Keep Your Laws Off My Garden

Because I am a huge proponent of the "food not lawns" movement, I had to share this story outof Detroit demonstrating the struggle to change peoples', and governments', view of what is the "right way" to garden.  Let Julie Garden! Let Julie Garden!!!

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/julie-bass-of-oak-park-faces-misdemeanor-charge-for-vegetable-garden-20110630-wpms

Chocolate-scented Orchid

A sweet chocolate scent greeted me when I walked in the door today. :)

Fingerling Food

Small harvest of fingerling potatoes gathered while making room for a few new additions. Perfect when steamed until a fork goes through with the slightest give. Pepper and a dollop of sour cream. Yum!

The Black (foliage) Dahlia

The Black (foliage) Dahlia

Juanita Eats Out is Easy To Swallow

My dear friend Juanita MORE!...Performer, DJ, tireless Fundraiser, and Mother to many throughout San Francisco and beyond...has recently given birth to a blog about her true love - FOOD.  Find recipes, restaurants, and great reading presented in a simple, easy-to-swallow format.

Without further ado, I give you Juanita Eats Out.

Bottlebrush Tree

San Francisco has a varied array of sidewalk trees. One of my favorites is the Bottlebrush tree (Callistemon rigidus).

From the photos, you can certainly see why they named it as such. It's nice to re-explore the beauty of such a plant. I see them constantly around the city, and have admittedly become a bit immune to their striking blooms. I thought it a good time to become re-infected with their beauty. :)

Current Conservatory of Flowers Exhibit

Stre-e-e-e-tch It Out!

Nearly tripped over this guy on my walk to the grocery store!

Growing High

Can you spot the little rooftop veggie garden??

For My Snow Be-fallen Buddies Out There

In full bloom...

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Love Thy Neighborhood

The mission district of SF is known for its warmer micro-climate, Latin American cultural influence, and its many murals.

The sidewalk garden at the corner of Bryant St and 21st St is only a year old but as you can see the plants have really taken off to fill the space.

This building with its out-of-the-world mural is home to Asiento, a new bar/lounge/club with great Sunday brunch....one block from my house!

Most, if not all, of the plants in the garden are native to the bay area and/or drought-tolerant.

A wonderful treat to pass by on my way to grab a bottle of wine from the corner store.  :)

A Little Help From My Friends

My little helper today...

Undeniably Spring!

Sowing Spring

On this beautiful Tuesday afternoon I did some garden chores after work. I had a sprawling oregano plant (more like a bush!) that I plucked up and divided. The healthiest sections I potted up for friends and neighbors. In its place I planted a kangaroo paw I rescued from work. Straight into the earth I planted seeds: sweet onion, red carrot, and the spring classic snap peas. And my tomato seeds are planted in start pots in the greenhouse. :)

Less Concrete. More Jungle.

It just keeps getting better! I had previously posted an entry on Sidewalk Greening in San Francisco explaining that the city offered support in helping to expediate permits to take up sidewalk and offering a resource list. They have now gone a step further and offer FREE Saturday (9am-10am) workshops to any aspiring concrete gardener. They are held once a month from February through November 2011. Clicking on the photos should allow you to read the exact dates with a more detailed explanation of the workshops.

To the sidewalk on my block: Be afraid... Be very afraid. We're coming for you.

More Info visit www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/Grey2Green

Or Call: 415-661-1316 Ext. 456

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

Blooming Magnolia sidewalk tree in San Francisco.

Nest Fest

This year the deck just might morph closer to its full potential. There really aren't many plants out there...a small lemon tree, some spider plants, a fern on the shady side, and since just yesterday, a few seeded pots. Perhaps this is the year it goes green. Lounging in lush surroundings just outside my door would be the best! I'm not going to go overboard and pretend I'll create paradise in one season, but will be happy with any further evolution of the space that I create.  :)

EMANCIPATION PROPAGATION!

I'm free to start seeds! Thai basil, Purple Petra basil, Bloomsdale spinach, and a lettuce mix patch in pots on my deck. What are you propagating?? Maybe something indoors to shake the winter blues??

More Spring Splendor

A huge acacia tree in full bloom south of San Francisco.

My Walk To The Grocery Store

Cherry Blossoms

SPRUNG!

In the hood.

Spring in the Bay Area!

Blue Water Winery: Viticulture-Shock!

On a recent trip back home to Michigan's "Thumb", I discovered that a winery has been built just around the corner from the farm where I grew up!  Blue Water Winery is the first and only winery in the region. At a time when Michigan's economy is quite lack-luster, it's great to see this sort of entreprenerial spirit taking off.  My pal Martha and I stopped into the Old Town Hall Winery in Lexington, located about 10 miles south of where the grapes are grown. Once the actual town hall of the village, then the town drug store(for the bulk of my childhood), then empty for years, the building now hosts the tasting bar, wine on display for purchase, and a grand piano. The hall is also available for hosting events, where one of the pioneers of the winery, Connie, loves to play and sing. Well, she points out that we should not be sung to so much as sing along, giving the place a welcoming communal vibe. Steve, the co-pioneer, guided Martha and I through our flight of wine. $3 for tasting 3 of their wines. Steve didn't stop there...he insisted we try one more...then just one more... We tried them all, each accompanied by a description and background of course.

Oh, and you MUST ask Steve and Connie about the "Body Bags Story". Tell him Ronnie sent you!

Final orchid to re-bloom is now fully open!

Brrrr! Frost today in the South Bay!

Utsuwa Floral Design (or Where to Buy a Mogwai)

I recently stumbled upon a small novelty floral design shop on Polk St. (Link to Map).  Utsuwa Floral Design has the feel of a quirky curio-shop cum museum. Had I bought something, I might have expected it to come with a warning: 1) Keep it away from bright light, 2) Don't get any water on it, and 3) Never, never ever feed it after midnight. But these were just plants, right?...??? No, Gizmo, Noooo!   Alive with bonsai, terrariums, and water-plant craftings, it's quite a magical feeling just to be inside. And I think anyone who regularly reads garden blogs would be thrilled with a gift from within!

I introduced myself as a budding garden blogger to the shop's owner, Hiro. He is recently from Japan and opened the boutique just over a month ago. He has the most gentle demeanor and upon meeting him you see the passion and care he has for his creations. If you are in San Francisco, please do stop in and check this place out. And tell Hiro (and Gizmo?) I say konnichiwa!

Keg planters in front of PHAT Philly's on 24th @ Valencia st.

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Paige Bros. Clipper Garden

Today I got a chance to stop in the Paige Bros. Clipper Garden in the Noe Valley neighborhood here in San Francisco. It's a wedge of land located right between Clipper St and Grand View Ave, and has an entrance on Clipper Terrace.

I could not find much history of the garden online, but it I believe its this garden that was the very first community garden in San Francisco. Please correct me if you have more information! I'd love to share it here. I also remember hearing that the land on this hill used to be a large farm until the area urbanized.

Throughout the many raised beds of rich organic soil were everything from perfect ruby red swiss chard to nearly ripe strawberries! Strawberries on December 1st! It IS possible to grow year-round in San Francisco.