Manzanita Madness – Gathering Time
August 12, 2014
Manzanita Madness This is one of my favorite wild food moments, when the Manzanita berries are ripe and ready to pick. Manzanita, an abundant evergreen shrub that grows throughout California, is often overlooked. However, its berries have a long history of use as a food, both as a cider and a sweet sugar […]
Coyote Mint Chocolates
April 15, 2014
Coyote Mint Chocolates Collect leaves of Monardella villosa in spring or summer, prior to flowering. 1 cup raw cacao butter 1/2 cup raw cacao powder 1/4-1/2 dried and finely ground Coyote Mint leaves 1/4 cup raw, local honey to taste 2 Silicon Molds (available in cooking stores) Method -Melt cacao butter in the sun. If […]
Ninebark in the Garden
April 13, 2014
Ninebark in the Garden by Darlene Ward When our much-desired rain finally arrived, I noticed bright green leaves emerging on the Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus). The leaves were especially vibrant in their moist surroundings and, upon closer inspection, there were clusters of buds already showing. I was reminded of the questions I had about pruning […]
Spring Native Plant Sales
Spring plant sales offer an opportunity to add natives to your backyard that are attractive in the landscape, drought-resistant and useful for gourmet food and effective home medicine. I’ve been busy looking through my garden for empty spots where I can add more native gems and making my list of what beautiful plants I hope […]
Why its Sexy to Pull Scotch Broom
Scotch Broom is my nemesis. I’ve spent the last 5 years pulling it, writing about it, trying to make baskets, brooms or anything useful from it, hiring crews of people to pull it with jumbo weed wrenches, and teaching my six-year-old to spot it from his car seat. Why have I bothered? Scotch broom might […]
