It’s hard to say where it all began. To cut a long story short, quite literally cut down to here *** otherwise keep reading… so the beginning… Was it when my father taught me how to swim in the local
Author: Byddi Lee
Simple mistakes, dire consequences
It is with a sad irony that I link to a blog post entitled “Sweet surprises and possible massacres.” A couple of years ago, I put bird netting against my back fence to provide a light trellis for sweet pea
Welcome to Grand Central Station
I remember feeling so guilty when I first started to pull out the old lawn, privet and ivy garden. I felt as though I were ripping away habitat for so many little critters. But now that the native garden has
The life and loves of a lucky lemon tree
When we first moved into our house (and garden) in 2009 we inherited a lemon tree. Thanks to years of Mr Mow&Blow it looked more like a manicured privet. In fairness, maintained at this size it did not obscure the
Who’s nuts now?
I spotted him on Sunday, slinking across the yard, not looking anywhere but at the almond tree. As I flung open the back door, I roared as loud as I could, then ran out gingerly in my bare feet, waving
Attack of the dog-vomit slime mold!
Viewer discretion is advised! About two weeks ago I noticed a weird and disgusting-looking bright-yellow blob on the wood-chip mulch under the Douglas fir in my front yard. I’ve a pretty strong stomach. In fact, I’m usually the one who
Duvet days and joyful riots!
Last week we had a couple of dull days and the promise of rain. The ideal time for me to transplant my hardened off tomatoes and peppers into their new bed. I like to transplant before a rain-shower, when possible,
Advertising California Native Plant Week
My garden has been celebrating California Native Plant Week by not just blooming profusely, but by producing blooms on plants that I have on several occasions given up on. This was labels as a Western Columbine when I bought it
Why buy broccoli when you can grow your own?
Listening to people talking on the radio when you are driving rather than blasting music and singing along is sign of getting old, I reckon. But I was listening to a talk show the other day about the health care
A Piece on Potatoes for St Patricks Day
In my efforts to research native Irish vegetables, I found it impossible to get past the potato. The problem is that potatoes are not native to Ireland at all, having only been introduced to Ireland in the 1580’s. Originally potatoes