Free seeds at the library
I have always loved seeds. Recently I discovered that I could find free seeds at the Seed Library at Carlsbad’s Cole Library. The Seed Library...
Jano Nightingale
Learn to process herbal tinctures
One of my oldest friends in Cooperstown, New York, was Sue King Elkan, who owned a third-generation farm there. After retiring as a children’s therapist,...
Follow the monarchs
When I was in third grade, my parents found a tiny cottage on Lake Michigan. The house was basically one that no one wanted. It...
Children’s gardens: Summer is a perfect learning opportunity
Do your children love to play in your vegetable garden or visit a neighbor’s plot? If so, summertime gives us the perfect opportunity to turn...
Find your quiet place
It has been said that when you walk through your garden, you should have a place to rest. Your resting spot could be a comfortable...
The Plot thickens at Plantscape
It’s a cool summer evening in South Oceanside. The breeze is blowing through the large vegetable garden brimming with elephant ear kale, tiny golden summer...
Flowers can help dress up a porch this summer
When I am looking for something special for my front porch, I head to a tiny flower shop in Carlsbad. Bamby’s Flowers is a gem,...
The 70/30 rule to rid the garden of rodents
There is a loosely stated rule among gardeners, which goes like this: “70% of your garden space should be dedicated to feeding your household, and...
Display your patriotism with a colorful window box
Whether it be Memorial Day, Flag Day or the Fourth of July, a decorative window box filled with red, white and blue flowering plants always...
Entertaining kids this summer? Become a rock painter
What to do in the summer with children or grandchildren? Go outside! With so many children tied to their phones or computers, we must get...
Three Sisters Garden: Fresh vegetables from Casita Center in Vista
On a quiet back street in Vista sits a small school vegetable small garden. Crafted by K-5 students at Casita Center for Technology, Science and...
Fooling the rodents for the sake of sunflowers
I work with a group of 10 senior gardeners in a community garden at the Carlsbad Senior Center. In our 20-foot raised bed, we grow...
A garden grows in South Oceanside at The Plot
Jessica and Davin Waite are on a mission. The couple’s vision for the backyard, surrounding alley and side street of The Plot restaurant in Oceanside...
The dark side of the moon: Celebrating splashes of color
Last week, I took a late afternoon walk on Ponto Beach in Carlsbad. My hope was to possibly see the Artemis ll landing in San...
Grow your own food
Would you like to cut your fresh produce bill in half? If you can grow it, you can do it! Years ago, when I worked...