Category Archives: Permaculture

Lazy systems – how do we build systems in an urban setting that mimic and assist nature. What nitrogen fixers can we plant near the fruit trees to feed them so I don’t have to buy/schlep fertilizers? What can I plant so that I can mulch in place? Nasturtium? Comfrey? Rhubarb? How do we conserve and make best use of the little rainwater that falls here?

Loquats are in blossom

Posted on December 4, 2010 by beth

Loquats are always our first fruit of the season.  We have a mature tree down in our part of the canyon and it’s in the early stages of blossoming now. CRFG says the fruit mature 90 days after full blossom, … Continue reading →

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Above Average Chill-hours so far

Posted on November 30, 2010 by beth

What are chill hours?  There are different ways to calculate chill hours, but basically they’re the cumulative hours under 45°F from the beginning of November through the end of February.  And why do we care?  The cold is required to … Continue reading →

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Blueberries

Posted on November 28, 2010 by beth

Against the better wisdom of the folks at Walter Andersen and Dave Wilson Nurseries, I planted my first blueberry bushes – gasp- right in the ground.  I carefully amended the soil with sulfur to lower the pH.  Then I mixed … Continue reading →

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4th and Final Hop Harvest

Posted on November 26, 2010 by beth

I thought I was done for the year, but those Cascade hops keep coming.  Looks like I can get another ounce or two off the bines before I clean them up.  I planted the rhizomes in the spring of 2009 … Continue reading →

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