Winter Foods
Winter may not official start until later this month, but fall offers great seasonal ingredients for hearty winter meals.
Yours truly and Will Allen of Growing Power
Field Trip: Ocean View Farms and Will Allen
I had the pleasure of arranging a visit to Ocean View Farms organic community garden for a group of innovative folks who are working to solve several issues at once: food waste, food deserts, soil fertility, and carbon loss. What's the solution? Compost, of course. Will Allen, of Growing Power in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, led the group and the discussions that followed the tour. The event was sponsored and organized by The Community and Regional Food Systems Project, The Growing Experience,…
New bioswale captures and sinks water deep into the ground for fruit trees to enjoy.
Big Changes for a Big Front Yard
Our largest Turf Removal Rebate project to date involved eliminating 3,000 square feet of lawn in a big front yard and parkway in Beverlywood. The owners wanted to reduce their water bill and make their front yard an inviting place for kids to play, while providing native habitat for birds and pollinators. These were big changes for the neighborhood, as a quick drive around the block would prove. Every house had a lawn. This was going to be big. This…
Minnie and Moon
Check out her new site on http://www.minnieandmoon.com/?Click=1049 for holiday gifts (and a little something for yourself)
Technically a fruit, carob pods are eaten while the seeds are discarded.
Making Carob Powder
Autumn brings with it an array of colorful fruits and vegetables from the garden...and seeds. This Thanksgiving, as we dig into our root cellars for orange carrots, purple potatoes, and red beets, as well as colorful persimmons, pomegranates, and grapes, let's not forget our podded friends, seeds and nuts, that also contribute to holiday stuffings, nut breads and more. Today we're exploring one other option: Carob, a locally grown seed pod that substitutes for chocolate (okay, nothing replaces chocolate) and…
Rise of the Giants
This is a film dedicated to growing giant pumpkins
Celery has a bitter, strong unless it is blanched.
Ask Gardenerd: When to Blanch Celery
We love this question that came in to Ask Gardenerd this week: "I planted celery about 6 weeks ago (from the chopped off part of market celery) and it is doing well. The stalks are now about 1/2 inch thick. When do I wrap it and how to make the stalks turn white." - Audrey Bishop Thanks for your question, Audrey. Here's your answer: You've got time. Blanching, for those who aren't familiar, is the process of covering celery stalks…
Round the corner to the entrance to the farm and you're greeted with roses and hay bales.
Field Trip: Cal Poly Pomona’s Kellogg Ranch
It was 5:30 in the morning when I got in the car to drive the hour it would take to get to Cal Poly Pomona. By the time I arrived the sun was just creeping over the mountains, streaking light across the sleepy landscape. It revealed acres of open pasture, rows of fruit trees and yes, even the classic red barn. Translucent greenhouses glowed amber in front of the sun's assent. After driving through the long stretch of city life,…
Breaking up Clay Soil
Gardenerd answers this week what the best way to break up clay soil.
Gardener's Supply discontinued this bumper sticker years ago.
Giveaway: Random Acts of Gardening
It appears that the holiday season has officially begun, so in the spirit of giving, we're digging into our treasure trove for something special to give away to you, our faithful gardenerd readership. Oh, it's special, believe me. In fact, it's not even available anymore. That's right, you can't get this gem anywhere else. What is it? Behold: Funny how something becomes more valuable once it's not available anymore? We thought so. So how do you win this fantastic, no-longer-available…