California Grape

A cluster of wild California grapes found on a vine growing in Las Trampas.

October Garden Update

I have not been taking many pictures of my garden lately. Here's what it's looking like right now. Most plants are doing well.

Giant lemongrass:






















Rose blooming by the morning glories.



































Mesclun and lettuce in a cage. The cage keeps the squirrels, raccoons, and birds out 100%, plus the snails and slugs can't find the plants because they're 3 feet off the ground. The plants are finally taking off because of the cooler temperatures, rain, and lack of animal attacks.

Autumn Arrives

Well, it looks like fall has officially arrived. The leaves are changing color (on the poison oak), and there is dew in the morning. The nurseries are filling up with chrysanthemums, lettuce, and flowering cabbage...

...and today it was 92 degrees.

How has fall started for other gardeners out there?

Cool-Season Vegetable Seeds

Fall starts tomorrow, and that means it's time for cool-season crops. I ordered a bunch of heirloom lettuces from the Seed Savers Exchange, and picked up some arugula, chervil, mâche, and Chioggia beet seeds at a local nursery.

I've already planted some of the 'Rouge d'Hiver' lettuce in a wooden wine crate.

Anyone else have some cool new vegetables to share?

First Cool Day in Months

Fall is definitely around the corner.

Today, we had the first actual chilly day here in the Bay Area. There was a marine layer (fog) that stayed around until about 10:00 A.M. Cool winds dominated the morning.

This evening, the marine layer returned, and it's brisk outside.

It's amazing to have clouds after going 6 months without them.

Anybody else seeing signs of autumn?

More Rain on the Way...

It looks like the rainy season is finally starting up here in northern California. Tomorrow's forecast predicts up to half an inch of rain in the area!