Peas and Harmony

Fruit Trees: Three in a hole

Julie — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:08:51 +0000

If you are ready for a home orchard, but wonder where you will fit all the fruit trees into your yard, here is a tried and true suggestion: plant multiple trees in the same hole. This high-density technique allows for multiple trees with the same growth habits to be pruned, thinned and managed as if they were a single tree. You may want to consider this technique if you are interested in planting multiple stone fruits like peaches and nectarines, and also extend the harvest season by planting multiple varieties.

Here is a link to a diagram of high-density tree planting, courtesy of Dave Wilson Nursery:

Multiple Trees in a Hole

Grover’s Wondergrow Compost

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:56:28 +0000

Give your garden a healthy start this season with Grover’s Wondergrow Compost. This vegetarian compost is carefully monitored during its production to yield the highest number of microbes and diversity to enrich your garden soil.

Compost:

Loosens soil and increases water retention
Adds a rich blend of organic nutrients to the soil
Releases millions of beneficial microorganisms into your soil

Vegetable gardens and flower beds: Use 3-8 bags per 100 square feet. Work into top 2-4 inches of soil and water thoroughly. You can also mix some compost into each hole as you plant your seedlings.

Maintaining lawns and ground cover: Use 2 bags per 100 square feet spring and fall.

Typical analysis is 1.69N-0.66P-0.92K and humic acid 4.56%.
Fine textured.
OMRI listed and approved for growth of organic crops.
1 cubic foot bag.

Earth Oven Workshop

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:24:05 +0000

Greetings!

Build warmth this season at Brian Baker’s

Earth Oven Workshop
December 6th and 7th
10:00am – 3:00pm
Fair Oaks, CA

Learn how to build your own low cost wood-fired oven out of earth.
Fun to make and even more fun to use, earth ovens bake like expensive commercial wood-fired ovens while costing a fraction of the price. Ideal for baking breads and pizzas, earth ovens use radiant, conductive and convection heat simultaneously – producing crunchy, caramelized crusts with moist goodness on the inside.
Built out of unfired clay, they can be hand-sculpted into beautiful works of art, making a beautiful addition to any backyard or patio. To learn more about earth oven, check out the ovens page.

This weekend workshop will cover earth oven construction from start to finish. Participants will learn basic oven building methods and techniques including: how to gather raw materials, build foundations and apply protective plasters. The workshop will also cover how to heat and bake with an earth oven. The workshops are labor intensive, giving ample “Hands-on” experience. Participants will walk away from the weekend feeling confident about building their own Earth Oven.

The workshop is geared for people of all ages and skill levels. Children and families are encouraged to attend. The workshops are “hands-on” so be prepared to get dirty.

To register, email Brian Baker at Brian@urbanearthsolutions.com

Fee – $75.00
Sign up with a friend: $65 per person
Students: $50 per student w/ID
Couples: $95 per couple
Kids 10 to 17: $10
Kids 9 and under are free
There is a sliding scale available

Garden Design

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:55:10 +0000

What We Do!

Dedicated to sharing the pleasure of growing great food

Edible Gardens
for
Homes and Schools

Garden Design
Soil Analysis
Installations
Classes
Nursery
Demonstration Gardens

We offer personal, friendly advice on how to give your garden a good start and keep it growing with helpful organic tips and techniques.

916- 247-5775

Visit our nursery and Demonstration Gardens at

Otow Orchard

6232 Eureka Road

Granite Bay, CA 95746

A FALL GARDEN
Alliums Bulb Onions Bunching Onions Shallots Garlic Leeks	Brassicas European and Asian Cabbages Broccoli Cauliflower Mustards Kales Kohlrabi	Legumes Peas – Sugar, Snow, Snap Fava Beans
Greens Lettuce – Head or Leaf Chicory, Endive, Radicchio Arugula Chard Spinach Orach	Roots Carrots Beets Parsnips Radishes Turnips Rutabaga	Herbs Cilantro Dill Parsley Fennel
	Grains Wheat Barley Rye Oats Poppy

Elegant Edibles

Peas & Harmony takes pride in designing organic gardens that match your lifestyle. Imagine replacing an empty lawn with a culinary garden bed that yields your favorite varieties of tomatoes and vegetables, exciting heirlooms, herbs and edible flowers. Edible landscaping not only adds interest to your garden, but it enhances your health and well-being. It’s said that the healthiest food is closest to the source, and it can’t get any closer than your doorstep. By incorporating edible plants into a home landscape, you can develop a new relationship with your yard and the food you eat.

Making Organic Easy

Edible landscaping paired with organic gardening practices enhances any yard, garden or landscape. Organic gardening not only ensures that you and your family are enjoying the highest quality foods, without chemicals and unnatural additives, but you can save money and contribute to a healthier planet. you can also reduce your water bill while enjoying a harvest in place of a lawn. Whether you need someone to set up and maintain an organic landscape for you, or just need a consultation to get you started, Peas & Harmony makes it possible with simple techniques.

Harvest the Whole Year

Peas & Harmony can also provide weekly support and education so you can enjoy your edible garden year-round. Your garden design includes succession planting suggestions and a planting calendar so that you can make the most of your garden. Our nursery carries a healthy selection of organic vegetable starts and seeds. Peas & Harmony offers a garden maintenance service to give you a hand while you plant, tend and harvest, providing tips and suggestions through the season.