English violets (Viola odorata) take me back to the most magical days of my early childhood. My mother dipped them in sugar and served them to me as candy. Violets were one of the first plants that I drew through … Continue reading
Introduction When it comes to nutrients, plants can be like Goldilocks. For healthy growth and reproduction, nutrient levels have to be just right. Plants can suffer from both nutrient deficiencies and nutrient toxicity. Each species of plants has its own … Continue reading
Rock outcrops show us how lush, green plants such as native cherries can flourish in a desert during a major drought without expensive irrigation water. Continue reading
Originally posted on Soils Matter, Get the Scoop!:
Farmers across the country use “cover crops” over the winter. Cover crops do several things, depending on what is planted: Help prevent erosion and topsoil loss. Their roots, and the plants themselves,…
This blog has a mixture of recipes that I tried and recipes that look tempting all organized in one place. I have a mountain of plums to can and quick! They are falling off of the tree faster than I … Continue reading
A simple way to start a compost pile is to create a wire basket. Take a sheet of mesh fencing such as chicken wire, hardware cloth, or chain link fencing that is readily accessible. Overlap the sides of the mesh … Continue reading
Good scavengers for the backyard composting include pigeons, rabbits and chickens. Continue reading
This gallery contains 16 photos.
Originally posted on Mind Your Dirt:
Now here’s a project that doesn’t take too much time and is simply perfect for the whole family. The materials used for this are all items you can hunt for in parks or woods…
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, compost is “a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.” Simply put, compost is what is left behind by organisms that eat dead things. Biologists call these … Continue reading
My introduction to compost was a gift from my Dad. As a farm boy and soil scientist, he had an avid interest in compost long before it became trendy. Some of my earliest memories were of him turning and tending … Continue reading
My mother introduced me to Matilija poppy when I was a teenager. She planted one in her front garden. The poppy didn’t exactly like where she put it, so it literally moved. It spread by underground stems to where … Continue reading
California Herps Page for Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard – Sceloporus uniformis I was quite surprised to find a friendly visitor in my dining room this afternoon. A rather calm lizard was basking on the tile floor. My cat walked by … Continue reading
My parents came to visit when my home was relatively new. I showed my little vegetable garden to them with requests for advice. One problem that I was having was that seeds would germinate, and then disappear within a day … Continue reading
If you are tire of spending money on plants that don’t belong here and ultimately die, a local nursery operated by horticulturists with expertise in the local ecosystem is a wise investment. For what I spent taking risks on plants that never stood a chance, I would have been better off spending more money per plant on plants that do well under local growing conditions. Continue reading
For all our stunning scientific advancements, listening to grandparents talk about traditional ways is well worth while. Sure, some traditions worked out better in the long run than others. As we push the limits on technical advancements, we are learning which traditions are keepers. Native American agricultural practices that endured through thousands of years without environmental collapse are worth in-depth study. Continue reading
So, I’m not the only crazy person out there who sees free irrigation water in “flooding problems” I found a great series of links to videos on stormwater and rainwater harvesting. If you want to grow more than rocks in … Continue reading
I maintained the grade of the roadside swale and added landscaping to solve problems: flooding of the intersection, unauthorized “off-roading” across my front yard, and unauthorized cement laying in my corner. An additional benefit has been free irrigation water in an area where water is very expensive. Continue reading
Mojave Aster, is easily one of my favorite plants. It features large blue flowers with a yellow center. When it opened it’s flowers in my garden this morning, I had to share it with you. My Experience Growing Mojave Aster … Continue reading
Keyhole gardens are basically raised beds with an access path and built in compost column. After I published Keyhole Gardens are a Proven Strategy for Working With Caliche in Arid Regions, I got a ping back from Mr. Jon Moore … Continue reading
I have had both good success and expensive failures growing fruit and nut trees in my garden. My Tillman Apricot is by far my best producer. Other trees failed to survive the first year. We can have warm winters and … Continue reading
None of the iris that I purchased bloomed so far this year. The iris that were given to me, on the other hand, have been spectacular. When I compare iris that thrived to iris that either died or failed to … Continue reading
I learned some wonderful strategies for working with caliche layers under poor soils from the local gardening community. Keyhole gardens are one of the approaches. I have seen several interpretations of the keyhole garden posted on Facebook. Then some Julie … Continue reading
Their assigned duties will include (with time) egg laying, nutrient processing, compost processing, pest control, chicken therapy and general entertainment. Continue reading
worlds-greatest-pulse-dishes-photos features an amazing, mouthwatering photo gallery of dishes made with pulses. These labeled pictures are a wonderful one stop idea shop for inspiring web searches for new recipes. See a photo you like? Copy paste the name of the … Continue reading
When I am selecting plants that I am not familiar with, knowing which zone my garden is in, can be really handy. Continue reading
Source: Milkweed Can Be Bad For Monarchs?
Asclepias Tuberosa – Carefree, long-lived N. American native both deer and drought resistant, and the only plant the monarch butterfly will lay her eggs on. Source: Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) Hello Yellow | Milkweed Plant | Plant For Monarch Butterflies
Although years of drought and over-pumping have depleted groundwater in Arizona and California, a new study shows the situation has created underground reservoirs where extra surface water can be stored. Source: Storing Extra Surface Water Boosts Groundwater Supply During Droughts … Continue reading
Happy Easter! Continue reading
Native to California, the holly leaf cherry is a tough shrub to small tree that provides dense evergreen foliage, food for birds, shade, and depending on the location, privacy. Continue reading
Of all the plants that I have purchased to date, firecracker penstemon has given me the biggest bang for my buck. Continue reading
On the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd, nearly 10,000 plants and more than 600 varieties will be available for you to purchase. Continue reading
Peace, Love and Soil – Composting improves soil, gardens, moods, and relationships. Continue reading
“Angelita Daisy”, (Tetraneuris ivesiana Greene), provides color and food for bees almost year round. Continue reading
I looked up a source for red pumpkin seeds to grow the pumpkin listed in the following recipe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVxSXc_221g&google_comment_id=z13jwdkbkvz5glk3u22ezheofnjwg3ale&feature=em-comments I am currently looking for ways to eat without “white stuff” per instructions from my cardiologist. There are a lot … Continue reading
• By Faith Pineo • We like to try something new each gardening season and decided to give this a shot a few years back. But this method was only new to us, as our grandfather used to plant this … Continue reading
Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is a great place to view and purchase plants that grow well in Southern California. Their collections and nursery include plants that do well in the Mojave Desert. Their botanists are also a great resource. … Continue reading
I started to blog about “My Caliche Challenge” in 2013 because I felt a need to connect with others who also garden or farm in the Mojave Desert. I was fortunate that some of my neighbors have extensive training and experience farming, … Continue reading
Caliche Challenge 
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