Hillegass Parker House Garden

Fall Harvest

2011-11-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

It's getting colder fast, and before going into hibernation, we gardeners needed to harvest our fall crop. We threw a garden party, and a bunch of additional co-opers jumped in to participate.

One huge task was taking out the three big tomato beds; a little emotional since the tomatoes were still producing fruit. What a long growing season we have here! Of the different tomato types, the Moskovich tomatoes were the longest lived. Even some tomato flowers were still visible on the Moskovich vines. We saved what fruit we could. Fried green tomatoes, here we come!

We also planted beans this summer, and although they didn't flourish, the plants did manage to produce some pods, now pretty lifeless on their vines. We pulled those out, and salvaged a few beans that should at least serve to start some new plants next year if we want to try again.

Another late summer experiment was the squash plant. Like the beans, our squash grew but did not fully thrive. It developed some sort of white mold on its leaves, and so we decided to take it out with everything else, even though the gourds it was producing still looked like they had some growing to do before they were fully ripe.

Of course, harvesting the fall crop didn't just entail saying goodbye to the tomatoes, beans and squash; it meant putting in new stuff. The beds look pretty barren right now, but they are in fact newly turned, nitrogen-infused with the red-worm compost, and planted with starts home-grown in the cold frame. The new baby plants include broccoli, cabbage, swiss chard, lettuce and quinoa. Stay tuned!

summer tomatoes

2011-08-27T12:47:00.001-07:00

The late-summer tomatoes are in full swing! So far, most are red, spherical and a little smaller than fist-sized; this one was more interesting.

Year 2: Underneath the Coldframe...

2011-03-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

We're starting our second year of using our beloved new frame up on the roof. Due to some unexpected aerodynamic qualities of the coldframe design, we’ve found a temporary solution by laying the frame on it’s side. Although this does limit light access (due to mid-afternoon shadows), overall it still gets the job done. Despite the dreary weather, we’ve spent the past month growing some yummy beet and turnip starts as well as lavendar cuttings beneath the frame. Take a look!

cold frame laying on it's side

lavendar cuttings
standing in perlite, a less toxic alternative to vermiculite


new growth extending from nodes of lavendar

beets galore!

two different colored beets growing in the same well

Turnips too!

New tree to the South of South House

2011-01-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

Dear House,

There is currently a large Australian Cherry (does not actually produce cherries) tree to the south of south house. This tree is in competition with the house foundation and consequently must go. There are a few options for what to do with the space post tree removal and I am looking for feedback from the house. The purpose of this blog post is to create a forum for discussion so please comment if you have an opinion.

The options as I see them are:

1- to plant another large tree in place of the one being taken out, but further away from the house
2- to plant a smaller tree
3- to not plant a tree, which will increase the amount of sunlight to that area making it easier to grow other ornamental plants.

My recommendation is option 1. Here are some trees that might suit the space.

Liriodendron tulipifera- Tulip Tree

This tree, even with a full canopy, would let in a fair amount of light.

Magnolia graniflora- Magnolia

A Magnolia graniflora would compliment the row of magnolias that the people across the street have.

Melaleuca styphelioides- Black Tea Tree

this tree gets pretty tall. its all about the peeling bark

Aesculus californica- California Buckeye

A CA native. This tree doesn't get that tall really, but I have to include it because its my favorite. Its shape is also unpredictable.

Alnus rhombifolia- White Alder

I also really like this one, a CA native. It has cool catkins and white bark. This tree is normally found in riparian habitats so it might require more water.

Quarcus suber- Cork Oak

Yes, this is the tree that cork comes from. They are all over the UC Davis campus and look beautiful there. I've seen multiple specimens around Berkeley that look very healthy as well.

Braided Garlic

2011-01-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

While our adventures in braiding our garlic harvest did not always yield the most aesthetically perfect products, our garlic braids provided an effective way to store and dry our garlic in preparation for use. When the garlic heads were very small, we combined 2 or 3 into each strand. We braided the strands together while they were still damp. We hung our strands in a cool, dry place (the co-op storage closet) before use.

Gardening in the winter months: Lessons Learned

2011-01-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

To Bay Area Gardeners: Beware of planting during the winter months (especially late November thru early January). The cold soil temperatures and lack of sunlight does not bode well for direct seeding into the soil. Whether it be a hardy winter veggie or cover crop, we had a hard time getting things established when planted mid-season. Add in the bountiful rain season due to the strong hit of La Nina's jet stream.

Click HERE for more info on the effects of La Nina across the country, and click HERE to find out what it means for NorCal. Basically, it's a crap shoot of whether our winter will be wet or dry during La Nina. This year, it was strong enough to pummel NorCal with heavy rains, in weaker years the bay area will take on the drier qualities of the Southwest.

Western Sword Fern

2010-11-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

I just bought nine Polystichum munitum, commonly known as the Western Sword Fern. This fern is a typical understory element in a redwood forest or woodland and is native to California. They will be planted below the plum tree to the North of South House. The leaves are evergreen, leathery and finely serrated. I love the look of the mature plants spores on the underside of the leaves, which you can see in the image below. The Western Sword Fern looks similar to the Southern Sword Fern, the Nephrolepis cordifolia, as both are in the Polypodiaceae family. However, the Western Sword Fern can be distinguished by these full circle spores.

Image originally uploaded by June Beetle

Yellow Flag Iris

2010-11-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

One member of our house gifted a water dwelling plant from Santa Cruz's Antonelli Pond recently. He says "thank you for setting up the Yellow Flag Iris in the water feature: I'm sure the fish love it, especially little White-nose who is my favorite."

Don't be fooled by its humble appearance, the Yellow Flag Iris is actually illegal in several states due to its invasive nature. Since there is little risk of the plant "spreading downstream" in our little fish pond I see no reason why we shouldn't keep it, especially if it does well since its so hard to grow plants in that pond. Besides the fish really do need protection from the wildlife and Eleanor the cat.

Images taken from http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/conservation/invasive/iris_pseudacorus.php

Midterm Votes of Confidence

2010-11-15T17:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who responded. Thank you for the compliments and I'll try to address all of your concerns. I really appreciate feedback, including constructive criticism! This is your garden, after all.

# votes	rating
11	Outstanding
15	Exceeds Expectations
2	Acceptable
0	Poor
0	Dreadful

Comments:

the garden is beautiful

great gardens

bok choy!

teaching us how to pick things in the garden and recognize delicious herbs

can we get a pomegranate tree?

Labels! Announcements at Council about what to harvest and how to do it.

More Labels!

great great job in the front yard. looks fantastic.

still having trouble navigating around the garden. How can I find out more about what's growing where?

Yummy freshly picked gardens foodstuffs inside. Labeling stuff in the garden.

Keep reminding us what we have in the garden ot pick ourselves.

gardened, death triangle looks good

more garden parties

Considered aesthetics and tastiness simultaneously.

Fewer tomatoes... the tomatoes we get from the garden are mostly not that tasty and mostly go to waste. More biodiversity at hip!

Garden looks lovely! She's also helped a great deal to make the front of SoHo look better.

Let's install some point-leaf plants around SoHo! :)

Image of Asarum Caudatum in the Triangle of Death

Fall Harvest

2010-11-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

Copper Edging for Snail and Slug Management

2010-11-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

As part of our pest managment we've installed copper edging around the perimeter of all the raised beds. When slugs and snails touch the copper the slime on their bellies interact to create an electric current, which shocks them. Its worth noting that you have to be sure to get rid of all the slugs and snails inside the bed for this to work. This (hopefully) keeps them out of our veggies so we can coexist in peace. So far I've been happy with the results. We used a product sold at Berkeley Horticulture that is essentially a copper tape. This was relatively expensive and so when it comes time to reinstall the copper it might be cheaper to find the copper strips elsewhere and just staple them into the edges of the raised beds.

Plastic Recycling

2010-11-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

Whenever we purchase plants from nurseries there is also an exchange of plastic. Yes, credit cards, but what I really mean is all the little plastic pots that the plants come in. Its useful to have some on hand for starting seeds and whatnot but there is an inevitable buildup. The other day at Berkeley Horticulture the lady ringing me up at the cash register mentioned that they will take these to reuse them and if they don't reuse them they will recycle them for you! Apparently the drop off is outside the gate so you can even do it when they are closed. Awesome.

First Coldframe is Finally Finished!

2010-03-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

Started over a year ago, the first cold frame is finally finished and set up with irrigation on the roof. It will soon be accompanied by a second. Thanks Paul for giving us the momentum to get this done! It is complete with flats of seed starts for our summer garden.

Compare the finished product with the SketchUp rendering from the design process.

New Plant Name Tags!

2010-03-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Keep an eye open for our new plant name tags. The tags will gradually be disseminated throughout the garden over the rest of the semester. Hopefully these guys will help you identify tasty herbs and vegetables, as well as specimen plants.

Mushroom Cultivation: A second attempt

2010-03-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

Sean and I used logs pruned from the large ornamental plum tree and plug spawn from Fungi Perfecti to start another batch of Reishi and Pearl Oyster Mushrooms. Thanks Jack and M.T.S. for the photos.

Chard... and other winter greens

2010-03-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Chard, Kale, and Bok Choi are still available for picking in the raised garden beds. Photo by M.T.S.

Garden Party March 13th!

2010-03-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

Garden party Saturday, March 13th from 9am-3pm. It's a fun way to get to know the garden and complete your HI hours! Please confirm your attendance.

Mushroom Cultivation with Plug Spawn Part Two

2010-01-10T17:17:00.001-08:00

Fruit Tree Pruning

2010-01-10T17:01:00.001-08:00

January is a good time to prune fruit trees in the garden. There are a lot of resources that explain how to prune fruit trees. The Sunset Western Garden Book describes basic pruning techniques and Berkeley Horticulture offers free fruit tree pruning classes on weekends in January. A big thank you to M.T.S. for taking these photos!

Clearing Beds and Fall Planting

2009-10-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

For a winter harvest, plant brussel sprouts, lettuce, chard, kale, beets, parsnips, turnips, carrots, spinach, and bok choy in the late summer or early fall. As tomato plants are removed, cut them up into pieces and spread over raised beds as mulch for the incoming plants.

Hummingbird Food

2008-11-16T21:47:00.000-08:00

Perfect Hummer Food Recipe

Hummer Food Recipe:

One part sugar to four parts water - stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Measure examples:
- One cup of sugar to four cups of water
- 3/4 cup sugar to 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups of water.
Bring solution to a boil to kill bacteria and slow spoilage - allow to cool.
Fill feeders just enough for a day or two of use. Extra solution may be refrigerated if used within one week.

If feeders are cleaned and filled with freshly-made, hot water, sugar solution every day, then it may not be necessary to bring the solution to a boil. If you plan to store solution for two or more days, boiling is a must. Adding red food-dye coloring is unnecessary. The red on a feeder is enough to attract hummers. DO NOT USE HONEY as this can kill hummingbirds.

information taken from:
http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/kernriver/hummer_feeding.htm

Compost

2008-11-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

Free Compost:

The Berkeley Gardens Collaborative will deliver high quality compost to any co-op. The contact information is:

Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative
P.O. Box 2801
Berkeley, CA 94702
510.883.9096

They don’t deliver in the winter so be sure to store up some in late fall.

Worm Tea and Juice

2008-11-08T05:58:00.001-08:00

To make worm tea, put one part worm castings to 10 parts water in a jar or spray bottle. Let the mixture steep for awhile before using. You can use a cheesecloth to strain the castings and other debris from the mixture. To make worm juice drain liquid from the worm bin spigot. It is okay to add water to the top of the worm bin and allow it to percolate through for the purpose of collecting worm juice. The purpose of the very bottom layer of the Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin is to collect this drainage. Put the worm juice in a jar or spray bottle and dilute with water as needed. In either case, remember to label the jar!

BSC Garden Funding

2008-11-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

Important info from old blog:
http://hipgarden.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Funding for Coop Gardens:

How can you get money for your garden from the BSC? The best way is to get it through HAPS or HLBAPS. Talk to Wes at Central Maintenance about the necessary forms. They both need to be approved by your house, so put it on the agenda early in the semester. I estimate that $600/semester and $400/summer is appropriate.

Big Projects:

The best way to get a large project done in your garden in by using HI (house improvement) hours. Most coops have a 4 hr/semester requirement. This is a good way to tackle a large task (irrigation, tool shed, etc.) and teach others about gardening.

Vermiculture Q&A

2008-11-02T17:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Alex,

I am gonna set up a worm compost for my house this week and I was hoping you could give me a couple pointers. Do you know any place that sells composting systems? Or instructions online or somethings? What about the worms...? Thanks!

j

Dear j,

You can get a discounted worm bin through the County of Alameda through the website below. Its called the "Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin" and its what we have here at HiP House. I've heard you can get worms at the Berkeley farmers market, but there is a list of worm vendors on the website as well.

https://www.stopwaste.org/AlamedaCommerce/ProductList.aspx?View=Detail&ProductId=14

Once you get the bin, you layer food waste, worms, and then shredded newspaper. Be careful because the worms are rather selective about what they'll eat, for instance no citrus or onions. They also prefer that their food be chopped into small pieces.

I think that website, including the informational video should be enough to get you started, but let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help! Also, a classic reference is Mary Appelhof's book Worms Eat My Garbage.

Alex

Kiwi Trellis

2008-11-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin

2008-11-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

The mold growing on our pumpkins is an indication of what a rainy Halloween week its been.

The New HiP Garden Blog... because we can't log into the old one

2008-11-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

This blog is intended to serve primarily as a tool for Hillegass Parker House Gardeners and secondarily as a way of informing co-op residents about their garden. Hopefully blogging will provide some continuity, so that new gardeners will have a place to reference past garden endeavors. Please visit http://hipgarden.blogspot.com/ for more information at the original blog.

Plug Spawn

2008-11-02T13:23:00.000-08:00

On July 19th, 2008 I inoculated freshly cut oak logs my friend Nathan got from the Blake Garden with Reishi, Shiitake, and Oyster mushroom plug spawn that I bought off the internet from Paul Stamets at http://www.fungi.com/plugs/index.html. In the image above I am using a rubber mallet to pound the wood dowels into the log. After inserting the dowels I sealed off the hole with wax, which is recommended to keep moisture in and unwanted insects and fungi out. These logs currently live under the deck at HiP, where I watered them twice a month before it started raining. According to the instructions, it will take 6-12 months before the mushroom mycelium takes over the log. It isn't until this point that fruiting can be initiated. More information about growing mushrooms can be found in Paul Stamets' book Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.

The pictures below were taken at the end of October, several months into the process. There is lots of green moss on the logs, but there appears to be white mycelieal growth as well.