December 12th 2014 and 3" of rainfall in 24 hours here on Center Ave. Martinez. This could be one sixth of our annual average in one day! Here is an interesting site for local rain gauges.
In this wet weather I have been thinking about the hundreds of linear feet of swale that I dug this year. Most of them in partnership with Christopher Shein of Wildheart Gardens
Some earthworks have been permanently planted and some will just be hosting a soil building cover crop for this rain season.
It has been said that here in the SF Bay Area we have 3 seasons: Rain - Growing - Dry.
Those swales are harvesting the rainwater now, but how much water are they actually holding on to?
This is a good question and one I found difficult to answer earlier this week when asked for a figure to support a grant application.
As mentioned in a previous post I have been working with a non profit group in Benicia to install backyard food forests with the help of grant funding to create demonstration plots.
Please go to the end of this post for the details as I don't want to become boring this early in the text :)
Seen here in the nest box Clipper is still laying eggs in December! As a general practice hens ovulate on an increasing day length and reduce laying to moult on the decreasing day length cycle.
The Crop Swap is a champion for building community. An Advocate for sharing surplus. Meeting like minded Permaculture Friendly neighbors and finding a treat that someone wants to give away, that you would really like to take home!
We were planning to light the fire and barbeque a few treats. It was however a "Spare the air" day so we changed direction and heated water for hot chocolate on a tabletop gas stove.
This popular monthly event will be restarted in the Spring. Possibly March 2015. It is always the 4th (not always the last) Wednesday of the month.
If you have found something amazing that you really wanted at one of our Crop Swaps please let me know at: davidmudgegardens@yahoo.com If you are willing to have your experience shared on the blog please let me know :))
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| Custom Rain Gauge not available in stores |
In this wet weather I have been thinking about the hundreds of linear feet of swale that I dug this year. Most of them in partnership with Christopher Shein of Wildheart Gardens
Some earthworks have been permanently planted and some will just be hosting a soil building cover crop for this rain season.
It has been said that here in the SF Bay Area we have 3 seasons: Rain - Growing - Dry.
Those swales are harvesting the rainwater now, but how much water are they actually holding on to?
This is a good question and one I found difficult to answer earlier this week when asked for a figure to support a grant application.
As mentioned in a previous post I have been working with a non profit group in Benicia to install backyard food forests with the help of grant funding to create demonstration plots.
Please go to the end of this post for the details as I don't want to become boring this early in the text :)
Home Made Potato Chips
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| Daughter Sam placing Sweet Potato slices in a dehydrator |
Clipper: Miss December
Clipper, and her girlfriend Beaker, are former caged laying hens. Whole story unknown but I offered them a home when a friend ( who liberated them ) moved and could no longer care for them. The name Clipper comes from the fact that one of her wings was severely cropped - presumably to prevent her from flying.
November Crop Swap
Our last Crop Swap of the year took place on November 26th.
This popular monthly event will be restarted in the Spring. Possibly March 2015. It is always the 4th (not always the last) Wednesday of the month.
If you have found something amazing that you really wanted at one of our Crop Swaps please let me know at: davidmudgegardens@yahoo.com If you are willing to have your experience shared on the blog please let me know :))
Thank you Jennifer and Mike
Many thanks to Jennifer and Mike for consistently sending out the invitation, setting up the tables etc. and clearing up afterward.Beekeeping in Benicia
Here is a recent article relating to the status of Beekeeping in Benicia.
Wattle Fest 2015
Come and join us.
When: 10am on JANUARY 3rd 2015
Where: CACG 333 Center Ave. Pacheco CA 94553
We have a fresh seasonal supply of White Mulberry (Morus alba), sometimes called Non-Fruiting Mulberry, from local neighborhood trees. The invitation is to come by and spend some time creating functional stick art.
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| Hazel Wattle Fencing |
Lets spend Saturday morning building together. You might well make a panel to take home.
We can rebuild the now 3 year old arch at the lower corner entrance.
.JPG)
We are using what we have readily available which is Mulberry.
Willow might be the ideal local wattle material. A somewhat local resource for commercially foraged wattle panels is The Willow Farm on the coast at Pescadero.
The willow fence below is on Laguna Park Way in downtown Sebastopol.
About the run off .....
There has been so much to share that I'm feeling a second follow up post concerning the Runoff will be necessary.
More soon.
Happy Holidays,
David
We can rebuild the now 3 year old arch at the lower corner entrance.
.JPG) |
| Current version built December 2011 |
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| Eric building a panel in Dec. 2010 |
We are using what we have readily available which is Mulberry.
Willow might be the ideal local wattle material. A somewhat local resource for commercially foraged wattle panels is The Willow Farm on the coast at Pescadero.
The willow fence below is on Laguna Park Way in downtown Sebastopol.
About the run off .....
There has been so much to share that I'm feeling a second follow up post concerning the Runoff will be necessary.
More soon.
Happy Holidays,
David
