I released 1500 ladybugs into the garden today! Here are some extreme closeups of them. imeeshu.com
Orchids 101
February 2 by
I’ve always loved orchids, but was always intimidated by them. Last year, a neighbor gave me the most gorgeous Phalaenopsis orchid (the most common variety you see at grocery stores), stuck it in a southwest facing window nook and it bloomed for nearly a year! I thought “Self, you’re good at this!” Then….I stumbled upon […]
Transplanting potted plants to Kratky hydroponics
December 26 by
Did you know that It’s possible to transplant plants grown in soil into hydroponics systems? Yes, and it works!
Rooting Brussels Sprouts
December 20 by
I love Brussels sprouts. Please move on if you don’t…b/c this post is all about them and some uber-nerd techniques that I’m testing in the garden. Here’s my favorite sweet and spicy Chinese-style recipe. YUM! Naturally, I figured I should try to grow them…b/c why not? These are some of the coolest plants I’ve ever grown. […]
A beginner’s guide to hydroponics
October 22 by
Ok, who’s ready to go on this hydroponic adventure with me? I’ve been working ridiculous hours the past couple of years and have completely neglected my veggies! So I’m on a mission to restore them and get a greenhouse to protect them from the rabbits, rats, and snails! I’ve spent the better part of the […]
How to grow hydrangeas from cuttings
September 18 by
It was a gorgeous day today. The sun was flooding into our kitchen nook. Don’t you just love days with no schedules? It seems like they’re trickier to find as the kids get older. But I’ve been more intentional about trying to find that quiet space…. ….more time to enjoy life’s treasures and simple beauties. So I […]
spring flowers
May 30 by
remember that day last fall when i rode my bike around cutting hydrangea clippings from my neighbors? you don’t remember? it’s ok, neither do my neighbors….jk. they just all thought i was nuts. hydrangea are incredible. they’re hearty and do so well in the cooler beach climates here in newport beach. you can take a cutting, stick […]
fresh garden salsa
February 23 by
there’s something really magical about fresh, homemade, garden salsa. the colors are vibrant. the flavors are unmatched. and when paired homemade tortilla chips, just so ever slightly salted, you’ll just want to eat the entire bowl. if you grow nothing else this spring than cilantro, tomatoes and some chili peppers, you’ll still be happy after […]
a gorgeous, romantic, Napa wedding
October 6 by
we just returned from the most gorgeous and romantic wedding….ever. the setting was idyllic with the changing leaves and warm breezes. i wanted to practice my photo skills, especially in low lighting. and there’s no better place to do that than in napa at the pristine Beaulieu Garden, which i believe is the private family […]
so cal garden explosion
August 11 by
we’ve got rogue tomato plants all over the garden. take exhibit A. i didn’t plant this one and look how amazing it is! i’m sort of insulted, to be honest, b/c the tomato plants that i staked, trim regularly, and talk to, are basically ignoring me. but these rogue plants which my friend never picked […]
harvesting potatoes grown in coffee sacks
August 9 by
howdy! several months ago, i stalked a bunch of gardening blogs to learn how to grow potatoes. while spring isn’t the ideal time to grow potatoes in california, i was impatient and wanted to give it a try. typically potatoes require cooler weather. my intent was to plant these around halloween, but life got away […]
summer hydrangea tablescape
June 30 by
i love hydrangeas. i had the luxury of spending a few hours in the garden today and cut a bunch of hydrangea as they’re starting to look a little hot…. sad… so let’s enjoy them while we can, shall we? for this table scape on our outdoor dining table, i put some candles in mason […]
a beautiful Japanese maple tree
May 14 by
isn’t this gorgeous? i was visiting a friend back east and spotted this stunning and massive tree. they used to have two trees, but one drowned by an underground irrigation issue. tragic. wow. these leaves are so pretty. they’re smaller than your typical maple. and look at this moss and the flowers that are resting […]
how’d that tomato plant get there?
May 10 by
i love seeing the world. but i also love returning and seeing what’s happened in my garden after a week away. the trumpet vines on our garden trellis are finally blooming and they’re gorgeous! these make me so happy!!!! you can see that all of the raised beds are doing great. the heat hasn’t started […]
