Garden Gossip

Thinking outside the box

2011-12-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Each year Leana and I try to come up with something different for our holiday wrapping. I usually use plain brown wrapping paper and create something with herbs and plants from the garden. This year we used brown paper and garden twine. Then I snipped Bay Laurel and a handful of Lavender. The tag is a leaf from a sweet gum tree down the street. And, we made tiny sachets and stuffed them with dried Lavender buds and dried crushed Bay Laurel leaves.
I think it makes a lovely alternative to the "usual", don't you?
Fill your garden with joy!

Gifts from the Garden Part 2

2011-12-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

We were bubbling over with ideas for gifts from the garden on Friday.
Here are a few more herb blend ideas:
Asian style herb blend: Fennel seed, star anise, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon.
Spanish style: Smoked Paprika, Sweet Paprika, Pepper, Cumin, Lemon zest.
Latin style: Cumin, Oregano, Pepper, Chili powder, (you could even add a touch of Cinnamon & Cocoa powder).
Indian style: Tumeric, Cumin, Cardamon, Coriander, dry mustard and Cayenne.
The possibilities are endless, but this should be enough to
get you started on creating your own. Have fun with the jars. I think you could use old jam jars, go to antique shops and find old jars. Here are some jars I had in my cupboard.

More spice jar ideas from Crate and Barrel

Gifts from the Garden

2011-12-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

We talked about gifts from the garden on Friday's show and here's one of our ideas:

Make your own customized herb blends.

Herbs de Provence is a favorite. I use thyme, fennel seed, lavender, tarragon, marjoram and bay. Savory is another herb you can add. I just don't happen to have any in my garden at the moment. Dry the herbs and blend to your own taste.
Package in little jars, like left over jam jars. Or go all out and buy cool containers.

Make this into a seasoning salt by adding sea salt!

One more reason to plant lots of herbs in your garden.
Fill your garden with joy!

Garden Gossip Friday December 2nd-Gifts from the Garden and Chef MD, Dr. John La Puma

2011-12-03T03:59:00.000-08:00

Great show today with Dr. John La Puma (author of Chef MD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine). Dr. La Puma gave us some tips on how to enjoy the holidays without packing on extra pounds and how to bring your cholesterol down without harmful drugs (cholesterol drug Lipitor went generic this week).
We've got gift ideas from your garden and of course there is the Montecito Landscape/Garden Gossip photo calendar give-away. No one had the correct guess for name that plant, so we'll continue that next week. Listen to rebroadcast Saturday at 11am on newspress.com or download past episodes from www.montecitolandscape.com

Don't Plant a Pest

2011-11-16T00:22:00.000-08:00

Last week on Garden Gossip, Invasive plant specialist, David Chang, gave us some great info on what to plant and what not to plant in our landscapes. Certainly we all know that Pampas Grass is not a friend in our gardens, but did you know that Fountain Grass is another invasive species that we need to avoid? These plants "jump the fence" and invade native environments, causing a real threat to our biodiversity. There are plenty of viable alternatives to the invasive species, find out more by visiting the California Invasive Plant Council website. www.cal-ipc.org
You can listen to the show here Garden Gossip Radio Show

Organic Vampire, Witch Control and General Protection from Evil

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Today is the 31st of October and you will most definitely need protection from evil tonight, since it's a very popular evening for marauding Vampires, Witches and the like. But, did you know that most of the protection you need is right in your own garden? Yep. So without further introduction here is the Organic Halloween Safety List for 2011 (the last two aren't exactly in your garden or organic, but you want to be safe, right?):

Eat lots of Garlic: It is well known that Vampires have an aversion to Garlic. Even in China and Malaysia Garlic has been used as Vampire repellent. You can also string it up over your doorways to prevent Vampires from entering your home.
Carry a bag of Poppy Seeds: Vampires are compulsive counters, so if you suspect someone of being a Vampire, throw Poppy Seeds at them and hope they will be distracted long enough (they will have to start counting them, you see) for you to get away.
Thorns of Wild Roses also repel Vampires. No one seems to know why this works, but it does.
Make sure you have lots of Wolf Bane; It repels Werewolves. Not sure there is any other way to protect yourself from Werewolves.
String Chili Peppers around your neck and around the entrance to your house as this will repel a wide variety of Monsters and Ghouls.
Fennel is another plant useful for protection. Hang Fennel over your front door to prevent the entry of Witches.
Now, if for some reason you do get a hex put on you, use Bay Laurel to break the spell. It's a good idea to keep some Bay around for this reason. Rosemary is a suitable substitute.
Lavender and Oak will protect from the Evil Eye.
The only actual protection from Zombies, apparently, is a chainsaw and an axe...I couldn't find any reliable Zombie or Ghoul repellent.
Wear a cross, this seems to help with all sorts of evil from Vampires to Witches.
Holy water provides good all-around protection from any unexpected Halloween situation. Keep a vial around your neck just to be safe.

Have a Happy (and safe) Halloween night!

A Bit of Halloween History

2011-10-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

Halloween, a time to dress up in some crazy outfit and go have some fun..but why do we do this? And why on the 31st of October?
Let's go back to the 5th century, B.C. Celtic Ireland for the answer. The Celtic new year was November 1st and it was thought that on new year's eve (October 31st) that everyone who had died in the previous year came back to look for a new body to inhabit! Apparently, this was their only way for an afterlife..
Of course the living, not wanting to be possessed needed a solution to this conundrum. They dressed up in outlandish and scary costumes and paraded around making as much noise a possible to frighten away the marauding spirits who were looking for bodies to possess..
And, what about Jack 'O Lanterns? Also and Irish tradition, though in Ireland they used root vegetables like turnips and potatoes (pumpkins are native to the Americas). This custom of hollowing them out, carving ghoulish images into them and placing a lighted candle inside was all in an effort to ward off evil spirits and especially the spirits who roamed the countryside on October 31st! Happy Halloween!

Summer in a Jar

2011-10-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is over, but there is still time to preserve a bit of summer in a jar. Last week that consisted of pickle making. I love pickles and have worked for some time to perfect my pickle-making-prowess..And, I can tell you that I have done it. There are a couple of secrets.
1. I use about half the sugar called for in the recipe.
2. Cane sugar or evaporated cane juice is the only sweetener to use (unless you use cane or evaporated cane juice or certified organic sugar you will be getting GMO beet sugar)
3. Low-temperature pasteurization method.
The result: crunchy, spicy fabulous pickles. I happened to make Bread and Butter pickles, but you could just as easily make dills or one of my favorites; pickles carrots with fresh oregano and jalapeno. Now, the last batch I used every veggie I could find, onions, turnips, carrots, cauliflower and of course, cucumbers.
And you'll have your own version of Summer in a Jar!

Here's the recipe
For two quarts of veggies:
Suggest: cucumbers, sweet peppers, sweet onions thinly sliced, cauliflower, etc.
prep veggies, place in non-metalic container and sprinkle with salt then cover with ice and leave for 3 hours or over night in fridge (or outdoors covered)
1/2 cup pickling salt

Rinse veggies and drain well
Sterilize jars, and lids according to instructions, for canning basics see (Ball Blue Book of Preserving)

Combine in large kettle:
3 c. cider vinegar
13/4-2 c. cane sugar
3 cloves garlic minced
2 T mustard seed (whole)
2 t. turmeric (ground)
2 t. celery seed (whole)
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. pepper corns (whole)
1/2 t. cloves (whole)
Put on the heat and stir until sugar is dissolved then bring to a boil
While this mixture is heating, prepare your jars by cramming the sterilized jars full of the veggies, leaving about one inch to the top.
Pour the boiling vinegar mixture over the veggies, clean and seal according to directions.
Place in hot water bath, and process (here's the key) for 30 mins at 180-185 degrees.
For more on low temperature pasteurization method see:
Low Temperature Pasteruization Method

Fill your garden (and your kitchen) with joy!
Lisa

Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth

2011-10-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

This Friday, October 7, 2011, on Garden Gossip, we'll be talking with Eric Helm, journalist-turned farmer-turned activist about the ravages on the earth of modern agriculture. Raised on a cotton farm in Texas, Eric got a degree in broadcast journalism and traveled the world. When he returned to the land his family had been farming for almost 100 years he was startled at the changes he saw in the land. He began to change his practices and speak out against the damages caused by modern commercial agriculture. His new book, Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth, chronicles this journey and was awarded "Book of the Week" from the Organic Consumers Association. Join us at 11am PDT for the live show or listen to the rebroadcast Friday at 9pm and Saturday 11am. You can listen live on your mobile device or computer at newspress.com or download the show at www.montecitolandscape.com (click on the garden gossip tab)

Friday, September 30, 2011 on Garden Gossip

2011-09-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

This week on Garden Gossip, we talk with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Nursery manager, Bruce Reed about the area's most extensive native and Mediterranean plant sale. The sale begins October 1st at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and goes until the end of the month. We'll also find out about fall planting for spring bloom. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week. Listen live Friday morning at 11, or the rebroadcast Friday night at 9 and Saturday morning at 11. You can of course listen to all the past shows any time at www.montecitolandscape.com.

Healthy School Lunches with Kiddo's founder, Beth Bailey

2011-09-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

Friday, on Garden Gossip our guest is founder of Kiddo's Squeezies, Beth Bailey. Beth founded Kiddo's Squeezies as an easy way to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies. Did you know that 90% of American's consume fewer fruits and vegetables than the daily recommended amount? Kiddo's Squeezies is a single serving of delicious, organic fruit/veg in an easy squeeze pouch. Brilliant!
Beth is now having her way with the school lunch program at Howard School in Carpinteria. Parent volunteers, local farmers and chefs come together to give kids real food every day. Find out more when Beth tells all on this week's Garden Gossip show. Friday's at 11am, 9pm and Saturday's at 11am. You can listen live on your mobile device at newspress.com or find past shows anytime on montecitolandscape.com. More on Kiddo's Squeezies here

Greetings from the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa

2011-09-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Well, this is quite an event. We listened to Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse fame, talk about what led her to seeking out the very best ingredients for her restaurant from local growers. In fact, the man who has been growing the majority of the fruits and vegetables for Chez Panisse for the past 25 years was also in attendance, Bob Cannard of Green String Farm in Petaluma, CA. There is another day of Expo. Much more to come. Until next time, Fill Your Garden With Joy....Lisa and Chris
Chez Panisse

This week on Garden Gossip-Queen of the Sun-What the Bees are telling us

2011-06-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

This week on Garden Gossip, the director and producer of the new documentary film, "Queen of the Sun- what the bees are telling us". This critically acclaimed film about the global honey bee crisis was directed by Taggart Siegel, who also directed "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". We will find out the story behind the film and talk about solutions to solving the dilemma of the disappearing Honey Bees.
The show will be broadcast live this Friday, June 17 on AM1290 in Santa Barbara. You can listen to the rebroadcasts on AM1290 Friday night at 9 and Saturday morning at 11:00.
And next week the show will be available at www.montecitolandscape.com. Don't miss it!
Find out more about Queen of the Sun

Friday on Garden Gossip

2011-05-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

This week on Garden Gossip radio, our guest will be Dr. John La Puma. His PBS show "Eat and Cook Healthy with Dr. John La Puma will broadcast right after the show at noon on KOCE Friday, June 3rd.
Listen live Friday's at 11:00 on Santa Barbara's AM 1290 or listen to past shows on www.montecitolandscape.com. For more information on Dr John click here

Wanda Wen of "A Soolip Wedding" on Garden Gossip Feb. 25

2011-02-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

This week, we are honored to have as our guest, Wanda Wen, creative visionary of Soolip the internationally known lifestyle brand. Her company, A Soolip Wedding, believes in a modern yet soulful approach to the wedding. Under the umbrella of Conscious Celebrating, Wanda challenges her partners and guests to embrace a green theme in their weddings. Find out about the latest innovation from A Soolip Wedding, "The Couple's Garden". Couples plant an edible or floral biodynamic garden together and share the bounty with their wedding guests.
Garden Gossip is live every Friday morning at 11:00am and then rebroadcasts Friday night at 9:00pm and Saturday morning at 11:00am. Listen live at newspress.com or in Santa Barbara at AM1290.
Find out more about A Soolip Wedding here

Duke McPherson on Garden Gossip

2011-02-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

L to R: Chris Cullen, Lisa Cullen, Duke McPherson, Leana Finley & Denise Ritchie (of Malibu Compost)

Consulting arborist, Duke McPherson, was our guest on Garden Gossip this week (sorry, Duke you closed your eyes in the photo!). And we talked about trees, specifically deciduous trees. Normally, this is the time of year for pruning deciduous fruit trees, but after a wet and cold December, we have had a very warm and dry 6 weeks, which is causing early bud break. The trees are confused and that can effect fruit set. Only time will tell what the end result will be. If your trees have leaf break it's too late to spray for Peach Leaf Curl, but if they are flowering, go ahead and spray.

Two Ways to Live Life

2011-02-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

"There are two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

Winter in the garden

2011-02-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

"Keep your faith in beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone."

Roy R. Gibson

Growing Roses Organically-Dan Bifano on Garden Gossip

2011-02-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

(from left to right: Denise Ritchie, Leana Finley, Dan Bifano, Lisa Cullen, Chris Cullen)

Last week we had the honor of having Dan Bifano on the show. In case you didn't know, Dan Bifano is THE rose expert in our area and beyond. His client list is a list of the most successful women in show business (I'll let you guess the names). Roses are his passion. We also had a visit from Malibu Compost founder, Denise Ritchie. As a result, Dan decided to start using Malibu Compost on one of his biggest client's roses. Very exciting news. Dan's main message was that you feed the soil, live, healthy soil will result in healthy plants. Also, as far as pests go, here's the rundown:
Aphids-wash them off with water.
Caterpillars-use BT (organic caterpillar stuff)
The best defense is live, healthy soil and keeping your plants clean.
Feed your soil with Malibu Compost, the Biodynamic formula.
for more information on Malibu Compost click here

January in Santa Barbara

2011-01-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Well, after record-breaking rain in December, here it is in January and it's warm, sunny and windy. I really am praying for more rain, we don't want to go another year without water. We should get more rain in Feb. at least that's what I'm hoping for. January and February are the months when you want to feed your soil. Do what I do, put down a layer of Malibu Compost, and let the rain water it in. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants. Fill your garden with joy! Lisa
check out Malibu Compost by clicking here

Garden Paths

2010-11-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

Read our most recent article on Garden Paths in the most recent Food and Home Magazine. Link will take you there. Food and Home Magazine-Garden Paths

Garden Gossip in the latest Food and Home Magazine

2010-08-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

Find out about how to get ready for autumn in my latest story in Food and Home Magazine
See the latest issue of Food and Home

Summer on the Central Coast of California

2010-08-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know we live in paradise and it's really unfair for me to complain about the weather but this may be the year that we nickname "The Bummer Summer". Since the first of June it has been pretty drippy and cool (see morning dew on Dahlia in August as evidence). It's not that I mind the cool ocean breezes that make sweaters requisite attire most days and most definitely in the evenings, it's that I planted Tomatoes, Cucumbers and other warm weather loving crops and this weather is dampening (literally) my plans.
So, while I contemplate whether my Tomatoes will ever ripen or my beans will grow, I guess I should consider all the good things that result from this weather. Less stress on the plants, no need for air-conditioning, I am growing things with success that normally bolt in days like Cilantro, Dill, Celery and lettuces. Thankfully, with this cool weather, the hills are relatively safe from wildfires and considering the last few years, that's a really good thing. The moist air is so much better on our complexions, isn't it? See, there are plenty of reasons to be thankful for living on the central coast of California. Yep, guess so..besides Leana just sent me a text message telling me that the sun is out downtown. 70 degrees and sunny, not bad, not bad at all.

The Secret Garden

2010-07-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

A secret garden is a place that transports you to another place and time. It is a place of refuge, peace and solace. It could be as simple as creating a cozy nook in the corner of your property, sheltered by hedges or it could be a bench placed beneath a large tree. It can be created in a corner of your house where you could place a lounge chair and thus have a quiet place to read or nap. Point is, all it takes to create a secret garden is to make it so there is a process of discovery, either by surrounding the area with tall shrubs or creating a "switchback" so that the pathway isn't obvious. You can also use teak screens or potted plants to hide your secret spot. Your garden is an extension of your home, live in it and remember to fill your garden with joy!

Life Without Plastic

2010-07-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard, our oceans are being inundated with plastic. Plastic bags are turning up in the stomachs of birds, plastic containers are being washed ashore in far flung places, I think it's time we quit junking up the planet, don't you? I found this blog called "Fake Plastic Fish" where the author is making a concerted effort to live without plastic. It's worth a read, let's all try a little harder to get out of the plastic habit. Fake Plastic Fish Blog

Recyling Basics

2010-07-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

Chef, author and contributing columnist to Edible Santa Barbara, Janice Cook Knight was kind enough to join us on the show yesterday. She had recently done an article for "Edible" on recycling so we asked her to give us the low down on recycling basics. Here is what we learned.

1. Paper or cardboard food containers (to-go boxes, pizza boxes, paper plates, napkins, etc) CANNOT be recycled! That was big news to us. If the paper goods have touched food, they gum up the works in the recycling process. These items must be COMPOSTED.

2. Plastic bags (the kind you get at the grocery store, either for veggies or as a carry bag) CAN BE RECYCLED at any grocery store. The State mandates that stores must take them back. They are then used to make decking material. That's good news. A tip on that, if the bags are gooey or greasy, rinse them out before returning. The bad news is only 5% of the plastic bags distributed are being recycled.

3. Milk cartons. Bad news, these are not recyclable in Santa Barbara County. Nor are those "boxes" that contain soy milk, almond milk, etc.

4. Styrofoam, this is a complicated subject. It can not be recycled and it leaches stuff into food.

5. The good news is that all metals can be recycled.

Those are some basics, I highly recommend reading the full article in the most recent Edible Santa Barbara for the full story.

What Can You Do?
1. Tell the shops you frequent to stop using Styrofoam.
2. Recycle and reuse your plastic bags.
3. Compost paper goods that have touched food.
4. Take your own reusable bags everywhere.
5. Spread the word.

It's our planet and it's the only one we have at the moment, so it's up to all of us to protect it. If we all do are part it's not such an overwhelming task.
Click here for recycling basics in latest issue of Edible Santa Barbara

Summer's Here!

2010-07-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

There is a tradition at Garden Gossip that as soon as I write an article about the lack of sun, it comes out and once again, it worked! The sun came out yesterday and this morning was a bright, beautiful morning! Yippee! I check the garden yesterday and though everything is a couple of months behind schedule, the cukes are starting to grow and the green beans are coming along (finally). My Kumquat trees are loaded with fruit and they are getting ripe. It is time to start preserving them. Next time pickled Kumquats and preserved whole Kumquats..Yum.

June Gloom leads to Chilly July

2010-07-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Anyone in the center of the country who wants to get out of the heat only needs to head to the coast of California where it is a chilly 61degrees this morning with a mist that is sitting on the hills like a cotton blanket. We haven't seen much of the sun since June 1st and now that it is ten days into July the prospect doesn't look too bright. I checked the weather forecast this morning and we are supposed to have another week of this. So, what does that mean for your garden? It's one of those good news/bad news scenarios.

The good news is that the air is moist and the plants aren't stressed from heat and dry air. The bad news is that this type of weather can lead to sooty mold and fungal diseases. The best way to combat this is to keep your plants clean. The best way to do this is to wash them off with soap and water. This applies to everything, Roses, fruit trees, veggies, everything will benefit from a washing off every week or two. Here's how: Using a hose-end sprayer (the standard sprayer is called a Gilmour sprayer-see photo) squirt some organic dish soap in the bottom, fill with Kelp extract and if you like some fish emulsion, set the dial to 3 T per gallon and wash everything off thoroughly. Kelp extract is a natural plant booster and the soap washes off the dirt, fungi, mold, etc. This can be done weekly to keep things clean and happy. If you can get hold of some compost tea put it in a watering can or a pump sprayer and wash everything down. Even if all you do is spray with soapy water (1 tsp. in 5 gallon bucket is sufficient) that will keep everything clean and will help to combat disease.

Here's my much-used Gilmour sprayer and seaweed extract..

Your soil is alive!

2010-07-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Gardening is the nurturing of plants, it's all about improving or enhancing living things. That includes the soil. The soil is alive with micro-organisms (at least it should be). Chemical fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides disturb the natural order of things creating dead soil. This creates a dependency on more fertilizer and so the cycle goes. Using mulches and compost greatly reduces the need for fertilizers. Do you see anyone scattering fertilizer out in the forest? Food for thought. Compost tea, organic fertilizers, mulches all help to increase the life of your soil. For more check out Soil Foodweb.

What to do in your garden this week

2010-06-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

July is right around the corner and around here there's plenty of summer yet to come. Here's what to be doing in your garden now.
1. Mulch, mulch, mulch. There are plenty of sources for good mulch, Agri-Turf and Goleta Building Materials for example. A thick layer of mulch will help keep weeds down, conserves much needed moisture and protects the roots of your plants.
2. The trees on your property drop leaves continuously, use them as a natural mulch. Don't rake them and throw them away! Good heavens, no! Sweep them off your patio and walkways and into the planting beds.
3. If you have a lawn, adjust your mower (or your gardener's mower) to the tallest setting. Your lawn should be 3-4 inches tall for optimum health, water conservation and beauty.
4. Summer is late in coming this year, so it's not too late to plant warm season veggies; peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, squash all have plenty of time to mature.
5. Culinary herbs can be planted as a separate herb garden or as a border in your ornamental garden. Perennial herbs such as Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Fennel, Marjoram, Lemon Grass, Chives, Bay, etc. can be integrated into any garden, I am sure you can think of others. Plant the herbs you use frequently.
6. Have your irrigation system checked on a regular basis (preferably weekly) to ensure you are watering efficiently. If you have questions about your watering system and live in Santa Barbara County, your local water agency (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta) will do a FREE inspection of your irrigation system and recommend ways to cut back on your water usage.
7. Most importantly, get out and enjoy your garden this summer!

It' been one cool spring and summer

2010-06-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

Brrr....it's still a bit chilly here...a few days of sun since June arrived, but not many. I actually had to replant bean seeds as the soil temperature just wasn't warm enough. Had a tour at McGrath Family Farms in Camarillo a couple of weeks back and was told that this past winter and spring have been the coldest on record for Ventura County and as a result the crops are all 4-6 weeks behind schedule. It sure is true in my garden, cucumbers mere inches high, beans just starting to break through the soil. In fact I have one more Tomato seedling to put in the ground and it's nearly July! I just hope the weather warms enough to get a good harvest.
Speaking of harvest, I pulled up my Garlic yesterday and have it curing in the storage shed. According to Rodale's Encyclopedia or Organic Gardening, you should "cure" the freshly harvested Garlic in a hot, dry and airy place for 2-4 weeks and then braid it. Well, hot is going to be a challenge..let's hope the sun comes out soon..

Creative garlic curing...among tax records and canning jars

Happy Summer!

2010-06-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

"Summer

is the time when one sheds

one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."

Ada Louise Huxtable

Don't Panic It's Organic! Andy Lopez on Garden Gossip

2010-06-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

This week on Garden Gossip, our guest will be Andy Lopez, the originator of the slogan "Don't Panic It's Organic". He is an expert on natural pest control and organic gardening and is always full of helpful hints about how to have a better garden (organically, naturally). Tune in Friday's at 11AM & 9PM and Saturday mornings at 11:00. Or listen live at newspress.com.
For more about Andy Lopez click here

Microclimates of Montecito

2010-06-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

When planning a garden it's all about location. In Santa Barbara there are unique microclimates that dictate what to plant where. See this column from the Montecito Journal for all the details. Montecito Microclimates article

Garden Gossip in Food and Home Magazine

2010-06-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the latest issue of Food and Home magazine, featuring Garden Gossip beginning on page 64 click link to read Food and Home magazine online.
Food and Home magazine current issue

The Best Apricot Jam Ever

2010-06-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year, when my thoughts turn to preserving and since Apricots are the first of the summer fruits to show themselves I thought I'd share with you my recent jam session. Now, I only claim that my jam is the best for my particular taste. But if you like a jam that tastes like the fruit from which it was made and is a bit tart and not super sweet, you'll like this. I adapted this recipe from one my Mother gave me, so here goes:

8 c (heaping) crushed ripe apricots
4 c granulated sugar (I always use cane sugar so as not to be subjected to Monsanto's GMO Beet Sugar) I use organic cane sugar if I have it on hand
1/4 c fresh lemon juice

Mix the fruit and the sugar in a large, deep pot. It must be a stainless steel heavy-bottomed pot so as to prevent discoloration and burning. Start the heat at medium and stir until the sugar dissolves. At this point turn the heat to high and keep stirring. Here's where you must watch to prevent burning. Boil the mixture for about 15 min then add the lemon juice. Continue boiling and stirring until thicken to your liking.

This year I did something different. I have a very productive Passion Fruit vine and decided to add the Passion Fruit juice to half of the jam instead of the lemon juice. As you can see Passion Fruit have seeds, so you must strain out the seeds of course. I added this to the Apricots and continued as usual.

Fill in sterilized jars as per the instructions in your canning book (Ball Blue Book of Preserving is indispensable) and process in a hot water bath for 15 min.

Because I use half the sugar called for in most recipes, this jam won't last forever in the fridge once opened, but it won't last long once opened anyway, it's so good. As far as yields, you can double or triple this recipe. You'll just need more than one pot. I had two going at once and yes, canning makes a mess! 20 pounds of fruit made a little more than 24 half pints of jam.
Preserving will take up a full day, so plan ahead. It's worth every bit of time you spend.
Strawberry jam-Done
Apricot jam-Done
Next comes the Plum jam and Plum Chutney..
Happy canning and remember to fill your garden (and your kitchen) with joy! Lisa

It's all about your point of view

2010-06-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."
-Abraham Lincoln

More on Shepard Farms

2010-06-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the Shepard Farms website where you can get all the latest on their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), special events and classes. How about this one: Pickle workshop with Julia Crookston of Bona Dea (the best pickles you've every tasted) on July 3rd at Shepard Farms from 11am-3pm. Sounds like fun..here's the link:
Shepard Farms website

Here are Michael Crookston and Patty Berns manning the "Pickle booth" at Shepard Farms recent open house. I bought the pickled carrots and the pickled turnips. (The pickled carrots were gone in less than a week)

A Taste of Shepard Farms

2010-06-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday a crowd turned up to the open house at Shepard Farms in Carpinteria. Music, food, hayrides and farm animals, that's a combination sure to please anyone and it was a perfect day for a festival. Tom Shepard was there of course as well as Premier Pickler, Julia Crookston. Michael Escobar was there with his portable wood-fired pizza oven baking up pizzas to order.

Chef Edie Robertson (congratulations to Edie for her win in the recent local BBQ contest!) was there cooking up vittles from the SB County kitchen on wheels along with Nancy Weiss, director of food service in Santa Barbara County Schools. Very exciting what she is doing, but more on that some other time. Enjoy the photos of this super fun event and be sure to check out Shepard Farms CSA, and their farm stand. Until next time, fill your garden with joy!
(left) Patty Berns and Chef Julia Crookston

Chef Edie Robertson in portable kitchen (right) There were plenty of kids enjoying the sunshine, goats and baby chicks
Below is Mike Escobar with a coveted Fava Bean Pizza fresh out of the wood-burning oven on wheels.

Spring Musings

2010-05-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?"
~Edward Giobbi~

Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah

2010-05-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend a garden tour vacation. There are beautiful gardens in every area of the country and sometimes quite unexpected. Take Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. I never thought that just a few minutes south of Salt Lake City there would be a beautiful public garden the likes of this. Founded by the people who developed Word Perfect, this garden is their gift to the community in thanks for their good fortune! And what a wonderful gift! Boasting the largest man-made falls in North America, it happened to be Tulip time when I visited and we strolled for two and a half hours transfixed by the beauty of this place. Don't miss Thanksgiving Point if you travel to the Salt Lake City area. It is well worth the trip.

There were endless beds of Tulips and when the Tulips are over the beds are planted with something else.
The snow-covered peaks in the back ground made the views even more spectacular. Click on this link for more info. Thanksgiving Point website

Garden Gossip Newsletter

2010-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Click on link to view the latest Garden Gossip Newsletter! It is our special 40 year anniversary edition!

Garden Gossip Newsletter

The Story of Rose Story Farm

2010-05-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

This week's guest on Garden Gossip was Danielle Hahn, the creative force behind Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. Danielle is a Rosarian, coming from generations of Rose-lovers you could say it's in her blood. She calls herself a gardener and one attribute gardeners have in common is passion. Rose Story Farm is the materialization of this passion and a dream, a dream of growing the most beautiful roses in the world. Specializing in "old roses" (European and pre-1950 American roses) and the fact that the farm is organic makes Rose Story Farm a very special place indeed.
The roses are beautiful, fragrant and unlike any commercially-grown roses I have ever seen. Since Rose Story Farm is a family affair, husband, kids and Mom are all active in the business. Rose Story Farm has tours that include lunch in the gardens and they have a nursery where you can purchase the same types of roses that are grown on the farm. When I made my tour reservation on line, Dani's Mom called to confirm! You can schedule a tour, order your roses or just peruse the Rose Story Farm website right here: Rose Story Farm Website
Until next time, fill your garden with joy! Lisa

Chapala Chickens on Garden Gossip

2010-04-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get into Jason and Michelle's garden. That's for sure.
Jason and Michelle are urban farmers in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. who started with a few chickens and has since expanded into ducks and raised vegetable beds full of every kind of produce you can imagine. Chapala Chickens is the name of their facebook page, which they started as a way of keeping their friends up to date on their chicken world. If you haven't checked out Chapala Chickens, it is a great page with lots of fun stuff.
As a chef, Jason is accustomed to utilizing great ingredients so it was a natural progression into growing his own food. His inspiration was his grandfather, a police officer and urban farmer in Santa Barbara, CA. Jason's story is inspirational in itself. His grandfather definitely set a good example for Jason. Michelle, Jason's girlfriend couldn't get a word in on the show, but she and Jason were celebrating their two-year anniversary. They look like they are made for each other. Congratulations you two!
We had fun talking about their livestock and their vegetable garden and if you look closely at the picture, you'll see the fabulous basket of produce they brought us! Yum, yum.
For me, it is particularly exciting to see younger folks becoming as excited about gardening as we are.
If I can figure it out, technically, you will soon be able to listen to Garden Gossip on my website, blog or facebook (whichever I can figure out first). I would love so help from a technical person out there. Until next time, fill your garden with joy! Lisa

Chris and Lisa Cullen, Michelle and Jason and the ever-perky Leana Finley

Song of Solomon

2010-04-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come; and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."

~Song of Solomon~

Spring Musings

2010-04-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

"It is one of the first days of Spring and I sit once more in the old garden. Here the only movement I am conscious of is that of the trees shooting forth their first sprays of bright green, and of the tulips expanding the radiant beauty of their flaming globes, and the only sound I hear is the blackbird's song..the liquid softly gurgling notes that seem to well up spontaneously from an infinite joy, an infinite peace at the heart of nature and bring a message not from some remote Heaven in the Sky or Future, but the heaven that is here, beneath our feet, the joy, the peace, at the heart of the mystery which is Man. For man alone can hear the revelation that lies in the blackbird's song." Havelock Ellis~Impressions and Comments 1918

Garden Gossip Radio Show April 2, 2010

2010-04-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross a bunch of gardeners with a musician? The Garden Gossip first annual joke show with musical interludes by Spencer Barnitz (aka Spencer the Gardener)! Okay, last week's show was a bit unconventional, but we had fun. Spencer played tunes from his CD Organic Gangster and we told jokes. Like this one: "What do you get when you cross a four-leafed-clover with poison oak? A rash of good luck!!" Or, how about this one? "What do you get when you pour boiling water down a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies!"
And, "How do you turn a duck into an R&B singer? Put him in a microwave until he's Bill Withers."
Anyway, Spencer ended up having a good time I think and we sure enjoyed his songs. This new CD of his is his first kid's record, with songs like "Don't eat genetically modified food" and "Worm Girl".
You can get his music on itunes and at the link to Spencer the Gardener website. Anyway, I am working on getting the Garden Gossip website up so that I will be able to post our shows and you will be able to listen any time you want. Oh, but I have a learning curve on that...hope to get it done soon...until then, contemplate this "What do you have when you have two Pinon nuts in one hand and on Pinon nut in the other hand? A difference of a Pinon"..Guess that sort of sums up last week's show...
Until next week, fill your garden with joy! here is the link to spencerthegardener.com

This Friday, April 2, 2010 Spencer the Gardener Plays Live in Studio

2010-03-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hello all you Spencer the Gardener Fans. This Friday, April 2, 2010 our guest will be Spencer the Gardener playing live in the studio. It is also the first annual Garden Joke Show, so send in your jokes, call in the studio live on Friday and tell your joke. Best joke wins a prize! This will be fun, so tune into AM 1290 if you live in Santa Barbara or Ventura or listen on your computer at http://www.newspress.com. And get ready to have some great music and a few laughs (we hope)!

Garden Gossip Radio Show March 26, 2010

2010-03-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

This week on Garden Gossip our guests, Gary and Lisa Young, enlightened us on the subject of making great pickles. This brother-sister team are multiple blue-ribbon winners for their pickles and preserves (well, I guess Lisa is the multiple winner, Gary won for his Dill Pickles). They told me about a low-temperature canning method to preserve the crispness of the veggies. I was very excited to learn about this. They said just google "blue ribbon pickles" to find out more about this new (to me) method of canning.
I have included a photo of the pickles and preserves our guests brought to the show. I had some of the pickled green tomatoes with my eggs and toast this morning! Yummy!
Regular listener, Marilynn, won "Name That Plant" and in case you were wondering, the answer was
Grapefruit! Did you know that Grapefruit is a natural cross that occurred in the 1700s in the Caribbean? The most famous variety, Ruby Red, was a chance mutation that was discovered in Texas in the 1920s.

Congratulations, Marilynn for winning Name that Plant.

Here is the promised photo of pickles and preserves brought in by my guests Gary and Lisa Young. You can see that the pickled Asparagus has been broken into! Gary told me to poach eggs in the home-canned Tomatoes and serve them for breakfast. Doesn't that sound good?
By the way, next week is our first annual Garden Joke Show with live musical accompaniment by Spencer the Gardener! I need your garden jokes, please send them to gardengossip@verizon.net.

And, finally, we played an excerpt of a show when our guest was Fess Parker, I don't think there's a way to post an audio to this blog or I would do that and share with you that special moment when Mr. Parker was on Garden Gossip. He passed away last week and this saddened us. Where ever you are, we wish you well and look forward to seeing you up the line in the future. Until next week, fill your garden with joy! Lisa

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show on Garden Gossip

2010-03-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

This week, our guest was owner of Cal Orchid, Lauris Rose. The 65th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up next week, Fri, Sat and Sun, March 12, 13 & 14th at Earl Warren Showgrounds and Lauris gave us the scoop on this year's show. With exhibitors and visitors from all over the world, this is an opportunity to see and buy orchids you won't find anywhere else. We also had an opportunity to ask Lauris about growing Orchids.
If your Orchids need to be divided, do it right after they finish blooming, put them into fresh Orchid bark and water well. As far as fertilizing, once they start to push new green growth, feed them every month. Stop feeding when they start to push out flower spikes and don't feed again until after they finish blooming. Another very important tip, if you use a knife or shears to divide your Orchids, sterilize your blade before moving onto another plant so as not to spread viruses. If you want to learn more about growing Orchids, come to the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, March 12, 13 & 14 at Earl Warren Showgrounds. Until next week, fill your garden with joy!
The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show 2010

Foodbank Holiday Haulers get ready for the Spring Food Drive

2010-03-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

The Foodbank Holiday Haulers are getting ready
for the spring food drive. The Spring Food Drive
begins on March 22nd and goes until April 4th.
The Holiday Haulers are gearing up to transport
donated food to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank.
Here Leana, Chris and I are just having fun during the December Holiday Food Drive.

Garden Gossip Show Friday, Feb 26, 2010

2010-02-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today, our guest was Lotusland Executive
Dir. Gwen Stauffer and boy did we have fun.
Lotusland is a treasure of Santa Barbara County and if you haven't visited this incredible garden, you are missing something very special. Gwen talked about an upcoming exhibit that is the installation of sound throughout the garden. These sounds range from recordings of Madame Ganna Walska singing opera to those of birds singing in the gardens. This exhibit will only last 4 days! Opening day is Wednesday, March 17 and ends Saturday, March 20. Call Lotusland for reservations at 805.969.9990 or visit on the web at www.lotusland.org.
Lotusland also has a winter special, from now until March 13th the entry fee will be discounted 20%.
What about name that plant? The answer was Allspice! Allspice is the unripe fruit from a type of Myrtle tree that is grown in Jamaica. We discovered that the wood is used to smoke meats and that the Allspice tree can not be propagated by seed unless the seed has been first digested by a bird! See you next week and if you have any questions about your garden call us for a FREE Home Garden Consultation at 805.969.3984 or on our website: www.montecitolandscape.com. Until next week, fill your garden with joy! Chris, Lisa and Leana

Garden Gossip Show Friday, Feb 19 2010

2010-02-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

The man behind the French Festival, Steve Hoegerman, was our guest on Friday. We were talking about the gardens of Provence. Steve is a frequent traveler to France and specifically the region of Provence. In fact once a year he organizes a trip to the area, taking his guests to the
hidden spots that he has discovered in his years of travel there..
I was thrilled that a new caller won the Name That Plant Contest..this week's prize was two tickets to the upcoming International Orchid Show March 12, 13 & 14 in Santa Barbara.
One of the clues I thought was fun: this plant (which is traditionally an ingredient in Herbs de Provence) was used as an additive in beer as a preservative and aromatic before the introduction of hops! It was known as a symbol of happiness to the Greeks and Romans in early times. The answer: Marjoram! Steve Hoegerman's websiteI always have some fresh Marjoram growing in my garden.
Next week on Garden Gossip, we'll be talking with executive director of Lotusland, Gwen Stauffer. She is always fun..see you next week and remember to Fill Your Garden with Joy! Lisa
Steve Hoegerman's Website

Garden Gossip Show Friday, Feb 12 2010

2010-02-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

Friday on Garden Gossip our guest was garden designer, chef and author, "Skip" of cosmic soup. Sunday is the first day of the Chinese New Year and being a bit of an Asian aficionado Skip filled us in on some of the traditions of the holiday. And, since it is also Valentine's Day weekend, we heard from the "zesty" Jill of Cali Bressan chocolates of Carpinteria http://www.ChocoCaliBressan.com. Her husband, Jean-Michel Carre is the chocolatier of this wonderful shop. In fact on our way home, we visited Jill and took home a bag of Valentine's treats for ourselves.

We talked about planting Bamboo in your garden, maintained properly, it is a wonderful addition to a tropical garden. Skip's garden is planted with 32 varieties of Bamboo, so we consulted him on the proper care of this plant. First of all, there are two general types of Bamboo, that represent the way in which the plant grows. There are clumping and running varieties. As the names denote, the clumping types are easier to control and maintain and are less likely to "take over the world". But Skip gave us the key to controlling Bamboo.

Starting in April, the Bamboo starts sending out its new sprouts, if the shoots appear where you don't want them, snap them off by hand, like you would Asparagus, and the Bamboo will stop spreading in that area. They key is that this is a DAILY activity. If the new shoot gets too tall you won't be able to snap it off. The Bamboo continues sending up new shoots until June at which time you get a break until next year. Another maintenance tip from Skip, the fallen leaves from the plant are important to leave on the ground as they provide the nutrition the Bamboo plant needs. (thought you'd like to see a photo

of Skip's beautiful garden-see below)

And what about Name that Plant? In honor of the New Orleans Saints win of the Super Bowl, our plant is most famously associated with New Orleans. A native of Europe, it was brought to the US in the 1700s. The leaves can be eaten, the root dried and made into a beverage which is thought to be effective in cleansing the blood and improving the health of the liver. This plant was mentioned by the Roman poet, Horace as being part of his diet. It's flowers are blue and open and close at precisely the same time every day. It has been used for hundreds of years as a supplement for both animals and humans for its efficacy in eliminating intestinal worms.If you haven't guessed by now, the answer is Chicory. Join us next week for another rousing game of

Name that Plant! Until then, fill your garden with joy!

Chris and Lisa

this week on Garden Gossip

2010-02-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

This week on Garden Gossip we talked about what to do in your garden in Feb.
We also had a winner in the Name that Plant contest. If you didn't hear the answer to this (and last) week's Name that Plant contest was Nettles...yes, they are good to eat, use them to dye your clothes green and flogging someone with them will wake them up! Anyway, next week we will have another contest. I think I will plant more Dahlias this year. I had such an abundance of them in the past and I think the gophers ate them. Anyway, they are very rewarding. I have always ordered them on line from Connell's Dahlias in Washington, because the selection is fabulous.
Here is a photo of what you have to look forward to if you plant Dahlias...
I love them in combination with Sunflowers. And as you can see they are beautiful as cut flowers!

Chris and Lisa Cullen of Montecito Landscape Volunteers of the Month

2010-01-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

We were honored as Volunteers of the Month by Partners in Education for helping renovate a couple of planting beds at Santa Barbara Jr High. See link for details.Volunteer spot light Partners in Education

George Schnakenberg on Garden Gossip

2010-01-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

What a great show today with George Schnakenberg. The secret is in the soil. George has a new service called Soil Care Solutions. Did you know that if your soil has the correct balance, weed seeds won't even germinate? Amazing...it all starts with soil testing. Sort of like getting a blood test to discover your deficiencies rather than buying every vitamin on the shelf. The same goes for your soil. He tests for everything from compaction to humus levels. Humus is digested vegetable matter and that is very important. This was great. I hope you learned as much as I did. And, since no one guessed "Name that Plant" we will continue it next week.
If you want to have a soil analysis done, call George at Agri-Turf. (805) 569-2257.
And, of course, if you have questions about your garden call us for a FREE Home Garden Consultation. Call (805) 969-3984.
Until then, Fill Your Garden With Joy.

Lisa and Chris

What to do with excess citrus?

2010-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

Citrus Syrup

Sometimes we get an excessive amount of citrus.
Right now the trees are bulging with Tangerines, Meyer Lemons and Oranges.
Here's what to do:

Scrub the fruit thoroughly
Squeeze the juice into a large kettle (through a strainer to remove seeds)
Scrape the pulp out of the citrus skin
Slice the skins into 1/4 inch slices and pop these into a plastic bag and put in the freezer
Put the kettle of juice on the stove over med high heat
Reduce the juice until it is syrupy
Pack in containers and freeze.

What you have is the most delicious tart-sweet citrus reduction on earth (no kidding)
Use it to make salad dressings, marinades, baste chicken, add to Asian-style stir fry, etc.
You'll figure out the rest.
As far as the skins go, save them in the freezer and you candy them later in the year when you are doing your holiday baking..(more about that in a later post).
Happy cooking!

This week on Garden Gossip Radio Show

2010-01-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

This Friday on Garden Gossip our guest, George Schnakenberg, will be talking about how to bring the life back into your garden. The secret's in the soil. Garden Gossip is live every Friday morning at 11 and rebroadcast Friday's at 9pm and again Saturday morning at 11. on AM1290 or on the web at
http://radiotime.com/station/s_26742/KZSB_1290.aspx

DigTheDirt

2010-01-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

DigTheDirt

There is a great new networking site for gardeners at www.digthedirt.com
Anyone can join. I did. See you in cyberspace.

Shopping for Your Winter Garden

2010-01-27T20:26:00.001-08:00

Winter may not seem like the most exciting time in the garden, but if you know what to look for it is the ideal time to stock up on the best plant bargains of the year. Bare-root season begins in January and is an opportunity to really stretch your plant dollars. Buying plants “bare-root” (before they are planted in containers by the nursery) can save you 50-75% over the prices charged later in the year. Be sure to stock up on soil amendments and organic fertilizers at the same time.

Here are my top picks for what to look for at your local nursery this season.

Bare-root Roses: Bare-root Rose season begins early January at our local nurseries and that means you’ll get the best selection and the best prices of the year. Be sure to follow the planting instructions provided.
Bare-root fruit trees and shrubs: Here is where you can really make the most of your plant dollars. Creating an edible landscape is all the rage at the moment and this is the truly affordable way to do it. Plus you will be able to find varieties in bare-root that are hard to find later in the year. Choose from Apples, Apricots, Figs, Peaches, Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranates, Almonds, Walnuts and more. Be sure to select varieties that will grow in your garden. If you are close to the beach, you may not have success with stone fruits so ask about “chill requirements” when you are shopping.
Bare-root Berries and vines: Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Strawberries, Mulberries, Blueberries, Grapes, Kiwi, need I say more? Again, be sure to consider your location when purchasing.
Bare-root Vegetables: Edible gardening is so easy when you plant perennials such as Asparagus, Artichokes and Rhubarb in bare root. Once these vegetables are established they will provide you with joy (and good eats) for many years to come.
Spring-planted bulbs: Spring planted bulbs will bloom in summer and fall and begin showing up in your nursery in January and February. Don’t plant them right away, but now is the time to buy them for best selection; Dahlias, Calla, Tuberous Begonia, Gladiolus, Amaryllis, Freesia and Tuberose are just a few of your choices.
Cool season vegetables: It’s not too early to plant your favorite cool weather veggies; Lettuces, Arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery and Cabbage as well as Chard, Mustard and Kale can all be planted now.
Perennial herbs: Herbs such as Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary and Sage can be used not only in your vegetable garden but make excellent perennial borders for your ornamental garden beds as well. Buy and plant them now and into the spring.
Aloe and succulents: For winter color and easy care, nothing brightens up your garden like winter-blooming succulents and especially Aloe in its multitudes of shapes and colors. Many succulents begin blooming in December and continue throughout the winter months. Shop for them now and you will be able to choose them for color of bloom.
Orchids: Santa Barbara has been a Orchid-growing center for decades so it comes as no surprise that you can find beautiful orchids of every color, shape and size and since many of them are in bloom now, you will be able to see what you are buying. The bonus, in Santa Barbara we can grow them outdoors and they stay in bloom for months. Cymbidiums of course are the perennial favorite and with the correct exposure will bloom from November through March. There are other winter-blooming orchids to choose from, visit our local Orchid-growers for expert advice on selection and care of your Orchids.
Atlas 370 Gardening Gloves: This is the one item I can’t live without. They fit like a surgical glove and come in every color of the rainbow. These general purpose gardening gloves are available at most local nurseries, and If you are like me you’ll buy two or three pair because you’ll want more than one color. Wear them inside your pruning gloves for extra protection.

See you next season and happy gardening!

Lisa

Fire Safe Gardens

2010-01-27T20:13:00.000-08:00

Today someone called me from the Painted Cave area asking about creating screening from his neighbors. He wanted to know what to plant that wouldn't be a fire hazard, but would be fairly fast growing and provide decent screening. After some discussion and research I settled on fruit trees as his best option. Citrus, Pineapple Guava, Strawberry Guava and if possible, Avocado are great screening material that also create great firebreaks. There are other food-producing plants that create good screening Pomegranate, Persimmon, Plum are a few more suggestions.
If you are looking for firebreak and screening, why not plant edibles?
That is what I suggest.
Lisa

How Homemade Pasta and Backyard Chickens Just Might Save the World

2010-01-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

It all started with a book I was reading, “Heat”, by Bill Buford. He was talking about making fresh pasta and how the best pasta requires really good eggs from nearly wild, local chickens. Eggs whose yolks are a particular brand of orange, not pale yellow, and whose whites stand up tall when you break them into a pan. My quest had begun; I became obsessed. Where to find the eggs of my dreams? My research began.

It seems that “industrial farming” has taken over our food supply and in order to get more eggs in less time, the “folks in charge” have developed breeds of “super chickens” that mature faster and produce more eggs than any chickens in history. And, because of the unhealthy conditions in which they are raised, the birds are susceptible to disease so they are given powerful antibiotics and growth hormones. They are fed animal parts (including chicken) as well as GMO corn. This was enough for me to swear off supermarket chicken and eggs for the rest of my life. (For all the facts, go to www.sustainabletable.org and be sure to check out the award-winning film “The Meatrix” while you are there).

As a result of my research, instead of shopping at the grocery store, I bought eggs from every vendor at the farmer’s market and though they were good, they just weren’t the eggs I was looking for. I was looking for eggs with deep golden (almost red-orange) yolks, small eggs that were so fresh you could barely break the shell, eggs that would make the perfect homemade pasta I was striving for.

Finally, I determined the only way I could make perfect pasta was to raise my own hens. Thus, I could control what they ate, their exercise routine, etc. (I did say earlier that I had become obsessed, did I not?)

The foremost local authority on raising poultry is Katherine Anderson of Blue Oak Ranch in Goleta and she became my source of all things chicken. She told me about “Heritage Breeds” and how the safety of our country’s food sources rest in the hands of small farms and the “backyard” farmer. Why? Heritage Breeds are old breeds of animals that are the animal equivalent to Heirloom seeds. They are bred naturally; they still have natural instincts, like foraging, nesting and they lay a superior egg (in the case of chickens). And, as a bonus, they are beautiful and their eggs come in every size, shape and color. I asked Katherine to pick out a nice assortment of heritage breed hens for me. Meanwhile, I needed a coop. I found the perfect man for the job in Loren, a permaculture designer and chicken coop builder. Using all the construction “left-overs” at our house, he constructed a coop, nesting boxes and run for my future brood.

Eventually, my chicks arrived and after about a month of living in a large cardboard box, they moved into their new home. I had heard about “watching the chicken channel” in fact I had read somewhere that one of the advantages to raising your own hens was “hours of entertainment”, but me, I didn’t believe it. Though, in a few short weeks, we were spending any of our spare time “hanging with the chicks”. I can’t explain it. This was entertainment! After a while certain ones were obvious favorites, Coco (of Coco and Channel, the two French Marans) would jump on my knee or my shoulder, Jayne and Marilyn (the Gold Sexlink duo), Georgia and Teddy (the pair of Speckled Sussex) Polka and Dotty (Silver laced Wyandotte) to name a few and the crazy thing is they had distinctly different personalities!

Was there something wrong with me? Even if I had a rough day, going to see the chickens was sure to bring a smile to my face. Had I gone mad? Apparently not, according to what happened next. I began to discover that there were others, just like me right here in Montecito. It seemed like everyone we met either had a few hens or knew someone who did. The excitement grew! People wanted to show us their hens and their coops. There are chicken lovers out there that I had never noticed before. One of the most amazing stories was of the woman up on Coyote Road who lost her home in the Tea Fire, but somehow (and miraculously) the fire fighters had saved her chickens by covering the coop in fire foam. Her chickens survived the tea fire, unscathed.

But, I have meandered off the path, or have I? In fact, what began as a quest for the best eggs and thus the best fresh pasta on earth, ended in a kooky form of entertainment, loads of fun, companionship, preservation of the gene pool for future generations and yes, the best eggs on earth and some really great pasta.

Pasta Recipe
for every 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
One really great egg
put the flour on a board, make a well in the middle and add your egg (or eggs)
beat the egg with a fork and gradually mix together.
knead until smooth
cover in plastic wrap or plastic bag and allow to rest for at least one hour
then roll out by hand or with a pasta machine.
Note: Be sure to use lots of flour when rolling so the pasta doesn't stick together