Thinking outside the box

Each year Leana and I try to come up with something different for our holiday wrapping. I usually use plain brown wrapping paper and create something with herbs and plants from the garden. This year we used brown paper and garden twine. Then I snipped Bay Laurel and a handful of Lavender. The tag is a leaf from a sweet gum tree down the street. And, we made tiny sachets and stuffed them with dried Lavender buds and dried crushed Bay Laurel leaves.
I think it makes a lovely alternative to the "usual", don't you?
Fill your garden with joy!

Gifts from the Garden Part 2

We were bubbling over with ideas for gifts from the garden on Friday.
Here are a few more herb blend ideas:
Asian style herb blend: Fennel seed, star anise, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon.
Spanish style: Smoked Paprika, Sweet Paprika, Pepper, Cumin, Lemon zest.
Latin style: Cumin, Oregano, Pepper, Chili powder, (you could even add a touch of Cinnamon & Cocoa powder).
Indian style: Tumeric, Cumin, Cardamon, Coriander, dry mustard and Cayenne.
The possibilities are endless, but this should be enough to
get you started on creating your own.  Have fun with the jars. I think you could use old jam jars, go to antique shops and find old jars. Here are some jars I had in my cupboard. 

More spice jar ideas from Crate and Barrel

Gifts from the Garden

We talked about gifts from the garden on Friday's show and here's one of our ideas:

Make your own customized herb blends.

Herbs de Provence is a favorite. I use thyme, fennel seed, lavender, tarragon, marjoram and bay. Savory is another herb you can add. I just don't happen to have any in my garden at the moment. Dry the herbs and blend to your own taste.
Package in little jars, like left over jam jars. Or go all out and buy cool containers.

Make this into a seasoning salt by adding sea salt!

One more reason to plant lots of herbs in your garden.
Fill your garden with joy!

Garden Gossip Friday December 2nd-Gifts from the Garden and Chef MD, Dr. John La Puma

Great show today with Dr. John La Puma (author of Chef MD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine). Dr. La Puma gave us some tips on how to enjoy the holidays without packing on extra pounds and how to bring your cholesterol down without harmful drugs (cholesterol drug Lipitor went generic this week).
We've got gift ideas from your garden and of course there is the Montecito Landscape/Garden Gossip photo calendar give-away. No one had the correct guess for name that plant, so we'll continue that next week. Listen to rebroadcast Saturday at 11am on newspress.com or download past episodes from www.montecitolandscape.com

Don't Plant a Pest

Last week on Garden Gossip, Invasive plant specialist, David Chang, gave us some great info on what to plant and what not to plant in our landscapes. Certainly we all know that Pampas Grass is not a friend in our gardens, but did you know that Fountain Grass is another invasive species that we need to avoid? These plants "jump the fence" and invade native environments, causing a real threat to our biodiversity. There are plenty of viable alternatives to the invasive species, find out more by visiting the California Invasive Plant Council website. www.cal-ipc.org
You can listen to the show here Garden Gossip Radio Show

Organic Vampire, Witch Control and General Protection from Evil

Today is the 31st of October and you will most definitely need protection from evil tonight, since it's a very popular evening for marauding Vampires, Witches and the like. But, did you know that most of the protection you need is right in your own garden? Yep. So without further introduction here is the Organic Halloween Safety List for 2011 (the last two aren't exactly in your garden or organic, but you want to be safe, right?):

1. Eat lots of Garlic: It is well known that Vampires have an aversion to Garlic. Even in China and Malaysia Garlic has been used as Vampire repellent. You can also string it up over your doorways to prevent Vampires from entering your home. 
2. Carry a bag of Poppy Seeds: Vampires are compulsive counters, so if you suspect someone of being a Vampire, throw Poppy Seeds at them and hope they will be distracted long enough (they will have to start counting them, you see) for you to get away. 
3. Thorns of Wild Roses also repel Vampires. No one seems to know why this works, but it does. 
4. Make sure you have lots of Wolf Bane; It repels Werewolves. Not sure there is any other way to protect yourself from Werewolves. 
5. String Chili Peppers around your neck and around the entrance to your house as this will repel a wide variety of Monsters and Ghouls. 
6. Fennel is another plant useful for protection. Hang Fennel over your front door to prevent the entry of Witches. 
7. Now, if for some reason you do get a hex put on you, use Bay Laurel to break the spell. It's a good idea to keep some Bay around for this reason. Rosemary is a suitable substitute. 
8. Lavender and Oak will protect from the Evil Eye. 
9. The only actual protection from Zombies, apparently, is a chainsaw and an axe...I couldn't find any reliable Zombie or Ghoul repellent. 
10. Wear a cross, this seems to help with all sorts of evil from Vampires to Witches. 
11. Holy water provides good all-around protection from any unexpected Halloween situation. Keep a vial around your neck just to be safe.

Have a Happy (and safe) Halloween night! 

A Bit of Halloween History

Halloween, a time to dress up in some crazy outfit and go have some fun..but why do we do this? And why on the 31st of October?
Let's go back to the 5th century, B.C. Celtic Ireland for the answer. The Celtic new year was November 1st and it was thought that on new year's eve (October 31st) that everyone who had died in the previous year came back to look for a new body to inhabit! Apparently, this was their only way for an afterlife..
Of course the living, not wanting to be possessed needed a solution to this conundrum. They dressed up in outlandish and scary costumes and paraded around making as much noise a possible to frighten away the marauding spirits who were looking for bodies to possess..
And, what about Jack 'O Lanterns? Also and Irish tradition, though in Ireland they used root vegetables like turnips and potatoes (pumpkins are native to the Americas). This custom of hollowing them out, carving ghoulish images into them and placing a lighted candle inside was all in an effort to ward off evil spirits and especially the spirits who roamed the countryside on October 31st! Happy Halloween!

Summer in a Jar

Summer is over, but there is still time to preserve a bit of summer in a jar. Last week that consisted of pickle making. I love pickles and have worked for some time to perfect my pickle-making-prowess..And, I can tell you that I have done it. There are a couple of secrets.
1. I use about half the sugar called for in the recipe.
2. Cane sugar or evaporated cane juice is the only sweetener to use (unless you use cane or evaporated cane juice or certified organic sugar you will be getting GMO beet sugar)
3. Low-temperature pasteurization method.
The result: crunchy, spicy fabulous pickles. I happened to make Bread and Butter pickles, but you could just as easily make dills or one of my favorites; pickles carrots with fresh oregano and jalapeno. Now, the last batch I used every veggie I could find, onions, turnips, carrots, cauliflower and of course, cucumbers.
And you'll have your own version of Summer in a Jar!

Here's the recipe
For two quarts of veggies:
Suggest: cucumbers, sweet peppers, sweet onions thinly sliced, cauliflower, etc.
prep veggies, place in non-metalic container and sprinkle with salt then cover with ice and leave for 3 hours or over night in fridge (or outdoors covered)
1/2 cup pickling salt

Rinse veggies and drain well
Sterilize jars, and lids according to instructions, for canning basics see (Ball Blue Book of Preserving)

Combine in large kettle:
3 c. cider vinegar
13/4-2 c. cane sugar
3 cloves garlic minced
2 T mustard seed (whole)
2 t. turmeric (ground)
2 t. celery seed (whole)
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. pepper corns (whole)
1/2 t. cloves (whole)
Put on the heat and stir until sugar is dissolved then bring to a boil
While this mixture is heating, prepare your jars by cramming the sterilized jars full of the veggies, leaving about one inch to the top.
Pour the boiling vinegar mixture over the veggies, clean and seal according to directions.
Place in hot water bath, and process (here's the key) for 30 mins at 180-185 degrees.
For more on low temperature pasteurization method see:
Low Temperature Pasteruization Method

Fill your garden (and your kitchen) with joy!
Lisa

Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth

This Friday, October 7, 2011, on Garden Gossip, we'll be talking with Eric Helm, journalist-turned farmer-turned activist about the ravages on the earth of modern agriculture. Raised on a cotton farm in Texas, Eric got a degree in broadcast journalism and traveled the world. When he returned to the land his family had been farming for almost 100 years he was startled at the changes he saw in the land. He began to change his practices and speak out against the damages caused by modern commercial agriculture. His new book, Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth, chronicles this journey and was awarded "Book of the Week" from the Organic Consumers Association. Join us at 11am PDT for the live show or listen to the rebroadcast Friday at 9pm and Saturday 11am. You can listen live on your mobile device or computer at newspress.com or download the show at www.montecitolandscape.com (click on the garden gossip tab)

Friday, September 30, 2011 on Garden Gossip

This week on Garden Gossip, we talk with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Nursery manager, Bruce Reed about the area's most extensive native and Mediterranean plant sale. The sale begins October 1st at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and goes until the end of the month. We'll also find out about fall planting for spring bloom. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week. Listen live Friday morning at 11, or the rebroadcast Friday night at 9 and Saturday morning at 11. You can of course listen to all the past shows any time at www.montecitolandscape.com.

Healthy School Lunches with Kiddo's founder, Beth Bailey

Friday, on Garden Gossip our guest is founder of Kiddo's Squeezies, Beth Bailey. Beth founded Kiddo's Squeezies as an easy way to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies. Did you know that 90% of American's consume fewer fruits and vegetables than the daily recommended amount? Kiddo's Squeezies is a single serving of delicious, organic fruit/veg in an easy squeeze pouch. Brilliant!
Beth is now having her way with the school lunch program at Howard School in Carpinteria. Parent volunteers, local farmers and chefs come together to give kids real food every day. Find out more when Beth tells all on this week's Garden Gossip show. Friday's at 11am, 9pm and Saturday's at 11am. You can listen live on your mobile device at newspress.com or find past shows anytime on montecitolandscape.com. More on Kiddo's Squeezies here

Greetings from the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa

Well, this is quite an event. We listened to Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse fame, talk about what led her to seeking out the very best ingredients for her restaurant from local growers. In fact, the man who has been growing the majority of the fruits and vegetables for Chez Panisse for the past 25 years was also in attendance, Bob Cannard of Green String Farm in Petaluma, CA. There is another day of Expo. Much more to come. Until next time, Fill Your Garden With Joy....Lisa and Chris
Chez Panisse

This week on Garden Gossip-Queen of the Sun-What the Bees are telling us

This week on Garden Gossip, the director and producer of the new documentary film, "Queen of the Sun- what the bees are telling us". This critically acclaimed film about the global honey bee crisis was directed by Taggart Siegel, who also directed "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". We will find out the story behind the film and talk about solutions to solving the dilemma of the disappearing Honey Bees.
The show will be broadcast live this Friday, June 17 on AM1290 in Santa Barbara. You can listen to the rebroadcasts on AM1290 Friday night at 9 and Saturday morning at 11:00.
And next week the show will be available at www.montecitolandscape.com. Don't miss it!
Find out more about Queen of the Sun

Friday on Garden Gossip

This week on Garden Gossip radio, our guest will be Dr. John La Puma. His PBS show "Eat and Cook Healthy with Dr. John La Puma will broadcast right after the show at noon on KOCE Friday, June 3rd.
Listen live Friday's at 11:00 on Santa Barbara's AM 1290 or listen to past shows on www.montecitolandscape.com. For more information on Dr John click here

Wanda Wen of "A Soolip Wedding" on Garden Gossip Feb. 25

This week, we are honored to have as our guest, Wanda Wen, creative visionary of Soolip the internationally known lifestyle brand. Her company, A Soolip Wedding, believes in a modern yet soulful approach to the wedding. Under the umbrella of Conscious Celebrating, Wanda challenges her partners and guests to embrace a green theme in their weddings. Find out about the latest innovation from A Soolip Wedding, "The Couple's Garden". Couples plant an edible or floral biodynamic garden together and share the bounty with their wedding guests.
Garden Gossip is live every Friday morning at 11:00am and then rebroadcasts Friday night at 9:00pm and Saturday morning at 11:00am. Listen live at newspress.com or in Santa Barbara at AM1290. 
Find out more about A Soolip Wedding here

Duke McPherson on Garden Gossip

L to R: Chris Cullen, Lisa Cullen, Duke McPherson, Leana Finley & Denise Ritchie (of Malibu Compost)

Consulting arborist, Duke McPherson, was our guest on Garden Gossip this week (sorry, Duke you closed your eyes in the photo!). And we talked about trees, specifically deciduous trees. Normally, this is the time of year for pruning deciduous fruit trees, but after a wet and cold December, we have had a very warm and dry 6 weeks, which is causing early bud break. The trees are confused and that can effect fruit set. Only time will tell what the end result will be. If your trees have leaf break it's too late to spray for Peach Leaf Curl, but if they are flowering, go ahead and spray.

Two Ways to Live Life

"There are two ways to live your life. 

One is as though nothing is a miracle. 

The other is though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

Winter in the garden

"Keep your faith in beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone."

Roy R. Gibson

Growing Roses Organically-Dan Bifano on Garden Gossip

 (from left to right: Denise Ritchie, Leana Finley, Dan Bifano, Lisa Cullen, Chris Cullen)

Last week we had the honor of having Dan Bifano on the show. In case you didn't know, Dan Bifano is THE rose expert in our area and beyond. His client list is a list of the most successful women in show business (I'll let you guess the names). Roses are his passion. We also had a visit from Malibu Compost founder, Denise Ritchie. As a result, Dan decided to start using Malibu Compost on one of his biggest client's roses. Very exciting news. Dan's main message was that you feed the soil, live, healthy soil will result in healthy plants. Also, as far as pests go, here's the rundown:
Aphids-wash them off with water.
Caterpillars-use BT (organic caterpillar stuff)
The best defense is live, healthy soil and keeping your plants clean.
Feed your soil with Malibu Compost, the Biodynamic formula.
for more information on Malibu Compost click here

January in Santa Barbara

Well, after record-breaking rain in December, here it is in January and it's warm, sunny and windy. I really am praying for more rain, we don't want to go another year without water. We should get more rain in Feb. at least that's what I'm hoping for. January and February are the months when you want to feed your soil. Do what I do, put down a layer of Malibu Compost, and let the rain water it in. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants. Fill your garden with joy! Lisa
check out Malibu Compost by clicking here