The Garden Project - Living outside the 9 to 5

“I get by with a little help from my friends" – no one learns anything when things are good.

I have never planted a garden before. I thought it would be too much work, unsure how long I would be in said apartment rental...let's call it what it was...commitment issue. I was inspired by my friends and learning more about worm tubes or "vermiculture”, garden sitting for my friend who said she never liked harvesting anyway and to take what I wanted.

Within a few weeks of discussion with the present and inspiring roommate – we settled on two beds 3' by 3' primarily made from recycled wood pallets, spare nails, and a quick few hours we were ready to lay down our first soil beds. Our worms were Red Wigglers from a farm in Upland CA. The tubes are about 6” in the ground and then covered by the bed starter so another 1' – PVC pipe from general store, and drilled holes in the sides to allow the worms to the soil, then back to the tube to feast on our kitchen scraps for compost.

It took all of maybe 4 – 6 hours (over many weeks)...really that is it, and on September 1 Labor Day we planted mostly seedlings, and the rest was seed: cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, beets, fava beans, lettuce mixes, pole beans, okra, and spaghetti squash (monster plant and quite happy in its new home).

While we were at it we decided to reseed a bit of grassy area to brighten the yard from the harsh drought – since we were watering the garden anyway. It is now called The Meadow, with no defined lines and various grass types to make up the soft bed for laying away the afternoons.  

The excitement of looking at our beds an knowing it was all in the ground and there was nothing to do but wait...each day has brought a continuous discovery of resilience and patience. The garden has brought so much to this time in my life to celebrate small challenges, and be creative with projects that take time and live outside your 9 – 5.

NEW EXPERIENCES - OLD DESTINATIONS

This summer was filled  work and more work.  Although not all was paying, a garden on the horizon for example (more to come on that project).  I love to get out and learn more about my current full time employer  REI Outdoor School...paddling is a new love.

Summer is a time to spend dreaming about the future and basking in the sunlight of the day's gifts.  I found much of that this last weekend.

From my first ever mountains to sea day and weekend...the Ice House Canyon Trail Head to Cucamonga Peak...to walking Hero dog at the beach in Newport.

I also was a tag along instructor for a Stand Up Paddle board Tour with my company REI, starting with a surf launch at Cabrillo Beach then out on board, the smooth relaxing ocean is a new found love for this Colorado native.  I couldn't have been more thankful, for my life and my experiences that fill my whole heart with gratitude.

Little bits of heaven...

Since moving to Santa Ana 2010 I have grown to love the bits of nature so many don't realize its value.  To me it starts with my backyard....

and just having a little space that brings singing birds (my favorite is the Black Phoebe) , cool breezes of fresh air puts a smile on my face.  I don't spend near enough time here but it impacts me daily knowing its there.

Next about 1/4 mile away is Santiago Park, has been a "think tank" for many of my deepest connections, and emotions as I walk the path season to season each day is different like today with the spring air and these fragrant blooms...

The Fig tree is beginning to leaf in the yard and my heart is full...it is Spring.  No other season is like it, representing a time anew and more importantly recognition of the coming year, and its potential.

Find your place in nature, go there often...you will find solace, acceptance, and true spirit.

Sharing with little ones...

Since starting to blog...frankly I haven't been really blogging. I found many projects to keep me busy and focused on my mission to share nature with people, in both work and play.

A few months ago I was asked by a fellow nature program supporter if I would be interested in starting a program for a couple of homeschool families...I wasn't sure about this type of venture since I am not a traditionally trained "teacher" but knew I had a lot to offer these families and it would be a great way to start building more programs locally... thus began Tuesdays Adventures. Yup, you guessed it. The classes were held on Tuesdays for 10 weeks this fall taking me an a small group of three around the county exploring new a different places. We tried to cover one focus each trip, geology, water, clouds, seeds, plants, basic ecology but we mostly just played pretend and learned about the animals and the places we visited. Some weeks we met at a host family house and had lessons there, and other weeks we explored: Pirates' Cover - Corona del Mar State Beach, San Joaquin Marsh, Turtle Rock Nature Center, Mason Regional Park, Santiago Nature Preserve, Grower's Direct / Costa Mesa Community Garden (on Hamilton), and Orange County Coastkeeper Nature Play Garden The success of the program is loosely based on...they want more!  So I will be writing a Spring 10 week program starting in March.

What a great day for a project - after a quickie post on Facebook, I have such wonderful people in my life (Pam, James, Will, Gary, Adam, Teri, Mike, Matt, and Nicole) who all came out on a lovely Sunday morning to help with the garden. We first worked on the hidden trails, then moved into the garden area for weeding and mulching (a never ending task). With such a great crew we knocked out some great work and headed off for lunch at the near by burger place.

Join us next time - http://www.facebook.com/events/206559722784771

Quote -

―…children are disappearing from the outdoors at a rate that would make them top of any conservationist’s list of endangered species if they were any other member of the animal kingdom.‖ Tim Gill, British play advocate in The Ecologist

Innovation Project - Nature Playscape

A what? Nature Playscape...what is that? Sounds cool and something I would want to be a part of.

You are! Well most of us, who enjoy the outdoors and sunshine, dirt, trees, rocks...you get the idea. If you would like to help out, definitely you can contact me via email.

Is this my idea? No, many people from around the globe have this idea - children are suppose to be in nature to grow healthy, creative, and active imaginations. I agree, so I pitched the idea to the local non-profit Orange County Coastkeeper to use in their demonstration garden in a urban area of Orange CA. Thankfully they loved the idea and hired Reconnect Nature to do the project.
http://www.coastkeeper.org/coastkeeper-garden/

After working with the garden team we decided on a few key features to implement into the design: hidden trails, embankment slides, boulder fields,covered pathways, and climbing trunks. Designing is the easy part, I have become creative and realistic about what features will continue to keep the area natural and subtle enough for families and everyone to enjoy.

We are hoping to work with the local community for future projects and volunteering for the implementation this spring - and in time for the Coastkeeper Garden opening this April.

Wish us luck!! Stay tuned for more details!