admin | December 29, 2009
I sowed a crop of mixed greens and spinach in my new raised bed back at the beginning of December. The raised bed includes uprights at each corner to help support a floating row cover, so important in winter. The row cover keeps the tender seedlings protected from drying winds and frost and keeps [...]
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 wood patio furniture create [...]
Firefox | August 19, 2009
A few weeks back I posted the proposal for a garden on Dolores Street in Carmel.
Today the garden was finished and I wanted to talk about the transformation.
Originally, the garden, a 25 by 2o foot plot shaded by oaks and a massive pine, was spotted with a few ferns and some grasses.
The garden had been [...]
Firefox | July 29, 2009
I just took this photo in the East Border. 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 Longin, and the purple leaves of Prunus cistiana, [...]
Firefox | June 20, 2009
The new garden I have been planting in Monterey has been moving forward. I created a small, fragrant, rose garden in one of the few spots that receives ample afternoon sun. This spot is a centerpiece of the garden, the first bed seen when you arrive through the gates. I choose a palette of English [...]
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 | June 10, 2009
June 20th is SOS Day at California State Parks. On that day, visit a CA State Park, pay an entrance fee, hike a trail, visit a historic building, pick up a piece of trash, take photos, enjoy yourself and send a message to Governor Schwartzeneger that closing state parks is bad for the economy, bad [...]
Firefox | June 6, 2009
The Army will be conducting a controlled burn on 900 acres of Fort Hunter Ligget today. The fire coincides with the Monterey County Wildland Fire School going in through Sunday June 8th. Officials note that there may be a significant smoke column seen over the Santa Lucias to the South and East of Big Sur.
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 of the [...]