admin | May 14, 2012
While roses are almost never recommended in popular fire safe literature. I have found that they make the ideal fire safe plant for several reasons. They are colorful and easy to care for. They are actively gorwing in summer, making them less likely to burn easily. Roses require regular maintenance while not building up dead [...]
admin | April 18, 2012
Ok, I must admit, I am cheap. I mean not Jack Benny cheap; he used to say that when he opened his wallet he could hear birds sing (Cheap, cheap, cheap). But I have a habit of being a bit conservative when I am purchasing new plants. About a month ago I was immersed in [...]
Firefox | August 30, 2009
30ft + 70Ft =100ft of defensible space! Lean, Clean and Green: the first 30 feet. Lean: *Create an open area near the house free of fuels, woodpiles, and clutter. *Ideally have a solid paved or clean, raked gravel walkway that allows room to walk the entire perimeter of the home. Clean: *Instead of decks and [...]
Firefox | July 29, 2009
I took this photo in the my old East Border down in Big Sur last year. It shows a great combo of fire safe plants for summer color. The combo features Aloe x nobilis with red blooms, purple flowers from Teuchrium, Scarlet Flower Carpet rose, Gaillardia Goblin, Gold strap leaves of Phormium, plus blue Perovskia [...]
Firefox | June 30, 2009
When the Spanish missionaries explored the landscape of California, they often named canyons or valleys for the plants that grew abundantly there. Many features, even in Death Valley, are named for the native California Grape, Vitis californica. This hardy, drought tolerant vine scrambled over rocky cliffs, or over trees along stream banks remiding the explorers [...]
Firefox | June 14, 2009
I remember when I was small having to sit outside the Salinas City Hall one afternoon while my mother dealt with some issue inside. The lawn was bare except for a very strange small tree growing against the white concrete wall. The tree had big puffs of pink fluff couched among purple leaves. Years later [...]
admin | June 12, 2009
The sustainable, fully recyclable, ultra modern chic, fire-safe tables and benches by Orange 22. Epigram is the new series with quotes by Milton Glaser with proceeds benefitting the International Rescue Commitee
Firefox | May 12, 2009
In the wake of the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara, CalFire officials and the USFS are ramping up their preparedness for the 2009 wildfire season. The fire in the hills above that city spread quickly due to firebrands sent aloft by the winds. These flying embers create “spotting” where new fires erupt ahead [...]
Firefox | April 27, 2009
I am often asked what makes a plant “fire safe”? Is it a succulent? What can I plant to help protect my home? There is an easy answer: forget the plant lists and think about how a fire safe plant grows and what it contributes to your overall sustainable garden. Here a few examples we [...]