Second SUMMER PLANTING, April Heat Lovers Now!

Second SUMMER PLANTING, April Heat Lovers Now! Our March weather was so cool I didn’t plant until the 3rd week of march. Frozen zucchini baby plants were reported. My strawberry berries froze! I’ve been getting reports that seeds haven’t germinated. We gardeners do take our chances. So now it’s time to plant them all! Last [...]

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Tuning the Dial: Planting Times Foil Insect Pests!

Tuning the Dial: Planting Times Foil Insect Pests! Take your time and read this post carefully.  You may decide to change planting times for some of your plants. One of the simplest ways to reduce pest problems is to stagger your plantings.  Another is to adjust your planting times to avoid peak pest times, or just don’t plant that plant at all!  [...]

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St Patrick’s Day as prelude to Spring Equinox, Ostara!

St Patrick’s Day as prelude to Spring Equinox, Ostara! When I think of St Pat’s, I do be thinkin’ of green, green Ireland, since some of my ancestors came from there. Oh, yes, there be faeries and eves and gnomes, dancing and guarding the land. The tree Spirits watch over all, whispering hints, carrying messages. [...]

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April 1, Jicama Planting Day!

April 1, Jicama Planting Day!  Get your seeds!  The local Latino gardeners I know plant their jicama religiously on April 1! If you have never had jicama before (pronounced HE caw maw), and you like a low cal crisp crunchy juicy texture, like water chestnuts, give it a try! The first time I had jicama [...]

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First SUMMER PLANTING, First Week of MARCH!

First SUMMER PLANTING, First Week of MARCH! Ground temp at Pilgrim Terrace Community Garden is now 60+ degrees!  Perfect for planting ASAP! Poke beans under finishing peas on trellises, plant tomatoes in cages with wilt resistant basil, Nufar! Colonies of corn, New Zealand spinach with the lettuces, cucumbers on trellises with dill at each end, [...]

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FEBRUARY is Seedling Month! Clean-up, Maintenance, More Plan than Plant!

This is your last chance to plant more rounds of winter veggies you love the most, and the littles that grow year round.  Peas are especially heat sensitive, but we Coastie pea lovers can get one more round!  At this time be sure they are mildew resistant varieties!  But it’s really time to think in [...]

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Smart Manure Choices!

Smart Manure Choices! Manure is an organic amendment.  Organic matter improves soil aeration, water infiltration, and both water- and nutrient-holding capacity.  Well aged organic matter is an important energy source for bacteria, fungi and earthworms that live in the soil.  All your soil needs is 3% organic matter!  You can see how adding too much manure [...]

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January – the Gardening Delight of a New Year!

Harvest, Replant, Maintenance, Spring Preps, SEEDS!  Keep harvesting!  Plant consideringly.  That means, summer planting starts in March.  January, February are generally cold, so slow growth though day length is getting longer.  Keep in mind what space you want available in March for the March starts.  If you are a winter plant lover gardener, one way [...]

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100th POST! Thank YOU, all you Subscribers! Black Friday Garden Gifts!

BLACK FRIDAY GARDEN GIFTS!  Gifts to Give, Gifts to Get! Pour a little garden love into your loved one’s life this holiday season! Make Organic, Sustainable Holiday Gifts!  This is the prime time to start winter gift plantings for holiday giving!  Start a salad bowl, make some pesto ice cubes – harvest before your basil freezes, [...]

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November 2011 Santa Barbara CA Gardening Events, and….

SANTA BARBARA Master Gardener Application is now available for the 2012 Program!  Sign up ASAP because the orientation meeting is Nov 12!  The classes start in February and end late June.  Highly recommended!  The Master Gardener text/reference is the California Master Gardener Handbook, an invaluable reference whether you are a Master Gardener or not!  Put it [...]

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