This is an update to my slug-killing post from last year. During that time I've tried copper tape, garlic spray, attracting more birds, broken eggshells, and a host of other organic remedies. Just last week I saw this video on Paul Wheaton's Permies site showing a large slug just cruising over the copper tape. I wish I had seen that before I spent the money. … [Read more...]
Planting Garlic
Adding garlic to your garden has got to be one of the easiest projects possible. For almost a year I put off planting because I read so many different articles about when to plant, where to plant, and all the varieties to choose from. We live about 30 minutes north of Gilroy, California, which may be the garlic growing capital of the world. Over 600 varieties of garlic are … [Read more...]
Experimenting with Hugelkultur
Can a garden go all summer with only one watering? Can you easily sustain plants from less arid zones? Can a simple, low tech trick transform your dirt into an active soil web that feeds plants, fights bad critters and prevents disease? These are some of the claims that made me interested in trying Hugelkultur at home - but what is it? … [Read more...]
Compost Tea
As with everything, there is even controversy around how to make compost tea. The two basic camps are anaerobic, or aerobic, and there is "scientific research" to back up both sides that you can easily find on google. The aerobic method "brews" beneficial bacteria with added oxygen, introduced by something like an aquarium pump, and this environment favors the bacteria that … [Read more...]
Today’s Lunch, Farmed and Foraged
The Short Story: This simple lunch and post was inspired from my friend Mil's post, My Sunday dinner: farmed and foraged, and from Dog Island Farm with their amazing Year Without Groceries project. Our goal is to be able to have one or two days a week where we eat nothing but our own food – even just one day a week would be 52 days a year. We're no where close to that, … [Read more...]