We make a big deal about where our food originates from, but what about our clothing? Sure much of it is man-made chemistry, but natural plant fibers also contribute greatly to our daily wardrobes. Think of t-shirts, sweaters, and skirts made of cotton and shirts, pants and jackets made from linen. All originated as plants. […]
Category Archives: Instructional Activities
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the term we use to describe the methods involved in controlling animals and insects in the garden. Before listing them it is important to point out the following: 1) Not all insects in the garden are harmful. Familiarize yourself with who the good bugs aka beneficials are and those that […]
New 2012 seed catalogs have started to show up in the mail. Still makes me feel like a kid to peruse them while dreaming about what gourmet treats we’ll be cooking up with all that we harvest. Now that the winter break is over it is time to think about what we’ll be planting in […]
Please read thoroughly. Applications are now available online only through Yvonne Savio. You must be on one of her email lists to receive application link. MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM 13 Saturdays, March 3 – May 26, 2012, 9am-4pm January 6: Last Day to Get Onto Elist to Receive Application Link January 15: Last Day […]
The University of California Integrated Pest Management Program has produced a very informative poster for identifying good bugs that prey on bad bugs. We call these call good bugs, beneficial insects. Meet the Beneficials: Natural Enemies of Garden Pests illustrates the various natural predators and parasites that feed on common garden pests. One example is […]
Soil testing is sometimes necessary when putting in a new school garden especially if asphalt has been removed. Even an existing garden can be tested to make sure the soil contains all the proper nutrients and is free from contaminants. Los Angeles County Master Gardener, Herb Machleder, offers this recommendation from Peaceful Valley Organic Garden […]
If you’re an elementary school teacher and searching for a way to get your students more engaged with the outdoors and less glued to computer monitors and TV screens, you should consider starting a school garden. Since Michelle Obama started the White House garden as part of her healthy eating and living initiative, many teachers […]