Read more about the article Active Batch Composting
The "thermal" in active batch thermal composting

Active Batch Composting

Continue ReadingActive Batch Composting

What the heck is "Active Batch Composting" anyway? You're about to find out, but first let's look at another term: Cold composting. Cold composting, though the name is a bit of a misnomer, is what most gardeners do. We have a compost bin or pile, and over time we add our kitchen scraps and garden waste, some leaves and shredded office paper, tissues, paper towels, etc. We water it and wait. The temperature may climb to 100-120°F but that's about…

Read more about the article Field Trip: Permaculture / Biodynamic Garden
Linda's husband, Richard's recording studio overlooks a slope of rosemary, fruit trees and artichokes.

Field Trip: Permaculture / Biodynamic Garden

Continue ReadingField Trip: Permaculture / Biodynamic Garden

Field trips are always fun because you get to see concepts in practice. Visiting Linda Gibbs' garden was no exception. I stopped by her Malibu home last week for a look at her Permaculture/biodynamic garden as she prepared for spring. Linda's property sits at the edge of a gulch and overlooks the ocean. Lush green views and ocean breezes lend themselves to a peaceful garden experience. Over winter, wild fennel, borage and grasses volunteer to cover the hillside to attract…

Read more about the article Family’s New Vegetable Garden
Completed garden with cool season crops planted. We left room for warm season crops, which will be planted next month.

Family’s New Vegetable Garden

Continue ReadingFamily’s New Vegetable Garden

A student from my Santa Monica College gardening course hired me to design a vegetable garden - a few raised beds so his family could grow tomatoes, salad greens and more. The family had moved into their house recently and were overhauling the landscaping to make it low-maintenance. The homeowners enjoyed colorful, artistic surroundings, but they wanted a clean palette to start with. Old weedy lawns, ill-placed concrete borders and invasive plant materials all had to go. I wanted their…

Read more about the article Wider Pastures: New Chicken Run
U-pins hold netting in place to keep curious hens from crawling out underneath.

Wider Pastures: New Chicken Run

Continue ReadingWider Pastures: New Chicken Run

We were lucky. Our chickens never really discovered the garden. They simply stayed within bounds to peck and scratch the day away. Until last week. Their eyes have been opened and all the world is suddenly their oyster. I think not. Time for a new, larger chicken run to contain the birds but let them feel as though the have free range of the yard. Taking note from Omlet's chicken fence, we set out for the hardware store for stakes…

Read more about the article Recipe: Northern Spy Kale Salad
Kale Salad ready for scarfing.

Recipe: Northern Spy Kale Salad

Continue ReadingRecipe: Northern Spy Kale Salad

For winter gardeners, kale is a staple crop that we have the pleasure of harvesting all season long. It grows well in spring in cooler climates, so for those covered in snow, you have that to look forward to. While there is no shortage of kale recipes to try, the goal, in fact, is to try as many as possible. Salads, soups, stews and main dishes; the possibilities are endless. This week we made the Northern Spy Kale Salad from…

Read more about the article Cats in the Garden: Our New Addition
Mittens likes cover crops

Cats in the Garden: Our New Addition

Continue ReadingCats 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…

Read more about the article Spring Planting: Gardeners, Start Your Engines!
Beans, squash, orach spinach, and herbs. Start these and more now.

Spring Planting: Gardeners, Start Your Engines!

Continue ReadingSpring 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…

Read more about the article Making Citrus Salt
Finished Citrus Salt, ready for gifts.

Making Citrus Salt

Continue ReadingMaking 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…

Read more about the article Roasted Winter Vegetable Jambalaya
Parsnips, carrots, a purple sweet potato and Yukon potato

Roasted Winter Vegetable Jambalaya

Continue ReadingRoasted 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…

Read more about the article 2013 Gardening Resolutions
Dirt Simple Compost Tea Brewer

2013 Gardening Resolutions

Continue Reading2013 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…

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