Finally Springtime in the Garden
September in the Garden
Time for mulch! I had an entire truckload delivered (tree trimmers will deliver for free, however it is a full load so be prepared!) It took me approx. 17 hours and un-countable wheel barrels full to spread it around the property, now we just need rain. 
Last Night blooming Cereus for the Summer, so pretty.
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Probably the last ginger bloom for the season, at least some plants enjoyed the heat.
Water Hyacinth are enjoying the Indian Summer as well.
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Urban Garden even in Laguna Beach
Here's a great example of an efficient use of space for urban gardeners even in tony Laguna Beach. Laying chickens, tomatoes, corn and squash plants growing right in the front yard.
Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden is located in San Diego's world famous Balboa Park. It's well worth a visit to take in the tranquility and harmony the garden instills in your soul.
The Japanese Friendship Garden (“the Garden”) is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. It illustrates two cultures and creates an immersive experience into Japanese culture. The Garden’s design is based on centuries-old Japanese techniques adapted to San Diego’s climate and florae and seeks to foster a relationship between humans and nature, providing a respite attuned to Japanese simplicity, serenity, and aestheticism.
The Garden sits on a 12-acre plot. It offers a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and festivals as well as accredited horticultural classes to enhance and deepen visitor appreciation for Japanese culture. As a valued community resource, it is well known for its unique setting, stone arrangements, koi ponds, water features, sukiya-style buildings and landscape.
The Japanese Friendship Garden was first opened in 1991. The second phase, opened in 1999, was designed by renowed landscape architect Takeo Uesugi. This phase added the Exhibit Hall, Activity Center, and Koi Pond. The third phase, completed in 2015, comprised 9 additional acres which included a 200 cherry tree grove, large azalea and camellia garden, a water feature reminiscent of the San Diego watershed, and the state of the art Inamori Pavilion.
Today, the Japanese Friendship Garden is visited annually by close to 100,000 people from all over United States and around the world. The Garden is our gift to the citizens of San Diego as we continue to provide the community with educational programs to foster better understanding of Japanese culture. We are thankful to the citizens of San Diego who have helped in throughout our development. We feel it is our responsibility to build upon this legacy and continue to promote friendship among diverse cultures.
Time for some fun !
Pumpkins Already?!!
They say in the gardening world - get your pumpkins planted by the Fourth of July.
Seems our friends at Paul Ecke Central Elementary
School have us beat! We were surprised to see these enormous pumpkins at the school while shopping the farmers market http://www.leucadiafarmersmarket.com/
which they host on Sundays. I bet the kids are going to be super excited to see these beauties when they return to school in the fall.
Seems our friends at Paul Ecke Central Elementary
School have us beat! We were surprised to see these enormous pumpkins at the school while shopping the farmers market http://www.leucadiafarmersmarket.com/
which they host on Sundays. I bet the kids are going to be super excited to see these beauties when they return to school in the fall.
Portland International Rose Test Garden
Thought the Pasadena Tournament of Roses was the largest festival of flowers in the U.S. think again! The Portland Rose festival is much larger and they also have their own Rose parade. The International Test Rose Garden in Washington Park is perhaps the world's largest collection of roses. Best of all it's free to visit and you can stop and smell the roses.
Summer Love or One Night Stand?
Night Blooming Cereus
Visually stunning and amazing scent, sadly it lasts just one night...
Visually stunning and amazing scent, sadly it lasts just one night...
Garden Envy
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With a little help from my friends
This little guy will become a Monarch Butterfly
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I have been gardening my whole life. My grandfater, who came off the boat from La Spezia, Italy taught me how. It was the 1960's in New York City with very limited resources, so it's possible. It's all about the soil, the water and some love and attention! Not too much attention, the plants will protest and die.
I grow everything organically, and if you have a balance of beneficials, you don't need pesticides. What is your level of commitment? How much time, money and attention are you willing to devote? Good questions to ask before you begin. Just like with food sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomach, right Stephen? Or in this case our wallets or our time It's very rewarding to grow your own food, and your hands in the dirt is one of the very best therapies for whatever ails you. Every seen a sick farmer? Probably not! Let's get started..... |
Earth Day 2017
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Earth Day is celebrated in many ways in San Diego, my favorite is the Sunday of Earth Day weekend at Balboa Park. In its 28th year, EarthFair, billed as the largest free environmental fair in the world, EarthFair hosts 60,000 visitors annually. Tens of thousands of people come together to celebrate Mother Earth and tout their various causes. I have been organizing Earth Day plant sale for my group California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) http://www.crfgsandiego.org/ for several years. I dread all the prep, begging for volunteers and plant material. But in the end it’s worth it, nothing better than seeing patrons of Earth Day walking away with a plant or two! Especially gives me joy to see a child walk away with that special plant in their hands.
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Tomato Mania!
Today we went to the annual Tomato Mania! sale/event at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca Community College. It was the first time I've been to the garden and it was quite the place it's much different than Quail Gardens. The Tomato Mania is billed at the largest (and most fun) tomato seedling sale in California. It's a two day festival that is all about all things growing tomatoes. They have free seminars and gardening tips and tricks for all budding tomato growers. Every year Maddie goes to buy new tomato seedlings to plant for the upcoming tomato season. There were more different types of tomatoes for sale there along with all the necessary items needed to successfully grow tomatoes. I for one was certainly surprised that there are so many different types of tomatoes including many varieties of heirloom tomatoes, most of which I have never seen in stores. Maddie told me that tomatoes are very fragile and don't travel well so they can't be sold in stores, and that's why people grow their own tomatoes and that's why there are so many varieties. Anyway store bought tomatoes can't compare to home grown tomatoes and that's why tomato growers are such a fervent group. Maddie bought eight tomato seedlings and two pepper seedlings. She went home an planted them in the afternoon.
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Maddie among the water tolerant plants at the conservation garden
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What's Coming Up In the Garden May
Our visit to San Diego Botanic Garden
Yesterday we went to visit the San Diego Botanic Garden, located in Encinitas. It was the first time I had ever been there but Maddie had been there many times. The stated mission of the Garden is to inspire people of all ages to connect with plants and nature and it certainly is a beautiful place with sweeping sunset and coastal views. I'm certain we'll be back many times. It was wonderful seeing many families bringing their kids to enjoy the garden and learn all about not only native flora but about plants all over the world.
The description from the San Diego Botanic Garden website describes the garden best:
The description from the San Diego Botanic Garden website describes the garden best:
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From the San Diego Botanic Garden: |
Peas are coming up in the garden
Peas are climbing vines that need some height to grow. As you can see we have some flowers on the vines so we'll have some peas following. Sometimes the peas never make it into the house Gretchen eats them straight off the vine.
Raspberries!!!
The first raspberries are starting to turn red and ripen! You can see some other green ones in the background. We get many berries if the flowers survive. Sometimes they get eaten by feathered friends and other critters. Don't fight it, just plant more!