Today I stumbled upon a resource while researching trees for my front yard. This website, www.watersmartsd.org is not only well designed, but also filled with helpful information and resources.
Through it I found out that there is a new rebate for rain barrels (something that I had been considering anyway but had not gotten around to) and an upcoming class on water wise gardening.
Wonderful PDF provided by the city of San Diego and produced by Sunset Magazine
I previously blogged about this funky planter a few months ago after I scored it from Target. At that time I was thinking summer thoughts and not of…
This week I went up with a friend to the San Diego Botanical Garden in Encinitas. There were many different sections of the garden all of which were…
We spent five days camping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Sequoia National Forest. We stayed just between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. Now I have discovered that camping as an adult is a lot of work. It feels good to be in nature. The park offered some beautiful scenery.
We stayed at Stoney Creek Campground and for anyone that cares my favorite sites there are sites 36, 37, 38, and 167. The whole are is shaded with big trees, mostly White Fir trees. The campgrounds were pretty dusty but just outside there were plants under the trees. Ferns and shrubs nod low grasses. There was a small creek on either side of the campgrounds. It made the dry creek bed that I created almost look like a joke. With water surrounding the campgrounds, surprisingly bugs were not an issue. We never broke out the bug spray that we made a special trip for. While the campground was lovely, the main attraction are the giant sequoias that you need to drive to.
A sign to help identify the trees of the area.
Are these threes not stunningly beautiful? They actually sell seedlings in the stores there and while i was tempted i cant imagine that this tree would thrive in San Diego County. When you think of right plant/tree right place it also seems a little silly to plant a tree that can get so large by a residence. Granted the giant Sequoias are thousands of years old but still.
Going on this trip has fueled a desire to garden with natives. I know only the basics but it seems to make sense. I wonder if where I live was once a place of beauty. It is very developed but perhaps I might be able to bring a little natural (but nice looking) space back.
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park but up next to each other and are run as one giant National Park. There are 14 campgrounds in the parks. Only a few of these take reservations:
Potwisha, Buckeye Flat, Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, and certain group campsites are open to reservations and can accommodate from 7-50 people . Many are first-come, first-served: .
Amenities: Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, and a bear box (metal food storage box). If you are looking for dump stations within the park, they are located at Lodgepole, Potwisha, and Dorst Creek campgrounds. None of the campgrounds have hookups. There are three small stores to gather supplies in the park at Lodgepole, Cedar Grove Lodge, and Grand Grove Market. There are no gas stations in the park, but there are a few just outside in the Forest Service area at Hume Lake and Stony Creek Village.
I have an on again off again habit of running. One of the things that I enjoy is viewing different front yards. I often stop and take photos…
We have a plant located in front of the garage that came with the house. It has been completely trouble free at this point and required little water that I have nearly ignored it. In June it was encroaching on the walkway so I trimmed it back the weekend before we hosted a rather large party. I water it very little, but my son often waters it and I think that might be the problem. He waters it overhead with the spray nozzle just beside it. A few weeks ago I noticed this rather healthy plant looking rather sad. On further examination I saw that a powdery mildew was on most of the leaves (except new growth). I have had experience with this in my last house on roses and I used a spray from the store. I really want to avoid the use of harsh chemicals if at all possible at this point. Floating around the internet, there seems to be two different recipes to try. One involving milk and water, and this one that changes the PH balance using baking soda. Powdery Mildew is actually a fungus/mold and it spreads when spores travel in the wind. I’ve read that you may not be able to eradicate it entirely, but it is possible to keep it under control and from effecting other plants.
2 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
2 1/4 tsp. Dish Soap (I used Dawn)
2 1/4 tsp. Olive oil (can use most any oil)
1/2 gallon Water.
Mix ingredients and place in spray bottle and apply to plant.
Tips:
I sprayed it once yesterday and this morning and while it seems to have helped there is still mildew. On closer examination I also found aphids and after spraying I do not see them. I’ll update on the progress.
Two months ago when I was extremely busy at work, I had the bright idea of spending a few hours putting together this image using various things from…
I was lamenting the fact that my raised beds were not ready to plant a garden this year. I am missing fresh tomatoes! last year I picked cherry tomatoes off the vine and popped them in my mouth. My in-laws gave me a container that they were not using and told me to try planting late tomatoes. I’m not expecting g a bumper crop but even a few would make me happy.
Yesterday we planted it and watered it. My son was really excited about planting. I hope that I can pass this on to him.
