Gardenerd's Organic Gardening Blog

Group hive inspection

Field Trip: A Visit to a Bee Sanctuary

We're new to bee keeping, and while we enthusiastically raced out to buy equipment (bee suits, gloves, brush, hive tool, etc.), we have been lacking courage to open the hive and see what's going on in there. Until a recent trip to a bee sanctuary. Rob and Chelsea McFarland of Honeylove.org house upwards of 15 rescued hives in the hills of Moorpark, CA. Each month, they invite newbies and fellow bee keepers to come learn how to inspect the hives.…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 30, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Mittens likes cover crops

Cats in the Garden: Our New Addition

There's a new member of our garden's ecosystem, and her name is Mittens. This little black and white cat arrived to our neighborhood in November, and has been courting us ever since. She won us over with her gentle regard and loving disposition, and the fact that she'd sit in my lap all day if I let her. Mittens investigated our back yard, watching our chickens but not attacking. That was the big test. If they could get along, she…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 29, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:3 Comments

Grow Millet

This spring, try something new in your garden. Grow millet.

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 25, 2013
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

Fun With Seeds

Forget seed bombs, check out these cool coins for your garden.

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 18, 2013
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

Beans, squash, orach spinach, and herbs. Start these and more now.

Spring Planting: Gardeners, Start Your Engines!

It's time to start planning and planting that spring garden. Most gardeners in climates with last frost dates in March can start seeds indoors now. If you live in a warmer, frost-free zone, you can still start seeds indoors, but you'll soon be able to plant out in the ground next month. A question came in from a new garden about what to plant now. Here's our helpful spring planting guide: Cool Weather stuff: Asparagus – plant crowns and slowly…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 17, 2013
Post category:Blog Sage Advice
Post comments:6 Comments

Finished Citrus Salt, ready for gifts.

Making Citrus Salt

This holiday season we gave gifts from the garden, which came primarily from our citrus trees. Sunset Magazine featured an easy home made gift idea that struck a chord: citrus salt. Sprinkle it on salads, meats, and in soups to brighten flavors just before serving. Here's how we did it. Ingredients 1 cup course flake salt (we used Penzeys - our favorite spice company) 3 Tbsp. citrus zest, any kind (we used lemon, lime and orange, divided) How-to: Combine salt…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 15, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:7 Comments

Petroleum in Our Food?

Make it a New Year’s resolution to reduce the distance your food travels, as well as the stuff that’s sprayed on them.

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 11, 2013
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

Parsnips, carrots, a purple sweet potato and Yukon potato

Roasted Winter Vegetable Jambalaya

Looking for a delicious way to cook up those winter vegetables? Look no further. This recipe from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times magazine cooks up a savory, satisfying jambalaya that rivals any meat version. Smoked paprika, cayenne and chili powder make it spicy, but not too hot. Roasted Winter Vegetable Jamabalaya -Serves 6 1 cup long-grain brown rice (we used short grain - worked fine) 2 large carrots, diced 2 medium parsnips, diced 1 small sweet potato, diced…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 9, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:4 Comments

Dirt Simple Compost Tea Brewer

2013 Gardening Resolutions

With each new year, gardeners vow to make changes or try new techniques (or remember old ones). 2013 shall be no different, and so we bring you Gardenerd's Gardening Resolutions for the new year. 1) De-Clutter - haven't used that stack of plastic pots in three years? It's time to let them go. Donate them to a school or recycle them through Freecycle or Craigslist. I'm cleaning out shredded bird netting, old balls of wire (collected from Christmas wreaths of…

Post author:Christy
Post published:January 8, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:2 Comments

Winter Solstice is Here

Winter solstice (in the northern hemisphere) means that it’s the shortest day and longest night of the year. What does this mean for your garden?

Post author:Christy
Post published:December 21, 2012
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments