Practicing Horticulture for 19 years and 3 years into a new adventure of Permaculture. I love sharing knowledge. Join me on my journey.
Serving the greater Bay Area in California with over 15 years experience, I offer garden design, landscape coaching, and consultations for the independent homeowner. I specialize in low maintenance and low water use gardens that focus on saving you money and raising property value while providing the beauty you desire. Gardening can be easy, relaxing, and rewarding when you have the proper knowled
ge. My goal is to share my expertise, so you will learn to be self-sufficient in the garden. Together, we can design, install plants and water saving drip-irrigation, or prune and maintain the landscape. I am available for any part of the process and look forward to working with you.
Super rare plant usually only seen in botanical gardens, the Titan arum aka Co**se Flower is in bloom at Green Giant Hydroponics, LLC in Lotus, California
Come on down to Green Giant and see this amazing and rare flower! Our Titan Arum aka “Co**se Flower” is in bloom! Stop by to smell this super rare plant and you will see why it’s called a Co**se Flower!
Almost done with the w**d pulling at this beautiful display garden. Deer resistant, drought tolerant, butterfly garden for sunset zone 7. Plants include eschscholzia californica, coccinus coggygria, phormium sp., stipa, buddleja davidii, allysum, and more!
Here are the latest series of pictures showing my progress on my raised garden bed using the Hügelkultur method. I try to use only materials that are onsite or free and easily available. Click the pics to learn more.
Free wildflower seeds to attract bees!
www.cheerios.com/bringbackthebees
(Please Feel Free to Share)
There's a symphony of bees in my cotton willow tree. At least that's what I think it is. It's interesting and fun to move into a new place and get to know what's growing here and what kind of wildlife likes to visit.
Hey Bay Area plant geek friends-Check out this awesome opportunity!
CNPS is hiring! We're igniting our movement to restore nature one garden at a time, and we need a high-octane Outreach Coordinator to make it a reality. Sound like someone you know? Here are the details. http://bit.ly/2k4MGs8
Hi Everyone! I know I haven't posted in a while, and well it's because I've moved to the California foothills in Gold Country. Join me on my new adventure as I build a permaculture garden. Onsite are fruit trees- apples, figs, and walnuts. There is a giant composted pile. It has already snowed a couple times and another weeklong rain and snowstorm arrives today. This site will require pruning and thinning to start, which will give me much needed supplies for a Hügelkultur bed! I'm excited for the new beginnings and this weather is giving me lots of time to observe, contemplate, (create art) and plan for the future.
Camping fire starter kits! $4 each or two for $6. Great to start your evening fall campfire. Or get a starter with some kindling for $10, two for only $15. Doesn't it suck to get bonfire wood and not be able to get it going without a ton of lighter fluid??
? My special and natural fire starter will not disappoint. I will take video on my next trip this week to show you how awesome these are. I am also open to trade for farm fresh veggies & eggs :)
Borage for BEES. Another plant considered a w**d. I planted some, by my bell pepper starts. Since it's thought of negatively I'm sure just about anyone wouldn't mind if you knocked on their door asking if it were ok to remove some. Bees might even return the favor and pollinate the flowers of the food we grow.
Great reason to wear leather gloves and long sleeves when clearing out a garden. You may even find justification to keep some of the 'w**ds' around, especially in the far reaches of your property that you don't go to often. A lot of w**ds are actually host to beneficial insects, as well as nutritionally delicious like this one! I've cooked up the tender shoots like I would cook up any greens.
Know what makes me happy? Free seeds!!
I teach pruning to homeowners (or renters) who want to learn how to be better home gardeners. From roses to fruit trees I can help with all your needs.
Did you know there is a great resource for us on top of an Oakland hill? Practically in our back yard Merritt College offers a ton of great gardening courses taught by invaluable local authors &horticulture geniuses. Check out www.Merrittlandhort.com and www.merritt.edu Spring semester starts January 25th
We Are Family: Merritt Celebrates the Holidays With Songs and Cheer! (CLICK HERE FOR PARTY PHOTOS) More than 120 people attended the holiday party hosted by the Office of Student Activities more
Cold temps and much needed moisture make for a beautiful stroll full of surprises on this wet December day in Oakland, California.
Do I have any followers who have tried this? I think it would work well in any climate. It is meant to help keep carbon on site and reduce waste, and save water. Win/win in my opinion. http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/
November is time to plant your garlic starts... December is too late, don't hesitate. You may have an organic head sprouting on your counter already. Break it apart and plant the biggest sections. Harvest in about 8 months. Happy planting :)
This family is growing my dream! I however wouldn't want to be in a city, I would prefer more room for more animals. :)
Over 6,000 pounds of food per year, on 1/10 acre located just 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The Dervaes family grows over 400 species of plants, 4,30...
I want to make one!
These miniature gardens, also known as fairy gardens, look so cute when you add little plants and decorative arrangements. Check out our collection below of some magical DIY fairy gardens we have found.
Check out this amazing water saving trick! I used to sell a similar product when I worked at a nursery, but diapers are probably more cost effective.
How can diapers help your plants grow? Trust me, it's probably not what you're thinking. Find me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/thekingofrandomfanpage Check...
Come check out my sister page Art of Audrey Birmingham. I have been busy in the clay studio and hope you enjoy my endeavors.
The passive aggressive way of getting your town to deal with potholes.
Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day.
Suggestions for a fragrant garden: Sarcococca (for shade), Cestrum nocturnum the night blooming jasmine (rather shabby appearance so put maybe on the side of the house under a bathroom window for example), and my favorite, which is spikey but gorgeous and has edible fruit ~ Carissa macrocarpa aka the natal plum.
This weekend atop the gorgeous Oakland hills! Twice a year Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Department has an amazing plant sale. My fellow students have been working hard to bring you a huge selection of rare and heirloom veggie starts, fog tolerant grapes, fruiting trees, California natives, and my favorite~ unusual perennials!! :D
Saturday 9-3, Sunday 12-3.
12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA.
More info here: http://merrittlandhort.com/spring-2015-plant-sale-2/
I love this old fashioned take on a natural fence, though I haven't seen it here in the United States. It is thicker and stronger than a plain hedge, has an interesting look for keeping in livestock or kids, attracts wildlife, and can be made from existing overgrown shrubs.
Hedge Laying
http://theplantexchange.com/
March 28 in Oakland, come trade plants!
Would you like to print your own? You can download the full size .PDF by clicking here.
It's not too late! Here are some resources to hook yourself up with this month.
Sustainability Landscaping Rebates for the Thrifty Gardener October 29, 2014 audsb Leave a comment Water rebates for your garden are a little secret that I’m letting out of the bag. Here in California drought has long been our concern, and water companies are expanding their rebate programs in the g…
Bulb sale at one of my favorite nurseries! Luckily our ground doesn't freeze here so it's not too late to plant spring bulbs. You could also pot them up for a moveable spring display. 50% off all remaining varieties. Also, you can force paperwhites (those fragrant white daffodil like flowers) and grow them inside. Makes a great gift!
Did you know that fall is the best time to plant in the Bay Area? Did you know that I graduated from Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Department in 2001? All true! Well this weekend is their semi-annual plant sale. Help this awesome program thrive by checking out the fabulous selection of plants grown in house by students and volunteers. Till 3pm today and noon-3 tomorrow. http://merrittlandhort.com/fall-2014-plant-sale/
The Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Department’s Fall Plant Sale will be held the second weekend in October — October 11 and 12, 2014.
PO Box 407
Georgetown, CA
95634
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There's a symphony of bees in my cotton willow tree. At least that's what I think it is. It's interesting and fun to move into a new place and get to know what's growing here and what kind of wildlife likes to visit.
