katie | Roseman Creek Ranch

Thinning fruit trees

by katie | Jun 2, 2011 | Farming, Fine Gardening, Gardening, Organic Gardening, Pruning, Self sustainability, Trees, Vegetable Gardening

When I took a fruit tree pruning workshop last fall, the organic commercial growers there described their maintenance regime. One thing they emphasized, was thinning fruit about 6-8 weeks after bloom when the fruit is very small . Thinning down to one per cluster....

Living without spending

by katie | Jun 1, 2011 | Farming, Gardening, Organic Gardening, Self sustainability, Vegetable Gardening

Yesterday my daughter was invited to a birthday party. What to get as a gift ? What can I give without spending ? I think about things my daughter likes and an apron she often uses came to mind. Hum, use hers as a pattern. So I made this one from a tea towel my friend...

Whew, I’ve got most of my garden in

by katie | May 28, 2011 | Annuals, Farming, Fine Gardening, Flower growing, Gardening, Organic Gardening, Perennials, Self sustainability, Shrubs, Trees, Uncategorized, Vegetable Gardening

As the garden matures and perennials divide and spread, it becomes harder to just rototill through a bed. I find myself forking more and more of the beds this year. I think only three out of twenty, forty foot rows were rototilled by my husband this year. The rest had...