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My Dad’s Garden

May 18, 2012 by Nicole 32 Comments

Herbs and Flowers

One of the many things I love about being back in central California is that I’m near my family again.  My grandparents are only 30 minutes away and it’s just an hour’s drive to see my Dad, who lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near a tiny little mountain town called North Fork.  I’m currently in an apartment without much outdoor space to call my own, so this year I’m trying to get up to my Dad’s house as much as possible to help out in his huge, beautiful garden. 

Artichokes in the Garden

He’s expanded the garden this year and has just about finished setting up drip irrigation in all the beds.  The garden is organic and my Dad uses biodynamic practices as much as possible.

Drip Irrigation in Garden Beds

So far we’ve planted potatoes, tomatoes, summer squash, eggplant, lots of sweet and hot peppers, broccoli, onions, and more. Soon he’ll be putting in corn, beans, and winter squash. My project this summer, in addition to helping out with the garden (and creating recipes with the produce), will be to document the process through photographs and share what I learn along the way.  Will you be gardening this summer?

 

Filed Under: Gardening

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Comments

  1. Joanna says

    May 22, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Beautiful garden, how does your father deal with gophers, rabbits, mice orsquirrels? I have a small garden which has wire under the soil & thought I finally beat them but they figured a way in last summer, so I plan to remedy the situation. I noticed his garden doesn't have raised beds or fences. I live in North County San Diego below Palomar mountain on 16 acres + cattle pasture in front & open land behind so we are exposed to every kind of critter. We have a dog so poison is not an option as she catches them. I have fence around area & place more wire around each plant but its always a battle + I use mouse traps.
    Reply
  2. Nicole says

    May 24, 2012 at 11:34 am

    Joanna - They had a lot of trouble with gophers last year! He has been using steel gopher traps stuck in tunnels along the perimeter of the garden. He's caught quite a few already this year.
    Reply
  3. David says

    May 26, 2012 at 10:33 am

    That's no garden. That's a farm! Have a good time in the garden this summer.
    Reply
  4. Barbara says

    May 29, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Fabulous garden! I'm jealous!
    Reply
  5. Virginia says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:49 am

    The absolute joy and sense of calm that comes from working in the garden is sublime. How wonderful to share it with your father. Virginia
    Reply
  6. Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I live in a condo, too, with no gardening space, although we have a community garden (I have no control of what's being planted, though - mostly flowers). My dream is to have a wonderful garden. You dad's looks fantastic!
    Reply
  7. Leucadia Chiropractic says

    June 5, 2012 at 2:25 am

    I adore your Father for having such a neat garden, it's very rewarding and fulfilling! Great feeling too especially during the harvest, you can have organic veggies from your own backyard. I always wanted to have a garden like this but don't have time to do it ugh
    Reply
  8. San Marcos Chiropractor says

    June 5, 2012 at 2:28 am

    This looks fantastic. I've been wanting so much to have a garden but I only have pots. Can you recommend plants that will grow well on pots?
    Reply
  9. kellypea says

    June 9, 2012 at 9:48 am

    So happy that you are enjoying being close to your family again -- mine seems all over the place now, and I miss them. Swooning over your dad's garden and love that you get to work with him in it. Such rewarding work from so many perspectives -- I've never had a relationship with my real father. I've got an herb box this year with a few strawberries and eight tomato plants in two big pots. I need more space!
    Reply
  10. Darcy says

    June 13, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    I just started using biodynamic practices in my garden too - in my area, there is an awesome guy who has been teaching monthly gardening classes and it's been awesome! I even wrote a few posts on what I've been learning. Love the garden! Can't wait to start seeing that first harvest...
    Reply
  11. candice says

    June 15, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Great pics, California is the perfect place to grow most stuff, so I'm a little jealous. I have my little back yard garden with a white picket fence...used to have a gate to protect from unwanted intruders. ( my little kids and the black and white furry beast that steals sugar snap peas..) trying to grow peppers again this year because i have become addicted to pickled jalapenos. So far my efforts have been thwarted by cool weather and slugs. (urg..the slugs) got lots more stuff too ~ and so does your dad, so my hat it off to you guys, keep it up:)
    Reply
  12. Jessica says

    July 10, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    I used to live in Oakhurst before moving to San Fran. I miss the pine trees and the mountains!!!
    Reply
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