Blissful

A new store has opened in Encinitas and after only one week it is proving to be one of the hottest new places to find amazing, unique pieces for the home and garden!!  From benches and mirrors made from reclaimed teak boats from Bali to handmade local jewelry Bliss 101 has something for everyone.

The first shop to open in Encinitas' new Pacific Station they are located right next to the soon-to-come Whole Foods and behind Barracuda Grill.
Head on up to Encinitas and check them out!!

NASA article about turf

Check out this great article written by a NASA scientist! It's a few years old but what it covers is pretty up to date. Did you know that turf is the single largest irrigated "crop" in America, more even than corn?


While she notes the obvious about the impact of lawns on our water supply she does note that it is useful for carbon sequestration which is being used as an argument by the turf industry for why lawns are actually environmentally friendly. Unfortunately they don't mention that ALL plants sequester carbon and the overall surface area of leaves from a 5x5 drought tolerant shrub is probably at least if not more than a 5 sq. foot patch of lawn and it takes less water, less maintenance, and doesn't need fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to thrive!!

Check out the article here.

Build a Birdhouse for Audubon!



Tozio Azumi Recycled Catalog Birdhouse



Design and build a signature birdhouse, bathouse or birdfeeder to donate to the Buena Vista Audubon Society's 1st Annual Birdhouse Auction and Fundraiser, scheduled for February 26, 2011, from 4pm to 8:30pm. The unique birdhouses, bat houses and feeders will be auctioned off at a silent auction which will be held at the Nature Center at 2202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside.  Funds raised by the auction will be used to increase educational programs, maintain the Nature Center, and help in the on-going efforts to build public awareness and appreciation for our lagoons and the animal and plant life they shelter.

3 prizes will be awarded for the top 3 houses/feeders as voted on by those in attendance.

 If you are interested in donating a house or feeder to this worthwhile cause, you can download a registration form at www.bvaudubon.org and send it in, pick up a form at the Nature Center at 2202 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, or you can just reply to bvlagoon@gmail.com. The deadline for registering was January 15, 2011, but it has been extended to February 19, 2011.

Compost Tea

How many of us really think about what is going on under the soil when we think of our gardens?  Too often the focus is on the visible parts of the plants but when the visible parts start to show signs of suffering it is often something going on (or not going on) under the soil that is the cause of the problem.

Here in Southern California especially we are faced with soils that have been stripped of their natural organisms and minerals by the scraping that comes with our building practices or smothered with turf and compacted by years of improper care.

Our natural soils (yes even our granite and clay based soils here in the Southwest) would normally teem with life in the form of fungi, beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that are necessary to the health of plant roots. 

In addition to mulching heavily and breaking up heavily compacted soils the application of compost tea can help to reintroduce these essential microorganisms to the soil and speed up the rehabilitation of your soil.

Compost tea can be self-brewed with the right tools but it needs proper aeration and food (molasses) to be successful.  There are many recipes available if you do an online search.

For an easier method you can also purchase tea bags through Malibu Compost here and AgriService, Inc. in Oceanside is also a great resource for larger batches but be sure to call ahead to make sure that they will be brewing it when you need it.

Rebates Rebates Rebates!

Now is a greater time than ever to convert your lawn to a drought tolerant landscape!  The city of San Diego is offering $1.50/sq ft up to $2,000 rebates on gardens converted this winter and spring!

Click here for more information on the rebate program or cut and paste the following link: http://www.sandiego.gov/water/pdf/conservation/sustainalbelandscapeguidelines.pdf

 

You will need a landscape plan to get through the approval process so call or e-mail to set up a consultation!

Artistic Accents!

Check out this gorgeous outdoor shower made from recycled surfboards by artists Will and Jane Fowler of Del Mar!!

Check out their website at http://www.willandjane.com/

Accents like this are a wonderful way to add unique elements to your garden while supporting local artists and celebrating local culture!

Aloha and Happy Holidays from Oahu's North Shore!

Aloha! The North Shore has been fantastic, we made it just in time to catch the end of the Billabong Pipe Masters and the last solid week of sun apparently since it's been raining nearly every day since!
Since next week we bid adieu to our lovely tropical paradise we thought we'd share some of our adventures before we go. We've had a chance to check out the beautiful Waimea Valley gardens, meet a group of turtles camped out on the beach, taste some of the best poke around and, most importantly, do absolutely nothing for hours on end! (this is a vacation after all!)

Sunset over the lifeguard tower

Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley Birdsnest Ferns

Honu

Small and rainy

off the wall