The gardening internet is full of encouragement for folks who want to grow their own food. Even as an apartment dweller, I am constantly being urged to grow lettuce in a window box or tomatoes in a bag. In theory, I completely support it. I would opt out of the industrial food system in a heartbeat…
This Year I’m Sowing Flower Seeds
When you’re gardening in a small space, it can be tempting to buy all your colorful annuals at the nursery. After all, you don’t need a huge quantity and the pretty store-bought plants offer instant gratification. I get it! I love shopping for plants and am all for indulging in the occasional nursery splurge if…
A Walk through Mediterranean Oakland
Our relationships to places are funny things. It can be hard to pin down why we love or hate a place and often it depends on memories and nebulous vibes more than a place’s actual virtues or defects. Furthermore, they are unrequited relationships. Places do not love us back; they are indifferent to our feelings…
How to Turn an Old Firepit into a Sumptuous Summer Planter
Before throwing away any container-like object I always ask myself, “could this be a planter?” At our last house, we inherited a rusty old firepit left behind by previous tenants. It was destined for the trash, but I recognized its potential. In this post, I’ll share some general tips for repurposing any receptacle into a…
Six Satisfying February Gardening Jobs to Chase Away the Winter Blues
Cool temperatures and dark skies got you down? Me too. I know I can’t complain, living in a place with mild winters, but I am a solar-powered, heat-loving person. Once the glow of holiday coziness has worn off, the rest of winter is a slog. The slowly lengthening days and early blooms of February always…