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Mukasi Leonotis mollissima

Leonotis mollissima

With its seed origin on the northern tip of the island of Unguja in the Zanzibar archipelago, this rare member of the genus Leonotis has found its way into my gardens this year.A perennial plant it is native to East and South Africa.White whorls of flowers and large aromatic leaves are attractive to both bees and butterflies.Nearly every plant in the genus of Leonotis is used in traditional medicines and ‘Mukasi’ is no exception.(A close relative being Lion’s Tail, Leonotis leonurus)In traditional African medicine (TAM) it is used as an intestinal bitter against stomach complaints (tea or fresh leaf chew) Read more

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bracer roots on corn

Bracer roots

A deformity? Scary Halloween toes?Nature’s wonders may not always be beautiful but they are fascinating.This is the base of a stalk of corn and the extensions are called “bracer roots”.They are more commonly seen on heirloom varieties that are tall growers.The indigenous Mixe community in the isolated village of Totontepec in the eastern mountains of Oaxaca, grow a maize, known as olotón which grows to nearly 20’ feet in height.It produces a mucous like gel from these bracer roots.The gel contains nitrogen forming bacteria that drips to the soil and nourishes the plant!Further research with this unique trait could revolutionize

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Crinum moorei

Crinum moorei

We’ve made it halfway through the week (or to somewhere).This beauty is Crinum moorei,( Moore’s Crinum Lily, Natal Lily, Lily of the Orinico). it’s blooming late this year by about two weeks which is in keeping with current climate change; Spring two weeks earlier, Fall two weeks later.Still it looks great against that ‘Kodachrome’ sky!

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Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West

Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West” by Michael Moore

As a nurseryman and grower specializing in edible, ceremonial and medicinal plants for gardens and landscapes here on the central coast of California as well as an amateur herbalist, I am always looking for more information on medicinal plants native to this area. “Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West” by Michael Moore contains a wealth of information for both the novice and the advanced herbalist practitioner: Identification and safe use of the plants Appearance, habitats, collecting methods and storage Therapeutic uses, constituents, and preparations Potential toxicities and medical contradictions Tea making, tincturing, and salve making More than 300 species are

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Moroccan orange slices

Citrus sinensis, Blood Orange

Of all the varieties of “sweet” oranges (Citrus sinensis), the Blood Orange stands out as my favorite. While oranges, in general, originate from China and are likely a hybrid between the Pomelo and the Tangerine, blood oranges originated as a mutation of the sweet orange. The origin of the Blood Orange is uncertain, either in Asia or the Southern Mediterranean. There are at least 15 named varieties of Blood orange, the most common being the Tarocco (native to Italy), the Sanguinello (native to Spain), and the Moro, the newest variety of the three. All are characterized by being somewhat smaller

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Watermelon wedges

Watermelon Wedges I first discovered it at a restaurant called the “Red Tavern” in Chico Ca. I was able to pretty quickly deconstruct and recreate it. Watermelon wedges rinds removed or not, a pinch of salt, a dash of a ginger sesame vinaigrette (homemade is best but you can use store-bought too), a chiffonade of spearmint leaves, and some quality, freshly grated, Pecorino Romano cheese. If your watermelon was not already cold from the fridge, plate it and put it in the fridge for 20 minutes. Simple and delicious.

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One Straw Revolution

One Straw Revolution

In many years of gardening, as well as writing about and teaching classes on horticulture, I’ve always attempted to incorporate self sufficiency and permaculture techniques.I am deeply indebted to the knowledge and skill of those who have come before me, especially one of the earliest and most revolutionary proponents of self-sufficient, natural and permaculture farming practices, the late Masanobu Fukuoka. There have been many good books written on the topic, but in my opinion, none as straight forward, simple and engaging as The One-Straw Revolution.The following is from the back jacket of my copy: “Few books written in our soulless times have

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Pink stem Cardoon ‘Rouge de Algiers’

Cardoons and a recipe for Cardoon Potato Gratin

Pink stem Cardoon ‘Rouge de Algiers’ A ‘Food Forest’ or ‘Forest Garden’ is a design practice that falls under the broader heading of ‘Permaculture’. (The term Agro-forest is also used but I tend to avoid using it as it lends itself to a more commercial connotation)Within such a design plan one tries to establish layers of mostly perennial plants that will provide an abundance of food, medicine, and sometimes utilitarian uses.One such plant that I love to grow is the cardoon, which will grow wherever its cousin the artichoke thrives. And like the artichoke, cardoons are loaded with Silymarin.At first

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Macademia tree flowering

On gardening and patience

Patience is one of the greatest lessons working with plants and gardening has had to offer me. It is a lesson I don’t particularly enjoy. I am, by anyone’s standard, not a patient man (just ask my poor wife!).It’s not that I am in need of instant gratification for everything I do in the garden (come on you tomatoes grow some damn fruit, I planted you last week for freakin sakes, what’s the hold-up?!).Nor am I ignorant to the wisdom of great thinkers and prophets: “All things come to one of patience”.It’s just something about linear time that bugs me.

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