On the front page of the Union-Tribune a few days back, a feature article ran about San Diego’s growing population of urban farmers. Isn’t a front yard full of corn much more interesting than grass? Another person in the article is growing wheat. People are experimenting in their yards, using less water, and creating conversation with passers-by. The goal is not necessarily to reap a huge crop, but to experience the process of growing, learning and eating fresh produce, and gaining a better understanding and appreciation for the process of growing food.
We have not had grass on our property for about 15 years. Don’t miss it at all. I think the raised beds, bird feeders, blueberry bushes and succulents galore are much more interesting to look at, and based on the conversations I hear as people walk past our house, most other people do, too. One year I planted nothing but sunflowers and it was spectacular! The tomatoes are always a conversation piece in front. I am a firm believer that gardens can do more to engage people than almost anything else, and I’d like to think I’m doing my part!
Tagged as:
Front yard farms,
grass,
no lawn solutions
Yesterday was the inaugural Coronado Home Harvest event. It is a free exchange, not a commercial enterprise, for local gardeners to share their produce by donating homegrown fruits and vegetables in exchange for a bag of mixed produce grown by other home gardeners. Nicely organized by four local women, I’d say the event was a success.
I took in a small crop of green beans and cherry tomatoes and in exchange brought home a mixed bag of beautiful fruits and veggies. I was especially impressed with the carrots one person grew, and I ate the one really delicious peach that was in my bag. I would have loved to have had more of those! The next event will be in July and I can’t wait! I’ll have a lot more to share by then, as will most other gardeners, so it should be an even more successful day of sharing. BRAVO to the organizers of the
Coronado Home Harvest!
Tagged as:
food coop,
fruits and vegetables,
harvest
Did you know?
Tomatoes need consistent water to stay healthy.
It is suggested not to pick tomatoes for at least 24-48 hours after watering, for the purpose of a deeper flavor.
The explorer, Cortez, is credited with finding the tomato in an Aztec market around 1520 and transporting the seed to Spain. In 1522 Italy was under Spanish rule and they introduced the tomato to Naples, Italy where it was cultivated.
Actually a fruit, it took a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1893 to make the tomato a vegetable.
In the United States, more tomatoes are consumed than any other single fruit or vegetable.
France and Italy once considered tomatoes a type of apple.
Tomatoes are very high in the carotenoid Lycopene; eating foods with carotenoids can lower your risk of cancer.
There are about 5,000 different varieties of tomato.
The average American eats 22 pounds of tomatoes each year – over half in the form of ketchup and tomato sauce.
A horn worm can eat an entire tomato plant by itself in one day!
Hey, who invited you?!
Tagged as:
heirloom tomatoes,
tomatoes
I was reading about butterflies and moths the other day, and I learned a few things. Their wings are transparent, but covered with thousands of scales which give color to the wings. As butterflies and moths get older the colors on their scales fade. Butterflies taste with their feet. Moths and butterflies use their antenna [...]
Tagged as:
butterflies,
chrysalis,
cocoons,
moths
Did you see this article about Worm Gold in the Union-Tribune yesterday? The Department of Pesticide Regulation said George Hahn, owner of Worm-Gold, Worm-Gold Plus, and Tree Rescue Solution, was selling an unregistered pesticide, in violation of state and federal law because he claims that his products repel insects. I read the article a couple [...]
Tagged as:
vermiculture,
worm castings,
worm poop,
Worms
Whew! We made it! It’s officially summer! With spectacular weather most of the year, it’s not about the sunny, warm days, but just an opportunity to celebrate the idea of a new season. For me, it’s a personal milestone because I’ve finished some big projects I’ve been working on for the past six months. One [...]
Tagged as:
summertime
The parking strip is looking very messy right now and it’s driving me crazy! I want to pull out the old poppies, now way past prime and looking so messy, but I’m holding out so the flowers can go to seed. As the seed pods have matured, I’ve been harvesting them right before they pop. [...]
Tagged as:
harvesting seeds,
Seeds,
storing seeds
The first cherry tomatoes of the season have been harvested from my garden. Two volunteers in the front yard are starting to take over because I didn’t pre-stake them. I kept putting it off and now I think I’ve lost that battle, but if I lose a few tomatoes, so be it. Another few weeks [...]
Tagged as:
heirloom tomatoes,
tomato,
tomato blight,
tomatoes
Translation: I found this plant in the garbage. It sounds so much better in Italian, doesn’t it? Anyway, I found it last year on one of my routine alley cruises and this year it has grape clusters on it. The leaves are so beautiful, it’s healthy and I think we might have some edible grapes [...]
Tagged as:
grape vines,
grapes
