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.

It's Raining!

Northern California is officially in the midst of its first rainstorm of the season.

I just went outside and was amazed to see the rain coming down in sheets (not hard sheets, mind you, just light). Everything is wet, the water is tricking down the gutters, and when you walk on the brown grass it doesn't crunch underfoot.

Any other Northern California bloggers out there who are enjoying this rain?

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?

Fall in Las Trampas

Fall in Las Trampas, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The poison oak is getting some amazing color right now. Although fall doesn't officially start until Monday, the plants can tell that the seasons are changing.

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?

Gearing Up for Waterfall Season: '08-'09

This winter, hunts for waterfalls will include further exploring in Las Trampas and Mt. Diablo. I will also attempt to find the elusive, little-known Tehan Falls, which is supposedly 60 feet tall. If we're lucky, we'll get a lot of rain this year, as it is both necessary (to combat fires) and enjoyable (for waterfall hunters).

Mesclun Mix

The mesclun I planted a long time ago finally seems to be growing.

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!

Rain

Today we got the first rain of the season, and it was enough to make everything wet and clean the air. Here's some moss that greened-up quite quickly once the rain started.

Feels Like Fall

Fall is definitely making itself known here in Northern California. The high today was only about 75, with constant crisp breezes.

My cool-season vegetable garden, is, however, doing well. I have hundreds of arugula seedlings and the Swiss chard is just starting to come up.

Although I could care less for the cool temps, some rain would be great right about now.