Wordless Wednesday: Winter is Our Spring
California is known for its weather, and for those who don't yet know, winter everywhere else is our spring. Here in SoCal flowers have sprouted everywhere, peas are growing strong, brassicas are loving the rain (LOTS of rain!). For gardeners with yards covered in snow, enjoy those seed catalogs by the fire. We're still tending the soil and harvesting winter crops. Enjoy these shots from our winter garden. We hope you are enjoying the winter regardless of whether you are…
YouTube: Making Water from Air with David Hertz
Our latest YouTube video features an interview with David Hertz of SkySource. We explore how a machine can make water from air, and how the device is being used in drought-stricken areas to keep gardens and trees alive. This video is part of a new endeavor for 2017: the Acknowledgment Series. People doing good work in the world deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts and we've set out to do that. Check out David's innovative solution to the drought…
Ask Gardenerd: Short Season Varieties
When asked about her greatest garden challenge, Melinda from Sweden wrote to us recently, "No doubt about it, here in Sweden our greatest gardening challenge is the climate, low temperatures and frost as late as 13 June and as early as late-August. I just sigh when I see seed packets where 95 days frost-free are required. In spite of this challenge I am always looking for ways to "negotiate with nature" to create micro-climates and take such short-cuts as indoor…
Giveaway: Corona Snips and Gardening for Geeks
Fruit tree pruning season is at hand and it brings to mind the importance of having the right tools. Whether you're pruning a fruit tree, a shrub or a bonsai, the right tool makes the job easy. The wrong tool can damage the plant/tree and welcome unwelcome diseases. Corona Tools gave us a pair of Curved Grape Snips to give away to one lucky Gardenerd who grows grapes (or wants to in 2017). Is that you? We know several gardenerds…
YouTube: Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees
Happy New Year, gardenerds! It's time for a fresh start. Nothing says that better than planting bare root fruit trees. Bare root trees are usually ordered in October/November and shipped out in winter depending on where you live. Ours just arrived and this video shows you how to plant your new tree. Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees For more information about fruit trees, check out these blog posts: Chill Hours - choosing the right fruit tree Citrus Fruit Tree Care…
Recipe: Tuscan Kale Risotto with Mushrooms and Rosemary
It's kale season, and we have (don't gasp) 28 plants...or so...growing in the Gardenerd test garden; 10 different varieties to be specific. What can I say, we love kale! Here is the most recent recipe we tested out on the first chilly night of the season. You'll love this Tuscan Kale Risotto with Mushrooms and Rosemary: Here's the recipe - warning - it uses a lot of pans: Tuscan Kale Risotto with Mushrooms and Rosemary - Vegetarian Times, June 2016…