altadenablog

Become a guerrilla gardener in cleanup/planting event Oct. 27 (just don't tell!)

by Timothy Rutt

Guerrilla gardener Cody Howard

Shh! Looking for daring, stealth gardeners ....

Back in 2010, Cody Howard took a neglected stretch of Altadena Drive north of Berendo and stealthily turned it into a desert "guerrilla garden."  Originally working sometimes under cover of darkness, and with surreptitious help from neighbors, Howard, a horticulturalist with the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, planted an almost-self sustaining garden of succulants and desert plants, beautifying a stretch that had been left to dirt and weeds.

He was found out by Altadena Heritage, which awarded him a Golden Poppy Award in 2012, as he came out of the shadows.

Howard is holding a cleanup and planting day for the garden on Sunday, Oct. 27,  from 12-4 PM, and everyone is invited.  Howard writes;

Bring tools, gloves, water and excitement! There's lots of weeding to do and lots of big plants to plant as well. We'll also be moving some plants around in the garden and hauling rocks.

You can sign up on the Facebook page that Howard has set up for the event (which happens to coincide with his birthday), or just show up and become a "guerrilla gardener" yourself.

A detail from Cody Howard's guerrilla garden on Altadena Drive.

 

Fall victory gardening classes open in October

by Timothy Rutt

Become a Certified UC Victory Gardener through the "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative" begining class at the Altadena Community Garden starting in October.

The classes, part of University of California Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program, run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM  on October 5, 12, 19, and 26.  Cost is $55 for the series, or $15 per class.  

To register, call Jeri Huston at 626-345-5466 or e-mail at Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com

(Note: You are registered only when your fee has been received!)

Support for UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County has been provided by the Metabolic Studio, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

 

Volunteers needed to help restore Rubio Canyon Aug. 4

by Timothy Rutt

The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is looking for volunteers for "Rubio Restoration Day" on Sunday, Aug. 4.

The Conservancy recently acquired significant property in Rubio Canyon, and offers an opportunity to help restore the area and learn more about plants, both native and invasive.

Join AFC board member Tim Martinez for a day of invasive plant removal and habitat restoration. Learn to identify native California plants and their uses while removing invasive mustard and grasses from the beautiful, mountainous terrain. Meet at 1101 E. Loma Alta Drive at 9 AM, and the event runs until noon.

Be sure to pack water bottles and to wear long pants and work clothing. Gloves will be provided, and there is a bathroom with running water on site. For more information, contact Tim Martinez: timmcmartinez@yahoo.com (626) 808-7964.

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Lost dogs: Russell Terriers Lake/Rubio Canyon

Community Garden needs $2,000 to complete revitalization

by Timothy Rutt

 

A view from inside the Altadena Community Garden.

The Altadena Community Garden is appealing to the public to raise the last $2,000 for its revitalization campaign.

 

The garden has been embarking on a project to beautify the strip of land that surrounds the garden along the street, which has become a magnet for invasive plants and litter.  Garden members and students from Cal Poly Pomona have conceptualized a Corner Revitalization Project  that will fill the strip with California native plants, cactus and succulents, and drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants.  A solar-powered irrigation system has already been installed.

According to a letter from garden president Silvera Grant, the garden needs a final $2,000 of $14,000 estimated to acquire plants and other materials for the project.  Grant said that the majority of funds have come from garden members, the Board of Supervisors, Scott's, Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and other private donors:

If you have not already done so, please consider making a contribution that will help us meet our goal.  Your contribution will do so much to showcase active Altadena citizens at work improving their community.  The project emphasizes smog, noise and crime reduction, water conservation, the beauty of native plants, and it provides habitat for beneficial insects and birds.  Last but not least, the project provides beauty for all to enjoy and pride in our community.

The garden provides 64 plots for local gardeners and runs a children's gardening program and Victory Garden extension classes.  Contributions to the Garden, a 501(c)3 corporation, are tax-deductible.  

 

For more information, contact Grant at 626-398-9840 or email silveragrant@gmail.com. Checks should be made payable to: Altadena Community Garden and mailed to: P.O. Box 6212, Altadena, CA 91103-6212.

 

Community Garden completes first outreach project

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by Patrick Gothard
Community correspondent 

Altadena Community Garden’s newly formed Outreach Committee partnered with Girl Scout Troop 921 to complete the first outreach project. A raised-bed vegetable garden was installed in the yard of Adrian Griffin and her son Miles Johnston.

Special thanks go to garden members Jim and Chris Baughman for the donation of the wonderful raised box. This box had all the bells and whistles and was superbly constructed. The gopher guard and bird-netting frame were all included.

Special thanks also go to Altadenan David Apodaca of The Succulent Gardener. Thank you David for preparing the space, installing the box and supplying a healthy dose of happy red worms. The success of this project is a community working together!

Pictured are: Altadena Community Garden President, Silvera Grant, Altadena Community Garden Outreach Committee members, Mary Gothard Audra Grubbs and Michael Grady. Contributing Garden Members Jim and Chris Baughman, Girl Scout Troop 921 and recipient Adrian Griffin. Also pictured are David Apodaca and Patrick Gothard, working hard to make this project sustainable.

Meet the beetles: Altadena Heritage shares grim news about tree-killing bugs

Windstorm of 2011 aided the spread of pests

A shot hole borer entry point, indicated by sawdust and ooze.  All pictures were taken at the Altadena Heritage presentation April 24, 2013.

 

by Laura Monteros

The shot hole borer is a helpful little creature, in its proper place.  But in Southern California, it’s an insidious, uncontrollable tree-killing pest.

Shot hole borer beetle.

“It’s good, but not for us,” Frank McDonough, botanical information consultant at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, said Wednesday night, April 24, at the Altadena Community Center.  McDonough was the guest speaker as part of Altadena Heritage's “Heritage of Abundance” series, which looked at the shot hold borer and its kin, who are becoming an increasing danger to local trees.

 

So what’s good about it?  It seems the critter clears out dying flora during periods of global warming to prepare the land so the next biome can come in more quickly.  “It makes a nice, smooth, easy transition,” McDonough said.

But in Southern California, where it's virulent,  there is currently no way to control or prevent it.  It’s such a dangerous dude that even the research center, Eskalen Lab at UC Riverside, won’t keep it on hand and has moved its research to the Arboretum.  The bug bores deeper into the tree than most beetles —1 ½ to 2 inches— which protects it from birds.  It does not have to emerge from the tunnels to mate.  No biological parasite or insecticide has been discovered that can kill it and sonic waves are ineffective.  

Getting ready for spring at Old Marengo Park

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Scenes from the cleanup of Old Marengo Park on March 24: Master gardener Nancy Romero pitches in; Altadena Heritage members filled seven barrels with waste during the cleanup; Altadena Heritage board member (and Citizen of the Year) Michele Zack, who wrote the first grant to launch the park and remains involved in its maintenance; and Mark Goldschmidt, David Mosher, and John Zoraster do final tidy up.

by Timothy Rutt

Old Marengo Park, a pocket park at Woodbury Road and Marengo Avenue, used to be an undeveloped triangle of wasteland left over when Marengo was straightened out in the 1960's.  Two years ago, thanks to concerned residents and community groups, it was turned into a native plant demonstration garden where it's been a highlight of a frequently-overlooked neighborhood along the Pasadena/Altadena border. 

Last Saturday, March 24, Altadena Heritage board members Mark Goldschmidt, David Mosher, Nancy Romero, Michele Zack and John Zoraster gave the park a spring facelift, removing weeds and an outbreak of prickly Russian Thistles.  They also spread mulch for weed control and to retain moisture.

Currently the park features blooming Redbud trees and a bloom of native California poppies.  Zack emailed us:

The new adjacent Woodbury Median Project uses a similar tree palette of California Oaks and Redbuds, as well as native grasses. When you drive by this part of Woodbury Road, the park anchors the median, and intensifies the effect of all the new planting on Woodbury.

Old Marengo Park was developed as a joint project of the Altadena Watershed Committee, the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy, and Altadena Heritage. Although now unirrigated, the park provides a beautiful and colorful shady refuge, as well as a habitat for birds and insects. Altadena Heritage takes care of regular park maintenance, and last summer Heritage and Arroyos and Foothills shared the expense of giving the trees, planted over three years ago, their first trimming to open up the park and reveal the beautiful forms of its many trees. Anyone interested in joining our Park Maintenance Team, please contact us at altadenaheritage@earthlink.net.

Victory Garden intermediate classes start in April

Intermediate Victory Garden classes are starting up soon at the Altadena Community Garden.

Part of the University of California's Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, you can become a certified UC Victory Gardener through this four week program. 

Classes cost $55 for the series or $15 per class, and meet at the Altadena Community Garden, 3333 N. Lincoln Avenue, on four consecutive Saturdays, April 13, 20, 27, and May 4. Classes meet from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.

To register, email Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com or call her at 626-345-5466.

For more information, visit the website: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/

 

 

Muir Ranch work party Saturday, Feb. 23

  Muir Ranch, the working farm behind John Muir High School, is hosting a work party Saturday, Feb. 23. They will be transplanting summer vegetables, building rose beds, completing a hoop-house, turning compost, and more!

The work party is from 8 AM-noon; snacks will be served. If you are a member of the Arroyo TimeBank, you will earn time dollars for your work. If you aren't a member of the TimeBank, you will earn a sense of satisfaction and probably make some new friends. So come on out and get your hands dirty and help to build something beautiful!

Please enter via Circle Drive, off Canada Avenue.

 

Friends in Deed food bank will take your excess fruit

Steve and Judy Bass write:

Do you have a fruit tree that needs picking? Instead of letting the fruit land on the ground and go to waste, consider turning the fruit into a tax-deductible donation by giving it to Friends in Deed, a Pasadena-based, non-profit  food bank.

In fact, if you're planning and preparing a garden, why not consider planting a few extra rows or vegetables for Friends in Deed.

It's all for a good cause. In fact, last year, our garden club's organizers donated 2000 pounds --yes, that's one ton -- of fruits and vegetables to Friends in Deed. (Learn more about the First Fruits Garden Club goals and meetings.)

If you have questions, or want to get involved helping feed people who are truly in need, send me a private e-mail.

Steve and Judy Bass
mailto:stevebass@gmail.com 

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Victory Garden classes start at Community Garden in March

Become a Certified UC Victory Gardener through the "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative" begining class at the Altadena Community Garden starting in March.

The classes, part of University of California Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program, run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM  on March 2, 9, 16, and 23.  Cost is $55 for the series, or $15 per class.  

To register, call Jeri Huston at 626-345-5466 or e-mail at Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com

(Note: You are registered only when your fee has been received!)

Support for UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County has been provided by the Metabolic Studio, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

 

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Learn rose planting, pruning, and propagating at the Community Garden Sat.

Aveson will open new campus at Altadena/Lincoln building this fall

Learn rose planting, pruning, and propagating at the Community Garden Sat.

The Altadena Community Garden and Pasadena Learning Gardens offer a free workshop on cultivating roses through planting, pruning, and propagating on Saturday, February 2.

Master Gardener Mark Rice and local rose expert Elvira Smith will lead the hands-on workshop.  Bring gloves and clippers -- if you want to start some roses from clippings, a couple of one or five gallong plant containers  filled with garden soil.

The workshop will start at 11 AM at the Altadena Community Garden, Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street at Loma Alta Park.  

The Garden is looking for more rose experts to lead future workshops. If you're a knowledgeable rose person and want to get involved please contact Mark.Rice@alumni.usc.edu or 626 272-2752 and show up at 10:30.

Victory Garden intermediate classes start in October

by Timothy Rutt

 Intermediatel Victory Garden classes are starting up soon at the Altadena Community Garden.

Part of the University of California's Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, you can become a certified UC Victory Gardener through this four week program. 

Classes cost $55 for the series or $15 per class, and meet at the Altadena Community Garden, 3333 N. Lincoln Avenue, on four consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, 27, and Nov. 3. Classes meet from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.

To register, email Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com or call her at 626-584-0442

For more information, visit the website: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/

 

Say "tomato" any way you want at Altadena Heritage workshop Sept. 9

by TImothy Rutt

The end of tomato season is over the horizon, but that's no reason not to enjoy an entire year with our favorite summer fruit (or is it a vegetable?).

Altadena Heritage presents gardener Kazi Pitelka, who will talk about growing, preserving, and enjoying tomatoes Sept. 9 in a talk in the kitchen of the Zane Grey Estate (Altadena food culture central).   Pitelka will talk about choosing varieties and growing them, and demonstrations of ways to save them into the cold, tomato-free winter. 

The workshop is $10, $5 for Altadena Heritage members.  Reserve and pay for your spot at the Altadena Heritage website, or call 626-993-5338 to reserve your spot and mail your money to Altadena Heritage, 730 E. Altadena Dr., Altadena CA 91001.   There will be only 35 spots available, so reserve yours now!

Fall master gardening classes taking registration

by Timothy Rut

Fall Victory Garden classes are starting up soon at the Altadena Community Garden.

Part of the University of California's Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, you can become a certified UC Victory Gardener through this four week program. 

Classes cost $55 for the series or $15 per class, and meet at the Altadena Community Garden, 3333 N. Lincoln Avenue, on four consecutive Saturdays, Sept. 15, 22, 29, and Oct. 6. Classes meet from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.

To register, email Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com or call her at 626-584-0442

For more information, visit the website: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/

 

Altadena Farmers Market is the place to be

 

Opening day of the Altadena Farmers Market was drawing a good-sized crowd, even in the first hour.

 

by Timothy Rutt

The (Altadenablog sponsor) Altadena Farmers Market opened this afternoon at 3 PM, and by our observations and those we talked to, it sounds like a hit.

Market manager Joseph Shuldiner shows off one of the shopping carts, which can be checked out at the market.

After putting so much effort into it, market manager Joseph Shuldiner said "I'm having an out-of-body experience," but not so much out of body that he wasn't working the crowd and accepting some well-earned congratulations.

Not that there weren't some glitches along the way:  parking stretched out for blocks along West Palm Street (hint: try parking at the Loma Alta gym parking lot and Lincoln and Loma Alta and walk downhill to the market).  There was some interesting vehicle choreography, as it was also trash pickup day along Palm and trash trucks and cars were involved in a little dance to make it through the narrow street (Al Evans of Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation said he would talk to Athens Waste to see if they would be able to change their pickup day).  And the Fox Pizzeria double-decker bus couldn't quite negotiate the hill on Dabney Street (Fox said they also ran into some mechanical problems and were looking for an emergency mechanic to try and salvage the trip).

The Fox Pizzeria double-decker bus hit a snag going up Dabney.

But otherwise, it was a selection of vendors of local, artisanal foods and local boutique farms that gathered a growing crowd of folks.

Local tech writer Steve Bass said that he thought the food was a little pricey, but that didn't stop him from buying.  His wife Judy Bass said that she hoped that the market would be successful and continue.

Local author Michelle Huneven, who was also at the market,  waxed enthusiastic about having such a market in Altadena.

The Altadena Heritage-sponsored market will be every Wednesday from 3-7 PM, next to the Altadena Community Garden at Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street.

 

 

Students from Glenfeliz School in Atwater Village grew their own certified produce in the school garden.

 

"The Garden Of ..." from Los Olivos picked most of their produce this morning for the market sale.

 

 

Are your citrus trees in danger? NY Times thinks so

 by Timothy Rutt

The New York Times has an alarming story about "citrus greening," a bacterial disease of citrus trees carried by the winged Asian citrus psyllid insect. The psyllid first appeared in San Diego in 2008, and, according to the Times, it could be the death knell of the backyard citrus farmer.  Featured in the story is Martin Koning-Bastiaan of Altadena, who is pessimistic about the survival of residential citrus trees in California.

 

Intermediate Victory Gardener classes start April 28

The "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative," which held beginning classes last fall, will hold a series of intermediate certified gardener classes starting April 28 at the Altadena Community Garden in Loma Alta Park, 3300 N. Lincoln Ave.

Topics to be covered include permaculture, harvesting seeds, California natives, fruit tree pruning and berries.

Classes are held 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM on Saturdays, April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 19. Classes are $50 for the series or $15 per class.  For more information, contact Jeri Huston,  (626) 584-0442 or email:  jeri.huston@yahoo.com

 

Altadena Community Garden family picnic today

Members of the Altadena Community Garden are having their family picnic today, from 1-3 PM at Loma Alta Park: 

Join garden members, associates, family and friends today at the annual picnic for gardeners.  Bring a dish to share. The Garden will provide for drinks, plates and utensils. The barbecue grill will be ready for use, so bring something you'd like to grill.

 

Talkin' dirt and swappin' seed at Loma Alta Park March 10

by Timothy Rutt

OK, the headline doesn't think what you think it means, so knock it off.

What is DOES mean is that it's planting season -- and if you've got seeds to spare, or are looking for some, Susan Ham is looking for you on March 10:

Join me for some fun seed trading, and "talking dirt" with other gardeners.

Besides seeds, bring along extra seedlings, cuttings,  plants and anything else garden-related (such as catalogs and extra supplies).

Don't forget to bring seed envelopes and pens.

The seed swap will be held on Sat., March 10, from 10 AM-noon in Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., by the entrance to the Altadena Community Garden (although it is not a Community Garden event).

For more information, email her at sueham2@yahoo.com

 

Get your hands dirty: vegetable gardening and vermiculture workshop March 10

by TImothy Rutt

Altadena Heritage is kicking it into spring with a hands-on workshop March 10 on vegetable gardens and creating a worm bin.

Master gardeners Vivian Fortunaso and Jeri Huston will present "Launch Your Vegetable Garden," to give you all the ins-and-outs during the growing season.  Laura Hanna will talk about "How to Create a Worm Bin".

The workshop is 9 AM-noon on Sat., March 10, at 2131 N. Fair Oaks.  Class is limited to 30 participants, and you must have reservations.  Admission is $5 for Altadena Heritage members, $10 for non-members.

To RSVP, call 626-993-5338 or email: altadenaheritage@earthlink.net

 

Eliot Middle School to dedicate garden Wednesday

by Timothy Rutt

Eliot Middle School will hold a dedication ceremony and first planting for its new school garden on Wednesday, in tribute to a former teacher who died two years ago.

The garden, a collaboration with the Environmental Media Association (EMA), was funded with a contribution from Sony Pictures and actress Cameron Diaz, an EMA member.  PUSD facilities supervisor Shirly Barrett coordinated and managed the construction, with help from Eliot teachers, students, staff, and parents, as well as volunteers from community partner, the Pasadena area Starbucks.  

The garden will be dedicated to former Eliot history teacher Stephen Scott Buck, who passed away in June 2010.

Actor Mehcad Brooks (True Blood) from EMA will join the students as they plant fruit trees and the first of nine raised bed planters along Calavaras Street.  LA Conservation Corps is bringing trees and other plantings as well as a crew.

The ceremony and plantings will take place between 11 AM and noon on Wed., Feb. 15 at the school, 2184 N. Lake Ave.

Theodore Payne plant and seed sale, next two weekends

The Theodore Payne Foundation is holding its annual Native Plant Sale & Fall Festival, its biggest sale of the year, over the next two weekends.  Native plants and seed will be available at a discount along with vendors, music, and other activities.

Click the flyer for details.

 

UC Extension offers October Victory Garden classes

The University of California Extension will hold classes to become a Certified UC Victory Gardener in October.

Part of the Master Gardener program, the classes will take place in the Coral Learning Garden, 2750 E. New York Dr., Pasadena on four Sundays: Oct. 2, 9, 16, and 23, from 3-6 PM. 

Cost is $50 for the four days.  Space is limited, and you are registered only when your fee has been received. To register or for more information, contact instructor Mark Rice at mark.rice@alumni.usc.edu or 626-272-2752.

 

Beautiful but deadly: poodle dog bush

We've been getting warnings from several quarters about the Poodle Dog Bush, also called Sticky Nama (Turricula parryi).  It's a fire-follower plant that lives in granatic soils and can form thickets.  It's pretty, but you neither want to touch it or breathe too close to it if you encounter it in the hills.

The poodledog has highly-irritating glandular hairs to discourage herbivores.  The sticky hairs -- which can dislodge easily -- can be passed on to hikers who touch it or brush up against it, causing an itching dermititis that can last for two weeks.  Even shaking the plant and inhaling close to it can cause a serious reaction.

Wikipedia says: "Chemicals exuded by the glandular trichomes (prenylated phenolics) result in severe contact dermatitis and an inflammation response similar to that caused by poison oak. The scientific name of the plant's genus, Turricula, means "little tower" in reference to the stalk of deep blue, deceptively lovely flowers that rises over the plant in the spring. At other times of year the poodle dog bush can appear to be a droopy collection of brownish stems topped by green pom-poms of narrow leaves, shaped a bit like a clipped poodle."  Orange County Register has a short article.

Huneven's novel approach to gardening

The LA Times Garden Blog takes a look at the garden of Altadena novelist (and our old seminary running buddy) Michelle Huneven.  The takeaway for us: after buying a weed-infested lot, she buried it under  a 10-in. layer of horse manure, which cooked the weeds dead and matured into a formidable planting medium.  We give props to her understanding neighbors while THAT process was going on!

(Update: fixed the name spelling.  We've known this woman for 20 years, you think we'd remember how to spell her name ....  Thx to Jim Potter, who, as her husband, DOES know how to spell her name!)

Gardens and martinis ...

... the drier the better, at least in this climate!  LA Times takes some sneak peeks at the Theodore Payne Foundation's tour this weekend, and Altadenan Wynne Wilson's native plant garden is featured.

Altadena Heritage honors Golden Poppy winners

by Michele Zack
Special to Altadenablog

There is no more fun (or funny) volunteer job in the world than contacting winners of Altadena Heritage’s Golden Poppy Garden Award to break the news to them. This generally happens over the phone, and reactions vary. The winner is often skeptical, as in: “Are you trying to sell me something?”

 When it sinks in that all Altadena Heritage wants is to honor the gardener and garden, the tone switches to general astonishment and joy at this small but significant recognition of the labor of love that is gardening. “What! We’ve never won anything in our lives, this is amazing. . . I’m going to call my Aunt Barbara, she will be so thrilled!”

The above was Lon McCoy’s first thought when Altadena Heritage Board Member and event chair Anita David called him in advance of Sunday’s Annual Golden Poppy Urban Homestead Fete, which this year attracted 130 people to Kazi Petelka and John Steinmetz’s incredible urban farm. McCoy and partner George Feaster have worked for 15 years on their Highview Avenue drought tolerant garden. They reside in the Gregory Ain modernist neighborhood designated as an “AHA!” or Altadena Heritage Area in 2002. (Aunt Barbara, 87 and ailing in Seattle, was indeed happy, according to Lon, when he told her of the honor.)

This year’s other winners included Jennifer Shepard and Pam Forrest’s edible landscape on Glenrose, and Dr. Jason and Jane Yoo’s and Mark and Susan Sironi’s drought tolerant gardens on Altadena Drive and Athens Street. All were present, and all spoke eloquently about their efforts to create beautiful and personally meaningful landscapes. Their neighborhoods have benefited, too, and we’re sure our Golden Poppy gardeners will inspire others. Each was presented by Chairman Mark Goldschmidt and Vice Chair Lili Etezady with a beautiful bronze plaque to display in their garden for two years, when it is passed on to other winners. This year’s theme, drought tolerant and edible landscapes, is part of Altadena Heritage’s current “Sustainability Series.”

Farm tours, personally guided by Kazi Petelka, farmer/gardener extraordinaire, were the other highlight of the event. Kazi took groups through her orchard of rare fruit, vegetable gardens, and poultry area, sharing her vast knowledge with Altadena Heritage’s guests. She sent them home with a handout listing recommended tomato and other vegetable varieties, as well as a list of all her fruit trees. She also generously provided party favors: a choice of iris rhizomes in shades of purple!

A word about the food: scrumptious. This year, board members and spouses made everything from scratch, in keeping with the sustainability theme. Many ingredients, such as ripe tomatoes, came from Altadena Gardens — and all dishes came from Altadena kitchens (with wine and cheese from Trader Joe’s!) Delicious canapés, from onion marmalade with herbed goat cheese to cucumber dill sandwiches, were followed by numerous salads, Chairman’s Chili, apricot tarts, and rhubarb-peach crumble. 

 Visit Altadenaheritage.org for more information on this community based organization.

Photos, top to bottom:

Kazi Petelka conducts farm tour

Golden Poppy Garden Awards

Chair Mark Goldschmidt with Golden Poppy winners Lon McCoy and George Feaster

130 guests (including 30 new members) enjoy the garden fete.

Homesteading ain't for chickens

Janette Williams on PSN's Altadena beat contributes a nice story about Kazi Pitelka, whose urban homestead is the site of this weekend's Golden Poppy Awards from Altadena Heritage.  We like that she named her chickens after chicken dishes, such as Tetrazzini and McNuggets -- we had a boss with four flightless geese that he named Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Chuck's Birthday.

UPDATE 7.24 3:30 PM:  Michele Zack, wearing her Altadena Heritage hat, writes us that besides the tour, there will be food, music, and some special Altadenans will be honored who beautify their neighborhoods with drought-tolerant and/or edible landscapes.

Altadena Heritage's Golden Poppy Fete next Sun., July 26

Click on the graphic for juicy details about Altadena Heritage's annual Golden Poppy Awards, next Sun. at 6:30 PM. 

Altadena Heritage "Golden Poppy" fete July 26

This looks like a good time, at a great place, from Altadena Heritage (and we like the use of "amongst" and "whilst"):

Barnyard, abundant gardens, and orchards will glow golden (but hopefully, not hot) Sunday, July
26, at 6:30 p.m., for this year’s Golden Poppy Urban Homestead Fete on the grounds of Kazi Petelka and John Steinmetz’s home at 2027 Mar Vista Avenue.

Our hosts are musicians extraordinaires with the Los Angeles Opera, and Kazi is a passionate rare
fruit grower, gardener, poultry raiser, and culinary artist who uses her produce to set a fine fresh table, and also bottles, cans, cordializes, pickles, and otherwise preserves her bounty. Nothing goes to waste, not even the feathers from the poultry, used in millinery or costumes for the opera! Kazi will give entertaining tours of her remarkable creation — guaranteed inspiration for any gardener.

Amongst the chickens and turkeys and other live music, we shall celebrate being able to share this abundance with home-made baked goods, salads, and desserts whilst our 2009 Golden Poppy Awards are given to special gardeners who use water wisely as they add beauty to their neighborhoods. Be sure to reserve either at altadenaheritage@earthlink.net, or at 626/797-0054. Entry is $10 members, $20 non-members, or one free ticket included with new family memberships who join that evening.

Share-cropping? No, garden sharing!

Four kinds of people in the world: those who don't garden (that would be us), those who garden, those who would like to but don't have a plot, and those who have a plot but don't have the time.

For the latter two, why not have someone tend the garden in your yard the split the produce? On-the-road Altadena writer Ellen Snortland has that problem, and the LA Times tells how she solves it. in an article by the fabulous Susan Carrier!