Copper Edging for Snail and Slug Management

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

Garden Party March 13th!

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.