Firefox | March 31, 2009
As I drive the highway I can see the splashes of gold poppies and purple lupine. The fire uncovered a long hidden landscape that now rejoices in the spring sun.
It is strange to think that only 6 months ago I was compiling lists of landmarks and homesteads as they were overtaken by the fire: Overstrom, [...]
Firefox | March 26, 2009
Spring seems to sucker punch me every time. Late in February it gets sunny and the nights suddenly get warm. There are tomatoes and peppers at the nursery. So I fall for it and grab some tender seedlings all full of the promise of tasty summer harvests.
But then there is the sucker punch. No sooner [...]
Firefox | March 17, 2009
Every time I give a talk, I will mention mulch. I get lots of questions from the audience and it turns into the “mulch hour”.
What is a simple way to improve your garden overnight? Mulch!
What is mulch? Mulch is layer of organic matter, usually chopped bark, compost, chopped leaves, grass clippings or a combination [...]
Firefox | March 17, 2009
This is called a fuel ladder. A way for fire to “climb” up into the air, or into the roof of your home.
Firefox | March 9, 2009
Seems like I am thinking roses a great deal this week!
A lady that had come to my fire safe garden talk in San Diego recently contacted me. She had not spoken to me in person at the talk but had waited and emailed a few days later. She was indignant. “How could you, Mr. Egbert, [...]
Firefox | March 7, 2009
Took a hike out to the Kansas Firefighters Museum in Wichita this afternoon.
The museum is kept in the historic Engine House 6. The friendly Kansas style prevails inside where a retired fire captain takes you around personally. The building includes thousands of objects of interest to firefighter including a massive horse-drawn steam pumper, but the [...]
Firefox | March 6, 2009
Just so you don’t think early spring in Wichita can be a bit dreary and boring, I walked about 2 miles to check out early spring bulbs braving the dry cold winds. Inside Botanica, the Wichita Garden, I found masses of Reticulata Iris in bloom.
This tiny iris only stands about 6 inches high and they [...]
Firefox | March 6, 2009
This could be a question of the week for sure! We have had a few weeks of wet weather, so not many folks have made it out into the garden. But even though it is already Mid March, you can still prune your roses.
Remember that the idea of pruning is to encourage strong new growth, [...]
Firefox | March 3, 2009
Shooting Stars thriving in one of the cleared areas of my Big Sur ranch.
I was recently out on my Big Sur ranch looking at the back slope facing into the canyon. CalFire, the state fire agency, mandates 100 feet of fire clearance in wildland and wildland urban interface.
If you have never measured it yourself, [...]
admin | March 1, 2009
Check out the New Page, Incident Summaries 2009 to see the latest info on incidents in the Big Sur response zone!