OC FARM SUPPLY SELLS SUSTAINABLE GARDEN PRODUCTS

I can't stress enough the importance of using quality materials in your garden.  Don't skimp and buy cheep just to save a dollar.  Spending a little extra is beneficial for the long term health of your garden.  You want the garden soil, fertilizers and other products you use in your garden to be good quality. 

In this video Chris Roy President of OC Farm Supply gives you a tour of their location and shows you all the sustainable products they have for sale.  If you have never been here, then I would highly recommend to go.  You will not be disappointed. 

PAINTING NEW ART

I love to watercolor and find that when I do, I get figuratively transported to another dimension.  It's relaxing and fun at the same time.  I also like to share my work to not only inspire others to do what they love, but to also help me continue at it and try to improve my skills.  I am by no means a professional artist, but that is not going to stop me from painting.  Here are three paintings that I did last week that I wanted to share, as the goal is to share my watercolors every Monday. 

The first is a bird perched on a branch.  Not the best sketched bird but a lovely one.  He is called Wire Tailed Manakin.  Here is a video of their display of courtship. 



The second watercolor is of a counter top with various things on top.  Just a simple kitchen with not much clutter.  Only the things needed and some pretty flowers to add a pop of life. 

The third watercolor is that of a bunch of flowers and cacti in various pots.  Different shapes and colors to add variety to any space.  All taking up residence on a mantle with white subway tile. 

MY PATIO GARDEN - PART TWO

As you may have read in my patio garden part one I recently moved to Santa Ana from Tustin.  This meant that I was not only going to have a space that had a better layout and was energetically better but unlike my last place I now have a descent amount of garden space to play with.  I will do a video of the entire space in a future post.  What I wanted to talk about today is worms and why (if you have a garden) you should have them.

I for the past few years have been trying to live a more sustainable life.  Trying to reduce the amount of waste I produce and just live an all around healthier life.  So when I moved into this place I wanted to not be sending a shit ton of trash into the landfill.  I started years ago by not buying foods that came in any packaging that could not be recycled or reused.  I buy everything in bulk which was a cost savings but I was still throwing the food waste in the landfill and that had to change. So I decided to start worm composting.



I did not want to go the plastic bin route and wanted something that was both functional and decorative.  After some google searching I found this wooden worm composting bin from an Etsy shop called Sacred Resource.  I was drawn to the fact that it was not made of plastic and is far more sustainable than the competition.  It was easy to install and I am certain that my HOA won't huff or puff about it.  I also got some worms (500 red wigglers) from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm.   Both products came with some tips and tricks to get started that were helpful.


So far it has been a few weeks since I have been composting and I have learned a few things...

• Have a bucket in the kitchen to which you can store the food waste until you are ready to put them in the bin.  I bought one from World Market.  
• Out of 500 worms about half a dozen died. 
• Onion peels are not liked so much.
• Avocado peels, tea leaves and tomato peels are a big hit.  
• You really do need equal (or thereabouts) amount of green and brown waste or there will be an odor.
• You may get some critters inside the bin.  I have some gnats and tiny ants.  I am sure they are harmless.  
• Once in a while add a bit of water to the bin to keep the soil somewhat moist. 

I will share updates from time to time.  If you are worm composting I would love to hear about your adventures and if you have any tips for this newbie then feel free to share.

THE UNKNOWN IN LAGUNA BEACH

As I had mentioned I have a client in Laguna Beach who has hired me to transform her landscape (view the previous post about this project here).  The project has been moving along splendidly, however yesterday we hit a snag.  I always say to clients that sometimes you have no clue what the true condition of your garden is until you begin digging and removing elements.  In this case as the contractor was digging in the front yard to clear the ground to prepare for planting an interesting discovery was made.  The one and only front yard planter contained a concrete slab underneath what was only a two feet layer of dirt.

I would assume that the previous owners did not want to remove the concrete slab and took the cheap way out, which means that my client who is the new owner has a surprise to deal with.  This planter is 507 square feet and is currently comprised of a few potted Sago Palms and not much else.  This issue also explains why the Sago Palms were planted in wine barrels as oppose to in ground. 

Below are some tips to consider when having your landscape redone.

• Hire a professional - this makes having to deal with such issues or other unforeseen issues less costly. This will also ensure that you garden is designed right and installed accurately the first and only time.
• Do it right - if you encounter issues of any kind don't take the easy way out.  Make sure that you have options.  Granted that your budget may limit what you can do but at least you should be open to various options.  
• If you are buying a home bear in mind that there are things that may creep up that the seller may not wish to tell you about.  Having the place inspected is key.  Then again the inspector may not want to dig in your planter areas so be open minded about the unknown.
• Don't spend all your money indoors - if you are remodeling consider that your landscape may also need to be done and if you spend all your money indoors then you will have nothing left.  Whatever you have saved for remodeling should be split 50/50 (indoors/outdoors).  Also consider that in some cases depending on what you desire that you may have to spend 10% of your property value when you remodel both your interior and your landscape. 
• Is your landscape contractor licensed, bonded and insured?  Does your landscape designer know how to prepare proper drawings that a contractor can accurately bid from?  Do your homework and thoroughly check out the person whom you wish to hire.  Don't be shy about asking for portfolio pictures and testimonials.  

The above picture is the hole that the contractor dug in my Laguna Beach clients garden unearthing the surprise.

FERTILIZERS, MORE FERTILIZERS AND...

Over the last few months I have come across three organic fertilizer products (mixes) that I would like to share with you.

The first is by a company called TRI C Organics, which manufactures soil conditioners. These Tri-C humate products are a unique organic material derived from prehistoric plant vegetation, minded from deposits along the continental divide. These soil conditioners can be used year round and are good for any soil type.

Humate benefits include...

• Rich minerals
• Carbon
• Organic matter
• Humic acids
• Beneficial bacteria
• Improved drought tolerance
  
• Reduces plant stress

The second is by a company called Dr. Earth, that also produces fertilizers with humic acids and beneficial bacteria. Their starter fertilizer contains "A superior blend of alfalfa meal, fish bone meal, feather meal, mined potassium sulfate, soft rock, phosphate, seaweed extract and PRO-BIOTIC™
seven champion strains of beneficial soil microbes plus Ecto and Endo Mycorrhizae." Dr. Earth also makes compost starters for those that are interested in composting.

The third product is by a company called Green Wave Fertilizer, which is another fertilizer product worth experimenting with. There Power Plant FT1-7 product is liquid concentrated and can be applied to any landscape & agricultural product. "PowerPlant FT1-7 uses the soil microorganisms found in the soil to greatly enhance the re-colonization of these beneficial microorganisms that uses BNF to produce nitrogen in the soil. PowerPlant FT1-7 contains readily available nutrients in the right proportions to help enhance plant growth."

Soil conditioners (fertilizers) are great to add to your existing garden that may not be doing so hot. I would assume that all three products are good to use in your garden however, I personally have not used either product as I have no land to garden in. But I have given samples to friends and will update you on their thoughts in the next few months.

If you are interested using any of these products then please contact me and I would be happy to contact you with the appropriate person or to give you and hour of complimentary ideas on where and how to use these products.

YARD CLIPPINGS AS MULCH

If you have any deciduous trees in your yard then you know all too well how frustrating it is to rake up those leaves and put them in bags etc. Well why not avoid all of that and just use those leaves as mulch. Nature gives you these leaves for free so take advantage of that. I am not saying that you should not use mulch. In some cases you might have to, but if you can also use your yard clippings then you should consider it. Just look at all the lovely colors you will have added for free to your yard. A great cost savings!

MULCHING

When you read a set of construction documents you will notice the following note on the planting plan...

"Contractor to install a 2" layer of mulch in all shrub areas."

Usually the landscape designer will specify the exact variety of mulch to use.

Why Mulch?

• Retain soil moisture.
• Inhibit weed growth.
• Prevent soil erosion.
• Use mulch for paving or play areas.

If you are looking to buy earth friendly mulch products you can do so here...

IMPROVE YOUR SOIL

First you must figure out what type of soil you have...

• Clay - has small particles, small air spaces and retains water better.
• Silt - is smooth and powdery.
• Sand - has large particles, large air spaces and thus drains quickly.

The ideal soil type is two part sand and silt to one part clay.

The best way to improve your soil type is to add organic matter (the best place to get them is your compost pile). Organic matter should be added on a yearly basis. The only limitation is how deep you can dig, how much you can afford to buy and how strong you are.