-
Archives
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- June 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- February 2011
-
Meta
Category Archives: backyard microclimate
Land of milk and honey?
I recently visited my family in Los Angeles, my hometown. Here in Chicago where I live it’s still frigid and the ground rock hard so imagine my pleasure to see this tangerine tree growing in the front yard of my … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, ecosystem
Comments Off on Land of milk and honey?
Talking peas
The New York Times ran a blog commentary Saturday If Peas Can Talk, Should We Eat Them? about new research showing that, when suffering drought conditions, peas send out a biochemical message through their roots to other plants about adverse growing … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, ecosystem, snap & snow peas
Comments Off on Talking peas
Judging when to plant
Spring planting is always a gamble. Of course, we want to plant as early as possible so as to enjoy young lettuces, cabbage, spinach and peas as soon as possible. But the risk involves planting too early so that frost … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, cabbage, lettuce, planting, radish, seasonality, snap & snow peas, spinach
Comments Off on Judging when to plant
What to grow to fill your plate
I spoke on What to Grow to Fill Your Plate at the Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice program this past January at KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation’s Soil to Plate weekend of speakers and symposia. There were many impressive speakers and … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, creating & caring for a garden, design & layout, ecosystem, fertilizing, harvesting, healthy soil, location, seeds and plants, sunlight, superfoods, watering
Comments Off on What to grow to fill your plate
Watering
It will rain today (40% chance, with thunderstorms) because I watered thoroughly this morning. It’s infallible, practically a law. Rain is the gardener’s respite. Once the rain stops, I’ll rush over to my garden to appreciate its electrified, green gorgeousness. … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, fertilizing, healthy soil, watering
Comments Off on Watering
Planning before planting
I’m working with my new clients to set up their kitchen gardens. There’s a lot to consider about the plot itself, let alone what to grow in it. Below I offer a list to help sort through these considerations. But, … Continue reading
Posted in backyard microclimate, design & layout, location
Comments Off on Planning before planting