After a good year for rain, like this one, the California Poppy bloom, along with other wildflowers should be quite dramatic. You can keep abreast of what is happening by visiting the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR web site or calling their hotline at (661) 724-1180. Click to see many pictures from our 2003 [...]
Urban homesteaders find ideal ground in Altadena Neighbors swap produce, honey, eggs and much more in Altadena, where the urban homesteading movement has produced much more than sustenance. March 10, 2011 Los Angeles Times By Veronique de Turenne Sometimes, the peach on a backyard tree is just a peach, a sweet, home-grown bonus. In certain [...]
The Dry Garden: Southern California’s most interesting experiment in water-wise landscaping March 12, 2011, Los Angeles Times, Emily Green “Spotting a pumpkin identified as a gourd prompted Leigh Adams to write John Lyons. She was (and is) an expert in gourd-craft as well as the artist-in-residence at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. [...]
I joined in on #gardenchat tonight and it was a fun ride. You can find complete information on how to join the chat each Monday on the Gardenchat Web Site. You can also download a PDF file tonight’s chat (and other, past chats) from the web site. Download #gardenchat transcript 20110307 (PDF) Remember, you can [...]
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# 8 Garden Crafts I came across this book years ago, but saw it again in the library and was reminded how nice it is. There are some great ideas for nearly every type of garden, along with detailed instructions. The photography is great and really gives you a clear idea how each piece is [...]
Cookies and More Holiday Special A Holiday Special from WelchWrite.com Each year I make over 80 dozen cookies and candies for our annual Cookie Party. After 15+ years of putting this party together, I have collected a lot of cookie stories, recipes and advice. This year, I am putting together “Cookies and More for the [...]
# 4 Troy-Bilt TB154E 6.5 Amp Electric Front Tine Forward Rotating Garden Tiller/Cultivator When I moved to Los Angeles 22 years ago, I left behind my grandmother’s ½ acre garden and our own ¼ acre plot behind the house. I thought little of gardening for almost 10 years. Some people are good with houseplants. I [...]
# 3 The 3,000 Mile Garden: An Exchange of Letters Between Two Eccentric Gourmet Gardeners Two gardeners, one in Maine and one in London, carry on a correspondence on gardening, gardens and their effects on those who tend them. One of my favorite books. All Gift Guide Recommendations: # 2 Fiskars 9625 18-Inch PowerGear Bypass [...]
# 2 Fiskars 9625 18-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper I am big fan of Fiskars tools and my older version of these pruners continues to work amazingly well. A few years ago, I busted the blades while trying to cut a branch that was too large. At the time, and I think still to this day, [...]
