tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26076287765135656482024-02-18T23:13:39.197-08:00GAIA CREATIONSEcological Landscaping and Permaculture SolutionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-78144533440835770592015-05-08T11:01:00.002-07:002015-05-08T11:02:44.661-07:00Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System Installation Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Part of our <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Permaculture.html" target="_blank">Fair Share</a> is our volunteer time organizing the Chico Permaculture Guild. We facilitate monthly gatherings and seasonal workshops as well as participate in local events and other outreach efforts to help our community learn more about permaculture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">A timely workshop that Brian and I are teaching is coming up this month and it's focus is all about rooftop rainwater harvesting. We'll be teaching this workshop at our own property as part of our forest garden development. This workshop is FREE for the community to attend.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><u><b>All the details are here:</b></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAVCYxVXmlUyTD8dqHc1z8n3Ak4Ig4jjGw2H5twNxzcjvinS4aaAaUerpIIvprXEkELNdz58ystptaURFXYHbscWCBdWyWnn61w69Skfn0qmRCHbDgh00_sp5aPm1cUQR55JTCapScIQ/s1600/May+H-oW+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAVCYxVXmlUyTD8dqHc1z8n3Ak4Ig4jjGw2H5twNxzcjvinS4aaAaUerpIIvprXEkELNdz58ystptaURFXYHbscWCBdWyWnn61w69Skfn0qmRCHbDgh00_sp5aPm1cUQR55JTCapScIQ/s320/May+H-oW+header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">This Hands-on Workshop will teach you how to utilize the <b>RAINWATER</b>
we seasonally receive to design and install a rooftop rainwater
harvesting system. Having the knowledge and skill to direct rainwater
from your rooftop to your landscape increases your property <b>DROUGHT RESILIENCE</b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Rainwater Harvesting Potential:</b></u> </span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 inch of rain on a 1000 square foot surface will yield ~600 gallons of water</b></span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">This workshop is focused on specific techniques and strategies for
implementing a permaculture design and directly relates to our May
monthly gathering topic, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/791040344313247/" rel="nofollow">Water Harvesting in a Mediterranean Climate</a>. You don’t need to have attended the gathering though it will help you better understand the activities of the workshop.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Details of the Workshop: </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Sunday, May 24th from 11am to 3pm </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>PLEASE RSVP TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP BY FOLLOWING THIS <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooftop-rainwater-harvesting-system-installation-registration-16664975390">LINK</a>.</b></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Permaculture Project Attendees are Participating In</i>: The use of
passively harvested rainwater from the house rooftop to the surrounding
landscape which is a forest garden in its initial phases.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">We will begin the workshop by walking around the project target area
to familiarize attendees with the current design for rooftop rainwater
collection. We will briefly go over the components of a rainwater
harvesting system, rainwater calculations as well as the design
strategies employed for this particular project. We will then ask
attendees to calculate the total volume of rainwater given a specific
rainfall event. Then to also calculate the volume of rainwater for the
particular workshop downspout that will distribute rainwater to the
earthworks/storage systems within forest garden.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">The rest of the workshop will be hands-on for learning specific techniques to:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Connect the downspout to the earthworks for distribution to the landscape</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Create infiltration trenches and basins (earthworks) based on rainfall volume</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ensure level infiltration trenches and basins using an A-frame level</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ensure access pathways are protected and easily traversed</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Protect the soil before, during and after the installation</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB560AK16A5E5wJanN4C4u3vzEDAKE6-bINSwZnH9sqUAbfE26ZRY1gRSwL00dGlHHx_x5g7Ts6SuVYyRevrSO0eEcE45ELD-wDoQPY8CRp3Tzm_98VtqlYJNx5D_9Li5HjRfURs_foE/s1600/Downspt-Infil-Basins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB560AK16A5E5wJanN4C4u3vzEDAKE6-bINSwZnH9sqUAbfE26ZRY1gRSwL00dGlHHx_x5g7Ts6SuVYyRevrSO0eEcE45ELD-wDoQPY8CRp3Tzm_98VtqlYJNx5D_9Li5HjRfURs_foE/s320/Downspt-Infil-Basins.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FAQs:</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
If
there is interest we can set up a carpool at the Chico Park and Ride
[Highway 32 at Fir Street]. Let us know of your interest when you RSVP.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i>Please leave your pets at home.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>For more information contact Stephanie at modcpg@gmail.com or 530-828-6390.</b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-24424637869277489012015-02-11T17:07:00.002-08:002015-02-19T12:21:14.435-08:006th Annual Spring Seed Swap<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sunday, March 1st from 2-6pm<span lang="IT"> </span></i></span></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="IT">Chico Grange
Hall, 2775 Nord Ave, Chico, CA</span></i></span></span></span></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="IT"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ALWAYS A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT</b></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="IT"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span lang="IT"><b><span class="fsl"><b>WHAT IS PROVIDED</b></span></b></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span lang="IT"><b><span class="fsl">
</span></b></span></i><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl">Seed Swap ‘Potluck’ Style</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl">
Speaker Presentations</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl">
Educational Displays<span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">
Seeds & Plants for Sale</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">
Community Non-Profits</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">
Food & Drinks for sale by Chico Natural Foods Cooperative</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="IT"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">
Lots of activities for all ages</span></span></span><i><span lang="IT"><b>
</b></span></i></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>WHAT TO BRING</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Seeds, bulbs, plants, cuttings or more to exchange</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Used envelopes/containers and pens/pencils</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Please label your items</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ you do not need seeds to attend ~</span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>PRESENTATION SCHEDULE</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
2:15-2:45 Jesus Center Community Farm, <i>‘Inspiration through Farming’</i></span></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2:45-3:45 Local Seed Stewards, <i>‘Importance of Saving Seed’</i></span></span></span>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4:00-5:00 Synergy Seeds, <i>‘Seed Saving Drought Tolerant Crops’</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>TO VOLUNTEER</b></i><br />
Sign up online: <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://volunteercpg.ivolunteer.com/6thspringseedswap" rel="nofollow">http://volunteercpg.ivolunteer.com/6thspringseedswap</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>FOR MORE INFORMATION</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Sherri Scott (GRUB Education Program) 342-3376 sherri@<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">grubchico.org</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Stephanie Ladwig-Cooper (Chico Permaculture Guild) 828-6390 modcpg@<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">gmail.com</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Join 6th Annual Spring Seed Swap Facebook event <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1520831624869571/" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1520831624869571/" target="_blank"></a></span>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>HOSTED BY</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://grubchico.org/grub-education-program/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="textexposedshow">GRUB Education Program</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://chicopermaculture.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="textexposedshow">Chico Permaculture Guild</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>SPONSORED BY</b></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://chicoseedlendinglibrary.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chico Seed Lending Library (CSLL)</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://chicogrange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chico Grange Hall</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.chiconaturalfoods.coop/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chico Natural Foods Cooperative</span></span></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoeIITH_jdaHqVsA4fICLzAM8-GYedzAyp0XqZk4M5pwREqLqrk-uhcGmdJOYALUGKYdIwoBQNAIZAWbCcp-OFFA4s-9ofpshVVEcZSHBM68cVwjSp-d2_lGceVll9LTkr0iPo4_RTm0/s1600/Flier+-brief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoeIITH_jdaHqVsA4fICLzAM8-GYedzAyp0XqZk4M5pwREqLqrk-uhcGmdJOYALUGKYdIwoBQNAIZAWbCcp-OFFA4s-9ofpshVVEcZSHBM68cVwjSp-d2_lGceVll9LTkr0iPo4_RTm0/s1600/Flier+-brief.jpg" height="126" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="IT"> </span></i></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-62109593808727985072014-03-11T11:11:00.002-07:002014-03-11T11:19:18.302-07:005th Annual Spring Seed Swap<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>ALWAYS A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Sunday, March 16th from 2-6pm</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span lang="IT">Chico Grange
Hall, 2775 Nord Ave, Chico, CA</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n1xaAej3MEW_sSYfgPVhHKgPe6peUFgUfFbHTgj6fD9nkeck4zQCSnlsFnalViRul_VhBoYSZN-jUz-PMTOO0YzYMg7duo0l3oRfIEEO1AjFVWxcZ52J3Qb3e9C_G40ICbfnWIgUTaA/s1600/5th+Annual+Spring+Seed+Swap+flier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n1xaAej3MEW_sSYfgPVhHKgPe6peUFgUfFbHTgj6fD9nkeck4zQCSnlsFnalViRul_VhBoYSZN-jUz-PMTOO0YzYMg7duo0l3oRfIEEO1AjFVWxcZ52J3Qb3e9C_G40ICbfnWIgUTaA/s1600/5th+Annual+Spring+Seed+Swap+flier.jpg" height="400" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>WHAT IS PROVIDED</b></span></span></span>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over 8 tables of seed to exchange ‘Potluck’ Style</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Speaker Presentations</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seed Saving Education</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seeds & Plants for Sale</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Community Non-Profits</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Food & Drinks for sale by Chico Natural Foods</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Activities for all ages</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>SPEAKER PRESENTATION SCHEDULE</b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>2:15pm</b><br />
Seed Saving 101: a focus on drought tolerant crops -with Kalan Redwood of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Redwood-Seeds-wwwredwoodseedsnet/185212491523713">Redwood Seeds: www.redwoodseeds.net</a></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>3:30pm</b><br />
Water Panel: <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/10/urban-permaculture-project-2-years-in.html">rainwater harvesting earthworks</a>, rain barrels and greywater
systems -with Stephanie & Brian Ladwig-Cooper, Nani Teves and
Stephanie & Tim Elliott</span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>4:45pm</b><br />
Seed Stories: open forum on the beauty and importance of seed -lead by Joan Bosque</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>WHAT TO BRING</b> ~ you do not need seeds to attend, please label your seed and plants ~</span></span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seeds, bulbs, plants, cuttings and more to exchange</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Used envelopes/containers and pens/pencils<b></b></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>FOR MORE INFORMATION</b></span></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sherri Scott (GRUB Education Program) 342-3376 sherri@grubchico.org</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stephanie Ladwig-Cooper (Chico Permaculture Guild) 828-6390 modcpg@gmail.com</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More information can be found on the Chico Permaculture Guild website <a href="http://chicopermaculture.wordpress.com/what-we-do/annual-seed-swaps/5th-annual-spring-seed-swap/">here</a>. You can also join the Facebook event <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/692876987400431/">here</a>.</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-74075218505760673552014-01-31T12:32:00.000-08:002014-01-31T13:23:54.085-08:00Practical Tips for Conserving Water in the Landscape<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reducing outdoor water use on a residential scale is
absolutely necessary during times of drought but is really something that we
need to do consistently in the Mediterranean climate we live in here in California. Here are a
few more tips to add to the article '<a href="http://www.newsreview.com/chico/save-our-water/content?oid=12634473" target="_blank">Save our water! Tips for conserving water outdoors</a>' in the Chico News and Review January 30, 2014 issue:</span></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reduce/remove
your lawn by sheet mulching </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Plant
perennials instead of annuals</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Boost the
soil food web living in your soil</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Install
a clothes washer greywater system</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Harvest
rainwater</span></span></span></li>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Lawn watering consumes more than half of all the water
used by most California
households -an average of more than 300 gallons each and every time! Removing
all or reducing the size of your lawn will save an enormous amount of water. One
method of removing lawn area is to sheet mulch it. Sheet mulching uses
overlapping layers of cardboard, compost, other organic materials and a topping
of mulch which creates an 'instant garden'. It will smother the turf and help
build soil organic matter for planting vegetable gardens, drought tolerant and
native plants and/or trees. You can find more information about sheet mulching from <a href="http://stopwaste.org/">StopWaste.org</a><span style="color: #444444;"> as well as numerous photos of our past sheet mulching projects on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.137441566321726.31062.137440112988538&type=3">Facebook page</a>.</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j0TVC_yu7T25jkbaHb98cVFjr5bK4gcURnHUdlu0nV2E5VoNLilBOT9KO9wRWKUbYeioegvsPEZ1oXGo_VVVrJBeq1tL8hy15PlctX9PKNtk95WZGd5ZX3hjYkQyO9EchlFJgIeL9LE/s1600/three+in+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j0TVC_yu7T25jkbaHb98cVFjr5bK4gcURnHUdlu0nV2E5VoNLilBOT9KO9wRWKUbYeioegvsPEZ1oXGo_VVVrJBeq1tL8hy15PlctX9PKNtk95WZGd5ZX3hjYkQyO9EchlFJgIeL9LE/s1600/three+in+one.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Top: Before, Middle: After, Bottom: 1 year later</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Planting perennials instead of annuals (both edible and
ornamental) will also reduce irrigation needs as the roots of perennials often
go much deeper into the soil where moisture is better conserved than at the
surface where it evaporates. As the News and Review <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/chico/save-our-water/content?oid=12634473">article</a> stated mulching all areas of the
garden is an additional water conservation method substantially reducing
evaporation -although we would go a little further and advise at least a 3-4" layer of mulch. Mulch can be straw or arbor chips, even rocks cover the soil and conserve moisture.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcFHnVcU4UWQkZjdLN5csMCOY9P1zvT3M7u0GQFzB8N51tkwsl0or87185HN3JCQocdsC66kZ6-R3QjxROQ5_aPeEPZ6uAbECIZn2d8HB8bUtkru-Rv2Kby3bCFHp-kZhEFaJE4S422s/s1600/perennials+and+mulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcFHnVcU4UWQkZjdLN5csMCOY9P1zvT3M7u0GQFzB8N51tkwsl0or87185HN3JCQocdsC66kZ6-R3QjxROQ5_aPeEPZ6uAbECIZn2d8HB8bUtkru-Rv2Kby3bCFHp-kZhEFaJE4S422s/s1600/perennials+and+mulch.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Mulched perennial palnts</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Ensuring your soil is alive with a diversity of
beneficial soil microorganisms (the soil food web) can reduce water consumption
up to 70% according to Dr. Elaine Ingham, soil food web pioneer and
microbiologist. The bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, micro/macro
arthropods and earthworms present in healthy soil act to preserve moisture and
nutrients -reducing the need for both water and fertilizers. More information
about the soil food web can be found by reading <i>'<a href="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/health/biology/">Soil Biology Primer</a>'</i> at the
USDA website.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVUbGtwGGshMfdsM9Kqny30bc04_yL_52s5_du_-LEVg7GVzw2NPI9TI0xVkL6lmm_iYADIzOSrtcx05n11PhDW3k4FRnfWmY6VkjArUX_vIoHQwWaq2QtdgktfHGG_CChh-52SFIJ4g/s1600/soil+food+web+image_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVUbGtwGGshMfdsM9Kqny30bc04_yL_52s5_du_-LEVg7GVzw2NPI9TI0xVkL6lmm_iYADIzOSrtcx05n11PhDW3k4FRnfWmY6VkjArUX_vIoHQwWaq2QtdgktfHGG_CChh-52SFIJ4g/s1600/soil+food+web+image_2.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">The Soil Food Web image courtesy of the Soil Biology Primer Photo Gallery</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Clothes washer or laundry to landscape (L2L) greywater
systems are legal to install without a permit in California as of 2009. L2L systems are
relatively easy to install and can dramatically reduce potable water use for
your perennials and trees (L2L systems are great for fruit trees!). It's
important to have an understanding (and hands on skills when possible) of how
to install, use and maintain graywater systems to avoid problems. You can find
more information about greywater by looking at the <a href="http://oasisdesign.net/greywater/">Oasis Design</a> website as well as the <a href="http://greywateraction.org/">Greywater Action</a> website. You can also read about California's greywater standards (<a href="https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/bsc.ca.gov/gov.ca.bsc.2010.05.html#p297">CPC, Title24, Part 5, Chapter 16A, Part I Nonpotable Water Reuse Systems</a>) which
establishes the minimum requirements for the installation of greywater systems. Or <a href="http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/2007CPC_Graywater_Complete_2-2-10.pdf">download</a> the code. You can also view the farm scale greywater system design that we drew for <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/GalleryChaffin.html">Chaffin Family Orchards</a> last year as part of the <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/chico/not-just-for-camping/content?oid=10670535">Butte County Composting Toilet and Gr<span style="color: #444444;">e</span>ywater Pilot Project</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EbtW80zz5CY3s35TnRN1CrfjRNnwHrKWoDCp6PYfgSE9-SJ6-gfgoDGv0HfQb1f2-nUVEt4jWuuqeUq5xup7eru-qveMmkehkjmzE79miZcnylt0f8noEB9btHxP8x12lhryIRvdeMI/s1600/426-washer-greywater-pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EbtW80zz5CY3s35TnRN1CrfjRNnwHrKWoDCp6PYfgSE9-SJ6-gfgoDGv0HfQb1f2-nUVEt4jWuuqeUq5xup7eru-qveMmkehkjmzE79miZcnylt0f8noEB9btHxP8x12lhryIRvdeMI/s1600/426-washer-greywater-pipes.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Photo from harvestingrainwater.com by Brad Lancaster</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. When it does rain utilizing <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/GalleryFilbert.html">rainwater harvesting systems</a>
on your property is an easy way to water surrounding perennial trees and plants
by allowing the rainwater to deeply penetrate heavily mulched soils. Depending
on the placement of rainwater catchment they can also prevent excess rainwater
from entering streets and stormwater systems which in urban areas flows into
our local creeks and rivers contaminating the waterways with oil and other
pollutants. The basic concept with rainwater should be that it is slowed down,
spread out and sunk into the soil to reduce erosion and to aid in local water
table and aquifer recharge -and if we can also utilize the rainwater for our landscapes
and gardens all the better. Both passive
and active rainwater harvesting systems are simple and easy to install. Passive
rainwater harvesting systems are earthworks which utilize the soil as the
catchment system -such as rain gardens and infiltration trenches and mulch
basins. Passive rainwater harvesting can also be integrated with a greywater
systems. Active rainwater harvesting systems are as simple as 55 gallon rain
barrels and as complex as 1000+ gallon cisterns which are excellent for supplementing
annual garden irrigation. There is a lot of information about how to design and
install both types of systems on the internet but the best resource is from
Brad Lancaster in his books <i>'Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond,
Volume 1 and 2'</i>. You can visit Brad's <a href="http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/">website</a> too for loads of information.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFRDDk3IRqL2nMGgJcovqjAU6hhUJmOWiNQaJTeFlwTDMbL5PYARR_4K-lPxGF3evB_fEBAHnvsgciAn_FYSbXxd75VOz_PyTxRs6B2k3taCDs905-douPtETWH9GCPTMk4bcJ2-AarA/s1600/RHS+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFRDDk3IRqL2nMGgJcovqjAU6hhUJmOWiNQaJTeFlwTDMbL5PYARR_4K-lPxGF3evB_fEBAHnvsgciAn_FYSbXxd75VOz_PyTxRs6B2k3taCDs905-douPtETWH9GCPTMk4bcJ2-AarA/s1600/RHS+4.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">From the downspout rooftop rainwater moves into a curved infiltration trench out to the landscape</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As one can see there are a lot of ways to reduce and reuse
residential water and all the methods listed here can be used together to
create a veritable landscape oasis. Over 38 million people live in California and if we all
utilize these water conserving methods to some degree it would go a long way to
protecting our future water supply -for the natural environment and for our
children.</span></span></span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-57064678159153261212013-04-09T12:10:00.005-07:002013-04-09T16:35:47.974-07:00Urban Permaculture Property Tour<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In celebration of<b> <a href="http://www.permacultureday.org/">International Permaculture Day</a></b>, May 5<sup>th</sup>, 2013 the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicopermacultureguild/">Chico Permaculture Guild</a></b> is sponsoring 2 FREE tours of our urban permaculture project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Tour:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Brian and I (Stephanie) are helping our local permaculture guild
celebrate International Permaculture Day by providing a public tour of
our local permaculture project; an urban 2/3 acre residential property that has been in development and succession since 2009. (You can view photos of the Project <a href="http://permaculture.org.au/2011/10/28/urban-pool-to-pond-conversion-two-year-progress-report/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3.5
years underway this property has been designed, implemented and managed
utilizing the ethics and principles of permaculture. We'll be providing tour participants
a first glimpse of this property which has not been open to
public until now. We plan to provide and overview of the designs,
permaculture techniques and strategies they used for creating an
evolving oasis on this urban piece of land.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Map of Fruit Trees 2011</b> (canopy and subcanopy of forest gardens)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Site Elements and Systems Tour Attendees will Observe:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Rainwater Harvesting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Edible Forest Gardens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Perennial Polycultures</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Chicken Integrations</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and more...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: saddlebrown;"><b><span style="color: black;"><u>TOUR IN<span style="font-size: small;">FORMATION</span></u></span> </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: saddlebrown;"><b>Tour #1: 10am - 12pm</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: saddlebrown;"><b>Tour #2: 2pm - 4pm</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Registration is required; please indicate which tour you wish to attend when registering. Please register here: <a href="http://ipdtour.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">http://ipdtour.eventbrite.com/</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Space is limited to 20 people <span style="text-decoration: underline;">per tour</span> so register today to ensure your spot!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This
event is free but donations are accepted to support the Chico
Permaculture Guild and more events such as this one! No dogs or other
animals, please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: sienna;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Please
join us for a day of learning and fun in solidarity with other
permaculture activities around the world as we celebrate International
Permaculture Day 2013!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For more information please contact Stephanie at 530-828-6390 or <a href="mailto:modcpg@gmail.com"><span style="color: windowtext;">modcpg@gmail.com</span></a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-56315505786785972372012-08-03T11:24:00.000-07:002012-08-03T12:26:32.007-07:00Due Diligence: Four O’clock Plants<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHZmzQAZFUt9Mx05l3qADsrkUaQ8m-5brEsJ5TKtR6EgzzKm3cmvnX-38GHc8nDmDz1V18KTwK4FTrDbCsVaf_PReY-wEsDqw3Ekeh6iAflzpmBwvkbat1uOYYiwtNMRXOL8EIqVJmYk/s1600/flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHZmzQAZFUt9Mx05l3qADsrkUaQ8m-5brEsJ5TKtR6EgzzKm3cmvnX-38GHc8nDmDz1V18KTwK4FTrDbCsVaf_PReY-wEsDqw3Ekeh6iAflzpmBwvkbat1uOYYiwtNMRXOL8EIqVJmYk/s320/flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Four O'clock flowers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="profbotnametitle">Our family lives in a historic neighborhood of Chico, California called the Barber Neighborhood. Our neighborhood was named after O.
C. Barber, the founder of the Diamond Match Company, who had a factory built nearby to process lumber for matches at the turn of the twentieth century. Our home was built in
approximately 1909. Because of the age of this neighborhood we have found in
around our property an abundance of old trees and shrubs of what many this day would
consider cottage garden or great-grandma plants. One of which is the <b>Four O’clock</b> growing prolifically near
our garage and Mandarin tree. Not many people go out of their way to buy and
grow this plant in their gardens anymore. Why? I couldn’t say as I’ve found
it is a really interesting and beautiful plant with a long history of cultivation.</span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span class="profbotnametitle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The scientific name for Four
O’clock is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mirabilis jalapa</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>This
plant has too many </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">common names to list but many people know the plant as a</span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
four o' clock, marvel-of-Peru, beauty-of-the-night or clavillia. It’s native to
South America and has naturalized all over the world for hundreds
of years.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HISTORY</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQDau-6C6E8Z9IZkzcis46z7ySFkn0PFKdem-lyenY4x5rXmuYokVFRzJNwg_uB1_7wOApwcCMsNwTWUcplNi2tPZLrqLs4m27dnAgs4RPvcDrydOU499tYoMPk8oGuTeK0ML8XKbwWE/s1600/voyagestravels+-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQDau-6C6E8Z9IZkzcis46z7ySFkn0PFKdem-lyenY4x5rXmuYokVFRzJNwg_uB1_7wOApwcCMsNwTWUcplNi2tPZLrqLs4m27dnAgs4RPvcDrydOU499tYoMPk8oGuTeK0ML8XKbwWE/s320/voyagestravels+-cover.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Title page</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0GIwpPvUSSfsCC0E4dAmVlQySJPe2V6lpD9-6F5ewEfC15wZDjivi1Pa_YSUArgbBBHx-AtBFkCnnLRcpbWtKui3izQ8tRj3QtL62Y8ZdCSr5Ivps4q-8kVMNaOcGhibvBJAsIOV9Ow/s1600/voyagestravels+-p243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0GIwpPvUSSfsCC0E4dAmVlQySJPe2V6lpD9-6F5ewEfC15wZDjivi1Pa_YSUArgbBBHx-AtBFkCnnLRcpbWtKui3izQ8tRj3QtL62Y8ZdCSr5Ivps4q-8kVMNaOcGhibvBJAsIOV9Ow/s320/voyagestravels+-p243.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Page 243</span></td></tr>
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In doing my due diligence on this plant I stumbled upon a historic
document written by Swedish naturalist, Frederick Hasselquist<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span>
and published by the famous botanist Charles (Carl) Linnaeus<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span>
for the Queen consort of Sweden, Louisa Ulrika<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span>.
Dr. Hasselquist traveled from 1749-1752 (and ultimately died before his return)
to what was then called the ‘Levant’ or the region of the eastern Mediterranean
between Anatolia and Egypt. He briefly wrote about Four O’clock plants
‘cultivated in the gardens and walks at Cairo’ in his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Voyages and Travels in the Levant in the Years 1749, 50, 51, 52:
Containing Observations in Natural History, Physick, Agriculture, and Commerce,
Particularly on the Holy Land, and the Natural History of the Scriptures’</i><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span>.
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I find it immensely gratifying to read about plants from a
historical perspective. It makes me feel closer and more connected to the
plants I live and work with every day. Not only that but as I learn about how
to care for and utilize these plants I am empowered by the knowledge that
others have been growing these plants for hundreds of years.<br />
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<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mirabilis jalapa </i>growing near downspout</span></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CHARACTERISTICS</b></div>
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Four O’clocks are hardy perennials which go dormant in the
winter and survive via their deep tuberous roots down to below freezing. Even
in cold climates where the temperatures reach well below freezing the large,
black carrot shaped tubers (which can be a foot or more long) can survive with
heavy mulches or be dug up and stored for the winter and replanted in the
spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They flower from Mid April to
October here in our Mediterranean climate. We’ve found this plant to be quite
drought hardy and seems to have utilized our loamy soils’ water reserves from
winter rain via the downspout nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has excellent east to west sun exposure for most of the day and while the
flowers all close up by 11am they reopen at dusk and produce a fragrance that
is reminiscent of Gardenias.</div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers open at 9am</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqLX5uCHPSFwnvdZelPsRfFrWYiSQlqRS2pW2BRJNEq4jpCQRc2umMaPnqiFFm81fd9nnbrhjRjcQBt8_lgToiK58RnUkSXFtTBZygpP66P786lmOy-uwPfQsNkDEY0azc58xDMbx-v8/s1600/full+-closed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqLX5uCHPSFwnvdZelPsRfFrWYiSQlqRS2pW2BRJNEq4jpCQRc2umMaPnqiFFm81fd9nnbrhjRjcQBt8_lgToiK58RnUkSXFtTBZygpP66P786lmOy-uwPfQsNkDEY0azc58xDMbx-v8/s200/full+-closed.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers closed at 11am</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">USES</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The edibility and medicinal value of Four O’clock is in some
dispute. Some say the whole plant is poisonous and may even be a skin irritant
-we haven’t found the latter to be true when working the plant. While we haven’t
tried to eat any part of the plant the website Plants for a Future<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span>
claims it can be eaten as a “survival food”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Other sites claim the Four O’clock plant was used by the
Aztecs as a medicine<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span> and is
still used for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs</i> by
Leslie Taylor, ND states that the “Chemical analysis of clavillia [Four
O’clock] shows that it is rich in many active compounds including triterpenes,
proteins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Of particular interest to
researchers is a group of amino acid-based proteins, called <u>mirabilis
antiviral proteins</u> (MAPs). These chemicals have shown specific antiviral
and antifungal actions. They are produced in the seeds, roots, and young
shoots, and help the plant protect against various plant viruses and soil-borne
fungi. In 1994, a Japanese tobacco company was awarded a U.S. patent on the
MAPs in clavillia as being effective in protecting economically-important crops
(such as tobacco, corn, and potatoes) from a large variety of plant viruses
(such as tobacco mosaic virus, spotted leaf virus and root rot virus).” <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh17mrwry7hhVEnurTloVNLowtch1Q6H1nGJSIB3bkaD1dVYV6HdYQtCw5Q-TmbLpDRM953twlw_OOauGCEkkYd3qEtsijWP5wd5HXLb_Y-HtIfKITPyoB01s_ZJxseMjCKoigBleMNI/s1600/June+2009+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh17mrwry7hhVEnurTloVNLowtch1Q6H1nGJSIB3bkaD1dVYV6HdYQtCw5Q-TmbLpDRM953twlw_OOauGCEkkYd3qEtsijWP5wd5HXLb_Y-HtIfKITPyoB01s_ZJxseMjCKoigBleMNI/s200/June+2009+008.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Corn plant</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another article by researchers from Life Science Research
Laboratory in Japan titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DNA Sequence
of Mirabilis Antiviral Protein (MAP), a Ribosome-inactivating Protein with an
Antiviral Property, from Mirabilis jalapa L. and Its Expression in Escherichia
coli</i> backs up this claim of anti-viral properties. “Mirabilis antiviral
protein (MAP) isolated from the roots of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mirabilis
jalapa L.</i> induces the plant’s systemic resistance against the mechanical
transmission of plant viruses, such as tobacco mosaic virus and cucumber green
mottle mosaic virus”.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span>
It’s interesting to note that our plant shows absolutely no indication of pests
or disease problems and is never touched by any critter but bees, particularly
carpenter and bumble bees.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9ci2WM7GwEilkw8U56q549mTUoS-XA1npHGHuSlAbJ4UmDj9Tq8idaYaMmyckYh0kX2S2SIJQQmxpgP0StdMmbchS-CFCB8FFg4FpBo5OgTGXiaiG83zlsnK5o4uHoLsTpq2G3K8Elk/s1600/carpenter+bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9ci2WM7GwEilkw8U56q549mTUoS-XA1npHGHuSlAbJ4UmDj9Tq8idaYaMmyckYh0kX2S2SIJQQmxpgP0StdMmbchS-CFCB8FFg4FpBo5OgTGXiaiG83zlsnK5o4uHoLsTpq2G3K8Elk/s320/carpenter+bee.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carpenter bee on flowers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One utility of the plant that I would like to investigate
further is its use a dye. According to an eastern Indian article titled <i>Dye yielding plants of Assam for dyeing handloom textile products </i>from The Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span> a red dye can be made from boiling a paste of the flowers for coloring cotton. The flowers are spectacular and in a variety of
colors; red, pink, striped, bi-colored and white are what we have found in our
yard. If we could use the red and pink colors for dye we
would be in luck for fabrics or, if truly edible, for coloring eggs at Easter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzuIg8AzJJIrGD3naRDViI_EigF_T8sln4SENRclGQAvMj6S06t8BlmUsPHt8GOW-2vP-fjVEqVDocMKpBrCdgm_kJeX5GyM3aUdor5-f5hGwjc_V0F0uX3o8G4wtVM7J0RctP5lfbvI/s1600/flower+colors+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzuIg8AzJJIrGD3naRDViI_EigF_T8sln4SENRclGQAvMj6S06t8BlmUsPHt8GOW-2vP-fjVEqVDocMKpBrCdgm_kJeX5GyM3aUdor5-f5hGwjc_V0F0uX3o8G4wtVM7J0RctP5lfbvI/s320/flower+colors+c.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flower colors is our yard</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given that most of the information I’ve collected about Four O’clocks tells me
the seeds are the most potent part of the plant I may not be inclined to eat
any part of the flower or any of the plant for that matter until more research
has been done.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc3r2gdOB2lO1oC7-cVHJpGkAU5RsSPl0Q8STRWNpK2RcccfRpZTZ_oYpwESpFxE9i7CiP9QtCTaWWd5GB9wWGgzUXEeQ2TIyNkHWYR0F3dSbIBToE5pwrWix4EGFrienA8pY4i_DlOM/s1600/seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc3r2gdOB2lO1oC7-cVHJpGkAU5RsSPl0Q8STRWNpK2RcccfRpZTZ_oYpwESpFxE9i7CiP9QtCTaWWd5GB9wWGgzUXEeQ2TIyNkHWYR0F3dSbIBToE5pwrWix4EGFrienA8pY4i_DlOM/s320/seed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mature Four O'clock seed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One
thing I will try out, as it seems to be getting a bit unruly at the moment, is to
see how it functions as a dynamic accumulator plant. The deep tuberous root
system may function to mine minerals in the subsoil. The top soil could utilize
the free nutrients if I chop and drop it on a regular basis. Also, if the plant functions as anti-viral it may also help prevent disease in the garden. And lastly, I’ve noticed
our Mandarin tree hasn’t required such rigorous amounts of water this year
despite the overall decrease in rainfall this last season -so it may be that
the seedling Four O’clocks which grew in this year have shaded the ground
around the tree creating a moister environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Free nutrients, disease protection and reduced irrigation is always a benefit to any garden.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWd0FW7nlPqQ2_SYOcOCezNwd7i_Y7mADYzHwIOiPPXYnmGoCOcoMlt0rysntUM_O2htigYR2Auw663ioX5x0PRFlQ2UA6qbh6IMgiOXljdI_zU9sEJs5yNHXpZmQaeYRAKAKEKq7IxQ/s1600/shade+mandarins+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWd0FW7nlPqQ2_SYOcOCezNwd7i_Y7mADYzHwIOiPPXYnmGoCOcoMlt0rysntUM_O2htigYR2Auw663ioX5x0PRFlQ2UA6qbh6IMgiOXljdI_zU9sEJs5yNHXpZmQaeYRAKAKEKq7IxQ/s320/shade+mandarins+-c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mandarin tree with Four O'clocks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I’m glad I took the time to read up on this plant growing in
our little yard and will be more apt to let it live knowing what I do now. I’m
the kind of person who needs a plant to serve many functions (especially living
on a 1/10<sup>th</sup> of an acre) and while the beauty of the flowers and the
deep fragrance in the evening has been a real joy this summer I’m glad to know
its history and a bit more of the functions it could provide our family and our gardens.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOTE:</b> Four
O’clocks are prolific re-seeders in warm climates and can be quite hardy due to
their large taproot. Be wary of planting them near waterways or other adverse locations
where they may take over. While this plant is not on the U.S. Federal Noxious
Weeds list<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span>
nor in the California Invasive Plant Inventory Database<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></span>
it seems worthwhile to take precautions so it doesn’t spread out of control.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2607628776513565648#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">END NOTES / REFERENCES: </b></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span> Fredrik
Hasselqvist: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Hasselqvist">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Hasselqvist</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;"> Charles Linnaeus:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus</a></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span> Louisa
Ulrika of Prussia: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisa_Ulrika_of_Prussia">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisa_Ulrika_of_Prussia</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Voyages and Travels in the Levant in the
Years 1749, 50, 51, 52: Containing Observations in Natural History, Physick,
Agriculture, and Commerce, Particularly on the Holy Land, and the Natural
History of the Scriptures</i> [page 243] By Frederick Hasselquist: <a href="http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/101559">http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/101559</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span>
Plants for a Future, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mirabilis jalapa</i>:
<a href="http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mirabilis+jalapa">http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mirabilis+jalapa</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span>
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas [page 840] By Diggs, Jnr. G.M.;
Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J:
<a href="http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTX%20pdf/FNCT%200618-1076.pdf">http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTX%20pdf/FNCT%200618-1076.pdf</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span>
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs By Leslie Taylor, ND –Tropical Plant
Database: <a href="http://rainforest-database.com/plants/clavillia.htm">http://rainforest-database.com/plants/clavillia.htm</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DNA Sequence of Mirabilis Antiviral Protein
(MAP), a Ribosome-inactivating Protein with an Antiviral Property, from
Mirabilis jalapa L. and Its Expression in Escherichia coli </i>By Jiro
KataokaS, Noriyuki Habuka, Masahiro Furuno, Masashi Miyano, Yoichi Takanami,
and Akira Koiwai: <a href="http://www.jbc.org/content/266/13/8426.full.pdf+html">http://www.jbc.org/content/266/13/8426.full.pdf+html</a><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span><i> Dye yielding plants of Assam for dyeing handloom textile products </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By A.Kar and SK Borthakur </span>from The Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 7(1), January 2008, pp.166-171: <a href="http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/599/1/IJTK%207%281%29%20%282008%29%20166-171.pdf">http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/599/1/IJTK%207%281%29%20%282008%29%20166-171.pdf</a></div>
<br />
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span>
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) Invasive and Noxious Weeds: <a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=Federal">http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=Federal</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn10" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></span>
California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), California Invasive Plant
Inventory Database: <a href="http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php">http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php</a></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-44237523588751616282012-06-12T12:36:00.001-07:002012-06-12T12:39:44.214-07:00Berries, Trellising and Harvest<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Marionberries on trellis</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Eating
berries is one of my favorite summer activities. Saving them for later use is
also a favorite past time. There are many ways of preserving berries -making
jams and jellies, canning or freezing them whole or even dehydrating them for a
hiking snack with nuts and seeds. Anyway you do it berries are an awesome
treat.</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"> As I sweat
over the baskets of ripe sweet abundance I’m harvesting I think of the cold and
wet time of the year I’ll be able to eat them. It cools me off and makes me
happy to wipe my brow. Then I know I’m able to pull some berries out of the
freezer mid-winter to add to my oatmeal with a little crème fraiche and maple
syrup –it’s something I can look forward to when I’m spending time harvesting
the berries during the hot summer months. </span></div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Frozen Boysenberries</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Most berries
(while technically not true berries they are an aggregate fruit made of druplets) are easy
to care for. You do need to make sure they have ample water during the dry
season which is easily achieved with a drip system. You can also guild build the berries by
planting under and in between them to help cover the soil for added moisture retention.
Using plants with multiple functions is an added treat. For example, borage will help bring in
pollinators for increased berry yield, they have edible blue flowers and are a
dynamic accumulator plant. For a refreshing summer drink we’ll add borage
flowers, applemint and fresh berries to our lemonade. </span></div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Borage flowers with pollinator honey bee</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Without
going into tremendous detail on Berry pedigree Boysenberries (and
Olallaberries, Marionberries, Loganberries etc.) are a hybrid cross between
Blackberries and Red Raspberries (respectively) and produce trailing canes
which need help off the ground for easier harvest. When the berry plants are dormant in winter you need to
ensure old canes (the canes which flowered last year) are cut back so new canes
can grow in easily; most Blackberries and Boysenberries flower on canes in
their second year so ensure you are only cutting some of the canes from which
you harvested berries. Overcrowding of canes can limit the yield of your berry
harvest so this type of seasonal pruning is important. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Red
Raspberries are a little different; they can flower on their first year’s growth
and can provide two harvests in one season or with some cultivars they are
‘everbearing’ producing raspberries all season long –as long as you continue to
pick them! True Red Raspberries generally have an erect growth habit and can
spread vigorously so make sure you give them some room so they won’t be a
constant maintenance issue. Any ‘suckers’ which appear out of place can be
potted up and given to friends or family –they make a great gift!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Harvesting
berries tends to be one issue that folks encounter if not trellised well. We've
found the trellis design below to be one of the best methods to help the upward
growth of all types of trailing berries to make it a lot simpler for harvesting.</span></div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Berry Trellis Design</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">The trellis
has 3 sets of wires up the main 4x4 post each spaced apart differently. The bottom wire is
spread about 2’ feet wide while the middle wire is closer together –on the 4x4
post itself. The top wire is spread about 3’ wide allowing the trailing canes
to grow up through the bottom wire, then in the middle wire (though not all will), then up again through the top wire and out. This provides an excellent pattern
for airflow and harvest giving the berries a support network which produces
tons of berries that are easy to pick.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">We currently
have a few Thornless (or prickle-free according to the experts) Boysenberry
plants for sale. These berries are sweet and juicy and are excellent for jams
or pies and freeze well too. The thornless variety of berries are by far the
easiest to pick when trellised as they never poke your arms or fingers as you
reach through the canes to harvest! Let us know if you are interested in purchasing
a few of last of them or if you’d like us to help you install a trellis for
your berry harvesting delight!</span></div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thornless Boysenberry</i></span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-8587208967883300042012-05-26T18:41:00.000-07:002012-07-16T10:01:43.182-07:00Introduction to Permaculture Workshop June 23, 2012 in Chico, CA<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flier for Intro to Permaculture Workshop</td></tr>
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Brian and I, via our business <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/index.html" target="_blank">Gaia Creations</a>, will be teaching an <a href="http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org/ai1ec_event/intro-to-permaculture-workshop/?instance_id=15388" target="_blank">Introduction to Permaculture Workshop</a> next month in Chico, CA. The focus of this workshop is to invite the community to learn more about permaculture in general and at the same time begin/continue networking with each other to gain experience in permaculture design strategies for effective local food production and resource efficiency. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Permaculture is an integrated system of design encompassing not only agriculture, architecture and ecology but also land access strategies and money management for businesses and communities. The aim is to create systems that provide for their own needs, do not pollute and are sustainable for future generations to inherit. Conservation of soil, water and energy are central to permaculture as are food production and food storage methods that enable communities to rely upon each other for their basic needs.<br />
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The workshop will be held at a local 3.5 acre Walnut orchard which is in the process of developing into a permaculture oasis. A good friend and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicopermacultureguild/" target="_blank">Chico Permaculture Guild</a> member, Andy, and his wife have graciously offered us the use of their property for the workshop. Andy has been developing 'hugelkultur' beds for the past year or so and has several beds in different stages to show us during the workshop. Workshop participants will gain experience utilizing this permaculture strategy for garden bed creation and food production.</div>
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What is 'hugelkultur'? Hugelkultur literally means 'raised bed' in German. The beds are traditionally filled with woody debris such as felled trees, logs and branches before being back filled with soil, compost and mulch to create a raised bed for growing plants. Most people utilize hugelkultur for maximizing solar inputs in early spring... the beds heat up a great deal sooner in colder climates than ground level beds. In our Mediterranean climate (wet winters and dry summers) we are best served by sinking the woody material a few feet into the ground for water retention -which over time reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. The woody material decomposes slowly over time giving off heat for the first few years and ultimately creates a fungally dominate soil; ideal for perennial polyculture including trees. </div>
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Not only do these beds conserve water by creating a living sponge out of the soil but they reduce or eliminate the need for burning excess wood pruned from your property! Every day there are people who have trees cut down or pruned because they a) don't need/want the tree anymore b) are having problems with the tree or c) do it as a seasonal affair (for shape or size -or pollarding which is done to fruitless Mulberries a lot around here). Most people either have tree companies do the cutting and trimming or they do it themselves. The tree trunk and branches are cut up and sometimes used for firewood (which is a good use), hauled off to the green waste facility or worse the landfill. A lot of people also just pile it all up and burn it. Why haul away or uselessly burn the wood when we can instead create hugelkultur beds -both on large scale for farms and orchards or small scale in an urban setting. Utilizing an opportunity to grow food using what some think of as a waste product (but we think of as a resource) is a far superior method.</div>
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For more information about permaculture and to gain hands on experience in hugelkultur creation join us for the workshop. You can register for the workshop <a href="http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org/workshops/register-for-workshop/" target="_blank">at this website</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UtGThsMZ2r5dRTOKRa422M3jRNAH1sfwzpoAX-yFwNc8zVIUndJRQGvtijkfTJsZ18r2rpWIy3wggv_CmNjN4bohOSxBWVuYGXNy0RiYwjeOSBkgWI9HniVE_63zQDckxKjhfmmVbjA/s1600/CC+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UtGThsMZ2r5dRTOKRa422M3jRNAH1sfwzpoAX-yFwNc8zVIUndJRQGvtijkfTJsZ18r2rpWIy3wggv_CmNjN4bohOSxBWVuYGXNy0RiYwjeOSBkgWI9HniVE_63zQDckxKjhfmmVbjA/s200/CC+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org/" target="_blank">Cultivating Community</a> will be sponsoring this event. Cultivating Community is a local non-profit organization creating opportunities for our community to learn more about food production and local food security. From their website: <i>"Cultivating Community</i> is a multifaceted project supported by a
2011 California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant
and awarded to the CSUC Research Foundation. It aims to increase food
security by serving the Specialty Crop food economy and system needs of
low-income residents, local growers, and service agencies." </div>
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Workshop Details:</div>
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<li>Course fee: Sliding scale $5-15 due at the beginning of workshop</li>
<li>To register: <a href="http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org/workshops/register-for-workshop/">http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org/workshops/register-for-workshop/</a></li>
<li>Please bring something to share for a potluck style lunch. Beverages will be provided. </li>
<li>For more information, contact Monica, Cultivating Community Workshop Coordinator at <a href="mailto:workshops@grubchico.org">workshops@grubchico.org</a> or 530-588-0441</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-41691527458270385152012-04-05T11:45:00.000-07:002012-04-05T22:26:05.089-07:00BEYOND COMPANION PLANTING –‘Guild Building’ a Forest Garden<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ9Aco2XJi9A34KQJnp80TBZWSjgZjcEEits397pmU-GqaKNuFopXNvkYYUO79_FZPvXPZzfjM2sHKn1zwFHjauum3QCcB2dQ7rhMZeNGuAq7Cy6denQG_skbY3XuIJ-SdCyFjvQW7mw/s1600/pear+guild+8-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ9Aco2XJi9A34KQJnp80TBZWSjgZjcEEits397pmU-GqaKNuFopXNvkYYUO79_FZPvXPZzfjM2sHKn1zwFHjauum3QCcB2dQ7rhMZeNGuAq7Cy6denQG_skbY3XuIJ-SdCyFjvQW7mw/s320/pear+guild+8-2010.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> In one of our recent articles I wrote about <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/11/companion-planting-information-and.html" target="_blank">companion planting</a> and the specific plants my husband and I have grown successfully
together -or not- when growing our seasonal food crops. This time I’d like to write about the
function and use of plants grown in polyculture and how each plant species has
inherent characteristics that benefit an entire plant community or plant guild
(polyculture is growing many different types of plants together -as compared to
monoculture). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>SYNERGY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Similar to companion planting when you design a plant guild
or forest garden you are grouping together plants which relate synergistically
–benefiting each other by warding off pests or by supporting each other in some
specific way. YET within a plant guild
or forest garden we are trying to do more than compliment the plants individual
relationships we are trying to compliment the arrangement as a whole ecosystem
–soil biota to unique microclimate, insects to animals, plants to people. Creating plant specific polycultures which
provide food for humans as a priority and either preserve or create an
ecosystem is a step beyond companion planting and toward a more diverse and
secure</span><span style="font-size: small;"> future</span><span style="font-size: small;"> -for food and natural resources.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A forest garden can be many things… in our trials and
experimentation it is comprised of several plant guilds grown in a spatial
pattern that becomes self sustaining over time.
A plant guild is simply a polyculture of plants -generally with a
central plant species- when grown together make efficient use of space and
resources requiring little input from humans.
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>GOALS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The ultimate goal for a forest garden should be clear from
the onset of design. For example: when we designed our forest garden we wanted
to grow fruit and nut trees, lots of different types of berries, edible flowers
and fresh greens all year. We also
wanted the forest garden to achieve a balance in pest populations, be able to
withstand drought, control pervasive weeds as well as build soil health. Once the goals are set the spatial pattern of
the garden can be determined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>PATTERNS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Identifying patterns found in nature, such as a spiral on
snails and the curves in a natural swale or river allow us to mimic them within
our gardens. Pathways which bend and
curve are not only more eye pleasing than straight lines but are also more
efficient in their use of space. Creating nooks for trees and other plants
along side a meandering path are perfect areas for placing plant guilds.
Easily accessible pathways combined with several nooks of diverse plant guilds
becomes your forest garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>RESOURCE EFFICIENT</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In consideration of water resources you can take this
meandering pathway utilizing nooks concept one step further: if you build slightly elevated
pathways some nooks along the way could be turned into depressions within the
terrain and serve as mulch basins for a rainwater harvesting system. Mulch basins (some planted with water
tolerant species) would conserve water in the soil for nearby plants to utilize
all year reducing the need for irrigation over time. Designing a forest garden infrastructure like this when
patterning, especially in an arid climate, is truly an
effective use of water and other resources. One can begin to see just how
forest gardening goes beyond companion planting by incorporating resource
efficiency into the landscape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>STRUCTURE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Before going into the function and use of plants within a
forest garden let me define the basic architecture or vertical structure of a
forest garden –as conceptualized by <u>Robert Hart</u> and many other
originators of this perennial gardening idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A forest garden has a vertical structure comprised of
several layers of plants; ideally each layer provides a benefit to its
neighboring layers (see my simple drawing for visual aid):</span></div>
<ol style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Canopy
plants (which can be fruit or nut trees, tall nurse or pioneer species or
simply currents or berry shrubs)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Subcanopy
plants (lower plants utilizing some shade of the canopy plants)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Shrub plants
(wide often habitat forming plants provide shelter and shade in sunny aspects)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Herbaceous
plants (often edible and medicinal plants grown on either sun or shade side of
trees)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Vining or
climbing plants (plants that climb their way up subcanopy and canopy plants)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Groundcover
plants (shade the soil conserving moisture and prevent soil loss)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Deeply
rooted plants (become nutrient pumps for the surrounding soil enhancing it’s
fertility) </span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncXSgN14w7r3ZHF9TVQu4Bz-ewLyEFF3yDSOA2DVeyFicCy96qWvXtVe0hAwYaNb2rcuFYoEsbojZ3AAlU62NkB_PZplY_NSI2qSb1cAhLgd3SaMAGfsfnXR6Bv60k2Meu-IlOVbjgM/s1600/forest+garden+structure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncXSgN14w7r3ZHF9TVQu4Bz-ewLyEFF3yDSOA2DVeyFicCy96qWvXtVe0hAwYaNb2rcuFYoEsbojZ3AAlU62NkB_PZplY_NSI2qSb1cAhLgd3SaMAGfsfnXR6Bv60k2Meu-IlOVbjgM/s320/forest+garden+structure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>PLANT SPECIFICS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Forest garden structural layers (the canopy, subcanopy etc.)
made up of diverse plants grown in polyculture all have specific
characteristics which function for the forest garden as a whole. Understanding what particular habits plants
have, how plants can be used and how they function inherently is one of the
most important considerations when designing a plant guild or forest
garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Listed below are plants with inherent characteristics
-beneficial uses and functions- to begin to understand when designing plant
guilds and forest gardens. Keep in mind this list is not exhaustive!</span></div>
<ul style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The central
plant species (all plants around this plant are chosen to support it’s overall
growth and health –usually an edible plant)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Edible and
medicinal plants (roots, shoots, leaves, fruit, seed etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Companion
plants (plants that have an overall benefit to one another)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Insectary
and nectary plants (insects depend on these plants for food, shelter,
reproduction etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Aromatic
Pest Confusers (plants that confuse pest insects with strong odors e.g. onions,
garlic)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Wildlife
plants (birds and other animals rely on food and habitat these plants provide)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Nitrogen
fixing plants (association between N fixing bacteria and plant roots creates
free N)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Dynamic
accumulator plants (mineral miners collect nutrients = free nutrients)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Bulbs and
large rooted plants (soil structure diversity, ability to absorb/mine minerals)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Coppice,
espalier, hedge or thicket plants (diverse ways of growing plants)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Ground
cover plants (protects the soil, conserve water and create healthy soil level
habitat)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Fertility
and mulch plants (free nutrients and green mulch for seasonal chop and drop
practices)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Animal
forage and fodder plants (reduce outsourcing of food for livestock such as
chickens)</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy9QqNqPoWkxs1iYrbzfgCd1Vur8ID9a_lInC4LK5RTzVOjyqUZMz4CvZgaRqJq6IzsvUbUcWlH_XgRdpz2KtvgW7GLFC7Ayw7iMnB4xAt0bb03TBvPXSOwgfa3Se_jg6PJElMunUIsM/s1600/bartlett+pear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy9QqNqPoWkxs1iYrbzfgCd1Vur8ID9a_lInC4LK5RTzVOjyqUZMz4CvZgaRqJq6IzsvUbUcWlH_XgRdpz2KtvgW7GLFC7Ayw7iMnB4xAt0bb03TBvPXSOwgfa3Se_jg6PJElMunUIsM/s200/bartlett+pear.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MULTIPLE USE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Most plant species will have more than one of the characteristics
listed above. Using our permaculture
principles try to remember to stack as many elements and functions as you
can. For example, when choosing a plant
guild’s central species one could pick a Pear and use it as a canopy or
subcanopy tree. Pear trees have at least
7 essential uses and functions:</span></div>
<ol style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">an edible
fruit to humans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">a companion
to chives, carrots, bulbs, borage, strawberries, nasturtiums, comfrey and more -in our experience</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">provides
wildlife shelter for birds as a place to rest or nest in the branches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">a nectary
plant for honey bees while in bloom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">can be grown
in diverse ways like espaliered on fences or walls, in thickets or as a standard tree</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">can be
coppiced for wood material</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">provides
some (hopefully not much!) fallen fruit/insects for animals/chickens to feed on </span></li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooio78v0jfG1a6vCDHrf7aDzxgk9M_pB9ao6vSty5xZP_hVYmSytvmiKRAwnNlY-xw_DS4e34eL-V_Dh9ihMiokmCkg-iKeT8w2Prl1LqXu1ONo_x7b0vzGto88hxbJEfeKA7u6SSTfs/s1600/pear+guild+plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooio78v0jfG1a6vCDHrf7aDzxgk9M_pB9ao6vSty5xZP_hVYmSytvmiKRAwnNlY-xw_DS4e34eL-V_Dh9ihMiokmCkg-iKeT8w2Prl1LqXu1ONo_x7b0vzGto88hxbJEfeKA7u6SSTfs/s400/pear+guild+plants.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pear Tree Guild</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b> GUILD BUILD</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Creating a site specific <b>species matrix chart</b> is the best way to pick out the right plants
or ‘guild build’ your forest garden. <i>Edible Forest Gardens Volume Two: Design & Practice</i> has a
comprehensive species matrix chart in the appendix for the East Coast but it is
limited for my needs on the West Coast so I’ve created several charts over the
years for myself and Clients. These
on-going reference charts are easy to follow and describe as much information
as one can find about a specific plant, its habits, uses and functions
overall. And they are dynamic charts, ever growing and evolving themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wrote a long time ago about the <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/06/pear-tree-guild.html" target="_blank">Pear Tree Guild</a> pictured above but always wanted to go into more detail. Take a peek at the charts I created for the same Pear Tree Guild
(below). I’ve divided them up into
sections for easier viewing in this article. The first chart references the
plants genus, species and common names. Next is the family name –diversity of
plant families is important to guild diversity.
Next in this chart is the basic information on the plants light, water
and soil tolerances. Note for the Pear Guild they all have just about the same
tolerance levels. The light
differs because of sun aspect -sun and shade sides of the tree. Those with mixed sun/shade are best suited for the shade side of the tree.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXVXNCcD00OSmA6CDQImON1YJh0gCum1wGVQV9WDKAwXj2Fe1fWdyow5t_fKycKIAyIY5HYE3AzixxyhNhkHAbPkDQ59mCEP1qiZ3iwmTrarmfxFJ_TnvOmnOxHsfNKT7tB8xXOG2Hf4/s1600/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXVXNCcD00OSmA6CDQImON1YJh0gCum1wGVQV9WDKAwXj2Fe1fWdyow5t_fKycKIAyIY5HYE3AzixxyhNhkHAbPkDQ59mCEP1qiZ3iwmTrarmfxFJ_TnvOmnOxHsfNKT7tB8xXOG2Hf4/s400/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next in the chart (pictured below) is the form of the plant. Is it a small herb or tall shrub? We note the habit -mat forming as in mints- and the root
habit -if known- is also important. The maximum height and width of the plant is extremely important when considering space. Where it is native to, the
preferred habitat and successional stage of the plant are also things we like to note about the plants when guild building.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKNqkgzW7w1XWVMAVU-E_HT0QpO_sUKUG3UP4lX7umAJXsZXoH01NMr571pBRN6DYRziACrF7dyzJ1zNkWx962cERBcoAi0GaFKgmFzk7wkqhcJyBzHKCqPajzB58GvCFYrizVQjU0Z8/s1600/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKNqkgzW7w1XWVMAVU-E_HT0QpO_sUKUG3UP4lX7umAJXsZXoH01NMr571pBRN6DYRziACrF7dyzJ1zNkWx962cERBcoAi0GaFKgmFzk7wkqhcJyBzHKCqPajzB58GvCFYrizVQjU0Z8/s400/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> Following that chart is where it gets really interesting. Is
the plant edible or medicinal? Is it a nitrogen fixer or a dynamic accumulator? Does it
attract or support wildlife? Can it function as invertebrate shelter –meaning
can it shelter insects we find to be beneficial to the plant community and us?
And finally is it a nectary plant -a plant that feeds bees and other nectar loving creatures- and if so when does it flower?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNeYwTlyIFC2BXlXxJdsHuf8V86VBD4s7CBeLTM9ckZ02RZIR5zWpDFQ0Bp3VKkWYndp4V_GhyRBDyA6aZaAx1Isy7TigO9hWNqBVLb4qM7FpoTfm2K13mSodc8WfiHmms20GFcFVdrg/s1600/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNeYwTlyIFC2BXlXxJdsHuf8V86VBD4s7CBeLTM9ckZ02RZIR5zWpDFQ0Bp3VKkWYndp4V_GhyRBDyA6aZaAx1Isy7TigO9hWNqBVLb4qM7FpoTfm2K13mSodc8WfiHmms20GFcFVdrg/s400/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Last the chart questions if the plant is a ground cover -a living mulch to retain moisture. What other kinds of functions or uses the plant may have -does it coppice well? Can it spread –and if so is it
dispersive or expansive? Dispersive means it spreads by seed and expansive is
generally by runners. The mint is expansive as we use it to control Bermuda
grass which it successfully out-competes. Also this chart asks if the plant is
poisonous to humans or livestock. And finally any other notes of information we
have gathered that is not yet listed. Here is where we will discern whether a plant is an aromatic pest confuser or APC, as all Alliums are. APC plants confuse pests with their strong smells.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNvPKqsKsko28emYtOhVNl33tl97o9DahBc3eAHEwu_iCPVIX-BqXJVMP46W_d3I2u4f6yyXcGeqJ3TlMxAlIE0dppmBdvvbvaFftkklqhDCjBdiREZ-2m-kWC859urfRCOaCWjPzI_I/s1600/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNvPKqsKsko28emYtOhVNl33tl97o9DahBc3eAHEwu_iCPVIX-BqXJVMP46W_d3I2u4f6yyXcGeqJ3TlMxAlIE0dppmBdvvbvaFftkklqhDCjBdiREZ-2m-kWC859urfRCOaCWjPzI_I/s400/Pear+Guild+Species+Niche+Analysis_4.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">While it may seem like quite a task to generate charts such as these
it is truly fun to do and will help you understand the many different
characteristics plants have and how they will benefit you and your gardens now
and in the long term. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">By and large we have found ‘guild building’ our forest
gardens a type of perennial gardening system that is truly beneficial to all
involved -as well as low maintenance if following the concepts given above.
There are many people involved with forest gardening around the world and it is
worth trying out new plants together to see what can be achieved in your
garden. For more information on
community forest gardening check out what the city of <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/locations/BeaconFoodForest.htm" target="_blank">Seattle</a> is doing… And don't forget to give us a call for assistance. Happy Guild Building!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">References:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Forest Gardening:
Cultivating an Edible Landscape</i> Robert A de J. Hart Original publication
1991 Green Books, Ltd. <a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=N01940btQAQC&lpg=PA41&pg=PA124#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">ISBN: 0930031849</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Edible Forest Gardens
Volume 1 and 2 Ecological Design and Practice for Temperate-Climate
Permaculture</i> by David Jacke and Eric Toensmeier 2005 Chelsea Green
Publishing Company <a href="http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/" target="_blank">ISBN: 1-931498-80-6</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-85236614850692817142012-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:002012-02-20T12:22:53.831-08:003rd Annual Seed Swap<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7X82y7HDtLJzePgOBHUPnbq1yWnS_AVArgEQO4pUbn_pa3S95ugujGdZ4EAWycGGsK-f4HDVBIY6N7KFSwYNBTrH26_ZaBHrBki-PNbtKEDLMHH6wx1n76YLMae_0xP18ypI4tlzEWQ/s1600/seed+swap+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7X82y7HDtLJzePgOBHUPnbq1yWnS_AVArgEQO4pUbn_pa3S95ugujGdZ4EAWycGGsK-f4HDVBIY6N7KFSwYNBTrH26_ZaBHrBki-PNbtKEDLMHH6wx1n76YLMae_0xP18ypI4tlzEWQ/s400/seed+swap+flyer.jpg" width="307" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Seed Swap Flyer 2012</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">The 3rd Annual Seed Swap is happening this coming Sunday February 26th, 2012 at <a href="http://grubchico.org/" target="_blank">GRUB Cooperative</a>. Sherri Scott of GRUB and myself, via the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicopermacultureguild/" target="_blank">Chico Permaculture Guild</a>, spearheaded this annual event back in 2010 for many reasons. First to promote local seed growing and acclimation but also to celebrate the genetic diversity of seeds, to inform the local community about the potential danger of genetically modified seed and to get more people in touch with the life cycle of seeds in general.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Seeds are our future just as our children are our future. When we grow our own plants we cannot maintain <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/02/planting-for-seed-saving.html" target="_blank">genetic diversity</a> by simply cloning or taking cuttings from them -we need their seed... their children. With each successive generation of plants the seed bore from the parent holds genes that mark its adaptation to climate, soil, color of flower, growth patterns and so much more. <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/03/grow-open-pollinated-op-plantsseed.html" target="_blank">Hybridization</a> of seed can potentially reduce this diversity but genetically modifying seed completely eliminates the chance for a plant to bear viable seed -thus the grower becomes reliant upon seed companies and not themselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">As <a href="http://www.navdanya.org/about-us/191-the-right-to-save-and-share-seeds-" target="_blank">Vandana Shiva</a> has illustrated to the world 'seeds are the ultimate symbol of food security'. When one grows (food) plants and takes the time to save that seed self reliance is born. Our goal with the Seed Swap is to encourage more people to grow their own food AND to collect the seeds from their favorite and healthiest plants and to share them with their neighbors and friends. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOFirFu2g_NoCZL7MJpHp40XMsZ-un6Yzsdp7B3R_OpJBgrg-Odl9dppxpewO5RRfzhOeIaFS9RIiTfz3U0z6IvHuypYcbQh2gdnUZvJxk1Hd6sCNRnLJRxcRxDnbv3FhMHFhCXN1h2A/s1600/lemon+cuke+%28146x134%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOFirFu2g_NoCZL7MJpHp40XMsZ-un6Yzsdp7B3R_OpJBgrg-Odl9dppxpewO5RRfzhOeIaFS9RIiTfz3U0z6IvHuypYcbQh2gdnUZvJxk1Hd6sCNRnLJRxcRxDnbv3FhMHFhCXN1h2A/s1600/lemon+cuke+%28146x134%29.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">We have the opportunity... or better stated we MUST protect seeds from biotechnology companies which seek to patent and take away our freedom to grow our own food and collect our own seed. It is not something to look upon </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">lightly </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">but something we must act upon each day. Vote with our dollars by buying local and organic food to feed ourselves and our families,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"> by starting your own garden with seed and plants from local/heirloom/organic companies </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">and by avoiding food which is not clearly labeled as <a href="http://www.labelgmos.org/" target="_blank">Non-GMO</a>. You can also help by eliminating mega-corporations from your daily consumer choices as they do not help our local economies but their own bottom line.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">There are many gardening and food security choices for us in Chico, California; from getting involved in local initiatives to growing and harvesting some of your own food. Visit our websites <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/resources.html" target="_blank">Resources</a> page for just a few of these organizations. And come to the Seed Swap next Sunday... it will be an enlightening event hopefully inspiring many to join in the local food movement.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For more information about the Seed Swap read the <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/chico/sharing-the-seeds-of-life/content?oid=1377019" target="_blank">First Annual Seed Swap</a> article from the Chico News and Review February 25, 2010. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-65829070887194169262012-01-01T15:25:00.000-08:002014-02-19T15:22:18.135-08:00Lego Sheet Mulch Example<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkPOijL8mHub0XVVJrD8s0s8tH5Hxn8-w8YOiE-Akz5k2u-nkKn5la7PDC_I59QaBTNUvU4Vmrg8vUNWjgCqXXwabtrTev1bCUrhC7OBYPzxk4kYnUToxZBz2m5-e64oARuN_sjEpxxQ/s1600/lego+sheet+mulch+example+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkPOijL8mHub0XVVJrD8s0s8tH5Hxn8-w8YOiE-Akz5k2u-nkKn5la7PDC_I59QaBTNUvU4Vmrg8vUNWjgCqXXwabtrTev1bCUrhC7OBYPzxk4kYnUToxZBz2m5-e64oARuN_sjEpxxQ/s320/lego+sheet+mulch+example+-c.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My Aunt asked me recently about a good weed free mulch for
topping her new sheet mulch bed -she doesn’t have a lot of on-site materials so
what could she use? As a parent always trying to engage my kids in permaculture
I posed this question to my 2 boys (ages 11 and 8 in 2012). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rather than answer me directly they were immediately inspired to create a sheet mulch
example out of Lego. I thought it was a
great visual demonstration of all the layers and I decided not to press for an answer. My question was far less interesting than
building this model and they got a load of information from doing it. Though, when finished, my eldest did tell me to make sure any mulch used was never
sprayed with chemicals!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Sheet mulch layers pictured above:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">First (and not shown in Lego) is the main soil profile. Next is the <b>grass</b> or some layer of weeds (no
need to mow this area unless they are really tall plants). If there are trees and shrubs or other large woody
plants you know you want planted into the sheet mulch area they should be
planted BEFORE the next few steps. Any
earthworks or elevation/grade changes in the terrain should also be performed prior
to sheet mulching (i.e. elevated pathways and rainwater harvesting
basins). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lastly before sheet mulching you’ll want to flag any
irrigation system components you’ll want to use after the bed is finished. It’s a major problem to learn later you’ve
been watering under the cardboard unnecessarily or that you can’t get to system
without digging up everything! In the
picture below you’ll also notice that 6” or so away from the concrete patio the
grass has been removed. This minimizes the grasses ability to grow out from
under the cardboard.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVAabq96la7xy5Q-AxHfTQDtOpNjIxVl9892GTQsh2qjTGfPbNLEJsva0O5tn1Yqni18Htn8sRtQoaeyxg-z5L4QlzXvNCIAgp-aZNjh-L8otYNNb8YkT4omVmWB1qi9Bzph1NuQO96s/s1600/SM+Feb2009+flagged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVAabq96la7xy5Q-AxHfTQDtOpNjIxVl9892GTQsh2qjTGfPbNLEJsva0O5tn1Yqni18Htn8sRtQoaeyxg-z5L4QlzXvNCIAgp-aZNjh-L8otYNNb8YkT4omVmWB1qi9Bzph1NuQO96s/s320/SM+Feb2009+flagged.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flag any irrigation lines for future reference.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The first actual layer we apply in sheet mulching (and key
for weed suppression) are potentially <b>seedy manures and fresh compost</b> (kitchen scraps are good) which
activate decomposition but never really see the light of day. After placing down anything that may present
a weed issue lay down the <b>cardboard</b>; overlapping the pieces by 4”-8”, at least,
to keep out running weeds like Bermuda grass.
A good thick layer is best for areas with pervasive weeds, up to 4”
thick if necessary. We were once told by
a colleague of how she was able to remove Himalayan blackberry with very thick
layers of cardboard and persistence of reapplication over a year or so. She tells me the blackberry is a thing of
past today –that’s how effective sheet mulching is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After the cardboard is laid out water it thoroughly! Watering promotes decomposition which is the
driving force of sheet mulching. Next
apply liberally humus rich <b>compost and/or soil</b>.
Depending on the goal for the new bed native soil can be added in place of
or in addition to compost. After the
compost/soil is spread out apply the <b>mulch</b> of your choice. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDBnC-WKBnawaZHPCtCy46xC5Mjnan_Rtpx4fJ3gOJSMLu3WKpSusRi5JZrhnbdUBnTwhMqJPYgx4n-9KmogJ4GiSmo0FTW8_q1WycnVNjnxCtQGcHPYhEjZPyVPsWvuGiOXXeWwms0s/s1600/straw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDBnC-WKBnawaZHPCtCy46xC5Mjnan_Rtpx4fJ3gOJSMLu3WKpSusRi5JZrhnbdUBnTwhMqJPYgx4n-9KmogJ4GiSmo0FTW8_q1WycnVNjnxCtQGcHPYhEjZPyVPsWvuGiOXXeWwms0s/s320/straw.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Straw is great mulch for annual vegetable gardens.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you're going with a perennial bed then the woodier the
mulch the better (perennials prefer fungally dominant soil) so any trees/shrubs
in your yard can be pruned and shredded for mulch. If it's an annual bed then
straw mulch (not hay, it’s really seedy) works well mixed with alfalfa (alfalfa
promotes beneficial protozoa in the soil –diverse soil microbes is key to
healthy soil). If you need to get mulch from off-site you can try to track down
local tree trimmers and see if they’ll drop some arbor mulch at your house -but
the tree seed factor would need to be evaluated (i.e Privet is great mulch but
can be filled with seeds that germinate readily).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once you have everything layered up you can plant small
<b>plants and seeds</b>. Just uncover the area
for the plant, down to the cardboard if necessary making an X in the cardboard
to let the roots penetrate easier, place the plant in and back-fill. For seeds
just dig them into the soil/compost to the depth they prefer, cover back up and
water everything in well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sheet mulching in the Fall or Winter is the best time for
free moisture which helps decomposition. We’ve done sheet mulch projects where
the cardboard is gone in just 6 months with adequate moisture vs. 2 years in
very dry areas of the yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>IMPORTANT TIP:</b> Always remove the tape and/or staples from the
cardboard before using it. It’s quite bothersome to garden with bits of tape
surfacing all the time and no fun for those of us who like garden with bare hands to get a staple cut.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51RgBU17Gg9VMh8QlSrB5aZD8hYSuJeMdu0Dfz3rioIBWzBVKMX8hLjToJQGBR98sj1X6L3YleIFZxHllmvu7KRrkQR_dtP1jr8TlNH2blm9LykGSdNyOnPHUiMaFygpBMBS6cSVzAwY/s1600/spiral+garden+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51RgBU17Gg9VMh8QlSrB5aZD8hYSuJeMdu0Dfz3rioIBWzBVKMX8hLjToJQGBR98sj1X6L3YleIFZxHllmvu7KRrkQR_dtP1jr8TlNH2blm9LykGSdNyOnPHUiMaFygpBMBS6cSVzAwY/s320/spiral+garden+2009.jpg" height="299" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sheet mulched garden 1 year after.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> As to my Aunt’s question of a good weed free mulch? I would first try to find as much
mulch as I could within my own yard to shred up. Things you normally would think of using can be perfect mulch. Weed trees that need to be removed (without seeds), shrubs that are too tall or wide, trees that need to be thinned all can be easily obtainable mulch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you don’t have a shredder
renting or borrowing one is a possibility. I’m fond of neighborhood tool shares
too; where neighbors go in on needed equipment then share them around. You can see if neighbors have extra mulch to share or track down local tree trimmers. Last to choose from are local landscape centers that
sell mulch in bulk (from forests in the area if you're lucky) -but then there’s the delivery and gasoline to factor in for transport. On-site mulch is far better in my opinion but if there's not enough mulch on your site now? You can always plant more for tomorrow! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can view more of our Sheet Mulch projects on our Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.137441566321726.31062.137440112988538&type=3" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Feel free to comment below or contact us with questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-84136495225028040342011-11-30T12:40:00.001-08:002014-04-08T15:09:45.119-07:00Companion Planting Information and Chart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>C<span style="font-size: x-small;">ompanion planting at it's best -corn, climbing beans and squash form the ancient <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Three Sisters Guild</a></span></i></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We recently received an e-mail from a
gentleman in China looking for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>"what plants you may have in
your garden that you can transplant next to your Rose or your Apple tree to see
how they nurture each other over time"</i></b></span></blockquote>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I thought I would post our own <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2009/09/companion-planting-plant-guilds-and-who.html" target="_blank">updated list</a> of
companion plants for him and anyone else interested. While I would love to say
this plant or that plant are "best" I feel I must remind folks to
keep in mind your climate, soil and many, many other factors that determine how
well these plants cooperate together. Trial and error is the best choice
to begin companion planting but the chart below should lead you in the right
direction...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What is Companion
Planting?</b> A gardening method
which makes use of the synergistic properties found in Nature: cooperation <u>between
plants</u> to achieve optimum health and viability.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-weight: normal;">P = perennial plant in
our Mediterranean climate</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Vegetable/Herb</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Likes</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(217, 224, 202); padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Dislikes</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Anise</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coriander</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Basil, rue</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Asparagus -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomato, parsley, basil</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Basil</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomato, sweet peppers</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Rue, anise</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beets, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, corn, cucumber,
marigolds, potatoes, strawberry, summer savory</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onion, garlic, gladiolus, fennel</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beets</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onion, kohlrabi, bush beans, lettuce, cabbage family</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pole beans, mustards</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Borage</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Strawberry, fruit trees</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cabbage Family (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, collards, cabbages
etc.)</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Aromatic herbs, hyssop, thyme, wormwood, potatoes, celery,
dill, chamomile, beets, onion, sage, peppermint, rosemary, oregano</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Strawberry, tomato, beans, mustards, pole beans</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Calendula -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Garden tonic, nutrient accumulator, chard, radish, carrots,
tomatoes, thyme, parsley</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carrots</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas, lettuce, chives, onions, leeks, rosemary, sage, tomato,
wormwood, parsley</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Dill</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Celeriac</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Scarlet runner beans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Celery</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Leek, tomato, bush beans, cauliflower, cabbage</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chard</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Roots crops, lettuce, radish, celery, mint</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chayote (<i>Sechium edule</i>)</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cucumbers, Pumpkin, peppers, squash, corn</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">celery, mint, or snap beans</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chives -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carrots, apple orchards</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas, beans</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Collards</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomatoes</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Comfrey -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nutrient accumulator/mulch</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coriander/Cilantro</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Anise, carrots, radish, chard</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fennel</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Corn</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato, peas, beans, cucumbers, pumpkin, squash, melons,
marigolds, sunflowers, sunchokes</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cucumbers</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beans, corn, peas, radish, sunflowers, okra</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato, aromatic herbs</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Eggplant</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beans, okra</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fennel</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Most annuals DO NOT like it</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coriander, wormwood</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Garlic</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Drip line of fruit trees, roses, tomatoes</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas and beans</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Horseradish -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fruit trees, potatoes</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes) -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Corn</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lavender -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Broccoli and cabbage family</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Leek</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onions, celery, carrots</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lettuce</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carrots, radish, strawberry, cucumber</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Celery, cabbage, cress, parsley</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Melon</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Corn, sunflowers, morning glory, okra</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potatoes</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mint -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cabbage, tomatoes, nettles</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chamomile</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nettle</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Increases oil content of most herbs</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Okra</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Melons, cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplant</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onion and garlic</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beets, strawberry, tomato, lettuce, summer savory, chamomile,
roses</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas, beans</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Parsley</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomato, asparagus, roses, carrots</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carrots, turnips, radish, cucumber, corn, beans, potatoes,
aromatic herbs</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onions, garlic, gladiolus</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peppers –sweet</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Basil, okra</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beans, corn, cabbage, horseradish, marigold, eggplant</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pumpkin, squash, cucumber, sunflower, tomato, raspberry</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pumpkin</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Datura</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">,
corn, pole beans,</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Radish</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas, nasturtium, lettuce, cucumber, beets, spinach, carrots,
squash, melons, tomatoes, beans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato, hyssop</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Rhubarb -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Columbines</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Rue -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Roses, raspberries, fig trees</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Basil</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sage -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Rosemary, cabbages, carrots,</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cucumbers</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Savory –both -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Onions, beans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cucumbers</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Spinach</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Strawberries, other greens</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Squash</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nasturtium, corn, clover</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Strawberries -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beans, spinach, borage, lettuce</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cabbage</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sunflower</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cucumber</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potato</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sweet potato</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">White Hellebore</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomato</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chives, onion, parsley, asparagus, marigold, nasturtium,
carrot, garlic, roses, bee balm</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Kohlrabi, potato, fennel, cabbage,
corn</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Turnip</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peas, vetch</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Valerian -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Calendula, echinacea</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sweet woodruff -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Orchards</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Watermelon</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Potatoes mulched with straw*</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">*generally melons do not like potatoes</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 37.24%;" valign="top" width="37%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fruit trees -P</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 32.28%;" valign="top" width="32%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chives, garlic, carrots, bulbs, borage, strawberries, nasturtiums,
comfrey, plantain, columbine, daylilies</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 5.25pt; width: 29.52%;" valign="top" width="29%"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bare soil</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #666666;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Above is a basic chart of
companion plants; I’m sure there is a more expansive list out there. This is simply a chart of plants we’ve been
successful growing together -or not- over the years. The plants are listed by the plants they
like, the ones they don’t and also if they are a perennial (otherwise they are
an annual or biannual in this Mediterranean climate). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkLZ5wznojrphAv6iH1Wn7IRYM_Phofn0Yk_QhUs0XuXVROxN8OUokLOKgP6AzrnXybwdm42glMDDCS4WLUhV1O7iIorgbhNbZV3yFis8PVVqXg0Ywko4kjGtgyNkmUKvrP-0chPCa-I/s1600/borage+offspring+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkLZ5wznojrphAv6iH1Wn7IRYM_Phofn0Yk_QhUs0XuXVROxN8OUokLOKgP6AzrnXybwdm42glMDDCS4WLUhV1O7iIorgbhNbZV3yFis8PVVqXg0Ywko4kjGtgyNkmUKvrP-0chPCa-I/s320/borage+offspring+2011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lavender, Borage, Plantain and Apple mint surround and nurture this <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/05/volunteer-plants-in-feijoa-arbor-guild.html" target="_blank">Feijoa tree</a></span></i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m also working on a
Plant Guild Matrix or species matrix chart which details various plants, their
unique characteristics as well as their specific use and ecological function. This type of chart easily organizes the mind
when designing a plant guild and forest garden–which is a different way of thinking
about species cooperation as compared to companion planting. <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/06/pear-tree-guild.html" target="_blank">Plant guilds</a> are composed of a central
species -like an Apple tree- surrounded by nurturing plant species and
occasional animal disturbance. In
essence companion planting is one aspect to consider when designing a plant
guild…</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’ll post a follow up
article '</span></span><a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/11/beyond-companion-planting-guild.html" target="_blank">BEYOND COMPANION PLANTING –‘Guild Building’ a Forest Garden</a>' <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">soon.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Companion Planting resources:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Stephanie & Brian
Ladwig-Cooper (dba. Gaia Creations) experiences and trials for over 20 years </span></li>
<li><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion
Planting for Successful Gardening</span></u></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
Louise Riotte 1975 Revised Edition 1998 Storey Communications, Inc. ISBN: 1-58017-027-7 </span></li>
<li><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Big Book of Gardening Skills </span></u></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by the Editors of Garden Way Publishing 1993 Storey
Communications, Inc. ISBN: 0-88266-796-3 </span></li>
<li><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Edible Forest Gardens Volume 1 and 2 Ecological
Design and Practice for Temperate-Climate Permaculture</span></u></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> by David Jacke and Eric Toensmeier 2005 Chelsea
Green Publishing Company ISBN: 1-931498-80-6</span><span style="color: #336699; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-53088782148709658332011-11-28T16:29:00.001-08:002011-11-30T12:09:07.682-08:00THINK GLOBAL - SHOP LOCAL Give the Gift of a Garden<div style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">
<span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">How many times have your family and friends said to you, </span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">
<span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">“</span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b><i>If only I had more time to spend in the garden!</i>”</b></span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b> </b></span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">or</span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">
<span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>“<i>I wish I knew more about growing fruit trees.</i>”</b></span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b> </b></span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">or even</span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">
<span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>“<i>It would be great to have an expert over to consult with me about my gardens.</i>”</b></span><span class="size14 Georgia14" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">?</span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">
<span class="size10 Georgia10" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">If your answer was "<i>A LOT!</i>" then </span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>give the gift of a garden</b></span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">
or garden advice to your friends and family. Simply contact us today at
530-828-6390 and we’ll set you up with a beautiful gift certificate
that can either be directly mailed to the garden loving people in your
life or we can meet in person to discuss details. </span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>You’ll be supporting an 11 year old Chico business while caring for the planet at the same time! </b></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEpDDtDs8BbKb3ed3oSJsMs5UbYsboRByOfxKPlST0C9yD7J8qKH5dQFKNgCVTEIZseIADJ9CyPHUxR_8LWFwHTIFhzuMkHgr_YXbncPxOgguLGVg6slSDh46tmnnlX_XdszNVD30uxU/s1600/Community+Gift+Certificates+-example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEpDDtDs8BbKb3ed3oSJsMs5UbYsboRByOfxKPlST0C9yD7J8qKH5dQFKNgCVTEIZseIADJ9CyPHUxR_8LWFwHTIFhzuMkHgr_YXbncPxOgguLGVg6slSDh46tmnnlX_XdszNVD30uxU/s400/Community+Gift+Certificates+-example.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift Certificate Example</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #666666;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>You
can choose from one of the gift options below, contact us for custom
certificates or simply set a dollar amount you wish to give:</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"> </span></div>
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<ul class="lpx">
<li class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>4 Hour Permaculture Design Consultation</b></span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">: ($150.00)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div align="left" style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">Includes:
Target area quick sketch, ideas and planning tips, how to drought proof
your property, edible forest gardening with animals and other
Permaculture strategies.</span></div>
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<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul class="lpx">
<li class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>Rainwater Harvesting System Design</b></span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">: ($ X off amount of system design)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div align="left" style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">Includes:
Initial consultation to discuss design options, system design with
scaled measurements and (if necessary) modifications to existing
collection area (e.g. roof gutters or downspouts), design of storage
system and/or passive conveyance to garden via infiltration trenches and
basins, cost for implementation and system management guidelines.</span></div>
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<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<li class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"><b>Custom Options:</b></span><span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;"> ($ X off amount of visit)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #666666;">
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">CAN
include topics such as: Siting of roads and home-sites; Energy, water
and nutrient cycling; Edible and medicinal landscapes; Water harvesting
earthworks and ponds; Pool to pond conversions (fish and/or swimming
ponds); Aquaculture and aquaponics; Forest gardening and staging
succession; Mushroom cultivation, Creating garden calendars, Ensuring
abundant harvests, Root cellars, food storage and more!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="size12 Georgia12" style="font-family: Georgia,Times,serif;">Contact us today at 530-828-6390 for Holiday Gift Certificates. Please try to order by December 15th to ensure delivery in time for the Holidays. Check out our <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/GiftCertificate.html">website</a> for more information about our services and what we can do to help your loved ones and their gardens. <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/">www.gaiacreationsecoland.com</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-18717098585727838472011-10-25T16:01:00.000-07:002011-11-06T08:11:27.937-08:00Urban Permaculture Project -2 years in progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPL5YwyBw3s3e0yBzE9lvyzzv__vkrvVDByOWHCR76NCroM8odZjTrI2Tf2OsihP4qzyRSUbEvTL5zhDu1sGp_0HOuEeqayFWMVvFW_a5kmr1PRyeETrDcxMEexvUj5NZLUpuN3poz4o/s1600/dragonfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPL5YwyBw3s3e0yBzE9lvyzzv__vkrvVDByOWHCR76NCroM8odZjTrI2Tf2OsihP4qzyRSUbEvTL5zhDu1sGp_0HOuEeqayFWMVvFW_a5kmr1PRyeETrDcxMEexvUj5NZLUpuN3poz4o/s320/dragonfly.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My husband and I have been actively working on an urban 2/3 acre permaculture project for 2 years this month. We began the design and subsequent installation at a residence in October of 2009 and it continues in multiple phases today. As we complete the<b> swimming pool to aquaculture pond conversion</b> and reflect upon our progress thus far we would like to share our experiences -the trials, corrections and successes made along the way and to basically let more people know about this Mediterranean climate permaculture project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One thing to note about our ability to share this project: <i>we will not be able to give tours to the local public.</i> Respecting our Clients wish for privacy is very important to us so we will not be naming our Clients or where it is located. We could look at this as an unfortunate situation, having restrictions placed on the sharing of resources and information (especially when when we feel a project is important to local food security). Instead we chose to turn a potential problem into a solution... we will write photo essays of the project and post them online so the global community can share in this information. So, with our fair share in mind I've been very busy getting all of our photos and notes together... </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0vEIMNjUFxIeurgdugMzVyT4QGLYBZtPd7i-6d8Li2dlEuLDrV00dT-8DXda9d9Bw-uc1B154oiOGZw11ggAwoD8YwSgZtyzi33VLjvHZJ89cu1K4G5XkWWPeuVyECWiqlHCh2vaNo0/s1600/Connecting+Elements+Mind+Map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0vEIMNjUFxIeurgdugMzVyT4QGLYBZtPd7i-6d8Li2dlEuLDrV00dT-8DXda9d9Bw-uc1B154oiOGZw11ggAwoD8YwSgZtyzi33VLjvHZJ89cu1K4G5XkWWPeuVyECWiqlHCh2vaNo0/s320/Connecting+Elements+Mind+Map.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mind map showing the connections between project elements/systems.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Below is a short list of what the project entails (including the mind map above), a tiny synopsis of what we've done so far as well as a few photos of the pool to pond conversion. More posts will be coming soon and please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments! This is an incredible project to work on and we'd love to connect with more people about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Project completion will include an integration of the following
elements and systems:</b></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>conversion of ~22,000 gallon swimming pool to aquaculture pond</b> (pond receives 2x filtered </span><span style="font-size: small;">rooftop rainwater </span><span style="font-size: small;">-large first flush device and 55 gallon sand filter- roof and pond water has been tested repeatedly, </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">importantly heavy metals were found to be </span><span style="font-size: small;">non-detectable</span><span style="font-size: small;">; seasonal pond overflow moves passively into rainwater mulch basin in one area of forest garden) <i>-rooftop sand filter, biofilter and pond
completed 10-2011, stocking in progress</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>extensive rooftop
rainwater harvesting</b> (passive collection from all downspouts to infiltration trenches and basins located throughout the property for storage in soil) <i>-evolving, new gutters and first flush device installed 2011</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>raised pathways
throughout</b> (rainwater allowed to flow from slightly elevated pathways to sunken garden
beds) <i>-mostly finished</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>extensive forest
gardens</b> (canopy, subcanopy and subsequent edible layers planted
in staged succession) <i>-in progress</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>coppice gardens</b>
(onsite harvesting of wood product for multiple use) <i>-in progress</i></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>chicken pasture</b>
(rotation schedule -potential for duck integration) <i>-in progress</i></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>greenhouse/aquaponic
system</b> (designed, built and maintained by property owner -rooftop
rainwater from structure collected into existing RHS) <i> -evolving at owner's pace</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>outdoor solar station</b>
(pond pump, greenhouse aquaponic system, other outdoor needs) <i>-begin
building 2011</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A <i>Permaculture Property Guidebook</i> is being compiled for our Clients so they have detailed records of what
has been completed and how as well as what to expect in the future -including budget
history and projections. The <i>Guidebook</i> also contains concept maps,
final designs and overlays and (the vital component) <u>comprehensive management plans</u> for forest
garden succession, rainwater harvesting systems, pond and biofilters, chicken
pasturing, crop harvesting, insectary calendars and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We began the project </span><span style="font-size: small;">with our Clients </span><span style="font-size: small;">in 2009 by setting goals during many design meetings. It is their first desire to ensure a sustainable source of irrigation water for their property should municipal water sources ever become a problem. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Growing diverse crops and ensuring a surplus for family, neighbors, friends and community</span><span style="font-size: small;"> is also very important to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Utilizing <b>W</b>ater, <b>A</b>ccess, <b>S</b>tructures as our guide for the design process we began by designing extensive water harvest systems and raised pathways which weave throughout the entire property. We then installed the complete rooftop rainwater harvesting
system and integrated the system with the overall forest garden design. We
also planted ~25 canopy and sub canopy fruit and nut trees </span><span style="font-size: small;">for the forest garden</span> <span style="font-size: small;">and began </span><span style="font-size: small;">planting </span><span style="font-size: small;">the first succession of initial plant species (to help out-compete the existing legacy of 'weeds')</span><span style="font-size: small;">. Later in 2010 we branched off to convert the unused swimming pool into a habitat,
plant and fish producing pond system. The conversion of the pool took over one year to complete and now, today, we are back to working with forest garden succession and solar station design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">FYI: My husband has performed 90% of the manual labor for this project himself, about 3 days a week -off and on- as he worked other landscaping jobs. He was meticulous to video and photograph every stage of the pool to pond conversion and we now have over 500 images to sort through for this phase of the project alone. Picking and choosing which images to publish is going to pose a real challenge but we hope you'll enjoy the ones we chose to begin this ongoing project article...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>POOL to POND CONVERSION -a sample of photos</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIN-anOQrckfmOKm9mAXndZu_LE85aAipdsBJ_I3EGLFOm-UPuVIZdvntUpdBmSNyrI5YyFenfgzNyogI14FUYy5GtQ5yzXYU_-_hkuEshvFJmnZXHlRNO9bDm29pazly1XDoEH8OaE8/s1600/BEFORE+Biofilter+8-24-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIN-anOQrckfmOKm9mAXndZu_LE85aAipdsBJ_I3EGLFOm-UPuVIZdvntUpdBmSNyrI5YyFenfgzNyogI14FUYy5GtQ5yzXYU_-_hkuEshvFJmnZXHlRNO9bDm29pazly1XDoEH8OaE8/s320/BEFORE+Biofilter+8-24-2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Unused and unchlorinated swimming pool before pond conversion 2009 showing 55 gallon drum 'filtering' 300 gallons per day. The pool had been refilled regularly with freshwater for years as well as stocked with a few catfish.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyEiBA_8_3vDL7UnXCtio_sj2wh-vmzlno95XeqZPy11IS8nd-HGD4JAUpKGt4DvByWaYkhQzTtv_3YxxVZpnN8gtCVBCcGzb5DFoIketEtTXvAPfYqs7joS3GefJ0jdHjYpxpj8cgP8/s1600/biofilter+july+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyEiBA_8_3vDL7UnXCtio_sj2wh-vmzlno95XeqZPy11IS8nd-HGD4JAUpKGt4DvByWaYkhQzTtv_3YxxVZpnN8gtCVBCcGzb5DFoIketEtTXvAPfYqs7joS3GefJ0jdHjYpxpj8cgP8/s320/biofilter+july+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Pond after Biofilter installation 2011 with tomatoes and juncus growing in the first chamber.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yICI47qPIWG1rSbMyFngJlfp1BpgV4ERpHmXdH1LLYXdSHsIa6fA6ZLy_m0K5BA6S1EU4sOVaVblkrLcvH4M7bCGzIOmRL32fenUVQEf-ry5gEIQGjByvY7yMSE6om_EEoJfSaIh9dY/s1600/Biofilter+10-7-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yICI47qPIWG1rSbMyFngJlfp1BpgV4ERpHmXdH1LLYXdSHsIa6fA6ZLy_m0K5BA6S1EU4sOVaVblkrLcvH4M7bCGzIOmRL32fenUVQEf-ry5gEIQGjByvY7yMSE6om_EEoJfSaIh9dY/s320/Biofilter+10-7-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Biofilter 9-2011 (tomatoes harvested and removed) filtering over 5000 gallons per day. There are 3 chambers water fills until the weir, slightly angled toward the pond, allows the filtered water to fall about 3 feet into the pond -aiding the oxygenation of the water.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKstuyiZhKF44ZvgupNgm_qb9OZm_czGJVp8Fod5XH1miSr1e4EGp2OulSQUsKN64xiGriz5cxkD8FJZ3qUblIEM2JjfgCDV4Zrw0W-7O_0gqk8OX3yRrXqDHvYYvHjhmLr6tRO65Oyo/s1600/cropped+pond+9-20-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKstuyiZhKF44ZvgupNgm_qb9OZm_czGJVp8Fod5XH1miSr1e4EGp2OulSQUsKN64xiGriz5cxkD8FJZ3qUblIEM2JjfgCDV4Zrw0W-7O_0gqk8OX3yRrXqDHvYYvHjhmLr6tRO65Oyo/s320/cropped+pond+9-20-2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZtlaESN0f644BgWkCOFpyZNoyXQwAhQKYrmwGN9KTA-JKu3k8z_5wdKzae6xJjHrM6HKyh8XtbZSU7c2yMrDklprTSKivQ8ffMx1m49P-aKztqAje5R73fuhgFtvoXoWYHVU6VMn2JM/s1600/b+and+pond+9-20-2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">The pond system 9-2011. Algae still presents a maintenance chore at this point but as the system evolves it will soon be a thing of the past.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_JVFCuyAm4Rf68O8NK9S6XziMYUE7JbHMqsl5_HTzgB3e-G3rhwlIVVqvLQEU-XAdCVJlRmk9ZdMUTK1QRBu9ZzRdPMzw_dtWsV9JrI3epIGX-ex3fNEc78BKCnjNGNId6rIYJmh8Xg/s1600/steps+before+_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_JVFCuyAm4Rf68O8NK9S6XziMYUE7JbHMqsl5_HTzgB3e-G3rhwlIVVqvLQEU-XAdCVJlRmk9ZdMUTK1QRBu9ZzRdPMzw_dtWsV9JrI3epIGX-ex3fNEc78BKCnjNGNId6rIYJmh8Xg/s320/steps+before+_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> Steps during the conversion process...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqgLND2BR2Fsbt68vAlSne2BAYRL8UJIYsB3PjV5rm-frC6nmZjRrtX13Y7wi4-eBz8fcdN3y-r-DgdCbiG2Ug4-tICL9-c4zKgpE-BMdWDh34_fGGZ5xnT9pvJY3cUU_eWFdFm69A10/s1600/pond+stairs+7-19-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqgLND2BR2Fsbt68vAlSne2BAYRL8UJIYsB3PjV5rm-frC6nmZjRrtX13Y7wi4-eBz8fcdN3y-r-DgdCbiG2Ug4-tICL9-c4zKgpE-BMdWDh34_fGGZ5xnT9pvJY3cUU_eWFdFm69A10/s320/pond+stairs+7-19-11.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Steps after...the steps create a diverse habitat for floating, marginal and bog plant species. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMenU4nBKOBDZCC1MWpvWRITKudcDIbJ4gaHKN95d6W6SM55S8KF_ddWgUhaep9WgXrrUv3R62GPMie8SQR2DEnII1dasCLEpaj2pNPRNy3OSP81wrOQfQnp_uRu6qpXetWMuk4vrBIM/s1600/swim+step+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMenU4nBKOBDZCC1MWpvWRITKudcDIbJ4gaHKN95d6W6SM55S8KF_ddWgUhaep9WgXrrUv3R62GPMie8SQR2DEnII1dasCLEpaj2pNPRNy3OSP81wrOQfQnp_uRu6qpXetWMuk4vrBIM/s320/swim+step+before.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Swim step before... </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9HM0_tZNuAumcLY7vXzbIZQXO7X9nH-gBTfWL0fZupabxyrQsDQ8_xzWxUpIXPmnHpOv1l3wNfUmwidvlz9xPBu70bntwkAT5RRxct6lk02RRymRjsRhL9y9DVVT-poAWdo-iiCxc5k/s1600/swim+step+9-28-2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9HM0_tZNuAumcLY7vXzbIZQXO7X9nH-gBTfWL0fZupabxyrQsDQ8_xzWxUpIXPmnHpOv1l3wNfUmwidvlz9xPBu70bntwkAT5RRxct6lk02RRymRjsRhL9y9DVVT-poAWdo-iiCxc5k/s320/swim+step+9-28-2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Swim step after... habitat for floating, marginal and bog plant species here too. Note the water lily floating nearby; the roots are at the very bottom here which is well over 10 feet deep.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wVHZawQbxjas1PnbE2b8vDcvpeazEmOJKPv1syIKdhGs9yFp580kNfuqOZe6ScAScXlgl9RV45ZSvdMSUsVtg1iWAFSnqHYgpxIdsyMvrYvCK5-Wiw6mdm-uf6XSDimucsPRcOwGf60/s1600/eco-infastructure+IN+PROCESS+5-5-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wVHZawQbxjas1PnbE2b8vDcvpeazEmOJKPv1syIKdhGs9yFp580kNfuqOZe6ScAScXlgl9RV45ZSvdMSUsVtg1iWAFSnqHYgpxIdsyMvrYvCK5-Wiw6mdm-uf6XSDimucsPRcOwGf60/s320/eco-infastructure+IN+PROCESS+5-5-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Pond eco-infrastructure -creating as much edge for habitat as possible. The more edge that is created <u>in</u> the water and surrounding the pond the more diverse the system will become. The amount and size of available edge effects the overall sustainability of the pond too -particularly a swimming pool conversion as most pools intentionally lack surface area for living things to grow upon!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydoTrJMY2G8vkVpZFbkA933TJoEFCcNqAQWy3ZTXYabdZ5iZo2Wni2mXaLn9GoeF4z5ETdXGZGxoNO6Y88jc4DedR5GODWDu0V-hcYubZW7pBRVwsCGJv-PBHi1Se64mx8_uVaITrM-4/s1600/eco-infastructure+AFTER+9-20-2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydoTrJMY2G8vkVpZFbkA933TJoEFCcNqAQWy3ZTXYabdZ5iZo2Wni2mXaLn9GoeF4z5ETdXGZGxoNO6Y88jc4DedR5GODWDu0V-hcYubZW7pBRVwsCGJv-PBHi1Se64mx8_uVaITrM-4/s320/eco-infastructure+AFTER+9-20-2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">September 2011 pond water is clear; animals and plants all seem quite happy.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PC0IFPV4cunFmeCso_5iD-BdwbX3nvZm3yGimqr04ftxsNLEBF-CDoqk1eRk-GvjnNNVJwb2jrER_HTfswNtnHAI0fU8p5YyFlebJHFWaWcw9OE76mPmBhocyPjnZ3gwlKWBmMTH05Y/s1600/catfish+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PC0IFPV4cunFmeCso_5iD-BdwbX3nvZm3yGimqr04ftxsNLEBF-CDoqk1eRk-GvjnNNVJwb2jrER_HTfswNtnHAI0fU8p5YyFlebJHFWaWcw9OE76mPmBhocyPjnZ3gwlKWBmMTH05Y/s320/catfish+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">2 adult catfish swimming among the submerged </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Anacharis</span><i><span style="font-size: small;">. The catfish were removed while the pool was emptied and the eco-infastructure built. At this point there are only catfish and mosquito fish living in the pond -and all are breeding very well! Forage fish will be stocked soon building up to add predator fish next year. Small, slow solutions...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv4VZ3950_TE-LYywfzPGSk1ZFkMpLoCMDeHs8JJ1Dcc9EEktkJyxQtGVmBNBrshblelCZYwooNKt0sXJWBgx_J8A7FX-Y4D2jvXRkYRWStAa2XjONaiDEGnEfVU42R87S2PCpDL4R7I/s1600/catfish+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv4VZ3950_TE-LYywfzPGSk1ZFkMpLoCMDeHs8JJ1Dcc9EEktkJyxQtGVmBNBrshblelCZYwooNKt0sXJWBgx_J8A7FX-Y4D2jvXRkYRWStAa2XjONaiDEGnEfVU42R87S2PCpDL4R7I/s320/catfish+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Catfish feeding off </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Anacharis</span><i><span style="font-size: small;">. Besides the submerged plant, </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">Anacharis, <i>there are floating plants like water lilies of various flower color</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>, yellow flowering water fringe</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> and parrots feather. Marginal and bog plants are planted in the shallow steps -</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>juncus, horsetail and pickeral rush to start. Many more plants (edibles like water chestnuts) will be planted in and along side the pond overtime.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroPs-jPMDYQbx68QAlGpks0j3UxeAyFhoVxIjwyj6HubyFEPbQvyt97ZmB2bP_81511S8112CI63HFDXUBGmPcXK4InFBc38QWOE1b-WgqlaabSO4pZPhnqS63nAoerB6wEaFRbEyEvg/s1600/water+lilies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroPs-jPMDYQbx68QAlGpks0j3UxeAyFhoVxIjwyj6HubyFEPbQvyt97ZmB2bP_81511S8112CI63HFDXUBGmPcXK4InFBc38QWOE1b-WgqlaabSO4pZPhnqS63nAoerB6wEaFRbEyEvg/s320/water+lilies.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> Yellow, pink and white water lilies.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_div4u4R-2J0TUj2EI2tCHBPUpHCXeu7izMmudfUg5xiFXOhXB653o46AnY0gkpYOndy94YMe54-mXMRNxNgIBJbHbqOXF4xTNyDukAM788G9Mz5mpDtrC132tcnxR1PI34_B8V6uni8/s1600/water+lilies+after+Hail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_div4u4R-2J0TUj2EI2tCHBPUpHCXeu7izMmudfUg5xiFXOhXB653o46AnY0gkpYOndy94YMe54-mXMRNxNgIBJbHbqOXF4xTNyDukAM788G9Mz5mpDtrC132tcnxR1PI34_B8V6uni8/s320/water+lilies+after+Hail.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> Just for fun: water lilies after a quarter sized hail storm.</span></i><br />
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-31317837133416052282011-08-15T10:00:00.000-07:002011-08-25T09:42:00.031-07:00Permaculture Student Intern turned Assistant and Upcoming PDC with Robyn Francis and Cathe’ Fish<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U75OoviWfnBXhkHRjHbymzl3zdNLGoicTEHOX5Qb57GjuM06bgWU8JSrdNnWSn73BDNdGgaA3VQMUhYYC7T5e5QyrJ_7h0RyrMvQNz_XNd2xBTAdpHeLANd6qWfbebmvoCLzr8dCRxc/s1600/Fall+2011+PDC+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U75OoviWfnBXhkHRjHbymzl3zdNLGoicTEHOX5Qb57GjuM06bgWU8JSrdNnWSn73BDNdGgaA3VQMUhYYC7T5e5QyrJ_7h0RyrMvQNz_XNd2xBTAdpHeLANd6qWfbebmvoCLzr8dCRxc/s200/Fall+2011+PDC+poster.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Poster I created for the PDC</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div>I've been marketing an upcoming Permaculture Design Course (PDC) for my own PDC instructor and mentor Cathe' Fish. Cathe' and world renown permaculture educator, Robyn Francis of Australia, will be co-teaching a 13 day PDC intensive this October. (Seriously, someone pinch me!)<br />
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Cathe' and I have been utilizing an internship/work-trade system since we met 2008 and it's been an incredible experience learning from someone as dynamic and experienced as Cathe'. I highly recommend permaculture students find a way to study under an accomplished permaculture designer for a few years after taking their PDC; the knowledge, hands on experience and self-confidence one gains from working with an experienced permaculturist is priceless.<br />
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Cathe' told me I'm her colleague now -no longer her intern but seasonal marketing director- in charge of designing posters, web-event pages and helping her market her courses. It was a bit of an awakening to be told I couldn't intern anymore... she said "You know plenty enough to teach so go DO IT!". So I'm going to! And at the same time I'll be running our permaculture design/installation business and raising 2 rambunctious boys with my husband. As I develop curriculum for the series of permaculture workshops my husband and I are going to teach at our new home this next year I've come to the conclusion that I may need an intern now myself...<br />
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See below for the latest information I've sent out about the upcoming PDC course with Robyn Francis and Cathe' Fish in Penn Valley, Ca this Fall. It's going to be fantastic!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i>To All Permaculture Enthusiasts:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i>Experienced permaculture instructors <b>Robyn Francis</b>, of Australia, and <b>Cathe’ Fish</b>, of Northern California, will co-teach an exciting Permaculture Design Certification course this <b>October 26 through November 8, 2011</b>. We are incredibly fortunate to have world renowned permaculture designer and educator Robyn Francis come from New South Wales, Australia to <b>Allsgood Farm in Penn Valley, California</b> to co-teach this course. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i><b>Robyn Francis</b> is an award winning permaculture designer and educator who founded Australia's premier </i><i>Permaculture Education Centre, Djanbung Gardens</i><i> (see www.permaculture.com.au). She has taught over 100 PDC courses and spent over 25 years training new generations of skilled and competent Permaculture practitioners, teachers and professionals to be effective agents of change. <b>Cathe’ Fish</b> is founder of </i><i>Practical Permaculture Research Institute</i><i> in Grass Valley, CA. She is also an international speaker having taught hundreds of classes and workshops. Cathe’ has been designing and teaching passive solar and permaculture systems for 25 years; from 40 acre farms to urban backyards. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i>This is an opportunity not to be missed! We hope you will join us October 26 through November 8, 2011 for this rare and life changing Permaculture Design Certification course. <b>Please read more about the course below...</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i>Kind Regards,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><i> Stephanie, PPRI Marketing </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;">(aka Stephanie with Gaia Creations:)</div><div style="border: medium none; color: #444444; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy06IcjMnAfdHZleT1y31jVhBO-vNpzgEoLVklAPksY54HR6Au3RToLV5N3ZLr2hq1ljeLrMKlFZq2_14V1WwwSO636jA-rrPpGsHSGz1EMm2OQj1mC2a_ExfShYi0Yn1Tl4nWBkbotrA/s1600/header+banner+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy06IcjMnAfdHZleT1y31jVhBO-vNpzgEoLVklAPksY54HR6Au3RToLV5N3ZLr2hq1ljeLrMKlFZq2_14V1WwwSO636jA-rrPpGsHSGz1EMm2OQj1mC2a_ExfShYi0Yn1Tl4nWBkbotrA/s400/header+banner+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PDC Event Homepage (photo and graphic design by me)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATION COURSE</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 26 - November 8, 2011</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">with</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <b>Robyn Francis</b> & <b>Cathe’ Fish</b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><i>(and a team of passionate and knowledgeable instructors)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
At <b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">allsgood farm</span></b>, a 20 acre farm in Penn Valley, CA</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;">Learn how to design for stability, resilience, and abundance at a farm that is dedicated to permaculture.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b><i>Gain hands-on skills in sustainable systems design and application for urban and farm properties.</i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS</b><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://permaculture.com.au/online/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDEtiCl8nU2S3aIAM7w4XSlyNmhrCa4HH9TGHbAn7VzsnAQSmbDx6EToirFKGlAzhdZOv2QU9h6wiQCUFJmm__tOdJE5aARn3mKR4SJ0YBfDQHP1vSqirSTz7oeaCW-93OHQLOaY5rtQ/s200/Djanbubg+gardens+with+white+background.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Robyn Francis</i></b> is an award winning permaculture designer and educator who founded Australia's premier Permaculture Education Centre, Djanbung Gardens. Since 1985, Robyn has trained thousands of active permaculturists around the world. This will be the 122nd Permaculture Design Course she has taught. Read her bio on her website<u> <a href="http://www.permaculture.com.au/">www.permaculture.com.au</a>.</u> Watch a video of her inspiring permaculture center, Djanbung Gardens, in Australiia <u><a href="http://tinyurl.com/RobynsCenter">http://tinyurl.com/RobynsCenter.</a></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u> </u><a href="http://www.practicalpermaculture.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pCZyb3Yf6ZqnnzuGfdUSKVLQXgaJOeq9HHltb6nck_RwF1pbZhy0q2-U3Cs3b0VDj-Z_PH59L3wPrPx8d5HHK40EkUzkZwZrenP-XOS4DUpWJUIQqOECptrJsO2MF-eSZHXrbXkokfI/s320/only+Logo+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b><i> Cathe' Fish</i></b>, international educator and founder of Practical Permaculture Research Institute, is a 23 year Master Gardener, and has been teaching passive solar and permaculture systems for 25 years. She has designed 40 acre farms to backyards. She will be teaching Solar Kitchens at the International Permaculture Convergence in Jordan in September 2011. Read her bio on her website <a href="http://www.practicalpermaculture.com/" target="_self" title="www.practicalpermaculture.com">www.practicalpermaculture.com</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>ABOUT THE PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;">The Permaculture Design Certificate course is an internationally-recognized course resulting in a Permaculture Design Certificate. While the course minimums are 72 hours, we are offering you a more in depth 90 hour 2 week intensive (with Halloween off) so that you may truly apply your permaculture skills as a graduate. The course covers sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of permaculture principles to food production, home design/ construction, energy conservation/generation, and explores alternative economic structures and legal strategies supporting permaculture solutions. Credit for this course is now accepted by a growing number of universities around the world. Certification from this course empowers you to develop a professional permaculture design, consultation and instruction business. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>Specific course topics</b></div><ul style="color: #444444; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Theory & Principles of Permaculture</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Methods of Design</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Passive Solar Greenhouses</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Composting Toilets & Greywater Systems</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Small Scale Food Production</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Farming For the Future</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Water Harvesting & Management</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Food Forests & Plant Nurseries and a lot MORE!</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>Hands on activities</b></div><ul style="color: #444444; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Awareness of Natural Patterns</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Quick Ways to Create a Food Garden (with Sheet Mulching)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Passive Solar Kitchen</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Water Harvesting Earthworks</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Compost and Compost Tea</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Fruit Tree Planting and Pruning</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Making Sauerkraut & Cheese</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Regional Wild Foods</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>ABOUT THE LOCATION</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7MXn42QLxXqFqJyMfm3ufIbVxQoMzcNsFK8Z8KXjXofcCjx1sYyffgRPG4sEQRTzIKmOQfhb6C2IQloGD0zuo9fKB5kiTY2Uye1u_CEPsu020oGRU8QTfVip1KqKSx6srrrylOsYfs4/s1600/Allsgood+Farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7MXn42QLxXqFqJyMfm3ufIbVxQoMzcNsFK8Z8KXjXofcCjx1sYyffgRPG4sEQRTzIKmOQfhb6C2IQloGD0zuo9fKB5kiTY2Uye1u_CEPsu020oGRU8QTfVip1KqKSx6srrrylOsYfs4/s200/Allsgood+Farm.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of Allsgood Farm</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Allsgood Farm is owned by permaculturist Cliff Jepson and his wife Nora Heiber. It is a beautiful private 20 acres of giant Oak Savannah and Pastures.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <b><i>Discover solutions for your farm, rural land or suburban backyard.</i></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><b>PERMACULTURE OFFERS POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO A PLANET IN CRISIS</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;">Permaculture is a design science that brings together nature, earth sciences and human intelligence to develop positive solutions to create healthy and sustainable environments and build resiliant communities. Permaculture has accumulated over 35 years of experimentation and application around the world, urban and rural, in all climates and with diverse cultures.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;">Our mission is to share this knowledge and tools of empowerment for you to take and put into your home and garden, your property, your work/career, and in your community. We will show you how to do it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b>COURSE FEE</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">$1250.00 early bird special</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">$1350.00 after 9/15/2011</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b>TO REGISTER</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/Robyn-PDC">http://tinyurl.com/Robyn-PDC</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b><i>Learn to use nature as your pattern for food production, housing, and</i></b><i> <b>community</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">Permaculture provides a framework for consciously designed landscapes that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. These systems yield an abundance of shelter, water, energy, and food for the provision of local needs that provide diversity, stability, and resilience for local populations.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b>FOR MORE INFORMATION</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">Cathe’ Fish (PPRI)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">530-274-2575</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">practicalpermaculture@gmail.com</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">Stephanie (PPRI Mktg. Director)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">530-828-6390</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">permagaia@gmail.com</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">Cliff Jepson (Allsgood Farm)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">530-356-5436</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">cliffjepsen@gmail.com</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Earth Care </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-transform: uppercase;">-</span><b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"> People Care </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-transform: uppercase;">-</span><b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"> Fair Share</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-92191682280865544942011-08-02T14:26:00.000-07:002011-08-02T14:26:14.072-07:00An Elderberry Volunteers -Applying Permaculture Principle Number One in Our Backyard<blockquote style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Work With Nature Rather Than Against It</b>: We can assist rather than impede natural elements, forces, pressures, processes, agencies, and evolutions.</i></span></blockquote><blockquote style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Observe and Interact</b>: By taking the time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.</i> </span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWENRQc5eSkK5lKbnH04tS1NkY7PkRTqwOzHidwt0Sr1VJ6OZHWUmYDyYTxb5ow9F8GA-xVUGs2kU8qP460hLHcfXe2iKDM8hbiSKZ6e1sMZTyKy5nBXWFYjO56XTRC0X4EdYEki9h-Yk/s1600/elderberry+4-25-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWENRQc5eSkK5lKbnH04tS1NkY7PkRTqwOzHidwt0Sr1VJ6OZHWUmYDyYTxb5ow9F8GA-xVUGs2kU8qP460hLHcfXe2iKDM8hbiSKZ6e1sMZTyKy5nBXWFYjO56XTRC0X4EdYEki9h-Yk/s320/elderberry+4-25-08.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Elderberry volunteer 4-25-08</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This beautiful California native shrub (photo above) is a <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/05/volunteer-plants-in-feijoa-arbor-guild.html">volunteer</a> plant. He sprouted up a few years ago, probably from the seed of a passing bird, and staked his claim on what our family had planned to be a sunny Zone 2 herb garden… and we let him take over. Once we did our due diligence of his habits and functions, that is. What we found are shrubs like the native Elderberry (<i>Sambucus mexicana</i>) are <b>insectary plants</b> and provide pollen, nectar, shelter, as well as undisturbed habitat, for beneficial insect predators and parasites. </span><br />
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<a name='more'></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBiIJM2eT-4HJTKjsZMwqAnr8hxL9e1KLj5UNENIPiWUz2isCxJSMvpqTbCSTRviAQ_0XJeKjksIjHySaq-RiNoYP8WXFQdnyEz-8jXulEZN7RKgeeo2ECqgR8gpX7RBtu8gRxBd-dWY/s1600/Elderberry+berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBiIJM2eT-4HJTKjsZMwqAnr8hxL9e1KLj5UNENIPiWUz2isCxJSMvpqTbCSTRviAQ_0XJeKjksIjHySaq-RiNoYP8WXFQdnyEz-8jXulEZN7RKgeeo2ECqgR8gpX7RBtu8gRxBd-dWY/s320/Elderberry+berries.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;"> Elderberry berries 8-20-2008</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For humans the Elderberry is very useful making an excellent wine from the berries, crafts from the wood as well as providing mulch, shade and wildlife habitat for outdoor enjoyment. What we didn’t fully recognize until this year is that Elderberry shrubs can be fantastic <b>trap plants</b> inviting and "trapping" insect pests. <i>Trapping</i> is an arbitrary term meaning there is an easily obtainable food </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">source </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">so the pests want to stay -in companion planting this can be an effective means of deterring pests from more desirable (crop) plants. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A plants ability to "trap" insect pests and grow on unharmed is beneficial to the whole garden ecosystem too. And to grow on unharmed despite strong </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">mutualistic pest behaviors is even better (mutualism is an association between organisms where both benefit from the relationship). But I step ahead...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<b>Work with Nature Rather than Against It</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPZEuqb4GPQL5n65XlJOx3r3TqGjrU_kfe1mrcVd8gaDsmbSUOm9Kr6_wnopBQo2TX_KnnEP59xH_93vg5gHIf_-8e4ZoaJn4mv00g4xGCvI4iEwT9MKdouXUP9utjOQiPGU1deFr3Lg/s1600/elderberry+4-11-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPZEuqb4GPQL5n65XlJOx3r3TqGjrU_kfe1mrcVd8gaDsmbSUOm9Kr6_wnopBQo2TX_KnnEP59xH_93vg5gHIf_-8e4ZoaJn4mv00g4xGCvI4iEwT9MKdouXUP9utjOQiPGU1deFr3Lg/s320/elderberry+4-11-11.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Elderberry volunteer 4-11-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We decided to leave our new Elder shrub in the ground right where he volunteered. We let another volunteer vine (a native x grape) wind itself up and we have thoroughly enjoyed observing the new guild mates get to know each other the last 4 years. A few plants that were ‘there first’ are not completely content with the competition for light; he’s grown 20’ tall and 10’ wide. The limiting factor for this guild became sun so the north side of the bed was most affected by the Elderberry’s new shade line. Yet we continued on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with our food <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/02/garden-planning.html">garden plans</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">grew in the herbs </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">around the Elderberry and we've had great success and abundant harvests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTau4yLqlyNpk0C1p4cF8dD5h8ye9MQ_QjZ1klcs8PXAOyYyoq-lgUTGQVwqHDBP3QauDdL0uAO6xc4ZK7XOFNC308Nio1H56UQfHTAM1ezKnX-t2mmJ_GGBflr8ft2wcWVQq9M6yYrM/s1600/June+2009+garden+diversity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTau4yLqlyNpk0C1p4cF8dD5h8ye9MQ_QjZ1klcs8PXAOyYyoq-lgUTGQVwqHDBP3QauDdL0uAO6xc4ZK7XOFNC308Nio1H56UQfHTAM1ezKnX-t2mmJ_GGBflr8ft2wcWVQq9M6yYrM/s320/June+2009+garden+diversity.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">2009 Garden (Elderberry on right)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We chose to work with natu</span>re rather than against it when it came to available sunlight and not fight the Elderberry’s natural growth patterns by creating a regular cycle of disturbance amid his branches and the guild below. The particular herbs that stretched most for light are easily movable species anyway like <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/ArchivesIM.html">Echinacea</a> (<i>Echinacea purpurea</i>), Garden Sage (<i>Salvia officinalis</i>) and <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/09/costmary.html">Costmary</a> (<i>Tanacetum balsamita</i>) –so we decided to let the problem become the solution. We determined, if necessary, we would just move them to a new location in the garden, pot them up to give or sell, maybe donate a bunch to our sons’ school gardens or a bit of all three! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yet, despite these options, no one in the new guild showed signs (other than some stem elongation) that the new community was becoming truly problematic or even pest ridden so we never felt the need to interact.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Local Weather and Phenology</span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganH2r1zozlddQBVezUFGdW85uJLHSPX_M1XlBlaI8YbBINMvBmVPPjcWLeq4rxjv6CDTbMR8mJJ5bn1s2RHu30rcwvW99tCYSOBC31mJNQTXfxMgg_brBHrEPLVAEMtZCaa7Om5eE9To/s1600/Jan+-+Feb+temp+data+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganH2r1zozlddQBVezUFGdW85uJLHSPX_M1XlBlaI8YbBINMvBmVPPjcWLeq4rxjv6CDTbMR8mJJ5bn1s2RHu30rcwvW99tCYSOBC31mJNQTXfxMgg_brBHrEPLVAEMtZCaa7Om5eE9To/s320/Jan+-+Feb+temp+data+1.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Temperature data in the United States for January and February 2011, circled is our region of interest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This year started out a little different. In terms of local weather, we had an interesting late Winter here in Northern California. It was very warm in January (highs in the upper 70’s) where everything warmed up and began their Spring growth cycles. Then a freezing cold spell hit in late February early March (lows in the teens) hammering blossoming fruit trees and turning new green growth to mush.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsasI_nply1Ssg6DKkJSnsWhojL9QDQDAOylwmRuWKAwKn10tzG67W1SFfNswrBkbPiHjNCEiAAkBm7pAnkxz687OQI7K-DvXnV8ecIQgxcAGNNsFAIahJR00iGXgo_lTGJhWLg82VQ_Y/s1600/March+-+April+temp+data+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsasI_nply1Ssg6DKkJSnsWhojL9QDQDAOylwmRuWKAwKn10tzG67W1SFfNswrBkbPiHjNCEiAAkBm7pAnkxz687OQI7K-DvXnV8ecIQgxcAGNNsFAIahJR00iGXgo_lTGJhWLg82VQ_Y/s320/March+-+April+temp+data+1.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Temperature data in the United States for March and April 2011, circled is our region of interest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In late March we wandered over to our native volunteer to see how he was fairing the changeable <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">weather. In terms of </span><a href="http://www.usanpn.org/about/phenology" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">phenology</a></span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(phenology is the "</span></span>the study of... recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, especially their timing and relationships with weather and climate") </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">we noticed that he was fully in leaf (having withstood the freeze relatively well) and his new green branches had elongated a great deal; which was much sooner than we’d seen in previous years. Most years the Elderberry would have its initial leaf bud burst in late February or early March rather than mid-January giving him a better chance of avoiding hard frosts. Elderberry shrubs are much more tolerant of frost as compared to ornamental or exotic species but can still suffer from a hard freeze. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We (now) believe that the unusual weather patterns and the severe frost created abnormal growth patterns in the Elderberry because in addition to the early leaves and elongated branches we also noticed the beginning of a pest 'invasion'… </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>APHIDS!</b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVwDbLHxOCXzuliTJNMj4sEAoRH5e8RDkRMawrR0Lv0RvO9o8U_xbP6W1XS0duWiYD5n5CSxf1WhzXN0mQCVc38xZQG8JOTQvKf7-10tEkeeUzlKFM7ZumuvMC8skCury4Xf4NziqQWw/s1600/aphids+on+elder+3-30-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVwDbLHxOCXzuliTJNMj4sEAoRH5e8RDkRMawrR0Lv0RvO9o8U_xbP6W1XS0duWiYD5n5CSxf1WhzXN0mQCVc38xZQG8JOTQvKf7-10tEkeeUzlKFM7ZumuvMC8skCury4Xf4NziqQWw/s320/aphids+on+elder+3-30-11.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Georgia;">Aphids on Elderberry 3-30-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><u>Lots of them</u>. In past years we’ve seen these early black aphids target our Hibiscus and <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/05/golden-treasures-of-spring.html">Rose shrub</a> leaf buds but never for long. They'll also try out our cool season vegetable plants and almost always with help from our local ant population -the mutualism I mentioned previously. The ants literally farm the aphids. They harvest the honey dew (aphid poop) from the aphids behind and carry it back to their colony while the aphids benefit from the protection from predators the ants can provide. This year the aphids fed off the Elderberry exclusively and the ants harvested the abundance. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We generally just grin and bear the aphids when they’re on the shrubs (having observed <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Archives.html">aphid mummies</a> in the past, indicators of parasitic wasp populations) but with certain veggie plants we’ll be more proactive by washing off any damaging critters. Many people witnessing this state of aphid colonization (on the Elderberry) would want to run for the hose to quickly spray off those sap sucking buggers or sprint to buy some ‘safer’ soap or the ‘tangle foot’ stuff for ants. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some would go so far to consider this kind of 'invasion' capable of increasing the aphid population making the situation worse and actually remove the shrub entirely… but we decided that before we INTERACT with the situation we wanted to simply OBSERVE for a <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">while first. We have a commitment and a guiding philosophy...</span></span> </span></div><blockquote style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“<i>…of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor, and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating elements as a single-product system</i>."</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Masanobu Fukuoka, Japanese farmer and philosopher</span></blockquote><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Calling All Beneficial Insects!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">We knew there were <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157812364284646.44627.137440112988538">beneficial insects</a> living in the garden so we felt like we had some kind of edge on the pest situation and with a little extra patience i</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">t really wasn't that difficult to sit back and watch what happened </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">over the next few months. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7nYAcPcA6a7_oFMTmt3IXcKH9YlquZRE3npQgy4ufUMWI0NRQMXpTR3DfOCheGeIe_fBVGP2C5ei-5sZLImzeeivpTNGBL-3HGR317Gi4vkscDGDLMKDq5ubjlDUb2Z93iv_7-p7iMU/s1600/pests+and+beneficials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7nYAcPcA6a7_oFMTmt3IXcKH9YlquZRE3npQgy4ufUMWI0NRQMXpTR3DfOCheGeIe_fBVGP2C5ei-5sZLImzeeivpTNGBL-3HGR317Gi4vkscDGDLMKDq5ubjlDUb2Z93iv_7-p7iMU/s400/pests+and+beneficials.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Aphids on Elderberry with lurking hoverfly larva</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In April we saw the emergence of beneficial life in the garden. The weather warmed periodically between hail storms and at long last beneficial insects found our Elderberry shrub. Wandering around the shrub and looking closely at the stems and leaves we noticed an amazing array of aphid predators and parasites…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Hoverflies</b><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">(<i>Syrphinae</i> family of Flies) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJHkWDzWAwnL1p44ZnIee0nCyVRgamF3oVZFwty9EWrz3fFulgjNQzy2m-5qwfj0t2vCdEjafhRGSrwWkdvJIMyrbnMNzn8h1G0TARZ_LzcWd6VhZKncB-RZMHqMkw4yMRXwI7Avjo2A/s1600/hoverfly+larvae+eating+aphid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJHkWDzWAwnL1p44ZnIee0nCyVRgamF3oVZFwty9EWrz3fFulgjNQzy2m-5qwfj0t2vCdEjafhRGSrwWkdvJIMyrbnMNzn8h1G0TARZ_LzcWd6VhZKncB-RZMHqMkw4yMRXwI7Avjo2A/s320/hoverfly+larvae+eating+aphid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Hoverfly larva on Elderberry branch eating an aphid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The photo above is a hoverfly larva eating an aphid. Doing our due diligence again we found hoverfly larvae are voracious eaters of soft bodied insects consuming loads of aphids a day! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h-493cqMUq3oU6q74bjsmUN7uZnjlQmL8W_n-WZhmJjq8vF71-5W5iMGc1iuZhpdGJIegY8h-XjzcgFQd8heo_BzkTT9_zvtm5S5CrTFPunttuPfVuNV1W5pj2KBRU-N55HZF8NZusU/s1600/hoverfly+on+plum+flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h-493cqMUq3oU6q74bjsmUN7uZnjlQmL8W_n-WZhmJjq8vF71-5W5iMGc1iuZhpdGJIegY8h-XjzcgFQd8heo_BzkTT9_zvtm5S5CrTFPunttuPfVuNV1W5pj2KBRU-N55HZF8NZusU/s320/hoverfly+on+plum+flower.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Adult hoverfly on Santa Rosa plum blossom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Not to mention the adults are pollinators for the whole neighborhood and bio-region. If I were to interact by spraying, without thinking of the beneficial insects and their specific life cycles, I’d lose the hoverfly larva and all his aphid eating brothers and pollinating sisters. Even using a blast of plain old water would damage if not kill these guys.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Lady beetles</b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (<i>Coccinellidae</i> family of Beetles)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedqvFRGDIJ2k9XhoxToaLiSOoXWM8MwLiAabHTxdpxrfSM2MdBm6qdv2d4H_a1xJn6xa5lDhuPzGO3P18-apJz8b6-EkSoQufa0VaDtX78TGd_UMcbRDeZxZjg9ftOKVGQHA1B4QYn8I/s1600/ladybugs+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedqvFRGDIJ2k9XhoxToaLiSOoXWM8MwLiAabHTxdpxrfSM2MdBm6qdv2d4H_a1xJn6xa5lDhuPzGO3P18-apJz8b6-EkSoQufa0VaDtX78TGd_UMcbRDeZxZjg9ftOKVGQHA1B4QYn8I/s320/ladybugs+feeding.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Lady beetles clustered on Elderberry stem eating aphids</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Continuing our observations in April we found another beneficial insect, Lady Beetles (or ladybugs). They provide that glorious red color which always brightens our days in the garden. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lady beetles are very well known for their ability to eat massive quantities of aphids.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCsZHA4pnPreX8q2TFQ9uovkEMo7kYQjT3Zd22Mip92nVuf_nUMa_BqLh_uW0eZYq4hnLN39vP6A8zj_X-iVwp45sLXXepI7bI5jI2dIJweZ8ZklAeNMk1fUzeloGv_BZ2Oc1jslwrpA/s1600/ladybug+eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCsZHA4pnPreX8q2TFQ9uovkEMo7kYQjT3Zd22Mip92nVuf_nUMa_BqLh_uW0eZYq4hnLN39vP6A8zj_X-iVwp45sLXXepI7bI5jI2dIJweZ8ZklAeNMk1fUzeloGv_BZ2Oc1jslwrpA/s320/ladybug+eggs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Yellow lady beetle eggs under Elderberry leaf</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And they bred very nicely in the Elderberry. Little golden rays of hope dotted all along the undersides of so many leaves! Lady beetle eggs typically hatch in 4-10 days and at once they seek out food -these babies must found an abundant food source here!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcPFBcx37rqtVu437ksm_ihG498MCcHpsClSJA-iWPrMBN3RFenIUqaljHxs7SpdiXE-ZDanHufAB8FbBltiA9BjTy6yHsN_KpQQMCEYo6_LfEA965R0eeQmq7W73BFajx2gL-uyB_AY/s1600/ladybug+larva+feeding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcPFBcx37rqtVu437ksm_ihG498MCcHpsClSJA-iWPrMBN3RFenIUqaljHxs7SpdiXE-ZDanHufAB8FbBltiA9BjTy6yHsN_KpQQMCEYo6_LfEA965R0eeQmq7W73BFajx2gL-uyB_AY/s400/ladybug+larva+feeding.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Lady beetle larva eating an aphid (note hatched eggs far right)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">These guys and gals were all over the Elderberry, both as larvae and adults. The larval phase of the lady beetle life cycle is the most voracious feeding stage of all. One larva can feed on as <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">many as 400 aphids before they pupate!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<b>Assassin bugs</b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (<i>Reduviidae </i>family of True Bugs)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ6i0lyeZI4ILbhJ9CK2RhDw91_4eOf5zxxX_E6EnQYMvxqk3XnVIuFJn3KRl3WJPz0-cFhh4DPKMaIAn-KAZRKHfC1RInbT4k6T1K20xq8B5A4D3q220F1WzbLD61LffCP3M2F9T1YM/s1600/assassin+bug+laying+eggs+4-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ6i0lyeZI4ILbhJ9CK2RhDw91_4eOf5zxxX_E6EnQYMvxqk3XnVIuFJn3KRl3WJPz0-cFhh4DPKMaIAn-KAZRKHfC1RInbT4k6T1K20xq8B5A4D3q220F1WzbLD61LffCP3M2F9T1YM/s320/assassin+bug+laying+eggs+4-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Assassin bug laying eggs 4-11-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A new and different beneficial predator we found on the Elderberry in April was the assassin bug. I was very fortunate to catch this pretty lady depositing her eggs on the top of an Elderberry leaf. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpY6dtnex_vyWO8ps2NLxN_c3R-RdomiufSi4h6cwIsvEiNeboj42EI1oPgIwJxD1dLr4GFS2yBmmruQHg09421TUDpVVTJehKO9OTvWV4PMzaxvazyxxZdp5XEPHsF5LoAoT35h7SQY/s1600/assassin+bug+eggs+4-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpY6dtnex_vyWO8ps2NLxN_c3R-RdomiufSi4h6cwIsvEiNeboj42EI1oPgIwJxD1dLr4GFS2yBmmruQHg09421TUDpVVTJehKO9OTvWV4PMzaxvazyxxZdp5XEPHsF5LoAoT35h7SQY/s320/assassin+bug+eggs+4-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Same Assassin bug eggs 15 days later</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Getting as close as my camera will allow I wanted to show the egg pattern here. The eggs are laid closely stacked together and on top of the leaf (as compared to lady beetles who usually deposit their eggs underneath the leaf). Not as familiar with assassin bugs as we are with lady beetles we once again did our due diligence...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhQiifDKnJZg8LvTbm1U0fM7cg4lbvhNZ5CYnfQID-2IfLRGo4zGXv-5PYt_XvhqY6QvAgr8QfYedjkpa8mM-kE1-tVJOfZ4Z_ZxH9ateLKngQhDgDcXWkQeaWmw9eBCl83HF7MvysCs/s1600/assassin+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhQiifDKnJZg8LvTbm1U0fM7cg4lbvhNZ5CYnfQID-2IfLRGo4zGXv-5PYt_XvhqY6QvAgr8QfYedjkpa8mM-kE1-tVJOfZ4Z_ZxH9ateLKngQhDgDcXWkQeaWmw9eBCl83HF7MvysCs/s320/assassin+bug.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Assassin bug on Elderberry leaf</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Assassin bugs (both nymphs and adults) are aphid eaters but they’re also fond of munching down other soft bodied insects like caterpillars and leafhoppers. I saw her eat a tiny wasp, maybe even a parasitic one, so I can only imagine assassin bugs are much like <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/09IMArchives.html">praying mantids</a>, they will even eat our friends!</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In May we found the assassin bugs had hatched…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJbw_Jlu7QhERsnsLxrm2qocgK1fJL1fDp5DaOimnMtDJBFPOzh8ynEeBjV4gvFayyLBRajyQAd1TKhri5uSGXAIjc4RKehB4xT-fGM3xbSqQNwKbV5vbRbMnA965CGxLBDC8ml80gpQ/s1600/assassin+bug+egg+sack+hatch+5-7-11+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJbw_Jlu7QhERsnsLxrm2qocgK1fJL1fDp5DaOimnMtDJBFPOzh8ynEeBjV4gvFayyLBRajyQAd1TKhri5uSGXAIjc4RKehB4xT-fGM3xbSqQNwKbV5vbRbMnA965CGxLBDC8ml80gpQ/s400/assassin+bug+egg+sack+hatch+5-7-11+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Assassin bug egg hatched</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/maps.php?ts=1&year=2011&month=5&imgs[]=Divisionaltrank&submitted=Submit">May</a> was a turbulent month, weather wise. We had the coldest May in several years along with many days of torrential rain and severe hail storms. We never did see the assassin bug nymphs again but I’ll wager they made it OK. Despite looking so fragile these little guys were quick -a good feature to have when you’re so small. I do hope they survived but I also hope they don’t eat too many parasitic wasps during their lifetime! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><b>Parasitic wasps </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(<i>Braconidae</i> or</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i>Aphidiidae</i> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">family of wasps</span></span>)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu8ajaGpeIXmKUUCXUpJ0lQa_ZPE-fXW3cm2xDoOMp8OO1f3ecEPcP-a2BV8vMWneImkuY8iOILB8S0VPR-Uay_UvxjhllNjLi_i5_Y1KSJJp8dsPKKtjAFbhGORVT6aBnHl0CJ58WJc/s1600/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu8ajaGpeIXmKUUCXUpJ0lQa_ZPE-fXW3cm2xDoOMp8OO1f3ecEPcP-a2BV8vMWneImkuY8iOILB8S0VPR-Uay_UvxjhllNjLi_i5_Y1KSJJp8dsPKKtjAFbhGORVT6aBnHl0CJ58WJc/s320/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Aphids parasitized by wasps -April</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">While we’ve never caught a tiny parasitic wasp on camera we were able to capture aphid mummies as evidence of their high population in the Elderberry. In March the stem</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">was covered top to bottom with aphids </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">(in the photo </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">dated 3-30-11 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">earlier in this article)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> yet when observing the shrub in April (photo above) it was almost barren at the bottom and dense with tan mummies</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1hxMxu-HsntHwGXQ9n8KovjOJhilloyuA4h5ecG7bcWaWW4VyYI-RVZ1kdJI70_urleERU5cD5RpMBV_vjaz1FRerNpwj94tJGRFT8Ykv_Llna4y97HQdaacvgvWXdbs5sGDcFDsOew/s1600/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies+may.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1hxMxu-HsntHwGXQ9n8KovjOJhilloyuA4h5ecG7bcWaWW4VyYI-RVZ1kdJI70_urleERU5cD5RpMBV_vjaz1FRerNpwj94tJGRFT8Ykv_Llna4y97HQdaacvgvWXdbs5sGDcFDsOew/s320/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies+may.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Aphids parasitized by wasps -May</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">By the end of May the Elderberry was almost completely free of aphids (photo above). Of all the predator insects in the garden these guys are really good at their job... which is reproduction, a parasitic wasps primary pest control feature. After mating the female wasp lays an egg inside the aphid by piercing it. When the egg grows then hatches it kills the aphid by consuming it from the inside out.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszhhCkGCPo09WIo_tWDt8TVi0kXRAvj1BhUc4Lg3kdBTvqBkshjCSFgvhKX7goUoJYT1sMGASeJwTjQYPZcczPpWnUWnOVYQx1bL5SYX89T-qfC48p9Q9jm68tkC4uHopYlB5iTO1ow/s1600/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszhhCkGCPo09WIo_tWDt8TVi0kXRAvj1BhUc4Lg3kdBTvqBkshjCSFgvhKX7goUoJYT1sMGASeJwTjQYPZcczPpWnUWnOVYQx1bL5SYX89T-qfC48p9Q9jm68tkC4uHopYlB5iTO1ow/s400/parasitic+wasps+-+aphid+mummies+close.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Aphid mummies from parasitic wasp predation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The larva pupates inside the aphid then bores a hole in the backside of the aphid to exit (without having a trained eye, it looks to us like one of the mummies is hatching a wasp –lower center in the photo above). Not a fun way to go for the aphid but a very effective means of feeding ones young (and for lowering an aphid population quickly, thanks!). If I had washed off the aphids in March these guys and the legacy they leave in our garden would have gone away too…</span><br />
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<b>Soldier beetles</b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (<i>Cantharidae</i> family of beetle)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD61jJqlS2U6KOb33Rj3fNDXFLIb3RZoMksMFhUDtaY7Fj4_oTBxtlAMJjx7Cu-vvuUMpmUqRjzT40gEh8e5f0YIQJg1lKFmYYo9twoH8YrJeURiULdNOwyic-bAm3VKzzX_Fl-iN1RL8/s1600/solider+beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD61jJqlS2U6KOb33Rj3fNDXFLIb3RZoMksMFhUDtaY7Fj4_oTBxtlAMJjx7Cu-vvuUMpmUqRjzT40gEh8e5f0YIQJg1lKFmYYo9twoH8YrJeURiULdNOwyic-bAm3VKzzX_Fl-iN1RL8/s320/solider+beetle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Tiny soldier beetle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last, but truly not least, we found tiny <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Archives.html">soldier beetles</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As adults </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">soldier beetles also munch down aphids while their larvae are soil dwellers consuming root aphids, insect eggs and other larvae.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Pest 'Invasion' or Natural Pattern?</b></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBimxA-zcUeI6ZhoV6LVtaeNn8O6Z-ujbK77adPO6xUv6d4a6AXhhqCCpz8qHDpDcOUY9tcvx-2Gl9uaUDY4bQyuzQIgUzdu6xUPTDF04rY3ey-7MKp5ptsGAOfqbEjxykxHsJodsKFpM/s1600/elderberry+5-12-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBimxA-zcUeI6ZhoV6LVtaeNn8O6Z-ujbK77adPO6xUv6d4a6AXhhqCCpz8qHDpDcOUY9tcvx-2Gl9uaUDY4bQyuzQIgUzdu6xUPTDF04rY3ey-7MKp5ptsGAOfqbEjxykxHsJodsKFpM/s320/elderberry+5-12-11.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Elderberry 5-12-11</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">By mid May the Elderberry was showing signs of winning the aphid ‘invasion’. We’ve seen a few other pests but nothing to the degree we witnessed in March and April. I’m really glad we took the time to observe our surroundings early on and learn more about the life cycles of our local beneficial insects and the insectary plants they love. It alleviated most of the shock upon witnessing an ‘invasion’ by aphids and their obliging farmers, the ant. We try to remember too, it’s not really an attack by aphids. It’s the aphids’ way of making a living, doing what they do best. And luckily our gardens are filled with the beneficial insects who love to make aphids their honest days pay. </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTmgza4RGOQDHhrdIhM_gkAzevi-khIN_nMZ0DTmzPCN-aQOSE1MAK23IxTH0pwd94M4oJi5E5w-YnoWggajBOeWqUigbRJX7_qg6plAWY4M9u3QKFOwBNoTkeRvpuFOFKViPWIIqsEI/s1600/elderberry+6-16-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTmgza4RGOQDHhrdIhM_gkAzevi-khIN_nMZ0DTmzPCN-aQOSE1MAK23IxTH0pwd94M4oJi5E5w-YnoWggajBOeWqUigbRJX7_qg6plAWY4M9u3QKFOwBNoTkeRvpuFOFKViPWIIqsEI/s320/elderberry+6-16-11.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Elderberry 6-16-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">By mid June our volunteer native shrub was in full bloom and thriving. As of the last day of July, many Elderberry flowers have set fruit and there are still a few blooms coming on. There are virtually no pests on the shrub or anywhere else in the gardens. Our little ecosystems' natural patterns were given leave to do their own thing and when all is said and done... the gardens are healthy and flourishing. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Observe and Let Nature Interact </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Taking the time to OBSERVE over a good period of time is crucial to organic pest control and integrated pest management practices; which are part and parcel to permaculture, in our opinion. Simply allowing the Earth and all her organisms to INTERACT and live out their lives is the best option at times; one where observation and <u>no</u> human interaction is the best medicine. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOkcyWH9uOefS8AbJQcQSNtNEScQuO9L-5dpBYepT0Q9bXmI0OUq2SpKtqFJj8pG-iXEXhh38ffzhD8UGqdGqXmyM0c-qodHit0fICPFftE-GPacT4wbXqG5YMygfowMsveAo1qhqM4k/s1600/elderberry+sun+circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOkcyWH9uOefS8AbJQcQSNtNEScQuO9L-5dpBYepT0Q9bXmI0OUq2SpKtqFJj8pG-iXEXhh38ffzhD8UGqdGqXmyM0c-qodHit0fICPFftE-GPacT4wbXqG5YMygfowMsveAo1qhqM4k/s320/elderberry+sun+circle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;">Elderberry under sun halo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Many permaculture principles, in addition to the first of observation, can be applied to this one amazing shrub and its effect on our design process and entire garden community: </span></div><ul style="color: #666666;"><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">relative location </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">apply self regulation and accept feedback</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">integrate rather than segregate</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">use and value diversity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">use edges and value the marginal</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">creatively use and respond to change</span></li>
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Some of our 'due diligence' sources:</b></span></div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Statewide IPM Program, University of California </u><a href="http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/"><u>'Natural Enemies'</u></a> <i>(online)<br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740">BugGuide</a><i> (online)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><u>California Native Plants for the Garden</u> Carol Bornstein, David Fross and Bart O'Brien <i>(book)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Insects and Gardens</u> Eric Grissel <i>(excellent book, highly recommended)</i></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">[FYI: Despite our permanent move from this property in mid-June and the decrease in summer annual plants, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">perennial food and shelter is there for beneficial insects... and I'm sure there will be even more food emerging with the change of season to allow them semi-permanent habitat. Now we just hope someone will move onto this property and enjoy all the abundance as we</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> have</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> the last 6 years.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-43996280374234302962011-06-13T20:00:00.000-07:002011-11-04T15:59:55.496-07:00From grass to habitat garden... our front yard 2005-2011<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our rural 1/3 acre of land in Northern California has been our home and office as well as a continual experiment in <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Ecoland.html">ecological land care</a> and <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/PermaGaia.html">permaculture</a> for over 6 years. Our decision to relocate to the 'city' this month has us pondering just how much we've improved this particular piece of land in the short amount of time we've been here... so I decided to take a journey back in time.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FMKO5SG9Rre1we41dG8Xnjg3-nYGxrgOHXwGIUGXZbn8XjHs6nwnnaYEjiEPOLV1bXzoFQ6rbhwiOC67DkN1_ZIMH749qc8EsSzkq_FocBto6-wX9i7h04tT54Kx59ZCBMPYrASjsXA/s1600/Front+Yard+dreamy+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FMKO5SG9Rre1we41dG8Xnjg3-nYGxrgOHXwGIUGXZbn8XjHs6nwnnaYEjiEPOLV1bXzoFQ6rbhwiOC67DkN1_ZIMH749qc8EsSzkq_FocBto6-wX9i7h04tT54Kx59ZCBMPYrASjsXA/s320/Front+Yard+dreamy+-c.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rope swing 2011</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Unbeknown to us in 2005 we moved into a chemical dependent neighborhood; neighbors who rely on pest control companies, Round Up and weed/feed for regular property maintenance. Within our own property we found enamel paint had been washed out on the back lawn and evidence of recent herbicide and pesticide spraying around our new house (pest company sticker in the garage with the date of application). Gardening ecologically for a long time we have learned a lot about how to make the transition from a chemical dependent landscape to an organic and biologically based one and how to do it with little time and effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On a typical residential site this 'transition period', from chemical to biologic/organic, can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years. It really depends on the degree of degradation to be able to determine the amount of regeneration needed. In our case the land simply needed to be ‘cleansed’ and given new life. Time has been the number one factor in the regeneration of this property more than anything else. Build healthy soil and increase diversity and Mother Nature will heal herself.<b><i> </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>The Front Yard Transition</i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP1k395iEa3Vv-ZZJ4UiNX93Dfa4sDehaAqMLPlS05sgPUGBlg6USYp-xDUj4-68lOAJcMJ5BzaFlr2087_2459sRSSDerkYt6M2t-JLDwRlma3sgmb4EZJrZz4WwoAJnZG2O_nk43kM/s1600/GE+target+front+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP1k395iEa3Vv-ZZJ4UiNX93Dfa4sDehaAqMLPlS05sgPUGBlg6USYp-xDUj4-68lOAJcMJ5BzaFlr2087_2459sRSSDerkYt6M2t-JLDwRlma3sgmb4EZJrZz4WwoAJnZG2O_nk43kM/s320/GE+target+front+yard.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Overlay on 2005 Google Earth image</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The front yard almost became what we set out for; a drought tolerant, low maintenance wildlife garden with a cottage look and feel. Despite the front garden’s proximity to the front door and kitchen we chose to put our food bearing plants in the backyard as the front yard's distance to the road and neighboring pesticide use made me shy away from growing food there.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L5AbVYWqBz_pbnltsUX6lxmXPNBwh_KPXp60RGEXfMyNM_2bFWd2V_uV6oXrmkjd9AXFYPgQH-8GGIw6Mj9vnXbZSrkA9DeZO54RaBWerfqx3UivndJCslWVAvsamXNCSnrvOvaZ1rg/s1600/Front+yard+3-2005+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L5AbVYWqBz_pbnltsUX6lxmXPNBwh_KPXp60RGEXfMyNM_2bFWd2V_uV6oXrmkjd9AXFYPgQH-8GGIw6Mj9vnXbZSrkA9DeZO54RaBWerfqx3UivndJCslWVAvsamXNCSnrvOvaZ1rg/s320/Front+yard+3-2005+-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Front Yard 2005 (before we moved in)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Observations and Initial Actions</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The image in the photo looks like a typical suburban landscape (we're 20 minutes from a major city). 3 large trees: 1 Raywood Ash in the center with 2 ornamental Mulberry trees –one at each end of the yard. The trees have been wonderful providing deep shade part of the day for this western facing front yard, lots of leaf mulch every year and a structure for our boys to swing from. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The lawn was mostly wide leaf St. Augustine grass which may be the best turf for this region as its very drought tolerant. There were also a few miniature Agapanthus, a couple of roses growing from root stock, a few Nandina and Boxwood and lots of Photinia (a short hedge of it behind me in the photo). 8 different kinds of plants. Talk about a lack of diversity. There were virtually no <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/search/label/beneficial%20insects">beneficial insects</a> at all and certainly nothing inviting them to stay.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It’s difficult to tell in the photo above but the slope </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">down </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from the house to the street is fairly gradual with a few areas of steep downward angles next to the fence and adjacent road. Now note the lack of gutters on the porch and main roof; when it rained water would pour off the roof hitting the compacted ground below. This water never really infiltrated, just ran onto the compacted turf continuing to flow downhill eroding away much of the topsoil along with it. We noticed right away our rooftop rainwater just accumulated in the street below along with valuable topsoil; totally unused by the land above.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The lawn went first in spite of its drought tolerance. Turf grass is a monoculture crop and just tiresome when not used for soccer or grazing sheep so we killed it by simply ignoring it. We didn't sheet mulch any of it, we just didn't irrigate for a long, long time. We did lay out arbor chips over the dying grass, shredded from pruned trees on site, to help protect the soil and every so often we pulled a few weeds –noxious weeds like Bermuda and foxtail-type grasses. We left dynamic accumulator ‘weeds’ like dandelion to help build soil fertility. When we were able to take the time to play in the front yard we started by laying the foundation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Water, Access, Structures</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>WATER:</i></b> (<u>Need</u>: the soil to retain any water at all and drip irrigation for future plants)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Remember how I said the porch and house didn’t have gutters? Well it still doesn’t. In 2006 we chose to dig an infiltration trench, much like a French drain but mulched instead of cobbled, directly under the eave line off the roof. This catches the main wall of rainwater falling off the roof and stores it before infiltration. We've found the soil here drains very quickly when not heavily compacted by 30 years of falling water slamming into it so we felt this method would be adequate and require less resources than buying and installing gutters. We did plan for overflow of the trench which would drain into an area near to the Raywood <span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ash we then hoped to become a meadow like feature. To date the trench has never overfilled.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ2_L1bYO49TS60toRK3-JJzZQrAxb8FCHsLpgnhVaFKKNDBpJ9udcGfuvp5Bb99WdovpBuYNkI-rW6vIRs34vr6JvXb59BK603G-VWoWNKjScdbUYKhi175XbhPzN2foOiVeHf2mTxc/s1600/roof+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ2_L1bYO49TS60toRK3-JJzZQrAxb8FCHsLpgnhVaFKKNDBpJ9udcGfuvp5Bb99WdovpBuYNkI-rW6vIRs34vr6JvXb59BK603G-VWoWNKjScdbUYKhi175XbhPzN2foOiVeHf2mTxc/s320/roof+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roof shot late Winter 2009</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In 2007 we placed, against the lower slope of the front yard, 3 large rail road ties removed from the backyard. The ties were in the backyard close to where we wanted to plant new food crops and knowing railroad ties contain an arsenal of chemicals we chose to move these to the front where they wouldn’t affect our food. The railroad ties now hold soil in place at the steepest areas of the front yard and accumulate leaf mulch and other organic matter creating moisture retention strips in this dry cobble soil</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In 2008 we dug about 15-20 small mulch basins up-slope and parallel to the railroad ties. Rather than dig a whole swale on contour in this small space we chose to dig a bunch of mini mulch basins. These consisted of small ditches about 1 cubic foot down with a lip (meaning we placed soil from the basin down slope so if the basins overfill the water won’t erode downhill) and we filled them all with arbor mulch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We flagged all the basins so we could observe their effect for a few years and so far we've found them to be a little less productive than we hoped mainly because our soil, accor</span>ding to the <a href="http://soils.usda.gov/survey/">NRCS</a>, is “excessively drained” -but enough time may need to pass before they are truly effective as a sponge, helping to store water in the landscape. They've decomposed the mulch nicely and the humus soil now within the basins is far superior to that in the beds around them. Yet the front yard still requires irrigation so they haven't done all we hoped for quite yet. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL2mK_ocCAse9ZcyHPCls0t85tKn-WN3q_6nXPtvfvJdFNdom87ZNY8UaAZH-Ju8-A4tIkTnfM-eqVcgvPslYvx7s7JMI4xnLmjmtPLfEn9Ss3In7413osgBC6VonCdiOOHexmMEHmM0/s1600/flagged+basins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL2mK_ocCAse9ZcyHPCls0t85tKn-WN3q_6nXPtvfvJdFNdom87ZNY8UaAZH-Ju8-A4tIkTnfM-eqVcgvPslYvx7s7JMI4xnLmjmtPLfEn9Ss3In7413osgBC6VonCdiOOHexmMEHmM0/s320/flagged+basins.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Flagged mulch basins</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">We also installed drip irrigation in 2008. Our original intention was for the drip to be temporary; needed only until the plants grew in, the soil improved and the basins effectively retained moisture. The drip system was used about once a week during the summer for about one half to one full hour in the early morning. This year it hasn’t been turned on once but we’re having an unusually wet Spring.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Though we’ve never done a full water audit we know we are using a lot less water as compared to our lawn loving neighbors. We use spray emitters to encourage reseeding plants to do their job -like Columbine- and we use ‘shrubbler’ emitters on the larger shrubs such as Golden Current. ‘Shrubbler’ emitters have several fine streams of water to reach the root zone of larger plants.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">We generally don’t use single stream drip emitters because of the way they clog up and we really like to encourage volunteer plants. We’ve had pioneer species like <i>Sambucus</i> and <i>Baccharis</i> volunteer from seed, to name just a few, so we’ve found an even spread of irrigation still conserves water but increases biological activity overall more effectively than single stream (drip) emitters.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3VJF2FmUfl7eQJ_O3eIILefRsOpVde_HGtOdgYE5ADt1JpLmDg0Q2OMWYaDv3TfaThVm5FwxJU5HxKL0nd53_iqrkUguFe6pt3Rd9cJSIXZL3br2qt3s3lX2oRV3OXCXGj-zfeQrIJ0/s1600/retained+play+space.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3VJF2FmUfl7eQJ_O3eIILefRsOpVde_HGtOdgYE5ADt1JpLmDg0Q2OMWYaDv3TfaThVm5FwxJU5HxKL0nd53_iqrkUguFe6pt3Rd9cJSIXZL3br2qt3s3lX2oRV3OXCXGj-zfeQrIJ0/s320/retained+play+space.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Retained play space for our boys 2010</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In early 2009</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> we started building a retaining wall using urbanite; just up from the railroad ties against the steepest part of the slope (we still haven’t finished it). This retained area was originally intended to be a 'lawn' or meadow space -meaning wildflowers, <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2010/12/cover-crops-for-your-new-forest-garden.html">clovers</a>, chamomile and other walkable ground covers. We made it slightly sunken in the middle so it would hold the overflow from the infiltration trench above during a large rain event; but as I said previously we've never seen any water overfill the trench.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">The retained area is currently used by our boys as a play space including a rope swing from the central Raywood Ash tree –you can imagine little heels digging into the ‘lawn’ here. On principle we decided to keep it a non irrigated play space; which has been the best use for our family’s needs than anything planted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">During the few years we were laying the foundation for the front yard we were constantly adding arbor mulch. We would hear a Tree Trimming truck shredding in the neighborhood and run to find it. The trick is to ensure the shred is healthy! Ask the tree trimmers what trees they're trimming and where else they've gotten a load that day. <span style="color: #666666;">If you know your</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span>neighborhood trees</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> you may be able to know if the mulch will be of good quality or not.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #666666;">We've had approximately 3 full dump trucks (at ~10 yards per load) drop off bark and arbo</span>r mulch at our house in just the last 3 years alone –not to mention the <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Mulch-On-Site.html">mulch</a> we’ve generated <a href="http://gaiacreationsecoland.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-mulch-on-site-chop-and-drop.html">on site</a> from general shaping and thinning of our tress and also by the removal of surplus Privet trees. We haven’t kept track (and we should have, we do for our Clients) but I’d wager if arbor mulch weighs about 500-800 lbs. per cubic yard and one ton is 2000 lbs. then we’ve applied about 7.5-12 tons of <u>off site</u> mulch to this property in 3 years, 1/5 of which went in the front yard.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ql6tOtQROvRoS-lItSTjNtchZytB4DfOqB14-7LmJsk0LVywhqIeXVMXsJOZVOUQY6NaBTh1zeoE712XV0f3n-PBrVmukFaEZ_9orxMJei1MmjX4JvQ4DbQPq3ZY_GlMpLSlkCrM5pQ/s1600/roof+shot+2011+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ql6tOtQROvRoS-lItSTjNtchZytB4DfOqB14-7LmJsk0LVywhqIeXVMXsJOZVOUQY6NaBTh1zeoE712XV0f3n-PBrVmukFaEZ_9orxMJei1MmjX4JvQ4DbQPq3ZY_GlMpLSlkCrM5pQ/s320/roof+shot+2011+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Roof shot late Spring 2011</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">ACCESS and STRUCTURES:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (<u>Need</u>: one pathway from the front porch to the side gate and 2 pathways from the same porch to the play space and lower garden.).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The existing main pathway is the front porch which serves as walkway leading the visitor from the driveway through a gate and to the front door. The second existing pathway is a two foot long cement laid brick path from the porch into the yard which then died into the old turf. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To reach the side gate we extended the brick path around using flagstones we moved with us from our previous house. (Reused and salvaged materials are wonderful for making a project less expensive even if moving them takes a bit if effort.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To get full access to the retained play space and garden below (and to accommodate our boys’ high energy and keep them out of the plants) we placed 2 pathways from different ends of the porch. Both pathways were of the same left over flagstone. Creating efficient garden accessibility is vital for the flow of people and materials as well as protection from little stomping feet.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpP5VPGOzePiDwRy_Ef_UQeWXBdP7YJVGZiywd8CeuoEnRa7QKf2L4c0ZUpVrrrfM_dmEnd-nFQbGRXggL7WI-WxgzGvG3iJ4PQ-UN1q9vvn641Vgd5xgYebQbeJmGYx0fxjN5mzuYIc/s1600/mimulus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpP5VPGOzePiDwRy_Ef_UQeWXBdP7YJVGZiywd8CeuoEnRa7QKf2L4c0ZUpVrrrfM_dmEnd-nFQbGRXggL7WI-WxgzGvG3iJ4PQ-UN1q9vvn641Vgd5xgYebQbeJmGYx0fxjN5mzuYIc/s320/mimulus.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mimulus and Dutch Iris behind</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Plant Diversity</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">In fall 2007 we began planting and we stopped planting in late 2010 when we decided to move. Over the years we’ve planted mostly drought tolerant species -some native, some not. We've also put in some plants known to be not so drought tolerant, like Forsythia and Hydrangea; we just made sure we planted them near the mulch basins.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"><u>2011 Plant List</u>: <i>From 8 plants to 28; it sure makes a difference!</i></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Abutilon megapotamicum</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Flowering Maple</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Akebia quinata</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Chocolate Vine</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Amaryllis spp.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Pink Lily</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Aquilegia formosa</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Columbine</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Aquilegia chrysantha</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Columbine -yellow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Buddleia alternafolia</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Fountain Butterfly Bush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Calendula officinalis</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Calendula</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Campanula punctata</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Bellflower</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cercis canadensis</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Eastern Redbud</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chaenomeles speciosa</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Flowering Quince</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clematis spp.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Clematis vine</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Clerodendrum bungei</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Glory bower</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Eschscholzia californica</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> California poppy</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Geranium versicolor</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> ‘Katherine Adele’ Geranium </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Guara lindheimeri</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Guara</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Helleborus orientalis</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Hellebore</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Heuchera sanguinea</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Heuchera</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hydrangea macrophylla</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Hydrangea</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Iris</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (dutch) ‘Golden Harvest’ Yellow Iris</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mimulus aurantiacus</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Monkey flower</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Miscanthus sinensis</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ‘Gracillimus’ Maiden grass</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Miscanthus sinensis</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ‘Zebrinus’ Zebra grass</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Muhlenbergia rigens</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Deer grass</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Narcissus</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Division ‘trumpet’ Daffodil</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ribes aureum</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Golden current</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Salvia greggii Red Salvia</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Thalictrum spp.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Meadow rue</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Unknown<i> </i>Variegated Grass (<u>Can anyone ID this grass for us?</u>) </span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDMg-odPiLcBAfKmFiJGFj8Evrb1jZVpbPp4KJICA6GZxR3stO0_lD9ZmUzbarxf0GCwRAHNwhmGj2JB3gI2N_LWjSd941UQzMToWBR0ju4UJ455uni18EVFScK6OLEhoBrhGBkINq00/s1600/unknown+variegated+grass+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDMg-odPiLcBAfKmFiJGFj8Evrb1jZVpbPp4KJICA6GZxR3stO0_lD9ZmUzbarxf0GCwRAHNwhmGj2JB3gI2N_LWjSd941UQzMToWBR0ju4UJ455uni18EVFScK6OLEhoBrhGBkINq00/s320/unknown+variegated+grass+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Unknown variegated grass</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">A Note on Design:</span></i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT8V-HaDuA2jXL_akytbpMPmyyWUx_lZEgAyH7rP6IEJapUeqa0m6g8swNCIU-Xid5d_QliZbEhFSwcCeqkNRq-U4AMAn-sSpUR7zfyoemOs6DbbfzGVsOQ-gPTHBPjhmFi9I2sM72xU/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT8V-HaDuA2jXL_akytbpMPmyyWUx_lZEgAyH7rP6IEJapUeqa0m6g8swNCIU-Xid5d_QliZbEhFSwcCeqkNRq-U4AMAn-sSpUR7zfyoemOs6DbbfzGVsOQ-gPTHBPjhmFi9I2sM72xU/s200/Front.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Front yard design 2011</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It should be said that the front yard was never designed or installed start to finish or managed like our back yard. We set a few goals for the space but that’s basically all we planned for in the beginning. It became the last ‘To Do’ item on the list mainly because it was neither our main source for food crops nor a place the boys were allowed to play in without constant supervision (when aged 2 and 5).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Virtually all the plants put into the front gardens were plants we had on hand. Most were dug up from our old house or were ‘rescued’ plants (plants our Clients/friends/family didn’t want anymore because they were damaged or unappealing). It became a 'put the plant in the ground or it'll die in the pot' kind of garden. Watering 100+ pots by hand every day during the summer becomes a nightmare chore when you don't even own a nursery and there are a million other things to do; so planting them in the ground and hoping for the best was far easier.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We believe the front yard turned out really well considering the low amount of money and energy we put into this space. Water has definitely been diverted from the street and into the landscape and the land seems to be in the beginning phase of retaining more moisture within the soil. Biodiversity has increased 10 fold and not just plant diversity but animal diversity too. Hummingbirds regularly feed from the Fountain butterfly bush, Columbine and Mimulus; western fence and alligator lizards even woodland snakes call the undisturbed woody perimeters home and pollinators of all shapes, sizes and colors help keep this legacy going… </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">it’s heartbreaking to leave all that we helped create here. Yet it’s refreshing to know we’ll be able to help increase diversity, build healthy soil and more at our next home.</span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Photos of the Front Yard Spring 2011</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVX4HsszXMT_QOUcOfFWz-3YtcTt6GFj8enuSKfnvzzB_qy6yq-RYBd9xa-iQ184wn1kk0rgo2G_L0cDtDaJPXYFlDPDilYC86KXX774i_MCzZVt8mPI0FDixsZcKPufAZx83zGgcfTo/s1600/Front+4-+2011+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVX4HsszXMT_QOUcOfFWz-3YtcTt6GFj8enuSKfnvzzB_qy6yq-RYBd9xa-iQ184wn1kk0rgo2G_L0cDtDaJPXYFlDPDilYC86KXX774i_MCzZVt8mPI0FDixsZcKPufAZx83zGgcfTo/s400/Front+4-+2011+-c.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Front Yard in early Spring 2011</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Front porch</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cZzFyWTyT9zjhTNEw3ZeylEqlt7_H5p-7ctZbhzHgwamLPyBdDKEYzioVwsl5w3uKWFzncsYf2n-AVVwdCEsfs7JOP2t_WrbfVYG5aQAW3Zvy4nkqx_jeZ_6Prqr4VHukwgZh0RZe_Q/s1600/abutilon+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cZzFyWTyT9zjhTNEw3ZeylEqlt7_H5p-7ctZbhzHgwamLPyBdDKEYzioVwsl5w3uKWFzncsYf2n-AVVwdCEsfs7JOP2t_WrbfVYG5aQAW3Zvy4nkqx_jeZ_6Prqr4VHukwgZh0RZe_Q/s400/abutilon+-c.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;">Abutilon megapotamicum</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Flowering Maple</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh0qS5AY10pkcAbJBVjQ2uJsM8ITcGHjrcJJCO_2tiDQgu8fDqFOa_ulnJAIduWhyphenhyphenbbtn1gGRObkP6cQk3mT0MQ8e5WxF8xmJMkiuHUOpxO0LHc_nvU9ctyIRvhq9TjoUHyaZUQF5piY/s1600/mimulus+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh0qS5AY10pkcAbJBVjQ2uJsM8ITcGHjrcJJCO_2tiDQgu8fDqFOa_ulnJAIduWhyphenhyphenbbtn1gGRObkP6cQk3mT0MQ8e5WxF8xmJMkiuHUOpxO0LHc_nvU9ctyIRvhq9TjoUHyaZUQF5piY/s400/mimulus+-c.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Mimulus aurantiacus </span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Sticky Monkey Flower</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8taATBSlyIxsSpkranq9Ilo8nlI2x43we2H2doBpCx7laTk2Fu2v-7ramYYta0Q3Kq35VXIThWHBhyphenhyphenr0IneG9-3ZGuOKMVBcbLcAg6jG9gh8wcGfSRABY3mPAUZ8VckcgXiS-IzQlsE/s1600/campanula-geranium+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8taATBSlyIxsSpkranq9Ilo8nlI2x43we2H2doBpCx7laTk2Fu2v-7ramYYta0Q3Kq35VXIThWHBhyphenhyphenr0IneG9-3ZGuOKMVBcbLcAg6jG9gh8wcGfSRABY3mPAUZ8VckcgXiS-IzQlsE/s400/campanula-geranium+-c.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-size: auto auto; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;"><i>Campanula punctata</i> Bellflower with <i>Geranium versicolor</i> ‘Katherine Adele’ behind</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayjK8mYROlR0XvkfayQut5B4OOl3lT9CkhoII1KrlKrxhZEOSRLPBiSm6DV0CHKj4u5Of50OPqx8pYXmMtvnkDqI_DayIFABQFvkFJD1bSxSB8Is0UEVZK6w6xKnfFZI0ussdDdBRNUk/s1600/front+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayjK8mYROlR0XvkfayQut5B4OOl3lT9CkhoII1KrlKrxhZEOSRLPBiSm6DV0CHKj4u5Of50OPqx8pYXmMtvnkDqI_DayIFABQFvkFJD1bSxSB8Is0UEVZK6w6xKnfFZI0ussdDdBRNUk/s400/front+view.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Front view of front yard</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKIK_pvBJjDloJVo7oOSOp_8n66QYKmXMDBfDoAy9d5XDsS7lGgOhobt-gNjomlHzNxtKuz-vZcOsnaPcRp_OcI2Z8JD-LpoenBuwXtYGiKqO1fDX-t2Pwbh3o3gWcuQ5P8kPnNRitCg/s1600/Ribes+aureum+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKIK_pvBJjDloJVo7oOSOp_8n66QYKmXMDBfDoAy9d5XDsS7lGgOhobt-gNjomlHzNxtKuz-vZcOsnaPcRp_OcI2Z8JD-LpoenBuwXtYGiKqO1fDX-t2Pwbh3o3gWcuQ5P8kPnNRitCg/s400/Ribes+aureum+bush.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Ribes aureum </span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Golden current</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxElplMu95pi-eUCzcB_4CFgC55WIIypplHvOxYFIZGgCkJ_trvKga82KiM9eHLfSBhx5QzDO1LrS-13HKIje5xlJL6-javBNllo3v0EWqHvJXjwXh-RDhq-EdkYrerOFZPpSFHuvkbQ/s1600/flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxElplMu95pi-eUCzcB_4CFgC55WIIypplHvOxYFIZGgCkJ_trvKga82KiM9eHLfSBhx5QzDO1LrS-13HKIje5xlJL6-javBNllo3v0EWqHvJXjwXh-RDhq-EdkYrerOFZPpSFHuvkbQ/s400/flowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">Golden current, Columbine, Heuchera, Abutilon, Hellebore, Mimulus, Dutch iris, Fountain butterfly bush, Daffodils…</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQyzWimB4XoDoIcaxK9tlcQl7oe8nr7RnocmA-ePRA_-a_Yym9RYxRhS3gZwi05uJM4mLw1U5guk6P-h5Ba_SjoTlErfxYJjZ1LCzSSUgJl_gu-H0AjOOWyHseK1soQHUKyMsmVRvJSY/s1600/Fountain+butterfly+bush+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQyzWimB4XoDoIcaxK9tlcQl7oe8nr7RnocmA-ePRA_-a_Yym9RYxRhS3gZwi05uJM4mLw1U5guk6P-h5Ba_SjoTlErfxYJjZ1LCzSSUgJl_gu-H0AjOOWyHseK1soQHUKyMsmVRvJSY/s400/Fountain+butterfly+bush+-c.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-size: auto auto; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Georgia;"><i>Buddleia alternafolia</i> Fountain Butterfly Bush</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhpA9Nvndieixopk49FN9iOS6lVkXrBv1rd1OMbatTtnK2JExnYeXkjq9s9p_A5cVh1ta5Ah_HMxJFuZfgZeF87CITAXdZz3RLP6uEZJE6-R7taNHqNmD6JjkpQURzauh8Q3yo1oYvtI/s1600/deer+grass+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhpA9Nvndieixopk49FN9iOS6lVkXrBv1rd1OMbatTtnK2JExnYeXkjq9s9p_A5cVh1ta5Ah_HMxJFuZfgZeF87CITAXdZz3RLP6uEZJE6-R7taNHqNmD6JjkpQURzauh8Q3yo1oYvtI/s400/deer+grass+-c.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Muhlenbergia rigens</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Deer grass</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;"><b></b></span></i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-65551773014721723162011-05-23T12:56:00.000-07:002011-05-23T12:56:38.449-07:00Growing Blue Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in a Box Kit<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have to hand it to my husband and business partner, Brian, for trying new things all the time. He loves to branch out and learn new practical skills. In his spare time of late he’s been growing Blue Oyster Mushrooms for food and loving every minute of it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXALztpNAGvIjj6I5htzayRq1ffVUQyBtwt2urr0qr8nBmoQY7Jpy2uqn2Nf6QnCcrHB-FnnexWUH8cZUeJzc-ZrSkVLCplhm5WzRau8HTCGhbbeEpG-Sa_6R60kCIPKK9NnDlPzD9HU/s1600/blue+oyster+mushroom+labeled+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXALztpNAGvIjj6I5htzayRq1ffVUQyBtwt2urr0qr8nBmoQY7Jpy2uqn2Nf6QnCcrHB-FnnexWUH8cZUeJzc-ZrSkVLCplhm5WzRau8HTCGhbbeEpG-Sa_6R60kCIPKK9NnDlPzD9HU/s320/blue+oyster+mushroom+labeled+-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mushroom Box Kit results 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He’s always loved mushrooms while I’ve never been a big fan. I love mushrooms for their <a href="http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/mycova.html">mycoremediation</a> ability allowing contaminated land to regenerate and for their knack of creating the soil conditions my perennial plants prefer: <a href="http://www.soilfoodweb.com/sfi_approach1.html#Plantfood">fungal dominated soils</a>. But Brian, he just loves to eat them so why not start growing them too.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He started out simply with Blue Oyster Mushrooms. Blue Oyster’s are one of the easiest mushrooms to grow in a box kit. We purchased our kit in mid March from <a href="http://www.mushroomadventures.com/p-4-blue-oyster-mushroom-kit.aspx">Mushroom Adventures</a> in Marysville, CA. After letting the box sit undisturbed for a few weeks in our cool garage we took it outside when the garage started to warm up in early April. We placed the opened box on a side of our house where there is little wind but with a bit of sunlight.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQJRcG6FlFvTVQ1-3w3VF-TpzUE94TO9_yGUP2OEzK3M0ViUPqA4PvKKE-pxPornYXWHtY2g_RPvkfCU8Wna4cR259A18kWhIRgqhatYp3xccESE3KbJ1l72HS6cHshUDFrBc4Px5vgM/s1600/bom+box+open+label+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQJRcG6FlFvTVQ1-3w3VF-TpzUE94TO9_yGUP2OEzK3M0ViUPqA4PvKKE-pxPornYXWHtY2g_RPvkfCU8Wna4cR259A18kWhIRgqhatYp3xccESE3KbJ1l72HS6cHshUDFrBc4Px5vgM/s320/bom+box+open+label+-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Box kit </span><span style="font-size: small;">placed outside </span><span style="font-size: small;">with growing mycelium 4-9-2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The mycelium had started to grow considerably in the 80 degree warmth of the garage so knowing what was going to happen when the box was placed outside was a bit of a mystery. To grow well Blue Oyster's <a href="http://www.mushroomadventures.com/t-oyster_mushroom_kit_instructions.aspx">need</a> even temperatures (mid to upper 60’s) and regular moisture. It definitely wasn’t even temperatures outside all the time last month. Temperatures ranged from 40 to 80 degrees with intermittent rain and hail. Brian had faith though and it paid off because well into April we saw big clumps of mushrooms!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNn_g2YkFsmxfdH6_OAPJo7-_UI0PZRbeT0qlAiQR08YYtbaOTOVuU0ysnGIkBC_LukB5cR4Kz2CZKztpFU1mz0ICrwi9jk8L14PQG3N8mTEWCZ9_5j7UKOnjdOEg0v5S4PJAgAwMKvA/s1600/bom+first+harvest+inside+box+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNn_g2YkFsmxfdH6_OAPJo7-_UI0PZRbeT0qlAiQR08YYtbaOTOVuU0ysnGIkBC_LukB5cR4Kz2CZKztpFU1mz0ICrwi9jk8L14PQG3N8mTEWCZ9_5j7UKOnjdOEg0v5S4PJAgAwMKvA/s320/bom+first+harvest+inside+box+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Box kit with first flush of mushrooms 4-20-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After harvesting his first big bunch Brian took them inside and proceeded to dry some, cook some, save some and also share some with friends and Clients. They have amazing storage capabilities lasting well over two weeks in the fridge with no decay what so ever. I really loved one particular way Brian cooked them. He cut them into strips and dipped them in flour, egg, then flour again. Then he fried them in pork lard until golden brown (olive oil or butter works well too). Simply delicious! I really don’t like the texture of mushrooms but cooked this way they were excellent. They are so much better than fried calamari (less chewy) but they still have a very mild earthy-sea flavor (if that makes any sense). For one who has always held disdain to eating mushrooms I’m looking forward to trying the re-hydrated Blue Oyster Mushrooms on pizza this summer too! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymW2zHXxB5IUdxokiIe3yApw5_h90EAP_LdRBJ5SE4vASihTPCp7KbZXND352Pcs01UILweH-29nVxQjWUJvgFKSAlBTzzEoJbpc5ufAlci0LCYJqMBG6zxlel1BrzAre3Xsj0QUTLV8/s1600/blue+oyster+mushrooms+-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymW2zHXxB5IUdxokiIe3yApw5_h90EAP_LdRBJ5SE4vASihTPCp7KbZXND352Pcs01UILweH-29nVxQjWUJvgFKSAlBTzzEoJbpc5ufAlci0LCYJqMBG6zxlel1BrzAre3Xsj0QUTLV8/s320/blue+oyster+mushrooms+-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blue Oyster Mushrooms after first harvest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now it’s well into May and we haven’t seen any more signs of mushrooms but we have seen the mycelium growing a bit more recently. The weather has not been cooperative with all the rain we’ve had lately and now with such cool temperatures I expect it will be a while before they grow anymore. As <a href="http://www.fungi.com/front/stamets/index.html">Paul Stamets</a> tells us, mushrooms have their first ‘flush’ where they grow rapidly then when harvested they can stop and sit for a spell (go dormant). When they have the goods (water, sugars, even temperatures etc.) necessary to reproduce again they will. Oyster mushrooms have the potential to produce 2-3 more flushes of harvestable growth from one box kit. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If the mushrooms stop growing and it seems they aren’t going to grow anymore in the box there is a way to increase the ‘mycelial mileage’ of the kit (as Paul Stamets explains <a href="http://www.fungi.com/kits/mileage.html">here</a>). The substrate the mushrooms grew from (in our case inside the black bag) is still full of mycelium and has plenty of growing capabilities if given a fresh medium to start over (wood, sawdust, wood chips, straw). Just open it up and break the chunks into smaller pieces then dig the ‘spawn’ pieces into a woody, moist part of the landscape. Or you can use bits to inoculate logs continuing the cycle of mushrooms in your life. It can take a lot longer than a box kit but does well to keep the little guys about if you’re fairly diligent about their care. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">All in all I’m impressed with the box kit for growing Blue Oyster Mushrooms; it does the trick to produce mushrooms for the kitchen on a regular basis. The only thing that bothers me is that this method of mushroom cultivation relies on the fairly consistent purchase of a box kit -which can be less than ideal. Inoculating logs or applying spawn to mulch beds and pathways seems to be a method that would supply the landscape ecosystem with the spores necessary to provide seasonal growth and harvest with little to no more box kit (or spawn) investment. It seems possible that one kit –and the ‘mycelial mileage’ provided- would be sufficient to get started building a legacy of mushroom cultivation within the landscape. But we'll have to do more experimenting to find out for sure. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia;">What’s your experience growing mushrooms?</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-66870271718297318482011-05-13T13:21:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:22:52.350-07:00Volunteer plants in a Feijoa arbor guild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love plants that volunteer in the garden. Some of my favorite and most cherished plants have been volunteers. They’re almost always sturdy and very healthy having found an ideal niche to germinate and grow in. Two volunteers I found this year are equally useful and beautiful -<b>Borage</b> (<i>Borago officinalis</i>) and <b>English Plantain</b> (<i>Plantago lanceolata</i>). Both volunteered in our Feijoa arbor guild. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This particular guild’s central plant is the Feijoa (<i>Feijoa sellowiana</i>). Actually 2 Feijoas create the arbors’ archway between two of our gardens and each has a nestling of plants at the base which spread outward. The Feijoa started out with only Lavender and Calendula for companions but this spring they have many, many more friends; loads of which were volunteers (or spreading volunteers, like apple mint). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTdnyVRWZoOnVDN6-l1y3s1yGcGgoWTp3F0PTgrNjvDjR6oMBnPoHVtT9Df8rSIM0scYoYHPQf50eknOdPKGtaKflqMcC7u1eNiU_Sb510s6a1n1y-sgbilWpw43rDYKdlWrObSJR2zQ/s1600/Feijoa+guild+plants+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTdnyVRWZoOnVDN6-l1y3s1yGcGgoWTp3F0PTgrNjvDjR6oMBnPoHVtT9Df8rSIM0scYoYHPQf50eknOdPKGtaKflqMcC7u1eNiU_Sb510s6a1n1y-sgbilWpw43rDYKdlWrObSJR2zQ/s320/Feijoa+guild+plants+2011.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Feijoa arbor guild plants early Spring 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a>The one Borage plant that volunteered this year is from a plant we grew from seed in the same spot last year but who died with the frost of winter. Borage is an annual plant and dies completely over winter so this volunteer is wonderful to see as I never saved any seed last year! Generally Borage will spread by seed best with a bit of soil disturbance and as we are, for the most part, no till gardeners it’s not surprising only one plant came up this year.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJI61sfukiZ6uFZg9JUv7ji-HznFimwolWBMFUt-sPoJTIRHd-HSf6k27zqIbWA6t74ewZHGV3j-CCMnuNKNqn1y5SDKyFQvQlPa4w8_xEte0_o2Mybi4DLT1BylR6_e9D2pINSM7NNE/s1600/borage+mother+plant+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJI61sfukiZ6uFZg9JUv7ji-HznFimwolWBMFUt-sPoJTIRHd-HSf6k27zqIbWA6t74ewZHGV3j-CCMnuNKNqn1y5SDKyFQvQlPa4w8_xEte0_o2Mybi4DLT1BylR6_e9D2pINSM7NNE/s320/borage+mother+plant+2010.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Borage mama plant 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The Borage volunteer is now a tall, vigorous plant the honey bee’s love. Borage is wonderful for attracting bees and hummingbirds. Of all the plants in our gardens the honey bees love borage most this time of year (until the mint blooms). Borage flowers can be placed in salads for added color and beauty or into a glass of lemonade –they're edible in <a href="http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Borago%20officinalis">moderation</a>. </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkLZ5wznojrphAv6iH1Wn7IRYM_Phofn0Yk_QhUs0XuXVROxN8OUokLOKgP6AzrnXybwdm42glMDDCS4WLUhV1O7iIorgbhNbZV3yFis8PVVqXg0Ywko4kjGtgyNkmUKvrP-0chPCa-I/s1600/borage+offspring+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkLZ5wznojrphAv6iH1Wn7IRYM_Phofn0Yk_QhUs0XuXVROxN8OUokLOKgP6AzrnXybwdm42glMDDCS4WLUhV1O7iIorgbhNbZV3yFis8PVVqXg0Ywko4kjGtgyNkmUKvrP-0chPCa-I/s320/borage+offspring+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Borage late Spring 2011</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yHBy4V8ZVPcobSH6bd3IMk6ezzPr8envkT5wqYtsi7uAlFmEDSxQmBDGaN1ySbjbSDBZrK5J6b756AP3k0MYdfqaqhv-5xbuS1gRJfusUGzp8VkbxNUGUpcrfZYQpGQMR8DGJNnLu0I/s1600/bee+borage+better.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yHBy4V8ZVPcobSH6bd3IMk6ezzPr8envkT5wqYtsi7uAlFmEDSxQmBDGaN1ySbjbSDBZrK5J6b756AP3k0MYdfqaqhv-5xbuS1gRJfusUGzp8VkbxNUGUpcrfZYQpGQMR8DGJNnLu0I/s320/bee+borage+better.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Honey bee on Borage flower</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmedhmdnQjTd57bQafLAoTTsncOJOYjD5gUJea2NERKsFerjc286AEr1RQLaxtpF7m4JLTdGmh-NoCxmcsKQh2GUNA2qnsCT-Pfz4rp0RVTnyUEidv2hfvu03pN1VcUZ7Lr6dNgzOV2J0/s1600/borage+flower+buds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmedhmdnQjTd57bQafLAoTTsncOJOYjD5gUJea2NERKsFerjc286AEr1RQLaxtpF7m4JLTdGmh-NoCxmcsKQh2GUNA2qnsCT-Pfz4rp0RVTnyUEidv2hfvu03pN1VcUZ7Lr6dNgzOV2J0/s320/borage+flower+buds.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fuzzy Borage flower buds</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-bz8XwU6vjJFgPTofujyV6NoY1yzySP5c4EL_MA_jSe9l1kKqLJfha0o71N0-qeyi7tb2hHobxNHh4poyN76l8olQwg16MlYDE8I8qnMooZClrngZ374zkKOISEUFFSco5HcrlcBDBM/s1600/borage+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-bz8XwU6vjJFgPTofujyV6NoY1yzySP5c4EL_MA_jSe9l1kKqLJfha0o71N0-qeyi7tb2hHobxNHh4poyN76l8olQwg16MlYDE8I8qnMooZClrngZ374zkKOISEUFFSco5HcrlcBDBM/s320/borage+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Borage blossoms</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How the Plantain came to be in our garden is a mystery. We’ve never grown it nor seen it anywhere in the yard before, so it’s quite a nice surprise. Considering it’s an ‘invasive weed’ it may have just come in on our shoes or in our <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/05/12/136211607/strange-things-happen-to-guys-who-wear-pants">turned up pants</a> from a hike in the park. Invasive or not, it can’t compare to Bermuda grass in its ability to take over, so in my opinion bring on the Plantain! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLH9YWF2rtnjk8CbiN2bsmO6w7CSrdHAemKdBZJ-fIPvznSR43dMjy09r8tb49BhemkxbBqfGpc7ElwAoUTBG1Lc7mzzlFaNKDX5En9mYXC0kn9YPjx9ahLqi4H65nv1ssDUBHEYxmbk/s1600/plantain+in+bloom+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLH9YWF2rtnjk8CbiN2bsmO6w7CSrdHAemKdBZJ-fIPvznSR43dMjy09r8tb49BhemkxbBqfGpc7ElwAoUTBG1Lc7mzzlFaNKDX5En9mYXC0kn9YPjx9ahLqi4H65nv1ssDUBHEYxmbk/s320/plantain+in+bloom+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plantain flower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plantain is tall and graceful and adds a texture to this guild that's just gorgeous. I love the long slender leaves and tall nodding flowers. The stamens on the flower (male parts) stick out like they got buzzed with electricity. It has really made this guild special. And having done our <a href="http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Plantago%20lanceolata">due diligence</a> on this plant we understand its basic uses and functions which just adds to the splendor of this guild, even if it is considered a ‘weed’ by some.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal1QgJhlFpDHsiViM2NfWfKfXPvrTBHLGXJZYccojujAoxglR93rfBNY9rJ5vaZcoYYer86m1ajDd6Yw3pSU4sotBRc7A0f_g9g-gC51Ep2HJgHzc9V43uVvETpLBCL69me3DjfIxVBU/s1600/plantain+flowers+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal1QgJhlFpDHsiViM2NfWfKfXPvrTBHLGXJZYccojujAoxglR93rfBNY9rJ5vaZcoYYer86m1ajDd6Yw3pSU4sotBRc7A0f_g9g-gC51Ep2HJgHzc9V43uVvETpLBCL69me3DjfIxVBU/s320/plantain+flowers+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plantain flowers looked electrified</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsbDsLXnNEpzkHeW72IBPllCkUqx3oHZ9U1qmi8swvZdaJocLh1wmN9_o1truzLhwbBIc8C7hiaSElhfpnshR_E6S5QiHuV38cOGoOjkAWk_7dXop_nUVEZoHBCWNAoog4kMZwKS4-xM/s1600/plantain+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsbDsLXnNEpzkHeW72IBPllCkUqx3oHZ9U1qmi8swvZdaJocLh1wmN9_o1truzLhwbBIc8C7hiaSElhfpnshR_E6S5QiHuV38cOGoOjkAWk_7dXop_nUVEZoHBCWNAoog4kMZwKS4-xM/s320/plantain+-c.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tall Plantain in bloom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEwWKwG2emoPnFAzBn7M5jlc5bNn-iFwWleT0eq8bQ75GAzyQ-f6tVZOjaS9xlioPcs1VAQgVMX0IYQGHL48Ye68gAir9MTXoFOKvq3fRaMV8M0G9EA_GojswjW-e02KD88_7vQNsHeY/s1600/plantain+flowers+2+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEwWKwG2emoPnFAzBn7M5jlc5bNn-iFwWleT0eq8bQ75GAzyQ-f6tVZOjaS9xlioPcs1VAQgVMX0IYQGHL48Ye68gAir9MTXoFOKvq3fRaMV8M0G9EA_GojswjW-e02KD88_7vQNsHeY/s320/plantain+flowers+2+-c.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plantain flowers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One way to encourage volunteer plants is to get to know your plants by learning to identify them by their cotyledons (‘seed leaves’ that emerge from a germinating seed before their true leaves). Learn to identify the weeds, veggies, trees… as many plants as you can. You’ll find you have more allies in the garden than noxious weeds once you can identify the helpful volunteer plants from those that are not so supportive of the garden system you have in place. As this blog post from <a href="http://soilandsenses.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/cotyledons/"><i>soil and senses</i></a> briefly describes learning your cotyledons is a fun and rewarding experience. Check out our July 2008 post on a couple of weeds we consider truly problematic <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Archives.html">here</a>. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinumHXWsc8bWuHvcQz5mHyLX1_-knw_Azg3zS5CAMZEyx7ZFwwrA3Ie60IE42UtRiF2UUJLEIi4HBvC6LkmY1RwAalTjnJsGavh4YgVKsMt2Lc1LFn9aTG79Dj5olxMD6aktOARWn-uuc/s1600/Feijoa+guild+spring+2011+-c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinumHXWsc8bWuHvcQz5mHyLX1_-knw_Azg3zS5CAMZEyx7ZFwwrA3Ie60IE42UtRiF2UUJLEIi4HBvC6LkmY1RwAalTjnJsGavh4YgVKsMt2Lc1LFn9aTG79Dj5olxMD6aktOARWn-uuc/s320/Feijoa+guild+spring+2011+-c.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Feijoa arbor guild 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't forget you can move volunteer plants that appear </span><span style="font-size: small;">in the garden </span><span style="font-size: small;">where you don't want them to a different spot. Or if you have a surplus of volunteer plants you can give them to family, friends and neighbors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wonder what else will come up this year... </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-37087115683356143732011-04-29T15:10:00.001-07:002011-04-29T16:19:56.579-07:00Books -a reliable resource<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We recently had a friend ask us for a list of good, easy to read permaculture books. It got us thinking about the fact we've never cataloged our "library" of books. They are such a wonderful resource and don't succumb to electricity outages...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ6oT4zzFlFp7OR-LgLTf66oV60UA8uv8GPSxgRGsSBTwJLfHPxQmkDM1Tx1lbBWyVz24TDKkWucd7By5sL1WA0jIezEUGCnAg-ZuaE2EHCCCAk3wshkSqvbog8N0Gu00VXBC5bIeb6U/s1600/GC+Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ6oT4zzFlFp7OR-LgLTf66oV60UA8uv8GPSxgRGsSBTwJLfHPxQmkDM1Tx1lbBWyVz24TDKkWucd7By5sL1WA0jIezEUGCnAg-ZuaE2EHCCCAk3wshkSqvbog8N0Gu00VXBC5bIeb6U/s400/GC+Books.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of our "library"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While the "library" as it stands is comprised of several bookshelves, some tabletops and a lot of wandering to find the one you're looking for, we are in the process of relocating our family and business so it seems fitting to take inventory. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We've listed 35 permaculture, gardening, sustainable living type books below; some we own and have read, some we don't own and have read, some we've read only bits and pieces from and some we've never read at all but have been advised to read. We also put them on the side bar to check out as you read other blog entries.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><a name='more'></a><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
So, copy and paste this list and remember, if the power is out there is no internet browsing or Kindle... just books and a good source of light.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><ol style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li>'A Pattern Language' Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein</li>
<li>'All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!' Mel Bartholomew</li>
<li>'Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature' Janine M. Benyus</li>
<li>'Chicken Tractor: The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil' Andy Lee, Pat Foreman</li>
<li>'Ecological Design' Sim Van der Ryn</li>
<li>'Edible Forest Gardens' David Jacke and Eric Toensmeier</li>
<li>'Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods' Thomas Elias</li>
<li>'Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community' Heather Coburn Flores</li>
<li>'Forest Gardening: Cultivating an Edible Landscape' Robert A. de J. Hart</li>
<li>'Gaia's Garden' Toby Hemenway</li>
<li>'Gardening for the Future of the Earth' Howard-Yana Shapiro</li>
<li>'Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making' Allan Savory and Jody Butterfield</li>
<li>'How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine' John Jeavons</li>
<li>'Introduction to Permaculture' Bill Mollison</li>
<li>'One-straw Revolution: Introduction to Natural Farming' Masanobu Fukoka</li>
<li>'Perennial Vegetables: From Artichokes to Zuiki Taro, A Gardener's Guide to Over 100 Delicious and Easy to Grow Edibles' Eric Toensmeier</li>
<li>'Permaculture A Designer's Manual' Bill Mollison</li>
<li>'Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition' Bill Mollison</li>
<li>'Permaculture One: A Perennial Agricultural System for Human Settlements' B. C. Mollison</li>
<li>'Permaculture Two' B. Mollison</li>
<li>'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability' David Holmgren</li>
<li>'Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands (& Beyond) volumes 1, 2 & 3' Brad Lancaster</li>
<li>'Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables' Mike Bubel</li>
<li>'Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners' Ernest Ashworth</li>
<li>'Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide for Farmers, Smallholders and Gardeners' Sepp Holzer</li>
<li>'The Backyard Beekeeper - Revised and Updated: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden' Kim Flottum</li>
<li>'The Beekeeper's Handbook, Third Edition' Diana Sammataro</li>
<li>'The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book' Carla Emery</li>
<li>'The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants' Samuel Thayer</li>
<li>'The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual' James Green</li>
<li>'The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, Third Edition' Joseph Jenkins</li>
<li>'The New Create an Oasis with Greywater: Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems -Includes Branched Drains' Art Ludwig</li>
<li>'Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture' John Smith</li>
<li>'Water For Every Farm: Yeomans Keyline Plan' P. A. Yeomans</li>
<li>'Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use--Includes How to Make Ferrocement Water Tanks' Art Ludwig</li>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-56104021702625130812011-03-09T10:59:00.001-08:002011-04-29T11:12:55.969-07:00Spring Mulch on Site aka Chop and Drop Mulching<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>It’s important to consider our unique Mediterranean climate this particular time of year. Getting a basic understanding of how our seasons, the hydrologic cycle and your gardens all interact is not only fascinating but essential for healthy plants and soil life.</b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4YIErMczsNheCYeMarv0nAbqZMtJRoRDQEsd6bF-YT8AWi3Y33aYxGiL90il9G39Ksj3r7Cc9ZJcrIWlNMPY_CXXxpQD4PBa64uCCoS5_htTsVfCX9rYi52DxJVCoVe21kp7rpvPFwk/s1600/Chop+and+Drop+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4YIErMczsNheCYeMarv0nAbqZMtJRoRDQEsd6bF-YT8AWi3Y33aYxGiL90il9G39Ksj3r7Cc9ZJcrIWlNMPY_CXXxpQD4PBa64uCCoS5_htTsVfCX9rYi52DxJVCoVe21kp7rpvPFwk/s320/Chop+and+Drop+example.jpg" width="291" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">chop and drop wheat and other grasses for green mulch</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b> </b></i></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Precipitation exceeds evaporation in the Spring*. Air and soil temperatures gradually rise with increasing daylight hours, critters become more active, plants begin to grow again and everyone thrives with the moisture and additional warmth of early Spring. How we can utilize this seasonal activity to our benefit and ultimately the health of the whole landscape? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Mulch-On-Site.html">Mulch-on-Site</a> </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">aka Chop and Drop mulching</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">‘Chop and drop’ means chopping down and dropping to the ground green mulch –literally where you stand or collected in piles for use in other locations. Basically you’re harvesting living mulch rather than buying in straw or bark. We use a rice knife (pictured below) rather than a 'weed eater' or string trimmer (reduced fossil fuel consumption) to chop and drop early spring grasses before they flower as well as other plants some consider weeds. Some plants die back for good, others, like perennial grasses, are smothered and are eventually out-competed by preferred mulch plants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY6tbZdXsDiGiveLXCXla8Vz38-lYLi7jlMLXQHDNjtj3Hq-TtXq_asNljervzuLDTrACYXmXVIxU2PQmEaN9CeGpXk2JZevKGDprJrvoYQdXWJyZ5Usg-HKWxObrqffsqq1sDEpX48w/s1600/Rice+Knife+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY6tbZdXsDiGiveLXCXla8Vz38-lYLi7jlMLXQHDNjtj3Hq-TtXq_asNljervzuLDTrACYXmXVIxU2PQmEaN9CeGpXk2JZevKGDprJrvoYQdXWJyZ5Usg-HKWxObrqffsqq1sDEpX48w/s320/Rice+Knife+example.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A rice knife -best chop and drop tool around</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Growing specific plants to produce mulch for the garden serves many purposes; first and foremost is the cheap and freely available mulch needed by all healthy plants and soil life. Second are the specific types of plants you grow which add certain nutrients to the soil. This addition of micronutrients (as well as macros) cuts back the need for out sourced organic fertilizers. Build the soil’s food web in a diverse way (by the addition of dynamic accumulator and nitrogen fixing plants for starters) and you have healthy plants in an evolving ecosystem. When your plants are chopped back the roots die off somewhat too leaving an abundance of organic matter under the soil further increasing organic content thus microbial food… thus readily available plant nutrients over time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This seasonal method of mulching on site provides an organic matter layer to the top soil which substantially reduces soil evaporation later in the season. Try this chop and drop method in the middle of summer, after evaporation exceeds precipitation, and the results are not the same. Fungi, bacteria, protozoa, arthropods and more all rely on moisture and diverse foods to grow and reproduce, which these early additions of mulch supply. When the air temperatures are high (evaporation is directly related to temperature) green mulches dry out before soil organisms can break them down and make them useful to your plants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spring is also a good time of year to trim back any old growth on perennial plants you left standing for overwintering beneficial insects. Before everyone wakes up too much you can trim them back which will increase available light as well as add valuable brown mulch to the beds. Just make sure you leave the mulch trimmings around the plant you pruned so if the frost hits hard again they have a ‘blankey’ of mulch to keep warm. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on Mulch on Site techniques to reduce if not eliminate outside mulch inputs to your garden, check out our Mulch on Site pages. <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/Mulch-On-Site.html">Mulch on Site</a> and <a href="http://www.gaiacreationsecoland.com/What_is_MOS.html">What is Mulch on Site?</a></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">* Precipitation exceeds evaporation starting late Fall through early Spring in our climate but until March we are dominated by the cold, dark time of year.</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-52043693997934806492011-03-01T12:07:00.000-08:002011-04-29T16:18:56.267-07:00Random photos of Springtime in Northern California<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">for your enjoyment...</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszBMDRcCkYB5ktufDmmsA8dpnNFJNWJQWy9zzj9-Yd1bLSPPS5FWmrt5CYK3RcRJJV958ys8w2BeBx19e9ytSWakU-avqIeE49ITqHsvThQXcA5J6SzonVYeWrb1ltlsHzHiHq9T37ew/s1600/Akebia+quinata+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszBMDRcCkYB5ktufDmmsA8dpnNFJNWJQWy9zzj9-Yd1bLSPPS5FWmrt5CYK3RcRJJV958ys8w2BeBx19e9ytSWakU-avqIeE49ITqHsvThQXcA5J6SzonVYeWrb1ltlsHzHiHq9T37ew/s320/Akebia+quinata+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Akebia quniata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTerI_iZeULftqACvm3221ckV4ZiipDZOdZd-bWIBQ9e6wLhNTkHQbzOO_8aT4NOod30zbe8cnmVK7OE2KrCuylGMyA2nV82rRRE_76sClKIN9WTf9woRWWq0q5ZEy7nWRVu3BbIG2xM/s1600/Ladybug+eggs+with+aphids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTerI_iZeULftqACvm3221ckV4ZiipDZOdZd-bWIBQ9e6wLhNTkHQbzOO_8aT4NOod30zbe8cnmVK7OE2KrCuylGMyA2nV82rRRE_76sClKIN9WTf9woRWWq0q5ZEy7nWRVu3BbIG2xM/s320/Ladybug+eggs+with+aphids.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ladybug eggs next to aphids</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNpdmgoBHF1yyP435gLOuc76tQGrVhVkvPu4vI2XoieE2qlI7iOauTbDVOKI2MKE8VrkJAFDRuNNPhAWsJGD7MLsi6BZncOH01lHrq8lUVveXNjBxqH5zzCiLgT7X74Ha1nCV_uunWXk/s1600/chard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNpdmgoBHF1yyP435gLOuc76tQGrVhVkvPu4vI2XoieE2qlI7iOauTbDVOKI2MKE8VrkJAFDRuNNPhAWsJGD7MLsi6BZncOH01lHrq8lUVveXNjBxqH5zzCiLgT7X74Ha1nCV_uunWXk/s320/chard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chard and mint</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh7Ke7_dO1VdGGYsQq9mk3mZVM0sw0bCGh9wnPAZrlrM_YjbvRglfpuboMrw0PsIiNBiVZazhC1PmenerUza4G14ClP-jWTnhgj726czU87Ozja5rigcI79tiBgDNyEEOmbu4NkmSxzM/s1600/BractFungi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh7Ke7_dO1VdGGYsQq9mk3mZVM0sw0bCGh9wnPAZrlrM_YjbvRglfpuboMrw0PsIiNBiVZazhC1PmenerUza4G14ClP-jWTnhgj726czU87Ozja5rigcI79tiBgDNyEEOmbu4NkmSxzM/s320/BractFungi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Turkey tail mushrooms</span></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-48390121557780681542011-02-02T15:43:00.001-08:002011-04-29T11:15:01.532-07:00EARN YOUR PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Earth Care - People Care - Fair Share</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMed5zrWg9tHxjnjjmm_5WQDmNaIu-QKBn-YKRTIVxxlCy42rwH62npAfJdH1Vqn7cwfh9R4dgQtFQMKtdH3MYJizbRHdVFuW7iQAvhyphenhyphen2JgDcluC17Huu9Jy1p1weqSakMiuOpX0xt22o/s1600/only+Logo+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMed5zrWg9tHxjnjjmm_5WQDmNaIu-QKBn-YKRTIVxxlCy42rwH62npAfJdH1Vqn7cwfh9R4dgQtFQMKtdH3MYJizbRHdVFuW7iQAvhyphenhyphen2JgDcluC17Huu9Jy1p1weqSakMiuOpX0xt22o/s320/only+Logo+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">PERMACULTURE OFFERS POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO A PLANET IN CRISIS</span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">with Cathe’ Fish & Neil Bertrando </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">March 12- March 20, 2011</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">BLUEBIRD FARM</span> – SUSTAINABLE FARM IN NEVADA CITY, CA</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Learn how to design for stability, resilience, and abundance at a farm that is dedicated to sustainability and community health. Gain hands-on skills in sustainable systems design and application.<span style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Permaculture provides a</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> framework for consciously designed landscapes that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. These systems yield an abundance of shelter, water, energy, and food for the provision of local needs that provide diversity, stability, and resilience for local populations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">DISCOVER SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR FARM, RURAL LAND OR SUBURBAN BACKYARD</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>SPECIFIC COURSE TOPICS</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Theory and Principles of Permaculture</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Methods of Design</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Understanding Patterns in Nature</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Eco-friendly House Design</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Strategies for Urban & Rural Settings</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Passive Solar Greenhouses</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Composting Toilets & Greywater Systems</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Small Scale Food Production</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Farming For the Future</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Seed Saving</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Drought-Proof Property</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Water Harvesting & Management</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Trees & Their Energy Transactions</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Ecological Pest Control</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Food Forests & Plant Nurseries</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Livestock & Pasture Care</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Aquaculture & Fishponds</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Soil Rehabilitation & Erosion Control</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Land and Creek Restoration</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Catastrophe Preparedness</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Community Building</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Right Livelihood</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Alternative Economics</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Ethical Investment</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Bio-Regional Organization</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Legal Strategies and Trusts</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Collaborative Design Teams</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">• Effective Aid</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>HANDS ON ACTIVITIES</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b>• Nature Awareness</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Quick Ways to Create a Food Garden</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Passive Solar Kitchen</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Water Harvesting Earthworks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Compost and Compost Tea</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Tree Planting and Pruning</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• Making Sauerkraut & Cheese</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Regional Wild Foods</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cathe' Fish</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, international educator and founder of Practical Permaculture Research Institute. Cathe’ is a Master Gardener, and has been teaching passive solar and permaculture systems for 25 years. She has designed 40 acre farms to backyards.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Neil Bertrando</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> works as a project coordinator for the Great Basin Institute, where he collaborates on ecological development and invasive weed management projects using Permaculture strategies and patterns. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Also joining the course will be a team of passionate and knowledgeable instructors.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;"> </span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">LEARN TO USE NATURE AS YOUR PATTERN FOR FOOD PRODUCTION, HOUSING, AND COMMUNITY</span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Permaculture Design Certificate course is an internationally-recognized, 72 hour course resulting in a Permaculture Design Certificate. The course covers sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of permaculture principles to food production, home design/ construction, energy conservation/generation, and explores alternative economic structures and legal strategies supporting permaculture solutions. Credit for this course is now accepted by a growing number of universities around the world. Certification from this course empowers you to develop a professional permaculture design, consultation and instruction business.<span style="color: red;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Course includes:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Permaculture Design Course and Course Graduation Certificate</span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Housing and the best locally sourced healthy nutrient dense meals</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Course Fee:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">$1000 early bird special</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">$1200.00 after 2/19/2011</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">To Register:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://littleurl.info/permaculture" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://littleurl.info/permaculture</span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(<a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3a8p5ot78ad6805&llr=scoupddab"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3a8p5ot78ad6805&llr=scoupddab</span></a>)</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant: small-caps;">For more information*: </span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cathe’ Fish</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.practicalpermaculture.com/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Practical Permaculture Research Institute</span></a></span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">530-274-2575</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">e-mail: <a href="mailto:practicalpermaculture@gmail.com"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">practicalpermaculture@gmail.com</span></a></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">*Spanish Translator available on request</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-44573644867619297242011-02-01T15:31:00.000-08:002011-02-02T15:42:30.755-08:00Planting for Seed Saving<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">ADAPT YOUR PLANTS, INCREASE DIVERSITY</span></b></span></i></div><tr></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVP6w7tN9KzSnw55tem0zWZhCb4lQUv04Fl6IqQZbCotcBObKAKRFx2KzqvfXXOK2TNc7FVZgzDFX0nq83TpLlF8A1WwfZrzEBg3eH6KX2C3TdTCo9Ja3pNMmD4JDfkmyE1kezu9lBPc/s1600/calendula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVP6w7tN9KzSnw55tem0zWZhCb4lQUv04Fl6IqQZbCotcBObKAKRFx2KzqvfXXOK2TNc7FVZgzDFX0nq83TpLlF8A1WwfZrzEBg3eH6KX2C3TdTCo9Ja3pNMmD4JDfkmyE1kezu9lBPc/s400/calendula.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Calendula seed</span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Here are a few tips for planting success: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.2in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">If your intentions are to save seed from certain plants -grow more plants than you think you need. This allows room for error and the unexpected and also ensures there will be enough plants from which to harvest all your seed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.2in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Saving seed requires you grow plants to maturity. This means they get a lot bigger when not harvested or deadheaded, so leave more room around them. The plants you let go to seed will most likely be growing in random places so be fairly flexible in your overall <a href="http://permagaia.blogspot.com/2010/02/garden-planning.html">garden design</a> and subsequent plantings. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.2in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 8pt;">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Think about isolation. This means in space (location) or in time (month of seed harvest) or both. By doing so you maximize the chance of maintaining the specific variety you're after. Look up recommended isolation distances or choose early and late varieties that flower at different times. Remember to try and check with your neighbors -they might be growing something that will cross! If they are, you will need to isolate yours with physical barriers to prevent pollen transfer. If it’s a <a href="http://truefoodnow.org/2011/01/27/usda-decision-on-ge-alfalfa-leaves-door-open-for-contamination-rise-of-superweeds/">GMO</a>, ask them to <a href="http://permagaia.blogspot.com/2010/03/grow-open-pollinated-op-plantsseed.html">buy open pollinated seed</a> instead!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.2in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R60fN17kwZhdgb4ALRTJ6jI3fdXANurgoT_b2O_YBYeIOZwD7i4osBwyJ-ydmoaK0QAErM1EXQmCqAD3balNFjSi21Mttuc9ebTMK2N7yRp6ezxmWfawCfiflsg85Qdm-WpMg9rF5bY/s1600/chives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R60fN17kwZhdgb4ALRTJ6jI3fdXANurgoT_b2O_YBYeIOZwD7i4osBwyJ-ydmoaK0QAErM1EXQmCqAD3balNFjSi21Mttuc9ebTMK2N7yRp6ezxmWfawCfiflsg85Qdm-WpMg9rF5bY/s320/chives.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Chive seedhead</span></td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607628776513565648.post-46011575704403115872011-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:002011-04-29T11:27:42.644-07:00EAT YOUR GREENS!<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">Shown below are several types of edible leafy green vegetables you can grow easily (and over winter!) in your gardens...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">bok choy, borage, broccoli, cabbage, hollyhocks, cilantro, dandelions, kohlrabi, red mustard, spinach</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT8k8rNd3PakatkS8lTHSbx_o89VIon9Py0y5XCN6Sg1dAmaUJes3Y48H50YPPqZYZWuAXI89EJYydTXLlcl6UhOBUAE98sL9TDyXpmtxAfpq7sgDvaPVWaYUsRHtg-16trEvrraLJGU/s1600/bokchoy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT8k8rNd3PakatkS8lTHSbx_o89VIon9Py0y5XCN6Sg1dAmaUJes3Y48H50YPPqZYZWuAXI89EJYydTXLlcl6UhOBUAE98sL9TDyXpmtxAfpq7sgDvaPVWaYUsRHtg-16trEvrraLJGU/s320/bokchoy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">bok choy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -a bit more tender than other winter greens. we like it as a lettuce substitute in sandwiches.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GbS8SPss1avbbR0WW97yflew8VaXJAcaHW1AjXRTI9582sz7HY4bE51HkMT1kXcopuoeDfJXq6TY0SKJB5UJyJAllnM3F36_Op5oepyxsTK6XcLeTmGdbO7d13tZIs8rfN9pKlGbKNg/s1600/borage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GbS8SPss1avbbR0WW97yflew8VaXJAcaHW1AjXRTI9582sz7HY4bE51HkMT1kXcopuoeDfJXq6TY0SKJB5UJyJAllnM3F36_Op5oepyxsTK6XcLeTmGdbO7d13tZIs8rfN9pKlGbKNg/s320/borage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">borage</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -a short lived perennial and prolific self sower borage leaves are best steamed and picked when young. the flowers are the real show later on...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">broccoli</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -we usually eat the unopened flower but the leaves are equally good. grow a bunch from seed in early fall then eat the thinnings over winter!</span></td></tr>
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<tr> <td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 55.06%;" valign="top" width="55%"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">cabbage</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> - this asian variety is a champion in the garden. traditional cabbage is our favorite for making sauerkraut.</span></div></td> </tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1mEfFhCSHGZa6USfoOOiqG2gDqCcATooKHiqrVrs_CfHjlmL_a2bIaIm9ZjIANbMWtvkeQnPncQ_2SEEWSnDlj9_A7qBoGIoUBZnQ0ixZAFNEuRaxZ3F_LAO-si8wcpqtWs-y6o4AAM/s320/hollyhock-dandelion-cilantro.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">cilantro, hollyhocks, dandelions</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -this trio is a self sowing wonder. eat the hollyhock and dandelion leaves when picked young and steamed with other greens. cilantro and dandelion fresh in a salad are really good too!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4VwAF9eLnTf9_WJ8EcQnWwCxKoYGIIeKNGiDbwKtJT9IcGqaimSHj4DOAS3OH7zru4jRWEup5nm1pyViqJovjpnor_iGpyBLUwMveQEBiOE8WmK3HRq4gCyzmu6YUIF1Ckk3VxlFY0k/s1600/kohlrobi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4VwAF9eLnTf9_WJ8EcQnWwCxKoYGIIeKNGiDbwKtJT9IcGqaimSHj4DOAS3OH7zru4jRWEup5nm1pyViqJovjpnor_iGpyBLUwMveQEBiOE8WmK3HRq4gCyzmu6YUIF1Ckk3VxlFY0k/s320/kohlrobi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">kohlrabi </span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">-usually eaten for the large and rounded stem the leaves are very good too. eat fresh or steamed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq_jqI5kJrSMyuWbh-dD3yXQWzP27g7IqAgx0v61DWsvBBj9saw8CG1GD8Gp1RL0jHEgxBqjksBWjZ5AeFXPrz83PGMnT3XYeoUjCLRB22Ehc3sbdEl6ndczre-nATbYBYDtz9wWnZX0/s1600/red+mustard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq_jqI5kJrSMyuWbh-dD3yXQWzP27g7IqAgx0v61DWsvBBj9saw8CG1GD8Gp1RL0jHEgxBqjksBWjZ5AeFXPrz83PGMnT3XYeoUjCLRB22Ehc3sbdEl6ndczre-nATbYBYDtz9wWnZX0/s320/red+mustard.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">red mustard</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -or green mustard; both are very spicy. carefully added to salads or to steamed dishes is a real treat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrOstTOoK0JBlVcS2KLM2EE11qkG-lB00UJnnxOUOKe41QGo2TjJP71or2pMMA-kydREEg7FryjfEB9exT-ZGzI7SXPWZybtrM0m4v73s4-PaYXa16ItWmUEWtiEaZmfuCzHBxXG9IzE/s1600/spinach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrOstTOoK0JBlVcS2KLM2EE11qkG-lB00UJnnxOUOKe41QGo2TjJP71or2pMMA-kydREEg7FryjfEB9exT-ZGzI7SXPWZybtrM0m4v73s4-PaYXa16ItWmUEWtiEaZmfuCzHBxXG9IzE/s320/spinach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">spinach</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;"> -over recent years this 'Popeye' of a dark leafy green has been rivaled and out matched in nutrient value as compared to others. yet it still has the best buttery flavor of all greens to be sure.</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10pt;">This is a short list of greens; <a href="mailto:info@gaiacreationsecoland.com">contact us </a>for more information! We can help you get set up with a perpetual garden of greens!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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