment in Gardening History

Last Sunday, April 20th, the New York Times Magazine published a new article by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense Of Food, and a piece that eloquently explains the flaws of our existing farm bill. This new article basically validates our existence as organic gardeners, and it brings me great pleasure to pass it on to you, my fellow Gardenerds.

It's a little lengthy, but completely worth the read. You'll feel good in the end. Enjoy.

Why Bother?

...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 25, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Herb Haven

This helpful tip will keep your freshly harvested herbs in tip top shape until you're ready to use them.

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 25, 2008
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

Happy Earth Day

Every year on Earth Day, I try to be out in my garden for at least part of the day. Today, I'm behind a desk, and my garden is calling me from afar. What can you do from behind a desk on Earth Day? Well, surf the net for Earth Day celebrations, environmental tips and other great information.

Both Google and Yahoo have featured Earth Day pages today:

http://www.google.com/search?q=earth+day

http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day

There are also some other great environmental websites that draw attention to climate change all year round:

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/

If you are able to get out and plant something, here ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 22, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Spring Vegetable Article on Low Impact Living.com

Just a quick note that a new article I wrote on veggies that grow in spring has been published on the www.lowimpactliving.com blog. If you want to go directly there, you can click here:

http://www.lowimpactliving.com/blog/2008/04/20/spring-garden-planting-guide/

Check out the rest of the website for great tips on lowering your carbon footprint in your daily lives.

Happy Gardening!

...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 21, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Having a Ball with Pillbugs – NOT!

A really great question came in this week:

"Dear Gardenerd,
Help! The sow bugs seem to have taken over. If they'd leave some strawberries for ME, I might cut them some slack, but they eat them ALL!! I saw some Praying Mantis eggs at Whole Foods... will they really rid my garden of the ill "pill" sow bugs?"

Ah, yes, our friendly neighborhood sowbug. Actually - I found an interesting piece of info to settle the discrepancy once and for all about the differences between sowbugs and pillbugs. It comes from Louise Kulzer in a feature called the Bug of the Month ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 19, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:1 Comment

A Haircut for your Brussel Sprouts

This helpful tip will encourage your brussel sprouts to grow big and strong. It's better than a Dorothy Hamill haircut.

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 18, 2008
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments