September Garden Planting Guide

Sweet Peas

September Flowers: African Daisy, Bachelor Button, California Poppy, Flax, Foxglove, Marigold, Pansy, Petunia, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Verbena, Viola, Wallflower.

September Herbs: Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme

Vegetables: Beans (bush), Brussels sprouts, Carrot, Celery, Fava Beans, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onion sets, Radish, Swiss Chard.

* Remember to mulch even in the cooler months ahead.

* Check for feeding (fertilizing). Azaleas, cyclamen, roses and fuchsias this month.

*Plant perennials. Plant sweet peas the first week of September (specifically the early variety: Mammoth, Early Spencer or Multiflora).

*referrences from Pat Welsh’s Southern California Organic Gardening Book- a month by month guide to gardening in Southern California.

Fig Fest San Diego 2013

www.figfestsd.com

Enjoy fresh and dried California figs, delicious recipes, entertainment and more at the first San Diego Fig Fest. Savor gourmet food samples, extraordinary wines and craft brew from California's best chefs, food purveyors, wine makers and breweries.

The festival will take place at the new San Diego Public Market, just minutes from the city's vibrant downtown. Attendees will experience a unique community treasure in the making. TICKETS:  Adults $55   Children $20

When: 

Sunday, September 8 from 4 to 7 p.m.

San Diego Public Market, 1735 National Ave.

For more info: 

www.figfestsd.com

*reprint

DIY Succulent Vertical Garden

My project this week: Creating a vertical succulent garden using a Wine Riddling Rack.

This added a lot of warmth and beauty to my stucco wall just outside my kitchen.

Find these wooden racks on Amazon and ebay.

Vertical Wall Hanging Succulent Garden

 This is a Wine Riddling Rack- or use a wood pallet

BLOOMING SUCCULENT "UNDER THE SEA" GARDEN PHOTO

August blooms in my 'Under the Sea Garden'

DIY: SEASONED SEA SALT

DIY: ORGANIC HERB SEA SALT

Use the herbs that are in your garden for this seasoned sea salt. Every time I make my seasoned salt it is a little different, but always amazing. Mixing in some dried flowers works well too- try lavender, rose, nasturtium. Creating different batches and blends is fun.

RECIPE:

1 Cup chopped mixed herbs: use your favorites- Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Oregano.

1/2 Cup Sea Salt

1/2 Cup Kosher Salt

1/8 Cup of extra herbs to save on the side.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend Sea Salt in the Blender a few seconds until it is the same size as Kosher Salt.

2. Transfer both Salts to a food processor and add chopped herbs- pulse until well mixed and the size of the salt is to your liking.

3. The salt will turn a nice green color- I like to keep my seasoned salt on the coarse side.

4. Turn mixture into a pan and add the last 1/8 Cup of chopped herbs, mix well.

5. Cook at 200 degrees for 1 Hour or until all herbs are dried out. Mix after 30 minutes and break up all the chunks.

6. Cool completely, Return to the food processor for a few QUICK pulses to blend evenly.

7.  Store in air tight jars. Shelf life lasts months at room temperature.

DAHLIA CLOSE UP

MACRO PHOTO: DAHLIA
I find that miracles happen in my garden every day.
It is always a blessing and moment in gratitude when I discover a new bloom!

Mason Jar Strawberry Shortcake

Mason Jar Dessert: Layered Strawberry Shortcake
Pinterest

MASON JARS- SLICED STRAWBERRIES- GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST- COOL WHIP, OR REDI WHIP IF SERVING IMMEDIATELY- PUDDING (Vanilla)- POUND CAKE AND ANGEL FOOD CAKE MIXED TOGETHER AND BROKEN INTO BITS. LAYER IN THE JAR AS DESIRED... so easy!

Pound Cake and Angel Food Cake mixed together

Graham Cracker Crust Topping

Lids were placed to save them for later eating

AUGUST PLANTING GUIDE

AUGUST PLANTING GUIDE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Beans: Bush and Pole

Beets

Carrots

Celery

Corn

Cucumber

Lima Beans

Radish

Summer Squash

Swiss Chard

Flower planting guide: 

Nasturtium

Baby's Breath- Bachelor Button- Cosmos- Flax- Foxglove- Hollyhock- Marigold- Nasturtium- Petunia- Phlox- Poppy- Primrose- Snapdragon- Stock- Sweet Pea- Wallflower

The August planting guide is a bit more sparse than other months of the year so planting carrots in several varieties can help with the Need to Seed addiction!

The Round Baby Romeo carrots look great in soups and salads. Try using the carrot planting strips for very simple planting and success. GREAT TIP: Pouring very hot to boiling water over the carrot seeds just before topping them with soil in their little trenches will help them to germinate faster.