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.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

In the News: Boulder's Taste of Tomato ~Heirlooms

On Sept. 10, O'Meara and the Brawners, along with the Camera, will offer Taste of Tomato, an heirloom tomato tasting that will give lovers of the love apple the opportunity to indulge their passion in a three-hour event, admission for which is ... a handful of the participant's own homegrown tomatoes. (Those who don't have black brandywines or sungolds on the vine can pay $3 for admission.) The idea is not only to taste some great tomatoes, but to share knowledge. What grows best in Colorado difficult climate and unfriendly soils? A panel will judge the best-tasting tomato variety. ... continue reading

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CA Event: Native Plant Presentations San Luis Obispo Botanic Gardens

From the Santa Maria Times:

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden will host a pair of presentations on native plants in September, one geared toward indulging your senses and the other about attracting wildlife.
 On Sept. 10, Carol Bornstein, acclaimed author and horticultural expert from Santa Barbara, will give a presentation titled “Indulge Your Senses in the Native Garden.”
Then, on Sept. 11, Penny (Wilson) Nyunt of Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita, will reveal “How to Attract Wildlife with California Natives.”

Monday, August 29, 2011

Native Plants to Paint Your Garden Blue

Gardeners all agree: it’s not easy to find blue flowers, least of all on native plants. Enter: Ceanothus! This wonderful plant has over 60 different species in California alone, with every color blue ranging from white, to pale blue, to china blue, to violet. It is this exciting choice of blue flower colors that draws gardeners to this genuscontinue reading

Saturday, August 27, 2011

In the News: Native Plants Deserve a Spot in Our Landscape

I came across this story in the news in Indianapolis, where so many folks are attending #GWA11 this weekend. It is so heart-warming to see yet another person taking up the spade for native plants after reading Doug Tallamy's "Bringing Nature Home". Thought you'd enjoy.. read Indy Star article here.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

In the News: Poop is Golden in North Hollywood

It seems gardeners everywhere are turning to Poop to make their gardens grow, esp vegetable gardens. So Poop is in demand! Rabbits, chickens, horse poop, all are like gold to the gardener. I wanted to share this local news story about a community/school garden and how they're growin' .. continue reading..

Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns

Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns