tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79800524129603649182024-03-05T09:14:12.082-08:00L.A. Kitchen GardenJoyfully obsessed with growing food in the backyardKazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-48329461384595415242012-12-09T14:07:00.002-08:002012-12-14T20:48:49.307-08:00Has It Really Been 2 1/2 Years? What can I say? Once my friend Connie turned up conspicuously late to work and I asked her why. She said "I was busy". That's my answer too. I was busy.
Now we are in a new house starting a new garden. It is both exciting and daunting to start over.
The first task was to decide what trees and shrubs to keep and what to remove. With the help of arborist Rebecca Latta we identified 16 trees to be removed. These were not always easy decisions, because some trees I would have loved to have in my garden were damaged or infested with borers. Many trees had been topped, or girdled and some were intertwined with a chain link fence in such a way as they would never be healthy. After checking to see that the chips from these trees would not spread any disease, I had the workers grind the branches for wood chip mulch. Many big chunks of a large Ash tree made a circle of stumps like the one we so enjoyed in our last home. I also removed about 100 shrubs that had been placed in random rows were very congested.
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Once your garden space is cleared of unwanted plants the next step is to start the soil on the road to health and vibrancy. My soil was generally of good structure, a little too rocky, but lacking any signs of life. While using the stump grinder it became apparent that the whole back yard was mulched about 6 inches down with black plastic. Every time the grinder was lifted it pulled up a ragged black volcano. This would explain why the soil was dead. I couldn't find a single worm or sign of fungal life. No air. The water must have been running off and only seeping through the odd tear. I wondered, would the worms return on there own or would I have to bring some in?
We started by spreading 10 truckloads of Craptonite (horse manure and wood shavings) from Zeke the Sheik the Guru of Poopoo. The wood chips from the tree removal were spread in the front yard where there is a beautiful old olive and a magnificent Deodar. Then came an alfalfa cover crop in the back. Warning: there are perennial and annual versions of alfalfa. I bought annual, but was sent perennial. This is going to take work to cut back because each deeply rooted plant will have to be cut below the growth point or it will keep coming back.
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This is my first time dealing with gophers and I have a lot to learn. I am not opposed to trapping but finding the tunnels and setting the traps is an art. I purchased many "gopher baskets". These 1 and 5 gallon stainless steel baskets are made in such a way that the mesh will spread as the tree roots grow. This is a problem when using chicken wire as a gopher barrier, because the twisted wires of poultry mesh can be unyielding to growing roots. I recommend the web site "Gophers Limited" for wire, baskets, traps and information.
Here I can see that my basket has kept the gopher from my newly planted Saijo Persimmon. Kazi, 1. Gopher, 0.
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Now, after 4 days of gentle rain that soaked well into the ground worms have returned, along with a rainbow of bizarre and beautiful fungal life. The soil is coming alive again and I can see the long white strands of Mycelium when I turn any soil. It's just a beginning on the long road to vibrant and healthy soil, but it is very satisfying to see.
Here are some examples:
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Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-2681029441998314912010-08-10T16:59:00.001-07:002010-08-10T17:21:06.916-07:00Early August Images<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b_s0yDLSsi5aKS4TV1uZtpzxnkhs_0_kw62xLkZ6s056Jr_ZJ7ceGg4sKt8pl243QBqFhBdARW_tmWl3lZv5JNYDiuy94JwujJQaV5RVMxBTikyoc6OGajJIi-QOQVkNhDshYdRcXJM/s1600/August+10+2010+34.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b_s0yDLSsi5aKS4TV1uZtpzxnkhs_0_kw62xLkZ6s056Jr_ZJ7ceGg4sKt8pl243QBqFhBdARW_tmWl3lZv5JNYDiuy94JwujJQaV5RVMxBTikyoc6OGajJIi-QOQVkNhDshYdRcXJM/s320/August+10+2010+34.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503939006454142370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3NKshSKt6DxS-s53qbqfC-ChaB8MVi5e8IoySoJW1u29EdvaOU-D8ACfC37IknpJEY_Y2c_OyBqXFRcusilB21ScEjAbW5oRIYdg1Ov_A8vTURKlw-qdA9nIxC8ImAuE-AVatdyqR8/s1600/August+10+2010+30.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3NKshSKt6DxS-s53qbqfC-ChaB8MVi5e8IoySoJW1u29EdvaOU-D8ACfC37IknpJEY_Y2c_OyBqXFRcusilB21ScEjAbW5oRIYdg1Ov_A8vTURKlw-qdA9nIxC8ImAuE-AVatdyqR8/s320/August+10+2010+30.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503938992333639026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD_2rC_jrhqzOybcqKAUU1bcE2w7REWr4Y9GTBUIqcWKBbJ36iEkXeMpYCqy9Fdni7T4-ROGLBZ0C54N8YLNRBmS_Sq-QC2Wi2RSgfaTP8h6C9R4G9nLiCe7rfZKh5ZV1_mjrYxCa5Os/s1600/August+10+2010+22.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD_2rC_jrhqzOybcqKAUU1bcE2w7REWr4Y9GTBUIqcWKBbJ36iEkXeMpYCqy9Fdni7T4-ROGLBZ0C54N8YLNRBmS_Sq-QC2Wi2RSgfaTP8h6C9R4G9nLiCe7rfZKh5ZV1_mjrYxCa5Os/s320/August+10+2010+22.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503938972006681074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo6PLbIEPJGTHW9nYSfG9hJc-pRvRMRYV08VMhUwMVFo7roVBA2eJiMxtbWnyiU-pwYCjZgflUs6C28IQkp0trbl2-PU60cypqdMpin1eVv55F99SdCV71ihyphenhyphenq8-s0twfscV_DESyQMs/s1600/August+10+2010+14.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo6PLbIEPJGTHW9nYSfG9hJc-pRvRMRYV08VMhUwMVFo7roVBA2eJiMxtbWnyiU-pwYCjZgflUs6C28IQkp0trbl2-PU60cypqdMpin1eVv55F99SdCV71ihyphenhyphenq8-s0twfscV_DESyQMs/s320/August+10+2010+14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503938951095004338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEjtiY-LfqF8GThwkp3nwLiaY9VQOmDIVsMF4xDbMJ2qMyEPI-eY5JABs0HIH6jWL8c6ljvP115c4okVL9mFmICijwcZdaetiDBPl68o10eNuhewnerbOCIs6rvlTmrraw8TfKq_OH3w/s1600/August+10+2010+05.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEjtiY-LfqF8GThwkp3nwLiaY9VQOmDIVsMF4xDbMJ2qMyEPI-eY5JABs0HIH6jWL8c6ljvP115c4okVL9mFmICijwcZdaetiDBPl68o10eNuhewnerbOCIs6rvlTmrraw8TfKq_OH3w/s320/August+10+2010+05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503938939653491746" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-35531829360055103712010-07-02T09:40:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:41:22.552-07:00Summer Woes and WondersEarly summer is a wonderful moment in the L.A. garden. Even if June gloom (our foggiest month) stalls the garden for a few weeks, as it almost always does, there is something so exciting about the burst of young energy in the vegetable bed. This June was unusual. There were very few foggy days and the beautiful weather made the garden particularly verdant. <br /><br />Woes:<br /><br />I never plant the summer garden as early as my friends, not for any gardening reason, but because it works best for my family’s summer schedule. This year I planted even later than usual because ALL my seedlings died. All of them—maybe 200. I’ve thought a lot about why this might have happened and there isn’t an easy answer. They started beautifully under my lights in late March and early April. They sprouted in a timely and vigorous way, and I potted them from 72 cell trays into paper cups. I used to use Styrofoam cups but switched to paper because I didn’t like buying and throwing away all that plastic. This year when my seedlings were potted up they totally and completely stopped growing. Completely. For 2 months. And then they died. Part way through this, when I realized there was trouble, I switched some of the tomatoes to 4” nursery pots. Some of these made it, were planted in the beds and are now an amazing 4 or 5 inches tall. Wow. Spectacular growth for 3 months! Not.<br /><br /> I’ve spoken to many gardening friends about this. Various possible reasons came up: some kind of plastic coating on the cups was toxic to the plants; the cups were white and let too much light into the root area; the soil mix, which I’ve used before, had changed formulas; I should have used a sterilized mix even when potting up; too much bottom heat; too much water. I’m stumped. Next year I will use a sterilized mix and seed directly into 4” nursery pots. It was clear towards the very end that many plants succumbed to “damping-off,” but that was only the final straw for already weak plants. Sometimes you do something the same way for years and then all of a sudden it doesn’t work. <br /><br />I went out hunting for tomato, eggplant and pepper plants in mid June to replace all my losses, but the wide variety I had started by seed can never be replaced commercially. I will miss my Bulgarian Carrot, Czech Black and Aji Dulce peppers, and Senryo eggplants among many others. Most of the nurseries around me seem to get their peppers and eggplants from a single source, and I found very little stock difference at the places I looked. One friend gave me 10 fabulous tomato varieties, and I happened upon a good selection of eggplants one day, but peppers were a problem. While even OSH is carrying heirloom tomato varieties, it seems that the world of commercially available chiles is reduced to Jalapeno, Serrano, Hungarian Yellow Wax, Habanero, Anaheim and Cayenne.<br /><br />Wonders:<br /><br />I order sweet potato starts in the mail from a wonderfully quirky and admirable organization, Sandhill Preservation. This year I have the “Rainbow Collection” with purple, orange, white and yellow varieties. There is something incredibly satisfying about digging these up in the fall. They are so crisp when you cut into them, in the same way as spring new potatoes but at the end of summer. This is my first time with the varied colors, and later I will report on their successes. They make such a beautiful plant and flower in the summer garden. <br /><br />The Hickory King dent corn I planted is well on the way to its 15-foot height. It is in the front yard. One of my best memories from last summer was standing at the kitchen sink and hearing someone on the street in front of the house hit the brakes. I’d look up to see them backing up to look at the giant corn plants. Trailing around it this year are Musquee de Provence pumpkins, giant blue Hubbards, Australian Butter squash and a bright orange turban squash. I know I love the Butter squash and the Musquee. The other varieties I planted for their fun color and shape, and if I’m lucky they will taste great, too. At the base of each corn stalk are Italian Avellino beans. An international three sisters.<br /><br />I’m trying a new way of trellising cukes this year. I took a 3½ x 5 ft. trellis and laid it on its side on some concrete piers. The idea is that the cukes will hang down from the trellis, they will be easy to spot, not lie on the ground, and will have extra air circulation in the hopes of slowing the onset of powdery mildew, an inevitable visitor in late summer.<br /><br />This is looking like a great year in the orchard. My donut peaches were abundant and delicious. It’s easy to see why they are so rare and expensive in the stores. Don’t look away from your bowl of peaches, because when you turn back they will have gone from perfectly ripe to perfectly rotten. The other peaches and plums have wonderful crops on them. The brown rot that ruined so much of last year’s stone fruit crop is only minimally present. <br /><br />And last of today’s wonders is the incredible 2010 avocado crop. The Fuerte tree has been unbelievably generous and is nearing the end of its season. It will soon drop the rest of its crop. I have images of Eva on the roof of the little barn with the picker extended maximally and Jose sitting in a high crook of the tree with a fruit picking bag slung over his shoulder, trying to balance the picker, the bag and himself to get as many as possible. Now we will move on to the Haas crop as the season progresses and the fruit gets oilier and richer. Yum.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-78877471394972175722010-04-30T08:57:00.000-07:002010-04-30T09:56:43.191-07:00Talk of cornRecently, on one of my online vegetable growing discussion groups there was talk of corn and the Three Sisters (not the mountains in Oregon). <br />Three sisters is a traditional American Indian planting of corn, beans and squash together. The beans climb the corn and the squash wanders through the corn patch, insulating the soil and helping conserve water.<br />Last year I planted Hickory King dent corn (the tallest corn—reaching 15ft.), scarlet runner beans, and Australian butter squash. I enjoyed growing cornmeal corn, and the butter squash, which is a variety fairly new to the seed catalogues, was delicious, and stored well. The scarlet runner bean goes on my list of “veggies more people should be growing”.<br /><br />I thought this exchange on the discussion group was interesting and worth sharing. I like hearing individual success stories/methods and this one, with a few of it’s responses, is informative.<br /><br />Here it is:<br /><br />Yes, you can use the SFG (Kazi’s note- this is the Square Foot gardening method — a popular and successful backyard gardening method that works well for people with unworkable soil) of closer planting in heavily amended soil (lots of compost). I generally plant my corn on 7" x 7" spacing in a patch, not rows. If you step carefully, you can get to the interior of the patch while the corn is young ... but it is dense enough to keep most weeds from sprouting ;-)<br /><br />This does make it a problem for adding pole beans to the corn, tho ... so I plant bush beans around the outer edge of the corn patch, and plant watermelon or cantaloupe and let the vines run through the corn patch. There will be a significantly cooler environment under the corn stalks.<br /><br />I also weave a soaker hose through the patch when it is knee high ... at that time, I hill the corn, side dress with compost, lay the soaker hose, and mulch with grass clippings. Until tasselling, this is generally the last 'hands on' care the corn needs.<br /><br />At tasselling, I go out in the early morning when the wind is at it's lowest and brush through the patch to make sure the pollen falls into the corn, and not blown away on the wind.<br /><br />The next time I do anything for the corn is to apply SevinDust to keep the corn borer caterpiller out of the ears when the kernels are starting to fill in. I only apply it once.<br /><br />The last time I do anything to the corn, is HARVEST! Woohoo!<br /><br />a response:<br /><br />If Sevin dust gets on the tassels, it can kill bees that are gathering pollen.<br /><br />You can also control earworm without affecting bees, by using a dropper to put a drop or two of mineral oil on the silk where it emerges from the husk, just as it is drying out after pollination. This will suffocate any earworms inside.<br /><br />and another: <br /><br />Hilling means mounding up the soil.<br />Because corn stands tall, it is quite vulnerable to going down in a wind, especially in soft loamy or sandy soils. Hilling the corn helps support it better. It also helps drainage in poorly draining soils.<br /><br />and one more: <br /><br />Pollination is easy with corn. When the tassles form, pollen will begin to shed. The silks should be light green and fresh looking. When they get dry and start turning brown, it's too late.<br /><br />It can be as easy as walking the row knocking each stalk with your elbow, so it spreads pollen on adjacent plants. Or you can be more purposeful and bend the tassel over the silk of adjacent plants and shake it. If you have low sun (early morning) and the sun is behind your tassel, you can see the pollen in the air.<br /><br />And early morning is the best time. If it gets hot and dry, pollen will die.<br /><br />For small patches or windless seasons, I would always help out the corn as an insurance policy. Many of the big corn growers of the Midwest don't trust to luck either. They hire helicopters to fly up and down the rows, just above the corn.<br /><br />thanks to those who share their knowledge.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-40476909349333515782010-04-07T09:50:00.000-07:002010-04-07T09:54:49.482-07:00Snarky bees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgos5HznPLGmmRebKyveJM_Y1PnPNydxRY4f64D06PRMykBH_K5bk8hdNcHLk8bY2JqqiGOUhOHO13xsYTvsFH11sQAjOutTlvebur2FPAQhSe0ke5mlniq51TnRu_OnP_HteCBx_uYaY/s1600/bees+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgos5HznPLGmmRebKyveJM_Y1PnPNydxRY4f64D06PRMykBH_K5bk8hdNcHLk8bY2JqqiGOUhOHO13xsYTvsFH11sQAjOutTlvebur2FPAQhSe0ke5mlniq51TnRu_OnP_HteCBx_uYaY/s320/bees+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457439964029689314" /></a><br />Here's the beekeeper Bruce tending the hives last night. I got stung twice- once on the ear. Not the way I had hoped it would turn out, but I always want to get close to watch him and I sometimes pay for it.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-4742775211866350702010-04-06T16:18:00.000-07:002010-04-06T16:28:47.202-07:00SWARM!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIgLMeErHIJtkBX7jGXWEpD7wpxYDc-qYWt1QPxbnTdzhZ9pwLKGylt0_xoBtlmLaEKm4n7fO-t9RpLKwtHmGpzlhw-HHdtnkMtVDmBL0sgMWZfQIjYX7wi-9CKAdulnJPeaxEVaNw7o/s1600/Swarm.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIgLMeErHIJtkBX7jGXWEpD7wpxYDc-qYWt1QPxbnTdzhZ9pwLKGylt0_xoBtlmLaEKm4n7fO-t9RpLKwtHmGpzlhw-HHdtnkMtVDmBL0sgMWZfQIjYX7wi-9CKAdulnJPeaxEVaNw7o/s320/Swarm.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457169722693210322" /></a><br />One of my beehives swarmed today. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When the hive gets overpopulated and raises a new queen it will divide and part of it will take off to a new home. The swarm was hanging in my tangerine tree. I called the beekeeper, but before he could get here to capture it, it went away. I wish I knew where it went. Unlike the horror movie image of a swarm, it is actually not dangerous. The bees carry a food supply with them and their bellies are so distended with honey that they could not arch their backs to sting you if they wanted.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-34631632385060995982010-04-04T06:29:00.000-07:002010-04-05T06:57:04.746-07:00Hybrid or Heirloom?As home vegetable gardening has become so much more common in the past few years more and more people come to me for advice or ask to see my garden. A kindergarten class is coming in a few weeks, the local Junior College has asked me to get involved in their new permaculture garden, a film maker wants to film my garden to try and raise money for his upcoming documentary on urban farming, a young couple in their new home heard me on the radio and want to look at my 100+ fruit trees to help them decide what to choose for their new yard, and the occasional neighbor shows up at the door with questions about this or that.<br /><br />One of the questions I am asked most frequently is about hybrid and heirloom seeds. Actually it doesn't take a question to get me started. A simple comment might set me off. I admit that the controversy between these two types of seed is a pet peeve of mine, because they have become buzz words, bad and good, and there is a lot of misinformation. What is an heirloom seed? It has become a confusing term. It is a seed type that has been around for a long time, usually one that has not been maintained or developed by contemporary seed companies. Many of them have been collected from very small areas around the world where a neighborhood, or even a family have been saving their favorite vegetable variety seed for generations. These seeds are "open—pollinated," which means they will produce the same kind of vegetable in the next generation<span style="font-style:italic;"> if </span> the seed is saved properly. No one company owns these seeds, and heirloom vegetables have added an unbelievable richness of variety to our gardens and tables in recent years.<br /><br />Hybrid, on the other hand, has become a bad word. Some people seem to believe that there is something to be avoided in hybrid seeds and advise others not to use them. This is ridiculous. All heirloom seeds ARE hybrids. Plant hybridizers back to early agrarian man and great great Aunt Mabel on the farm in Kentucky have all done exactly the same thing. They have grown successive generations of the same plant variety and chosen seeds or cross-pollinated for characteristics they want to emphasize. A tomato variety has to be around for many years for the breeder to stabilize the seed and produce true to type in following generations. The F1 (first generation) hybrid that may have been developed recently will not reproduce true to type. In many respects the terms heirloom and hybrid represent phases of a variety's development. Some of the tomatoes that Aunt Mabel had high hopes for did not improve and stabilize and were discarded. Some of todays new hybrids may stabilize in time. Also, the seed companies, seeking more ways to make money, have patented some of their varieties. One of my long time garden favorites and most prolific vegetables is Burpee's Butterbush—a compact Butternut squash that thrives in my garden. I can only get it from Burpee and this does not bother me. I hope that their plant hybridizers continue to come up with more varieties for us to try. Do you eat Pluots?? Or Nectarines? or Tangelos? These are hybrids, developed by the same type of scientist that is working on vegetable varieties for fun or profit. Do you like sugar snap peas? or stringless green beans? Every single food you eat is a hybrid, as are you yourself.<br /><br />Agri-business has been working very hard to make money with patented hybrids and GMOs. We've heard the stories of GMO seeds that wander onto neighboring farms resulting in lawsuits and farmers who can't save seed from their corn because it is patented. This stuff scares me. But let's keep big agribusiness and backyard vegetable growing clearly separated in this particular area. It's agribusiness' job to hybridize for longer shelf life, crops that ripen all at once, travel well, can be picked early and stored long, loaded into big trucks and have seeds that the companies can maintain control over. That's where the money is. It's true that flavor is way down their list of priorities. But let's not assign the word hybrid to this set of goals. Radiator Charlie developed and controlled his now beloved heirloom Mortgage Lifter Tomato for a long time to make money— thus its name! Different hybridizers have totally different goals for totally different reasons. The folks at some of our home garden seed companies are working to create new varieties for you and me to use in our backyards, where a tomato that tastes like heaven and has a shelf life of about 20 minutes is not a big problem.<br /><br />Are you going to save seed from your heirlooms or let your seed supplier do it for you? Do you have the space to isolate varieties from each other? Do you know that different varieties of tomatoes have to be different distances away from their neighbors to get seed true to type? These are important details in seed saving. Get William Woys Weaver's incredible book <span style="font-style:italic;">Heirloom Vegetable Gardening</span> and you will be inspired to try many varieties and techniques in your garden. Or join the Seed Savers Exchange. I have chosen not to save seeds for now and continue to buy my open pollinated varieties fresh every few years.<br /><br />Each year I plant some old favorites and some new varieties. I love trying heirloom varieties. But my success with them has been very inconsistent, even sometimes dismal, and my gardener friends say the same. I love the colors and rich flavors. But I would never plant a summer garden without my favorite modern tomato hybrids. I love Early Girl both for flavor and its unbelievable fecundity. Once a couple of summers ago I picked 50 pounds off 2 Early Girl plants within about 15 minutes. I canned whole tomatoes and made sauce and paste. I have never had this level of productivity with an heirloom tomato. Maybe you have. How does your microclimate and garden soil and water chemistry interact with all these varieties? You find this out by trying and trying again. And again. It's hard to read a catalogue like Tomato Grower's Supply, where the hundreds of varieties are described in such glowing terms (they are trying to make money too). How do you choose? My most successful heirlooms are replanted every year- like Black Prince, White Queen and Persimmon tomatoes. And I keep trying different heirlooms and modern hybrids to give me the most chances for variety and abundance. They both have their place in my yard and have served me well.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-20246173151275158902010-03-22T20:53:00.000-07:002010-03-22T22:41:51.705-07:00First Monday in SpringAnother productive Monday with Anthony and Donna. We planted 4 apple trees in the front yard. Rubinette, Hawaii, Wickson Crab and Williams Pride. These 4 TINY trees all came from Kuffel CreeK—our SoCal apple expert (see link at right). I am finally following through with the idea of putting my apples on the east side of the house, where they will receive plenty of light without the blazing late afternoon rays that can burn the fruit. I plan to add 2 new low chill cherries to the same area next spring: Minnie Royal and Royal Lee. I think cherries will benefit from the same treatment. My Stella cherry in the back orchard has succumbed to borers which entered (as they often do) through sunscald wounds.<br /><br />We spent the remaining hours weeding one of the veggie gardens and refreshing the paths with a thick layer of newspaper and straw. The plant that took 99% of our weeding time was Oxalis, the eradication of which former LA Times garden editor Robert Smaus said was his single most time consuming garden chore. I think I would agree. At this time of year these devil plants are busy forming little bulblets underground that will stick around to annoy you again later. I dig them out carefully— trying to get the bulblets and smashing the loose ones between my fingers. Squish squish.<br /><br />We also prepared the pumpkin bed- an area between 2 rows of trees in the orchard where I loosened the soil with a garden fork and then papered and mulched. When my pumpkin seedlings are strong I will punch holes in the sheet mulch, plant four hills and lay down a drip line. I was happy with the way the vines wandered through the trees and near the beehives last year, but was disappointed in the number and size of fruit. I will adjust the drip lines so they get a little more water and try to feed them more.<br /><br />We are eating from the garden this week: cabbage, lettuces, cilantro, arugula, Fuerte avocados, thyme, Bay leaves, tarragon, green onions, leeks, snap peas, kohlrabi, Swiss chard, beets, curly endive, tangelos, tangerines, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, limes and undoubtedly something else.<br /><br />One of the lettuces I planted last year reseeded itself all over the yard- I love the way it looks in and around my roses—bright green and ruffled. Yesterday I noticed it coming up in cracks in the driveway. Hardy and determined. John asked "what kind of lettuce is it? It must have a name— like Farmer's Joy or Pride of the Driveway?"<br /><br />Finally, for anyone who wants to read a witty, informative and humorous food growing adventure I recommend "Farm City" by Novella Carpenter. Her successes and failures squatting on an abandoned lot in west Oakland shed an interesting light on food growing in the city. I loved her story of dumpster diving at upscale East Bay restaurants to feed her two pigs, and was touched by her beautiful wording of a belief and experience I share with her: that you can love your farm animals, treat them with respect and care and then eat them.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Farm-City-Education-Urban-Farmer/dp/1594202214/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269321879&sr=1-1<br /><br />It's spring crunch time. Time to prepare for the biggest garden season, mulching, feeding and seed starting. How many tomatoes will you grow???Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-50882712308130325962010-03-13T18:56:00.000-08:002010-03-15T15:38:05.501-07:00Back to the Blog....Happy SpringAfter a 5 month break from blogging I am back at it, sorry to have let so much time slip by. These months were somewhat discouraging, having lost the garden help I had, and it's interesting to note that my lack of enthusiasm for writing lasted as long as it took me to find the right people to join me in my work. My big yard is more than I can do by myself, but gardening in a non traditional way makes it difficult to find energetic and open minded workers. The average LA garden worker does not want to work side by side with me, and follow my specific methods. I work hard at adding organic matter to my beds, rather than sweeping or blowing it away and I do not like straight lines or shrubbery forced into geometric shapes. I aim to remove lawn and blacktop and I hate and I mean HATE people who do not treat my dirt with respect. These things are not normal. The woman who for 10 years helped me one day a week moved on in her life, and the crew that came a few hours a week for clean up turned out to be ignoring my rule of "No Chemicals" and was shown the door. <br /><br />I was lucky enough to find Anthony's Green Gardening service. Anthony and his wife Donna are just getting established and they join me Monday mornings for 4 hours. We work hard! They are sweet, energetic and conscientious and I feel very lucky to have stumbled into their world. They understand. The garden is catching up to where I want it. <br /><br />This week I have herb seeds in the light table. I'll be moving the Basil seedlings outside to acclimatize and filling that spot under the lights with a tray full of tomato seeds. I have pared it down to just 16 tomato varieties - not easy for the likes of me. One of the first things Anthony, Donna and I worked on was redoing the big herb garden- adding irrigation, digging out over zealous plants to move to confined areas, giving everything a haircut and relocating certain plants to better locations in the bed. It looks a little sad right now, but as the weather warms and I fill in the gaps it will be beautiful again. Over the next weeks I'll be scanning the farmers markets and nurseries for herb plants, in addition to the unusual things I am starting- Culantro, Papaloquelite, Vietnamese mint, Thai Roselle, Shiso and many more.<br /><br />Here are a few photos from the garden this week. The Apricot tree with the beehives in back. Rainbow chard. The chard bed with garlic behind. The last of the male turkeys. He is a "Sweetgrass" and very beautiful. Behind is a "Royal Palm" hen. I'm glad to say that he grew out of humping a pumpkin and has found solace and satisfaction in the 3 hens that are his for the taking...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGylGGXbE-zOSd7IE45Dxhtz7co-zfzRgzjy_ve4iw4FBs1RVfBvZOD8qUBkrXhQyKy0Z-6fkmOnYyZlWCW9L5gMxcKJDDs84zjAsUnGPEGSCU2_GebcxDp_S_npfjXdZ0vKLHg2qvxLQ/s1600-h/March+13+2010+5.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGylGGXbE-zOSd7IE45Dxhtz7co-zfzRgzjy_ve4iw4FBs1RVfBvZOD8qUBkrXhQyKy0Z-6fkmOnYyZlWCW9L5gMxcKJDDs84zjAsUnGPEGSCU2_GebcxDp_S_npfjXdZ0vKLHg2qvxLQ/s320/March+13+2010+5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448320171203431250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eFjeNsDAN4DZo173uTAzNnc3fnzsnv5fCcaDfh_oYLcxkAAl2U24lWkgTlHbU5KBtS_DukWkaot0LdFvqTY-g4qBxjemKi1uB7WjNT5BKk0iwbq3NcP22EV4QmmR_ggyPpKn-e1tiIY/s1600-h/March+13+2010+10.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eFjeNsDAN4DZo173uTAzNnc3fnzsnv5fCcaDfh_oYLcxkAAl2U24lWkgTlHbU5KBtS_DukWkaot0LdFvqTY-g4qBxjemKi1uB7WjNT5BKk0iwbq3NcP22EV4QmmR_ggyPpKn-e1tiIY/s320/March+13+2010+10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448320158978756722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fV1zx9uDLNoX5mqVz9o8eHoywTZJO-RlSTCvGiWqfuWDqxwocLkCO1z_vPxflUbw_Yqj0_LDURKCAkptqQgwYukh-WMn028ze7iCgtW3e-PoQQr9JSBgrlWhVu1ATG4CsgWi3WpHIak/s1600-h/March+13+2010+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fV1zx9uDLNoX5mqVz9o8eHoywTZJO-RlSTCvGiWqfuWDqxwocLkCO1z_vPxflUbw_Yqj0_LDURKCAkptqQgwYukh-WMn028ze7iCgtW3e-PoQQr9JSBgrlWhVu1ATG4CsgWi3WpHIak/s320/March+13+2010+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448320137276706418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihSaS1WltDY2FsH4ODVLtzf3PGuFKv0Y6Ii72a9r94dIUKcnu78hnKwkoqkrrBoA0U7QgbS0sC-CJKJvAPY4pnZ2kSId71ODxjK73c3lj3vQ4XGx1PmLwipNKqFvcGPEausIMWlE8Djs/s1600-h/March+13+2010+17.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihSaS1WltDY2FsH4ODVLtzf3PGuFKv0Y6Ii72a9r94dIUKcnu78hnKwkoqkrrBoA0U7QgbS0sC-CJKJvAPY4pnZ2kSId71ODxjK73c3lj3vQ4XGx1PmLwipNKqFvcGPEausIMWlE8Djs/s320/March+13+2010+17.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448320123299451490" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-44502120655164544642009-10-11T08:11:00.002-07:002009-10-11T08:18:37.352-07:00Falling in to WinterFriday we harvested Lemon Guavas, Jujubes, Passionfruit, Butternut Squash and Pumpkins. Kyra (my new garden helper) cut down the 15 foot cornstalks in the front yard. I have never seen corn this tall, but this is my first time growing cornmeal corn. It got a lot of attention and comment from neighbors, walkers and cars slowing to gape. Kyra: “How am I going to find your house now?”<br /><br />We pulled out the watermelon vines and are giving the last to the birds. The Turkeys are just reaching maturity and starting to display. Hanna and the kids are all doing well. The eggs have slowed suddenly down with the cool fall weather so I will put a lamp in the coop soon to extend their light hours back up to summer levels. I read in the last issue of the internationally bestselling “Backyard Poultry” (yeah right) that pumpkin is a natural wormer for birds. Last week I gave a split pumpkin to the ever hungry flock and it was gone in a couple of hours, husk and all. The hens were indifferent and left it mostly to the turkeys- pumpkin being one of their very favorite treats.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3UZEns5PJd3G5v-y6vEPy9mPmEQmIkP5HTD8NoQa1ujku2-gDfs0aS4VgrwC260eYnLpjMq4vAymvMadFgH34hVmZq1KSHu7znP4jqyR3vka0VdF5jHVUE6c53T-C-f6DE6cS4x1UFI/s1600-h/October+9+%231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3UZEns5PJd3G5v-y6vEPy9mPmEQmIkP5HTD8NoQa1ujku2-gDfs0aS4VgrwC260eYnLpjMq4vAymvMadFgH34hVmZq1KSHu7znP4jqyR3vka0VdF5jHVUE6c53T-C-f6DE6cS4x1UFI/s320/October+9+%231.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391361365063494306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ePQ0tqyf7bgE9J3Uk59hSGD7VITGeIlX0Oc-QX3nGqicAEv8I8nsXaAraNW76ra8_hwpHXheeQFIPIzecHouypTHroYCcX7b4xDr2d_vns4gSy1Lr2LDNRo3aAER-M_JmA87JLvTh4/s1600-h/October+9+%232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ePQ0tqyf7bgE9J3Uk59hSGD7VITGeIlX0Oc-QX3nGqicAEv8I8nsXaAraNW76ra8_hwpHXheeQFIPIzecHouypTHroYCcX7b4xDr2d_vns4gSy1Lr2LDNRo3aAER-M_JmA87JLvTh4/s320/October+9+%232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391361356404270882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX48PlJOlYo2TC91weyYJOUlTh503bnKuXxtlSWlQrMwAKHAHrEt_Pnw-cUfjcuuR3CF7qcHF5M0L1PWfT6u04Xgcw75M1DNIxzkwmoYu_cY2KzZOQWXZmZxj2CixVfGcsk8_zlzXy_do/s1600-h/October+9+%233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX48PlJOlYo2TC91weyYJOUlTh503bnKuXxtlSWlQrMwAKHAHrEt_Pnw-cUfjcuuR3CF7qcHF5M0L1PWfT6u04Xgcw75M1DNIxzkwmoYu_cY2KzZOQWXZmZxj2CixVfGcsk8_zlzXy_do/s320/October+9+%233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391361347329186674" /></a><br /><br /><br />Many people are asking what I’m putting in my winter garden. What I have put in is getting dug up every night by a very vigorous raccoon. Last night I set a trap for him or her and oh help me god if I catch a skunk. We caught a neighbor’s cat first at about 10pm. I will go out when it gets light to see what …….<br /><br />I’ve planted onions and garlic. Onion plants in a 6 variety assortment from Peaceful Valley. Early California garlic, also from PV, and Inchellium Red and Shantung Purple from a garlic farmer I know. I’m experimenting with perennial onions- walking onions, potato onions, multiplier onions and shallots. The coon isn’t digging up these beds. hmmmm…… I do not recommend the onion sets (bulblets) sold at the big boxes and nurseries. In my yard they have gone to seed before they make a bulb. Bad. You can put onions in from seed and have spring onions with full bulbs next summer or you can buy 6–packs at the nursery. Separate the little plants, trim top and roots and plant.<br /><br />6¬–packs of cauliflower, chard and broccoli are in to get a head start. I will be starting other cabbage family plants in the house as seeds- I should have done this a month ago. This is where you get to plant some unique and wonderful things- Spigariello, Romesco, Broccoli Raab, colored Cauliflowers, Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage, Tatsoi and more.<br /><br />Parsley and Cilantro- Cilantro grows easily and goes fast – be ready to throw out some more seeds.<br /><br />Direct seeding- Now’s the time for all the lettuce greens. A good assortment of Lettuces broadcast over a 4x4 ft. area will provide you with months of cut and come again salad. You can plant a fresh patch later in the season. DON’T buy one of those “mesclun” mixes- the more vigorous mustard family plants will crowd out the lettuce. Keep lettuce on it’s own. Plant mizuna, red leaf mustard, arugula, mache, dandelion, curly endive (frisee) and garden cress separately. <br /><br />Carrots, and radishes. Mix these seeds together to broadcast. The fast growing radishes with be pulled up and gone, leaving more room for the slow growing carrots. The French breakfast radishes are a fave.<br /><br />Scallions- red and white. Renee’s garden seeds has a good combo at OSH<br /><br />Peas- oh yeah! Snap, shelling and Snow. Snow Peas grow low so a 4 or 5 ft. trellis is enough. Snap and Shelling need at least 6 ft. but 8 is better. This height is important. Ever since the original snap pea was developed the breeders have been coming up with new ones. They have all kinds of names- Super Sugar Snap etc. Not one of the many I have tried compare with the original. Just Sugar Snap.<br /><br />Beets and Turnips. My experience with these is mixed at best. If we have a long cool spell with no frosts or heat waves the root crops thrive. But we live in SoCal…. I take my chances because when they are good they are sooooo good. Golden beets are my favorite.<br /><br />Don’t forget Fennel and Daikon!!<br /><br />Happy GardeningKazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-7276647377494704602009-09-12T10:34:00.000-07:002009-09-12T10:59:00.885-07:00A few pictures of the late summer gardenThe Turkeys are growing up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NGOsXWHXRe5C16k4igtIWjXv4glqnJXjZdiYcNyXAndR873M43Ztrwpc_K2EeFtV4E4L_GHlNLJigLVi72kIPjvFl40amOMY-utyDhbqF5iudms4J-ykqYHYFTd_KZtd-WBXN9SZcOI/s1600-h/September+12+09+16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NGOsXWHXRe5C16k4igtIWjXv4glqnJXjZdiYcNyXAndR873M43Ztrwpc_K2EeFtV4E4L_GHlNLJigLVi72kIPjvFl40amOMY-utyDhbqF5iudms4J-ykqYHYFTd_KZtd-WBXN9SZcOI/s320/September+12+09+16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380639619272868098" /></a><br /><br />Pumpkin Perfection<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQKe1MuzzzaKzH9RnXOCx35NWZpskKosBD9zZTsO-Br5yzWU4LomoJUSD2379lwP9pAOtbzfYELzWQe2kzL9fvHc3FnLeql4EQlqYVfW6_0zhNsznjRpysAEIoGBkP8EziYK_DYg77Bw/s1600-h/September+12+09+10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQKe1MuzzzaKzH9RnXOCx35NWZpskKosBD9zZTsO-Br5yzWU4LomoJUSD2379lwP9pAOtbzfYELzWQe2kzL9fvHc3FnLeql4EQlqYVfW6_0zhNsznjRpysAEIoGBkP8EziYK_DYg77Bw/s320/September+12+09+10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380639608308344226" /></a><br /><br />The Girls<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-lhe0G8w2ALFVUeUZQTfSu9BJHthz_Yv5x8yOZYnGvVvT3runQAyAVPKYt4b8-CkVYTwV_tVIZ91v5f1jnV_SwCdaM237hbt3yocPFWEroKRko9qm1lmUVrY5OSYkDN9h4O5yLWUglA/s1600-h/September+12+09+10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYZevbRTSmUVV-E56VbNsSAoUdkaMCJiuwwRdSGEPdJ9Tn8ICEMq8XMG0RXDumUzYJfiMZ5DoSXdhF4KFlGKJdW9tY5O9vWpxHp9Ro7xZSzSIb8q_ZLdm-AAWYsQ7D7ZzfkcKme8JCJg/s320/September+12+09+9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380638256530151586" /></a><br /><br />Hanna and her brood enjoying their breakfast of eggs, comfrey and yogurt<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ABlQCNG2EbTJLBND79PJ5397_HNEaSJC1ARCdhE5EumzZPTCnv-MyU9SD4PloIDIfHoACgCxHMCdY5gq7ygyxEcujqVe27V8IGSFvlLTKQTrieG4WdUsU-iDMSlOFxOWf5WhSP0Lhns/s1600-h/September+12+09+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ABlQCNG2EbTJLBND79PJ5397_HNEaSJC1ARCdhE5EumzZPTCnv-MyU9SD4PloIDIfHoACgCxHMCdY5gq7ygyxEcujqVe27V8IGSFvlLTKQTrieG4WdUsU-iDMSlOFxOWf5WhSP0Lhns/s320/September+12+09+6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380638244060906946" /></a><br /><br />Luxury Pie Pumpkins and Trombone squash<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7V9-NBJ6WU8ShpbyrNwnFuAa_aJB2TB-RiLzq6PwG8xolSz6kTAUOi9WZAb2gYF6L2AX_1HkVhguaJtBgh75xsjnvMhQgKRZByjHLtms2D2bDlYZVxGfMRYVUvFPQK0x4sslLphFGko/s1600-h/September+12+09+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7V9-NBJ6WU8ShpbyrNwnFuAa_aJB2TB-RiLzq6PwG8xolSz6kTAUOi9WZAb2gYF6L2AX_1HkVhguaJtBgh75xsjnvMhQgKRZByjHLtms2D2bDlYZVxGfMRYVUvFPQK0x4sslLphFGko/s320/September+12+09+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380638233976081938" /></a><br /><br />The Volunteer Pumpkins on the roof<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup3GAtZ_LaMwNylUtTDJmHMQOS7wDDLOUPlso8xpwx3wKfyV_MjLpsplfJpEeezQxxiJcR9C0pdiQpeeCNZ-GFTISD9F_po6kyaN6m47kaToOXtZ-8Ni3m6viaDq8KePySkGzgqBUyRc/s1600-h/September+12+09+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup3GAtZ_LaMwNylUtTDJmHMQOS7wDDLOUPlso8xpwx3wKfyV_MjLpsplfJpEeezQxxiJcR9C0pdiQpeeCNZ-GFTISD9F_po6kyaN6m47kaToOXtZ-8Ni3m6viaDq8KePySkGzgqBUyRc/s320/September+12+09+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380638226468251154" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-60644287919333203262009-09-11T22:29:00.000-07:002009-09-11T22:58:14.538-07:00Gloria's query - my answerNow is the time to think about fruit trees you might want to add to your garden. Order now, plant in January or February.<br /><br /><br />Kazi,<br /><br />I'm finally placing my order from Bay Laurel for a few bare root trees to plant this winter. I'm only adding 4 this winter. I'm looking at the "low chill varieties" section of their web site. Can you give me some feedback on varieties based on your experience?<br /><br />Apple---I've heard Anna does well here. What do you grow & like?<br /><br />Plum---Tempted by "Mariposa" for obvious reasons. Do you have a favorite?<br /><br />Peach---?<br /><br />Nectarine---?<br /><br />I'm going to throw in a Kiwi for good measure too. And lots of different blueberries to try in containers.<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br /><br />G<br /><br /><br />ok Gloria here are my ideas<br /><br />As far as apples- Anna needs a pollinator so you would have to get 2 kinds. I love my Fuji best of my 3 apples -which seems kind of average but it does well. Next time I plant I will refer to Kevin Hauser's great site (below) and his list of the best SoCal apples- I've heard him speak and he's inspiring. In my notes from his class Rubinette was his favorite, along with Hawaii. The top 10 of that day included Dorsett, Williams Pride, Gala, Stump, Anna, Fuji, Wealthy, Winesap, Arkansas Black and Wickson Crab. He is a believer in ignoring chill hours when it comes to apples and he has tried literally hundreds of varieties in his Riverside garden.<br /><br />http://www.kuffelcreek.com/growingapples.htm<br /><br />Peach is easy- Red Baron on Nemaguard rootstock (NOT Citation) . Stunning tree- great fruit- my favorite SoCal peach so far.<br /><br />Mariposa sounds great. I love red fleshed plums in general. I would like to plant Mariposa, but haven't tried it. Plums are good on Citation rootstock. Mariposa sounds like a good choice. I have Santa Rosa, Late Santa Rosa, Flavor King Pluot and Elephant Heart. The Elephant Heart and the Flavor King are not very low chill and their fruit set is inconsistent from year to year but they are also my favorites. <br /><br /><br />As for the nectarines. I am not a fan of the new super sweet low acid ones. I like my fruit with an evident sweet/acid balance, otherwise I find it insipid. I have tried about 4 nectarines over the years and not been happy with any of them. Meanwhile, I managed to steer my friends correctly. I have 3 friends with the old SoCal standby Panamint and I have enjoyed the fruit and the preserves from their trees- on Nemaguard. That will be my next nectarine.<br /><br /><br />If you want some more opinions go here:<br /><br />http://www.davewilson.com/br40/br40_taste_files/taste_index.html<br /><br />Dave Wilson is the wholesale grower that grows most of the trees that Bay Laurel sells and I believe they are the sole distributers for Zaiger genetics- the hybridizers that brought us pluots and many other new fruits. Dave Wilson's taste test results are always informative. A lot of the winners fall into the low acid catagory, but even though that's not my thing, it's fun to look at the results.<br /><br />fun....I love looking at the Bay Laurel site <br /><br />http://www.baylaurelnursery.com/<br /><br />best, KaziKazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-82399037691531554592009-09-10T12:28:00.000-07:002009-09-10T12:36:02.948-07:00ChicksThe wily and ever determined Hanna, my English Game Hen, marched out from under the turkey barn 2 days ago with 5 chicks. She was hiding under there for almost a month without me knowing! I gave my last rooster away a few weeks ago, so clearly she managed to get a little action right before he left. He was an Auracana and beautiful. If the chicks make it they should be beautiful too. They were so tiny that they squeezed through 1" chicken wire! Updates to follow.........<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCVJAg_n_tCkmp8V2CCyL5VWxWqyO6Oi3uLblSMAagAfewKIBDAFa1CIqP9iqhgqv0kglMWhMR95JcgjO03WdZ6lm-bJLc3rCpmL4cTLiRttjbTjyr8xPwFVH1o3cc38hB3yXkWagWN0/s1600-h/chicks.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCVJAg_n_tCkmp8V2CCyL5VWxWqyO6Oi3uLblSMAagAfewKIBDAFa1CIqP9iqhgqv0kglMWhMR95JcgjO03WdZ6lm-bJLc3rCpmL4cTLiRttjbTjyr8xPwFVH1o3cc38hB3yXkWagWN0/s320/chicks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379924127812965490" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-34138669252272540562009-08-31T22:30:00.000-07:002009-08-31T23:12:05.025-07:00What I Built on my Summer VacationThe New Mexico Solar Crop Dryer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqPEvSR8hzLRGRHcmgTxCDV-acd7GDFhOYPyEUrnNpldDDTJu56S7T87M-4ONpRT5UqzH7Y2_ib11TkFXl657jVUFVSy5F6SJG2TEJOpXTV3RVgyzDTAP2ALXNJObGakoMXMz0va7LvM/s1600-h/DSC02712.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqPEvSR8hzLRGRHcmgTxCDV-acd7GDFhOYPyEUrnNpldDDTJu56S7T87M-4ONpRT5UqzH7Y2_ib11TkFXl657jVUFVSy5F6SJG2TEJOpXTV3RVgyzDTAP2ALXNJObGakoMXMz0va7LvM/s320/DSC02712.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376376471477134946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqe40QD1nvbXlauIzS1dEhYjedYF74rzKZFagTNHDiUF4P0cZfbWu7AgT90jEZNPIntGA69euqmJ1tyHKZ7n5JXZXpEv8rEQhG3IhqH40NeAzAUhqFCcxNviD2Sba8rVyRV_OBamryKs/s1600-h/DSC02716.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqe40QD1nvbXlauIzS1dEhYjedYF74rzKZFagTNHDiUF4P0cZfbWu7AgT90jEZNPIntGA69euqmJ1tyHKZ7n5JXZXpEv8rEQhG3IhqH40NeAzAUhqFCcxNviD2Sba8rVyRV_OBamryKs/s320/DSC02716.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376376480037886322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It's not fair for me to say I built it. The great and wonderful Dmitri, along with my brother Wenzel spent 2 long mornings and a few more odd hours with me in the garage to construct this beauty. I had bought all the materials and only had to run to the hardware store 3 or 4 times.... We worked from an old set of plans I got off the web. The plans were typed on a typewriter and illustrated with small sketches, and were"almost" complete. Dmitri's experienced eye and liberal dose of modifications were much appreciated. The plans said it would cost me about $60 to build. This was definitely not the case.<br /><br />The dryer is sitting in my back yard, drying out in the sun. After the wood dries I will finish the outside with either Watco or Walnut oil- both food safe oils that will harden. It is a "dual system" dehydrator with both direct and indirect heat from the sun. At the toe of the boot shape air enters and is heated passing over and under the flat black piece of corrugated metal. The heated air rises through the screen trays and exits through a screened opening on the top of the back. There is a hinged flap on the top vent that can be adjusted to control the air flow/temperature.<br /><br />God I hope this thing works well. I tried one tray of tomatoes a few days ago that was very successful. Now I have to do my homework and try a variety of things from the garden as they ripen. It's taller than me, and I'm 6'2", so It doesn't lack for space. The trays are 46 inches wide.<br /><br />There is something about it's odd shape and the elegant and simple way it works that I find very appealing. I think it needs a name.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-37803125391926425862009-08-30T14:44:00.000-07:002009-08-30T14:46:46.754-07:00Oregon Berry OrgyMy annual flurry of Jan making in Eugene , Oregon was satisfying, even though after all these years I still have trouble getting some jams to set up. Some of those I will redo to firm them up and some I will leave loose and use as syrup.<br /><br />This year I made:<br />Benton Strawberry<br />Raspberry<br />Black Cherry with Honey and Mint<br />Sylvanberry<br />Loganberry (my favorite)<br />Blackberry<br />Black Cap Raspberry<br />Boysenberry<br />Marionberry<br />Cherry with Honey and Filberts<br />Blueberry and Pinot Noir<br />Black Currant<br />and, of course, Brandied Cherries<br /><br />The one berry I couldn’t find and will miss was the Tayberry, which is a cross between the Loganberry and the Black Raspberry. As much as I love all berries it is the ones in the middle of the Raspberry to Blackberry lineup that really make me swoon. The Tayberry, Loganberry and Boysenberry. Each one of these berries has such a unique flavor. <br /><br /> I hit the big farmers market in Eugene as soon as possible after arriving and am most anxious to see if I have arrived in time for Morels. Some years I have been able to get pounds, which I make into duxelles and freeze for the winter. That would be AFTER consuming a sauté pan full of whole morels. I prefer not to let anyone know I’m doing this, but sometimes I am forced to share. This year I was only able to get the last of one vendor’s supply- half a pound at most- which I went home and devoured. I was glad to see a new mushroom vendor coming with 5 or 6 varieties each week . I think my favorite of his was the Maitake.<br /><br />Here is a photo of my front porch the last day in Eugene. Berry flats on the right, berry boxes in the middle and cases of jam and syrup on the left.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-13226165068749551512009-08-30T14:43:00.000-07:002009-08-30T14:44:28.623-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FFPlH2JTZNII9jHujf_E56KwMVriBnHIc7_P2uWi6aL4M5KMO2_tHDs3TNbFZtPSr2j3PbjLmaeXxJvhv57NQmgvPUwaV_7c6_mQcwn42BbCI4BEtZmYvjfQKm1qLFSe-4OGJz4faYg/s1600-h/Berry+Boxes.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FFPlH2JTZNII9jHujf_E56KwMVriBnHIc7_P2uWi6aL4M5KMO2_tHDs3TNbFZtPSr2j3PbjLmaeXxJvhv57NQmgvPUwaV_7c6_mQcwn42BbCI4BEtZmYvjfQKm1qLFSe-4OGJz4faYg/s320/Berry+Boxes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375875952442324642" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-50071094263374745092009-06-09T19:11:00.000-07:002009-06-09T19:12:54.774-07:00My 2009 Summer Garden ListWhen you see the list below you will know why I have been too busy to blog. Summer is sailing into sight and the tomatoes and turkeys have started their growth spurt. Drip lines mended, 3 new auto lines added, Cactus repotted(after the shelf and all the pots fell on my arm- a very strange looking injury), flowers, herbs and veggies planted, cages installed on peppers, eggplants and tomatoes, sunflowers tied up, 2 truckloads of mulch spread, compost turned, brush ground up, 2 trees removed, 3 trees got a haircut so I could walk under them and on and on. I am creaky and sore and stiff and my soul is nourished by my hours outside. Here is my 2009 list:<br /><br />Tomatoes:<br />Here are the ones I plant every year:<br />Early girl, Green Zebra, Persimmon, Sungold, Garden Peach, White Queen<br /><br />Others:<br />Heinz, Super Fantastic, Copia, Bella Rosa, Mammoth German , Giant Belgium, Black from Tula, Black Brandywine, Golden Queen, Orange Fleshed Purple Smudge (whether it’s good or not, just writing it on my list is satisfaction enough), Victor, Momotoro, 2 unknown Cherry Tomatoes , Prudens Purple is not doing well- we’ll see<br /><br />And the 6–pack from OSH:<br />Early Girl, Better Boy, Beefmaster, Celebrity, Cherry Red, and Roma<br /><br />Hot Peppers:,<br /> Mucho Nacho Jalapeno (come on, who named that one?), Serrano, Habanero, Kung Pao (my best drying pepper), Chile de Arbol, Cherry Big Bomb, Yellow Tabasco, Thai Hot, Hot Santa Fe Grande, Tunisian Baklouti<br /><br />Peppers, less hot and sweet:, <br />Shishito, Mariachi, Red Knight, Ancho, Aji Dulce, Purple, Yellow, Brown, and Red Bell peppers <br /><br />Eggplant:<br />Little Fingers, Fairy tale, Turkish Orange, Yellow Egg, Nadia<br /><br />Beans:<br />Painted lady Runner beans, Giant Cascade, Blue Lake, Yard Long Liana, Lima, Asparagus Pea, Renee’s Purple, Yellow and Green Snap Bean Combo<br /><br />Summer Squash:<br />Costata Romanesca, Lebanese White Bush Marrow, Ronde de Nice, Pattisons Jaune et Verte Scallop<br /><br />Winter Squash and Pumpkins:<br />Seminole Pumpkin, Musqee de Provence Pumpkin, King of mammoth Pumpkin, Marina di Chioggia, Naguri Kabocha, Australian Butter, Zuchinno Rampicante, Butterbush, Luxury Pie Pumpkin and 1 unknown and very vigorous pumpkin that is already up to the garage roof.<br /><br />Melons:<br />Charentais, Verona Watermelon, Golden Nugget Watermelon, Old Original(green flesh)<br /><br />Corn:<br />Hickory King Dent, Floriani Red Flint<br /><br />Cucumbers:<br />Armenian, Arkansas Little Leaf Pickling, Boston Pickling, Emir(Persian), Homemade Pickles<br /><br />Misc.:<br />Rainbow Sweet Potatoes (varieties unknown), Jicama, Jerusalem Artichoke, Cardoon, Red Roselle(Jamaica) <br /><br />Now, looking at the size of this list, I can only agree with my friends. I am totally insane.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-42580995787104421162009-05-25T19:43:00.000-07:002009-05-25T19:59:55.909-07:00The Flu had me but I'm back in the GardenThings are moving fast out there—a beautiful late spring garden. We ate fava beans, fresh potatoes, green garlic, and broccoli for John's Birthday this weekend. Another wonderful garden meal. The tomatoes are all finally in and I will give a complete picture soon. Meanwhile I want to share these 2 great photos. The garlic harvest curing and Bruce working the orchard hives in the lovely early evening light.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlkUWa36f13GdfHegLy47rK5mSMm2NWD4iVIO_mnw5Nu8ixlbzLPCUNtgltna9VkLS3xI28E7wFa-1h9OHNOzqrqGsZ9KjaK0J-SUrFkNA2ojEC7I3gZM8oDdLLOoLVl160AlOURHbtk/s1600-h/DSC02497.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlkUWa36f13GdfHegLy47rK5mSMm2NWD4iVIO_mnw5Nu8ixlbzLPCUNtgltna9VkLS3xI28E7wFa-1h9OHNOzqrqGsZ9KjaK0J-SUrFkNA2ojEC7I3gZM8oDdLLOoLVl160AlOURHbtk/s320/DSC02497.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339961026963211554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-jvZwwy7mID-8EM7scTz7Hsml4d3prLPHcsEL1_0Au41IxFY3Yebnn040-p8_eeCtcbiy32EtGZA9x1NdI7nWAWB3LNuhkS-9FxwKY18vPtwPvOR78eQ3yD82c4XNqZZYDUlS1LLXzM/s1600-h/DSC02508.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-jvZwwy7mID-8EM7scTz7Hsml4d3prLPHcsEL1_0Au41IxFY3Yebnn040-p8_eeCtcbiy32EtGZA9x1NdI7nWAWB3LNuhkS-9FxwKY18vPtwPvOR78eQ3yD82c4XNqZZYDUlS1LLXzM/s320/DSC02508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339961018793825346" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-86942420540888045312009-05-12T22:51:00.000-07:002009-05-12T23:01:17.985-07:00I Can Eat a Tomato Soon -Part 1Tomatoes—there’s a subject that will inspire strong feelings. How to start them, how to grow them, how to feed them, how to support them, which ones to grow, what a great tomato should taste like, what’s a good year etc. etc.<br /><br />I remember one year when my neighbor and colleague Vicki told me that her favorite tomato of the year was Costeluto Genovese. The same tomato had been tart and boring in my yard. So I’ll start out right away by saying that I’m very opinionated on the subject and if you try growing tomatoes my way you will DEFINITELY find that what I say will not work for you. Well…. at least some of it. <br /><br />Gardening is all about cycles. There is the weather cycle, the moon cycle, the soil micro-organism cycle, the watering cycle, the insect hatching cycles, the sun strength cycle, the when you get around to weeding/feeding/mulching cycles, the are you paying attention cycle and the did you harvest at the right time for all the other cycles cycle. If you are lucky you will plant, care and harvest with the cycles in a way that strengthens your plants and gives you a bumper crop. One good tomato year my dear friend Adela came to visit. I had a huge shopping basket that was full to the brim with tomatoes and I told her she could have some. Much to my surprise, after she left, I discovered she had taken them all. That was ok. I went back out in the garden and filled it up again. Last year was abysmal and I couldn’t have filled that basket to save my life. I didn’t do anything differently.<br /><br />Recently, in one of my gardening groups, there was a heated and unfriendly discussion of whether tomatoes should be started in a sterile potting medium or in a home concoction that included organism rich compost. Jeeeeeeeeeeez When I was done following it I felt like I had just read the damn election voter pamphlet. You read it all and you still haven’t a clue what to do. Some beginners read this stuff and give up before they even start. In some ways they were better off sticking a plant in the ground that Aunt Edith gave them and following her instructions.<br /><br />So—if you want to plant some tomatoes still this year— get yourself down to OSH and buy one of their great 6-packs that have 6 different tomatoes in it for $2.19 and stick them in the ground in the sun. While you’re there get a couple bags of compost and fix up your soil a little. And maybe some organic fertilizer that has very little nitrogen in it (the first of the 3 numbers is the lowest i.e. 5-10-10 or 2-6-6) As they grow tie them up to something and water them well a couple times a week- more when it gets hot.. End of story. I admit this is the short version. I’ll share the longer one soon, but there is no reason why that much information couldn’t get you some great tomatoes.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-66875144180650801412009-05-07T21:39:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:24:49.454-07:00Farm LifeWhen I got my first batch of chicks about 5 or 6 years ago, my friend Renee said “keeping chickens is hard” Why? “because they die”. That seemed like a strong statement at the time but it’s true- birds are fragile. I lose the odd chicken. One who stayed out all night in a hidden nest and got nabbed by a raccoon. One who keeled over for no apparent reason at all. One who got “bound”- their egg laying apparatus stuck on hold. My nephew up the street has lost big numbers on more than one occasion to predators and disease. I feel that my losses have been reasonable.<br /><br />Occasionally there are birds saved from doom that become like mascots- often the only ones to get real names. Sophie, the scapegoat chicken, was always getting attacked by the others. She ended up living outside the chicken yard and provided endless entertainment. For starters she was a Silver Laced Polish and made me smile by her very existence. She looked like Phyllis Diller in one of her ridiculous hats. She would follow you around on garden chores and even occasionally knock on the door. I’m not kidding. Or Peggy, who had what I guessed to be some kind of inner ear/balance problem as a young chicken. She couldn’t hold her head up straight. It always listed to the right. Sometimes her head would turn farther and farther until she just flipped over on her back. It was sad and funny at the same time. She would stay that way for awhile, sort of passed out. I had to separate her out to keep her safe and I didn’t have much hope for her. To my surprise she grew out of it and is back with the flock, but comes running happily to meet me at the gate and seems to enjoy being held. <br /> <br />Today I lost 2 four day old turkey poults. Mysteriously and quickly. There is a lot of guessing and trying this and that with raising birds because, just like with gardening, there is a wealth of contradictory information. Organic solutions include Dr. Christopher's Plague tonic, Rawleigh Internal Liniment, comfrey leaves, raw milk, colloidal silver, probiotics, garlic and apple cider vinegar. This is more appealing to me than veterinary Liquimyacin, Agri-cillin, or Sulfadimethoxine. But when those sweet little creatures die all of a sudden you want it all and you want it now.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-75638007316434542672009-05-01T16:19:00.000-07:002009-05-01T17:16:35.905-07:00Chickens, Mayday in the garden, A dying Banana's last gift<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjktkYjbGKT9x0sfBxNQSQzVN78c8WyOn0tUCbasObQJ2nAIy6QoIamZSUBLSTrPecKdKAkmdUbdRQrSkLEScCr2awvxP0LAV1yFTpoFA25nUv_k258lY1E_wOJO2sF4FjvMdvyLTrFM/s1600-h/DSC02466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjktkYjbGKT9x0sfBxNQSQzVN78c8WyOn0tUCbasObQJ2nAIy6QoIamZSUBLSTrPecKdKAkmdUbdRQrSkLEScCr2awvxP0LAV1yFTpoFA25nUv_k258lY1E_wOJO2sF4FjvMdvyLTrFM/s320/DSC02466.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331004215761790802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAl7LGmgUnm2cMjMHJhe0qJbAWD8gXfvEPd22PpfgF12AC75FrSy2fh1SP2XG0yzdquGhxtzoIgRfNJTb7PWTqY4BhksfNLijUS-swkbaVuT8r5P5FpeDfPgkRuOyidWZ24NN779A0zw/s1600-h/DSC02469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAl7LGmgUnm2cMjMHJhe0qJbAWD8gXfvEPd22PpfgF12AC75FrSy2fh1SP2XG0yzdquGhxtzoIgRfNJTb7PWTqY4BhksfNLijUS-swkbaVuT8r5P5FpeDfPgkRuOyidWZ24NN779A0zw/s320/DSC02469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331004209677749634" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wp6qmUdaX-s6nsYOFiZTI-Fs1FC4uaFEfLPzpVm38_c1Q0OsdbMPr0yW6RcF1LxyvTaz9ln0DwpRHl-7SwVfDFMqaik2v95Zmm79jHZe_sA3wGhtVWjaFtokNN5lsGynj7a0ZcMFMYM/s1600-h/DSC02474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wp6qmUdaX-s6nsYOFiZTI-Fs1FC4uaFEfLPzpVm38_c1Q0OsdbMPr0yW6RcF1LxyvTaz9ln0DwpRHl-7SwVfDFMqaik2v95Zmm79jHZe_sA3wGhtVWjaFtokNN5lsGynj7a0ZcMFMYM/s320/DSC02474.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331004206870463154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEKBqXoQCpSMsM8qdw4_OeelYKZa1Lkbx5GYv0_9vBXfCawZQCocdwyKU4QDsJbQuD3DH3o_DjegBH0ziCfPIY6_9J4g32yFg10itckSqq91QoJARjo7tnoluy1lrsGr38l7lroZcSlA/s1600-h/DSC02479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEKBqXoQCpSMsM8qdw4_OeelYKZa1Lkbx5GYv0_9vBXfCawZQCocdwyKU4QDsJbQuD3DH3o_DjegBH0ziCfPIY6_9J4g32yFg10itckSqq91QoJARjo7tnoluy1lrsGr38l7lroZcSlA/s320/DSC02479.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331004200154777538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSvHJIG40cx4fZjYvCTZX7ksdUzQlBvnp5dlo7yoeUQIJp5iDB9nXKNrrC6wu39T0Fwqq53nx_zRcP1TfWYNGfFW08QL4oDUqZDIwydiuCWWN85Faz-Ru0Lewurn_-2VRoghFyzOX11c/s1600-h/DSC02480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSvHJIG40cx4fZjYvCTZX7ksdUzQlBvnp5dlo7yoeUQIJp5iDB9nXKNrrC6wu39T0Fwqq53nx_zRcP1TfWYNGfFW08QL4oDUqZDIwydiuCWWN85Faz-Ru0Lewurn_-2VRoghFyzOX11c/s320/DSC02480.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331004198890298370" /></a>Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-24364354836378877912009-04-28T17:09:00.001-07:002009-04-28T22:53:37.709-07:00The herb garden and a little pest controlSome lessons need to be repeated.......<br /><br /> When I cook Indian food the curry leaves I find in the store are often tired and don’t add much flavor. I ordered 2 Curry leaf plants from Horizon Herbs ( my current favorite- http://www.horizonherbs.com/ ) along with Chinese licorice, Chamomile and Zaatar Oregano. Although native to India, the Curry leaf is “a reasonable choice for outdoor cultivation in Southern California” Sounds good….. I returned to the site to confirm a good location for these little plants and noticed “tropical to sub-tropical deciduous tree to 18 feet” Oops- didn’t see that. <span style="font-style:italic;"> Curry Leaf </span><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tree</span>. They are now in big pots that will dwarf their growth (like my Bay tree). I don’t think I need 18 feet of Curry leaves. Not to be confused with either curry spice mixes or the Curry plant, whose leaves smell a little like curry spice.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLPVsgAUze9Fy-KjfgkPCcJRNpQp-8aPX2kWX2QheE9Rl3xRPCcjFdE4uYrMaZVwn_IbvylMWT94JobYu51bx6Y8imRgb72chHhwmc8olyyJk4WS8i7DKEPjnH4tEjlDT5vjy6xxZrWw/s1600-h/Last+Import-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLPVsgAUze9Fy-KjfgkPCcJRNpQp-8aPX2kWX2QheE9Rl3xRPCcjFdE4uYrMaZVwn_IbvylMWT94JobYu51bx6Y8imRgb72chHhwmc8olyyJk4WS8i7DKEPjnH4tEjlDT5vjy6xxZrWw/s320/Last+Import-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329899904055159570" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The herb garden is so beautiful right now. Note the handmade ugly temporary sprinkler- only until I dig in a line and attatch it to my system......... Didn't I say that last year?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d0H6oRnwwBuk0EJ9Ayac2_aHeF7mM1NcYhtejdK9vnLK2Fnwlc4oS6ZFWGXAtBXH3QK6b_H5bd44GOB6h-mtVuOMomZvFBPKpKEc2KvaoRMVFSsvUPfXNYy3W6Gu0HFrK_Zu6lhMBG0/s1600-h/Last+Import-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d0H6oRnwwBuk0EJ9Ayac2_aHeF7mM1NcYhtejdK9vnLK2Fnwlc4oS6ZFWGXAtBXH3QK6b_H5bd44GOB6h-mtVuOMomZvFBPKpKEc2KvaoRMVFSsvUPfXNYy3W6Gu0HFrK_Zu6lhMBG0/s320/Last+Import-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329901687237216130" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Marjoram,Thyme and Lemon Thyme, and Chives<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa7oR1Tyz8SBcBV5QOGHCP3PsghPGlBdk5yad6SSjwJe1q4WmazoHAj92lLEBjwjLZ-mH89rxxnc4htoRSnVG7S_sZjMjzpjQncQCKSCfMnn9ivpJ2nddFCxd5TvI4Srw9BULlr2NSeg/s1600-h/Last+Import-7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa7oR1Tyz8SBcBV5QOGHCP3PsghPGlBdk5yad6SSjwJe1q4WmazoHAj92lLEBjwjLZ-mH89rxxnc4htoRSnVG7S_sZjMjzpjQncQCKSCfMnn9ivpJ2nddFCxd5TvI4Srw9BULlr2NSeg/s320/Last+Import-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329902456319102898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3 different sages, Oregano, Rosemary, Winter Savory, Salad Burnet, Onions, and gleefully bolting Celery<br /><br /><br />Bugs bugs bugs<br /><br />Today I installed pheromone traps in the apples and pears for Codling moths, a different pheromone trap near the citrus trees for Leaf Miners, fly traps in the chicken yard and Tanglefoot around the trunk of the Giant Fuyu tree. I am desperate to keep the mealybugs from ruining my favorite Persimmon. Next bug chore will be spraying for Fire Blight. Very few things in my yard need fighting, thankfully. Most of the problems are in the fruit trees and all my solutions are organic. Out damn pest. Don't mess with my fruit.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-44838472887156290572009-04-26T09:26:00.000-07:002009-04-26T09:28:39.306-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9LA0o_jkPOmKHwdaUKIf6AtV_0g79Q4VEfk-mac6eYEuHW54rUU9ZIiC6gCVR3eh_y3M6MUA-tc26Z1N6Vgpko-Oj1FShkXbO45ummIsEVYqhzj2K6iAXfHRn1q-LBMvvdWKMj62JLA/s1600-h/DSC02407.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9LA0o_jkPOmKHwdaUKIf6AtV_0g79Q4VEfk-mac6eYEuHW54rUU9ZIiC6gCVR3eh_y3M6MUA-tc26Z1N6Vgpko-Oj1FShkXbO45ummIsEVYqhzj2K6iAXfHRn1q-LBMvvdWKMj62JLA/s320/DSC02407.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329037643048810226" /></a><br />Another delivery from Zeke the Sheik, The Guru of PoopooKazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-24417320397548394472009-04-25T10:21:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:22:57.005-07:00The new chickens are 9 weeks old today and can still squeeze through a 2” x 4” opening in the fence. Those that make it into the great wide world get put into chickie jail for the day. Chickie jail is a 2’ x 4’ cage that is full of the most delectable and desired chickie treats- the plan being to fatten them up so they can’t fit through the damn tiny hole any more. It’s always the same 7 little escapees, so hopefully a few more days of constant eating will widen them.<br /><br />Today I planted 2 seed flats- 1 entire flat of Zinnias. The other is a hodge-podge of Celosia, Basil, Summer Savory, Chives, Cardoon, Jicama, and Thai Red Roselle. Thai Red Roselle, the flower found in Latino stores here in L.A., is the main ingredient in the drink “Jamaica”. The great and wonderful Lulu makes this often in the summer- very refreshing. This is what Baker Creek (my seed source) says about it:<br /><br />Thai Red Roselle <br />(Hibiscus sabdariffa) A valuable plant for making cranberry-flavored bright red beverages, jelly, pie and tea. Much grown in Asia and the mid-east as the flavor is wonderful. A tasty sauce can be made by boiling and sweetening the fleshy calyxes, the leaves are also used to make a drink. The entire plant of this Hibiscus is red and very beautiful. Start early, unless you live in the far-south. Citrus-flavored flowers are delicious on frozen deserts. This plant has too many uses to name here. Collected in Thailand.<br /><br />Tomorrow I will plant the “three sisters” in the front yard. According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable sisters that support each other in several ways. The beans climb the corn and are light feeders next to the hungry corn. The squash rambles over the ground, shading it from the hottest sun and helping the soil retain water.<br /><br />Planting food plants in the front yard is tricky. Authors Kelly Coyne and Eric Knutzen ( L.A. residents) address this subject in their interesting book <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Urban Homestead</span>. They recommend planting either unfamiliar plants (weird greens) or super abundant plants (cherry tomatoes) in the front yard. The unusual ones won’t get stolen and the abundant ones are fun to share. I will plant a Hickory King flint corn- multicolored and intended for corn meal. The beans will be Scarlet Runner beans- beautiful flowers and not a familiar shape. The third sister will be Musquee de Provence pumpkins and Australian Butter squash. I hope these three sisters are unusual enough for a safe front yard planting.Kazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980052412960364918.post-69288850422927280892009-04-25T09:57:00.000-07:002009-04-25T10:35:46.538-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_P4MLQgW4_et7vsfthZky42D6jgpBKRou0_Xeb5BEqOicThmYAFJrCs8h3HVBIK19ZLmTitzrOoAdvOAFxHlNGYrD9xUpOfQUgj4FLT0cGFzpyLD7v6ajikM5HzaJ9TRJPOpUroGwr8/s1600-h/DSC02400.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_P4MLQgW4_et7vsfthZky42D6jgpBKRou0_Xeb5BEqOicThmYAFJrCs8h3HVBIK19ZLmTitzrOoAdvOAFxHlNGYrD9xUpOfQUgj4FLT0cGFzpyLD7v6ajikM5HzaJ9TRJPOpUroGwr8/s320/DSC02400.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328675336003878530" /></a><br />The transitional spring garden<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOkeiwdUQRSchO9q8RcCA52ALjEV00vFks6vXGcKC1WfgtW_S40rxEsXH-Fc79y0aOeD27WVNvadPkD6N1orgdbTNPK9U0ZmMGZJ70WkPAdFz-sOK3Oy_8AgaEft-AH08kVGqk79mTVk/s1600-h/DSC02399.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOkeiwdUQRSchO9q8RcCA52ALjEV00vFks6vXGcKC1WfgtW_S40rxEsXH-Fc79y0aOeD27WVNvadPkD6N1orgdbTNPK9U0ZmMGZJ70WkPAdFz-sOK3Oy_8AgaEft-AH08kVGqk79mTVk/s320/DSC02399.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328675332501671250" /></a><br />Pakistani Mulberries just starting to color<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqVzZ5IDEey0KzY0JuOLO3IYEYLBEriwNihBBb0Mz5r97x2qlpZLyqHl2n3T37dyk0cWSH7y8-Mrfp8Vbq9o2iHcxXF5z72OVOxqJe_jiERAX58LGzA-t-GFaPw-gg7_M31bvdqNR7Uc/s1600-h/DSC02397.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqVzZ5IDEey0KzY0JuOLO3IYEYLBEriwNihBBb0Mz5r97x2qlpZLyqHl2n3T37dyk0cWSH7y8-Mrfp8Vbq9o2iHcxXF5z72OVOxqJe_jiERAX58LGzA-t-GFaPw-gg7_M31bvdqNR7Uc/s320/DSC02397.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328675321244127506" /></a><br />The pullets really getting into their food<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVkvQCS-KWOyiGoM8_Xo271jjlKYT4eyslqo2FU7MZRcEHW_UfiUclPofYxj-H7zwzbqT40w6TG60ajefinXWjnBCEYpafDXFu_DcLDRfWEq-FF_d3gSsRjfau30oye7udkHqyyKfMLM/s1600-h/DSC02391.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVkvQCS-KWOyiGoM8_Xo271jjlKYT4eyslqo2FU7MZRcEHW_UfiUclPofYxj-H7zwzbqT40w6TG60ajefinXWjnBCEYpafDXFu_DcLDRfWEq-FF_d3gSsRjfau30oye7udkHqyyKfMLM/s320/DSC02391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328675314937042626" /></a><br />The chicken yardKazihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09387385397520338303noreply@blogger.com2