Read more about the article Pinch Those Suckers

Pinch Those Suckers

Continue ReadingPinch Those Suckers

A Master Gardenerd wrote in recently:

"Can you talk about pinching off some of the branches of tomato plants? Some people do and some don't. Is it necessary and how does one do it?"

Good question.  This is one of those concepts that breaks the hearts of many a gardener.  The thought process goes something like this, "If I pinch off the branches, then I'll get fewer tomatoes... I don't want fewer tomatoes...but they say that if you pinch them off, your tomatoes will be bigger and better tasting."  In a nutshell, that's the reason for pinching off branches.  It isn't absolutely necessary, but ...

A Stinky Affair: the tale of a trip to the Gilroy Garlic Festival

Continue ReadingA Stinky Affair: the tale of a trip to the Gilroy Garlic Festival

In honor of the pile of garlic bulbs which are curing on the counter behind me, it felt appropriate to reach into the archives and re-print an article I wrote for the Ocean View Farms newsletter several years ago. I hope you enjoy it:


A Stinky Affair


It was a hot and sunny day in Gilroy. Despite my olive skin and heavy doses of SPF 25, I still managed to develop a driver’s ...

Read more about the article Makin’ Tomato Cages

Makin’ Tomato Cages

Continue ReadingMakin’ Tomato Cages

They were fending for themselves and getting taller every day.  Critical Mass was about to be reached and it couldn't wait any longer.   My tomatoes needed support.  They were having a breakdown - or a "tip sideways" so to speak.  So I set out to build new cages for my leaning tower of tomatoes at home this weekend.  

For some of you, this might look really familiar, as I talk about the "How-To" of my tomato cages in Christy's Top 5 Organic Gardening Tips, which you can get when you sign up on the Gardenerd website.  For this project, I needed cages that were ...

Squeaky Clean and Bleach Free

Continue ReadingSqueaky Clean and Bleach Free

A gardenerd recently wrote in:

"I don't live in California to attend your classes, however I am interested in a bleach-free cleaner for garden tools, clay pots, bird baths and suet feeders."

Ah - good question - thanks so much for asking.  We talk a little bit about cleaning clay pots and such in the Small Space and Container Gardening class, and while a 1-to-10 part solution of bleach is recommended on many websites that I've researched for cleaning clay pots, you can also use a similar ratio of vinegar and water to clean as well.  The key ingredient in cleaning ...

Read more about the article Tools of a Different Kind

Tools of a Different Kind

Continue ReadingTools of a Different Kind

Warning - nerd alert!

Yesterday, I met with a client to help design the food garden at his new home.  The entire house is being remodeled and is going to be one of the greenest homes in the United States when all is said and done.  Using solar power, recycled materials, and renewable resources, the house is sure to be a centerfold in Architectural Digest or Mother Earth News in the coming year, and I'm thrilled to be part of the process. 

I'm also thrilled that I got to use one of my favorite tools for the job.  It's something I got ...

Read more about the article 1 Potato, 2 Potato…

1 Potato, 2 Potato…

Continue Reading1 Potato, 2 Potato…

If there's one thing I unwittingly repeat over and over again, it's this:

You haven't lived until you've grown your own potatoes.

Potatoes have been part of my garden for years.  They are comfort food for some, or the carb from hell for others, but aside from tomatoes, they are the quintessential vegetable (okay, tuber) to grow as a home gardener. 

About a month ago, I planted an assortment of seed potatoes in my back yard garden.  I obtained them from Wood Prairie Farm in Maine, where they sell organic, non-GMO seed potatoes and other organic vegetable seeds.  I was thrilled to ...

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