Native Gardener: August 2009

Welcome to my Garden Blog

Nature: wild & untouched. Photographing it, preserving it, taking walks and drinking in the landscapes as they unfold.

Gardens: touched by loving hands. Cultivated, nurtured. Drinking in those landscapes is wonderful, as well.

In my garden one enjoys some of both. Generally unpruned & wild, my plants reshape the garden as they grow.

Beyond the garden borders, natives from the Santa Monica Mtns await. Oak trees with their shady canopies. Cactus & Sage in the sun.

Always there are animal creatures to join in the fun.

I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with you as they unfold.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Water Bucket Arm

Woke up with "Water Bucket Arm".. common malady of the dedicated gardener, filling their buckets too full on a too Hot Summer Day.. Ouch!! Nursing my wounds & hiding from the 100dg day again.. day 4?

Sweet Fennel Plants, Topanga, Santa Monica Mtns

Sweet Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare is found along roadsides, esp. closer to the Ocean. It blooms May-Sept. Originally a Mediterranean native, it has now made California its home. It has a pronounced odor and taste similar to licorice or anise. Leaves can be used in cooking, but care must be taken not to confuse Sweet Fennel with Poison Hemlock, since they resemble each other when not in bloom. In Spanish days, Sweet Fennel was spread on the mission floors for a pleasant scent.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Way too Hot in Topanga!!

We are having a Heat Wave! It got up to 108dgs at my house in Topanga today, 105 down on the Blvd. I had to run an errand in Calabasas, where the temps reached up to 118dgs in the sun! I was so happy not to have my dog with me. I knew it was supposed to be Hot, Day 2 of a 4 day Heat Wave, so I took time this morning to deep water all my roses. Last night I left a hose on my favorite Orange Tree, while the Grapefruit Tree looked on, jealous. And, put shade netting up over my vege beds.. All I could think when I was out was: what is it like in Palm Springs then?!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

My Buddy in a field of wild Mustard.

Wild Mustard grows throughout the hills of Topanga Canyon. Originally donated by Europeans after a massive CA wildfire in an effort to stabilize hillsides, the Mustard plant decided to make the Santa Monica Mtns its home!

August Days in Topanga

After 15 days in a row of wonderful foggy mornings & below normal (80's) temps, we were surprised yesterday by a bit of tropical weather. I thought: storm in Baja? Lots of high clouds & muggy. There was even a 20% chance of rain! A big deal for canyon plants. But, that was not to be. Still, a pretty day in Topanga.