Saturday, November 20, 2010
Adventures in Agriculture
Okay, y'all! I'm teaching the Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture program in the spring so I'd love a full class. If you are interested, more information is on my website.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A rose is not a rose is not a rose
While I am a total sucker for a dozen roses*, I am fairly ambivalent about roses in the garden.
It's not that I don't love them. When climbing 'New Dawn' is in bloom, I covet those rambling vines. But overall, I keep my distance. Roses are a group of plants that are more susceptible to diseases and insects than other flora. A plant pathologist's nightmare.
Listen up cause I've found a good one: Rosa 'Julia Child.'
Keep in mind that these pictures we taken in late October. Does your rose have flowers and foliage this beautiful in October? No.
The young flowers are a delicious golden yellow with the fragrance of cloves or licorice.
As they age, the flowers open and fade to light yellow with pink-flushed edges. The scent changes to a softer, romantic rose scent
I think they are much more interesting than Knockout Roses.
Dark green foliage, good pest resistance, gorgeous flowers and a spicy fragrance. Ten out of ten.
If you are a horticultural professional, you can get them at Dudley Nursery in Thomson, Georgia.
*If you want some long-stemmed roses, try organicbouquet.com. The 'Crown Majesty' roses last forever and have the longest stems imaginable.
It's not that I don't love them. When climbing 'New Dawn' is in bloom, I covet those rambling vines. But overall, I keep my distance. Roses are a group of plants that are more susceptible to diseases and insects than other flora. A plant pathologist's nightmare.
Listen up cause I've found a good one: Rosa 'Julia Child.'
Keep in mind that these pictures we taken in late October. Does your rose have flowers and foliage this beautiful in October? No.
The young flowers are a delicious golden yellow with the fragrance of cloves or licorice.
As they age, the flowers open and fade to light yellow with pink-flushed edges. The scent changes to a softer, romantic rose scent
I think they are much more interesting than Knockout Roses.Dark green foliage, good pest resistance, gorgeous flowers and a spicy fragrance. Ten out of ten.
If you are a horticultural professional, you can get them at Dudley Nursery in Thomson, Georgia.
*If you want some long-stemmed roses, try organicbouquet.com. The 'Crown Majesty' roses last forever and have the longest stems imaginable.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sustainable Agriculture in the Lowcountry
Last week, I had the privilege to teach a class of up-and-coming sustainable agriculture farmers and activists through the Lowcountry Local First/Trident Tech continuing education class. It was a treat for me- and made me feel like I was making a contribution to the community. So good.
Growing New Farmers in the Lowcountry of SC from OPP on Vimeo.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Pods and seeds
Even though Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) is a weed in our part of the world, I can't help but have some appreciation for it.
Native to India, this yell0w-flowering plant becomes covered with intriging, bladder-like pods this time of year. It grows along the side of the road or in areas that have been disturbed. It is important to note that Rattlebox is very poisonous to livestock and should be removed from grazing pastures.
Each young seed is attached to the pod by its own little umbilical cord.
Once the seeds mature, they harden and release from the inflated outer pod. These seeds shake around in the dried pod, hence the name Rattlebox.
Aren't the seeds unbelievable? To think that for years, I have walked by this plant without looking inside these pods. These seeds are beautiful enough to be made into jewelry. Spectabilis, indeed.
I finished the day with another podded plant, Okra. My friend Cindy (from Las Vegas!) introduced me to roasted Okra. As with any other vegetable, just toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and cook under the broiler. When the pods begin to brown and split (exposing the seeds), they are ready. I crave this.
Native to India, this yell0w-flowering plant becomes covered with intriging, bladder-like pods this time of year. It grows along the side of the road or in areas that have been disturbed. It is important to note that Rattlebox is very poisonous to livestock and should be removed from grazing pastures.
Each young seed is attached to the pod by its own little umbilical cord.
Once the seeds mature, they harden and release from the inflated outer pod. These seeds shake around in the dried pod, hence the name Rattlebox.
Aren't the seeds unbelievable? To think that for years, I have walked by this plant without looking inside these pods. These seeds are beautiful enough to be made into jewelry. Spectabilis, indeed.
I finished the day with another podded plant, Okra. My friend Cindy (from Las Vegas!) introduced me to roasted Okra. As with any other vegetable, just toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and cook under the broiler. When the pods begin to brown and split (exposing the seeds), they are ready. I crave this.Monday, October 11, 2010
A sound only a mother could love....or maybe not
I ran across this video I made of Baby eating crickets the other day. I had forgotten that she was totally demanding and voracious. And young Blue Jays are not what you would call "songbirds."
More like miniature Velociraptors.
More like miniature Velociraptors.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Butterfly Wing Magnified (a.k.a. Procrastination)
Wow, right? I was thinking that if I was a textile designer, I'd just take objects from nature, magnify them and pass them off as my own brilliant designs.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Fall Update: Baby Jay
Although she doesn't come when I call her anymore, I still see Baby fairly often in a nearby pine tree or at the feeder by my porch. I'm so glad that she has that distinctive habit of rubbing her beak on small branches because it makes it easy for me to spot her.
Saturday morning, while eating a sinfully lazy breakfast on the screened porch, she came to the feeder to get some seeds and flew to the closest pine tree. We watched her give the seed to another Blue Jay! It was so tender and sweet that I instinctively put my hand over my heart like a proud mother.
I still call for her sometimes when I see her in hopes that she will snap out of her rebellion and fly to my finger. So silly, I know.
P.S. Here are the biscuits I made. I know, right?
Saturday morning, while eating a sinfully lazy breakfast on the screened porch, she came to the feeder to get some seeds and flew to the closest pine tree. We watched her give the seed to another Blue Jay! It was so tender and sweet that I instinctively put my hand over my heart like a proud mother.
I still call for her sometimes when I see her in hopes that she will snap out of her rebellion and fly to my finger. So silly, I know.P.S. Here are the biscuits I made. I know, right?
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