5 Reasons to Grow Fruit Trees... even in Little Patio Pots

There was a time when every home had at least one fruit tree.  And at the turn of the century every rural property had an orchard.. What happened?

About the time we got lawn mowers and track homes rural homeowners decided to go for 'ornamental' or landscape trees with an emphasis on shade trees.  And, while many fruit trees make great shade trees the fruit that fell had to be dealt with,

What IS it about Backyard Chickens? Why you should start Raising them Right now.....

There is a movement afoot to bring poultry back into Urban Yards.  Yes Chickens are cute but is there more to it than that?



5 Important Reasons  to have Chickens right now.....


1)  The Eggs are safer and better from your own chickens.  It is a fact.   The chickens you raise are healthier, they eat free range so you know what is making the eggs.  

 Consumer Reports,  in a 2013  study,

Collecting Seeds and World Pea(ce)....

So what does collecting seeds have to do with World Peace?
As it turns out collecting seeds is a good pay it forward that is easy to do.  And it is a habit the entire world can use.. so why not?
Being a little more serious, given that we have a world bee problem sowing Seeds can help the pollinators do their part.  And, food security is always a good thing.


So how to make a difference? And

4 Things you can do with Mustard

Mustard is an amazing plant and is one of the easiest to grow. Just broadcast the seeds out in the fall.  It likes cold weather and makes a wonderful cover crop or early winter greens in your garden.   The plant is beneficial to the soil and in fact can kill various soil diseases and acts as a fungicide.  You often see mustard between the rows in vineyards planted as a soil and root defense

Three Things you Didn't Know about Chickens and Tomatoes

Chickens and tomatoes.... How do they go together?   



1.   Chickens and Tomatoes at the Compost pile   Chickens are smart and they go where the bugs are.  The compost pile is a favorite spot for chickens to find the latest scraps and bugs that like them.   Given free run chickens will do the hard work of aerating your pile.  We take advantage of this by using a rotating part of our garden

3 things you can grow (and eat!) that also improve your soil

Photo by Craig Rippens Marin Farmers Market

When you garden in the ground you must continually work to improve your soil and rotate your crops.  OR, you can grow in raised beds and buy packaged dirt and fertilizers... but both require you either buy MORE fertilizer each year or replenish the soils somehow  A win win is to grow crops (you can eat) that also improve the soil.     These work

Best Cabbage Salad We have Ever Had

Photo by Craig Rippens  Marin Farmers Market

There are salads and then there are amazing salads.  Pick up the greens at the Farmers Market.

Grammy Browns Cabbage Salad


1 Head of Cabbage Shredded
1 Bunch of green onions chopped
1 TBSP Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 Package of Organic Ramon Noodles crushed (they make them google it)


Dressing


1 cup virgin olive oil
8 TBSP Seasoned

10 EASIEST VEGETABLES FOR BEGINNERS

Photo from Craig Rippens Marin Farmers Market

Growing vegetables doesn't get any easier than this...  give it a try. 1) CARROTS
Find a plot of soil (or a deep pot) that is deep enough to handle this
root vegetable. Carrots are ready for harvest when their tops extend
above the soil line. If you start running out of time in the Fall, you
can harvest early as baby carrots. Scarlet Nantes,

Pear and Goat Cheese Salad

We love farmers markets (of course) and we love the farm tours where there are goats!  So what is better than goat cheese farmers market salad.


This one is super easy..



1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil whisked with 2 TBS of fresh lemon juice and a little bit of sugar added.
Thyme, pepper and a dab of Dijon mustard to taste in the dressing
A bowl of your favorite farmers market greens -

What to make with Tomatoes

It is that time of year. Tomatoes everywhere.  We love to pick them right off the vines and make a delicious salad.  Of course you can get heirloom tomatoes at your local farmers market too.

Here is our fav salad at the moment.



Fresh tomatoes
Basil or small sliced onions
Red onion 
Extra Virgin Olive Oil whisked together with 1/2 tsp lemon drizzle with a pinch of crushed thyme








Or

Creamy Spanish Dip for Chips or Veggies

Sometimes you run across something that is truly amazing. This dip is flavorful and easy. It can be made ahead and is good both cold and at room temp.  The secret is in the blend of blue cheese, garlic and butter.



1 stick of salted butter
1/4 cup of softened blue cheese
garlic to taste



Blend well and serve at room temperature or cold.  An easy rule of thumb is to use about as much blue