Hi All, Thanks so much for following me. After not posting for so many monthes, I've decided to start up another blog. This time I'm going to do it through WordPress. I've you've been following me I'm sure you can find me and my new blog (I've started by trying to transfer some of the older ones) there or through my Facebook and/or LinkedIn accounts. I hope to see you there, Dave [email protected] Continue reading

After not posting in Months, I've decided to start up a blog again, but I'm using WordPress this time. You can find it through FaceBook, LinkedIn, or send me an e-mail at DaveTheGarde[email protected] Thanks for following me! Dave Continue reading

Bacteria in the soil promote the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that can make you smarter, less likely to get angry, and sleep better as well as protect you from chronic asthma, ADHD, inflammatory disorders, depression, and perhaps even autism. It certainly will reduce your stress and anxiety level. Go out and get yourself and your family dirty. You'll be healthier if you do. Continue reading

Glomalin is a major component of healthy soil, may contain a third of soil sequestered carbon, and may be a major feedback loop regulating the Earth's CO2 levels. Why don't more people know about it? Continue reading

Know Thy Garden Pest and use Integrated Pest Management techniques to manage pests in the most sustainable way. Continue reading

Fall is here and it's time to address the veggie garden. Fall is, in most locations, the best time to think about re-organizing, planning, and scheduling your upcoming crops. It is also the best time to get manure and compost into the garden, plant perennial crops, vines, and trees, as well as adding a fresh layer of mulch. Most gardeners don't get to the dreamy planning stage of gardening until late December when all is dormant, days are short, and the seed catalogs have come... but that's really too late for this winter's crops and even for getting a head-start... Continue reading

Saving time and space in the garden makes sense. Some basic strategies for accomplishing this are outlined here for greater garden efficiency. Continue reading

Dave is now a Marin Master Gardener and is enjoying new gardening friends, new resources, and new opportunities to teach, to speak, to learn, and to write about his favorite subjects! Happy Gardening! Continue reading

Soil fertility is a complex topic. It's one that initially seems simple; what could possibly be complicated about dirt and what plants eat? Especially when one has the background, as I did, coming from a University system that, when I was there in the late 80's, catered to a growing agribusiness mentality and was still entrenched in the mindset of soil testing, charts showing a crop's desired diet, and then adding any elements in short supply in the most economical and directly available way. Don't get me wrong: I strongly advise testing your soil. The problem is that the result... Continue reading

I have been pondering lately about just how cool plants are -again! I've written about this in the past but was inspired to revisit the topic on this blog while listening to Glenn Keator, an engaging local author, educator, and plant enthusiast, discuss plant biology with the Marin Master Gardeners. It dawned on me how fortunate we are to be able to be so intertwined in the lives of so many plants and to be privy to the growing information regarding plants and plant lore. But it goes deeper than that. Our day to day relationships with plants as gardeners... Continue reading

Soil and fresh water are our most precious resources. Here are some musings on Soil, it's importance, and some notes on classification and better understanding. Continue reading

The Marin Municipal Water District is giving Marin gardeners another great reason to save more water and implement water saving methods and technologies in the landscape -a rate increase in March. Continue reading

Basic guideline to pruning vines and cane plants for fruit and flower production. Continue reading

Deciduous fruit tree pruning guidelines for successful fruit production. Continue reading

The first in a series of blogs on Pruning in the winter dormant period. Continue reading

Outdoor lighting can improve and extend your garden experience. These simple rules of thumb can help you design your low voltage lighting system. Continue reading

Hi and Thanks for checking in on my new Marin Landscape and Garden Blog. It's exciting to be experimenting with all the social media. I've found some great new networks, many wonderful contacts, and fantastic green thumbed friends so far and I believe I'm only touching the moist loamy surface. The whole wide world of garden blogging is an eye-opener, and so much fun. All the Garden Tweeters are almost overwhelming, but I'm slowly getting used to it. My network on LinkedIn has been growing steadily, and I'm excited about posting the new Marin Landscape and Garden MeetUps. I've also... Continue reading

A chart to make wood framing of decks and arbors easy and safe. Continue reading

Garden gateways prepare a person and set the tone for a garden experience. Continue reading

I've been using a product to stabilize both decomposed granite and blue pathway rock. There are many stabilizing products produced for this use, but the suppliers usually shrug when you ask what, exactly, this "Stabilizer" is. "It's natural", they tell me. Yeah... so, WHAT is it? After seeing a larger bag with the ingredients listed, a little research has gleaned a lot of understanding. It IS a natural product, but it comes a long way to get here... coming from India, I'm not sure how it's carbon footprint would add up, but essentially it's the by-product of husking Psyllium seeds.... Continue reading

Greywater Gardening is the new way to irrigate California gardens. Get the latest facts, laws, and safety standards. Don't let it go down the sewer! Grow your garden with that water! Continue reading