Tuesday - December 31,  2002

AND SO GOES 2002

Time, this year, sure flew by...

As we reflect on this past year, we see how we've grown through our  experiences down new paths in our journey toward a simpler life. Of course, we also realize we have many more miles to go!  At the beginning of this project we were unsure and even a bit scared of failure, but, having started, we are better off for it. We can now say "hey, we did it!" And so, we encourage you to also JUST DO IT!

Now, the seed catalogs are starting to trickle in, so it's time now to put together a list of things we'd like to grow this Spring. Already we've ordered some Andean edible tubers.  We will be placing them in containers on the front porch.

We won't be planting as many varieties of heirloom tomatoes--we definitely got carried away last year.  So, we'll narrow them down to a few of the best ones that grow well here.

As winter brings cold and rainy days, thoughts are now turned to indoor projects and tasks.  Knitting and crocheting are great to keep one busy during winter's short days.  However, living in Southern California with its temperate climate means our gardening work never stops!  We are very fortunate that we are able to garden all year-round... or are we?  It would be nice to have a little break...

We're already working on a TO DO LIST for 2003 which include making candles, an outdoor solar shower, building more hardscape structures in the garden, solar shelf dryer, sewing clothes, and much, much more. 

And finally, I'd like to close by thanking all those who wrote us over the year. Your emails have touched us greatly and have been much appreciated as well as motivating.  Thank you!

As Gandhi said: You must be the change you want to see in the world.  We hope that our site has offered you some inspiration and ideas over the year.

Many blessings to you and your loved ones in the New Year!

P.S.  The yield tally for the year is in.... drum roll please.  OK, forget all that fancy stuff... 3,528 lbs!!!  500lbs off our projected estimate... but, hey, there's always next year! And don't forget to check out our latest NEWSLETTER.

Friday - December 27,  2002

This coming year we plan on tackling even more projects, if all goes well.  Already, we are busy re-redesigning the front yard once again to incorporate a lot more edibles to make it even more productive than it is already.  We're taking out non-edible plants. For instance ripping out the schefflera and replacing it with a red guava.  We are also taking a closer look at how many lavenders do we really need -- is 10 plants too much and if so what edibles we replace them with?  So these days are spent researching possible edibles - learning their habits, spacing, height and so on...

 In addition I ordered some more rare & unusual Andean tubers {OCA and MASHUA} they'll  be coming in January.  Looking forward to it!

Thursday - December 26,  2002

Weather Report:  Nights are cold with temps in the low 30's.  Having to cover all frost sensitive plants.  The storm they expected didn't materialize... so it's dry and cold.

Monday - December 23,  2002

Weather Report:  Had first freeze last night. Temps in the low 30's.  Had to cover all the veggies to protect them... it's going to a long, cold winter -- for us California's, that is!

Friday - December 20,  2002

Weather Report:  Cold, wet storm blew in last night, dumping quite a lot of rain.  Another one front is supposed to arrive on Saturday.

Wednesday - December 18,  2002

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." Masanobu Fukuoka

Take some time to browse around FUKUOKA FARMING.  This site is dedicated to Fukuoka's revolutionary method of sustainable agriculture.  Fukuoka is best known for ONE STRAW REVOLUTION. 

"Many people think that when we practice agriculture, nature is helping us in our efforts to grow food. This is an exclusively human-centered viewpoint... we should instead, realize that we are receiving that which nature decides to give us. A farmer does not grow something in the sense that he or she creates it. That human is only a small part of the whole process by which nature expresses its being. The farmer has very little influence over that process... other than being there and doing his or her small part." Masanobu Fukuoka

His writings and principles have been a key to our gardening project.  Though it would be nice if our place was a bit more wild -- replicating more natural state, but due to our limited space and the fact that we live in the city, we do have to "cultivate" our garden a bit.  We do allow parts of our garden to grow as naturally as possible.  Our vegetable might be in beds but we let the plants grow thick and allow stray seeds to grow where they come up.  We also combine no-till, bio-intensive and permaculture methods in our garden practices.   We joke that we 'square inch garden' as every inch counts. People are often amazed at what you can plant in a few feet if you follow natures patterns of diversity and wild growth.

Our goal is to utilize every inch and bring it into production while preserving the natural harmony of things...  becoming 'stewards' of the land, helpings things along a little bit with our human touch, but not to control

If you take a walk through our garden and and look closer, you'd see the balance of nature - as it should be.  We have good insects, and we have bad insects.  For instance, without the aphids, the ladybugs would starve and the garden would be devoid of life.   Our chickens eat weeds, aphids, grasshoppers and the little finches, juncos, and sparrows enjoy finding all the bugs to eat.... and so continues the circle of life...

Tuesday - December 17,  2002

On searching the never-ending internet for new sites I came across this informative site detailing common, everyday health hazards -- from bras to fluoride.  It's scary to know that simple, everyday stuff we take for granted can actually be contributing to making us sick. 

Monday - December 16,  2002

The seed catalogs are starting to trickle in and just paging through them is enough to make one drool... today's a good rainy day for sorting out and taking inventory of last year's seed collection and planning on next year's garden.

Some of our favorite seed suppliers are:

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

RH Shumway

Nichols Garden Nursery

Johnny Selected Seeds

Bountiful Gardens

Totally Tomato

West Coast Seeds

Richter's Herbs

Abundant Life Seed

Why do they have to keep coming up with new, tempting varieties... it's addicting... does anyone know of a cure? ;-)

Weather Report:  Dark, cold and rain is comin' down pretty hard and steady.

Sunday - December 15,  2002

Thursday - December 12,  2002

Wednesday - December 11,  2002

Sunday - December 8,  2002

Thursday - December 5,  2002

Local tree sitter finally makes national media coverage! He's been living in the 400 year old oak tree since early November.  Read CNN article or visit SAVE OLD GLORY.com

Tuesday - December 3,  2002

Been working on in the yard lately, haven't had much time to update the website. I'm telling you, keeping a site constantly updated is one heck of a job.  I would love to add more features and articles to the site, but with all the projects going on it's hard to sit on the computer and do the website.  The "hits" continue to rise every month -- over 1/2 million hits in November!  People are continually shocked when they realize this site is maintained by one -- sometimes, two people.  I sometimes can't believe it myself -- I do admit at times, I get lost... trying to remember what needs to be updated, added etc.  *grin*

With the cooler weather and rainy season upon us, I'm sprinkling all the wildflower seeds I collected over the Spring.  Also, 'tis the season to take cuttings, so we've been snipping things here and there and now the little greenhouse is full of cuttings.  What am I going to do with all these plants...? Perhaps I'll be able to sell them to our local nursery or to anyone who stops by.