Monthly Archives: August 2018

oil drums for plants

Way back in spring, when we were sourcing stuff for the popup, there was an ad on craigslist offering food-grade, powder-coated oil drums for cheap. Really cheap. Temptingly cheap. Large containers are so pricy, and these would be perfect for … Continue reading

Posted in design, pots and containers | 4 Comments

coloring outside the lines; Hot Color, Dry Garden

In her new book “Hot Color, Dry Garden,” botanist/biologist/educator Nan Sterman aims to reassure readers that in these uncertain, climactically challenging times for gardens in the drought-afflicted western U.S., there’s no need to scrimp on what compels us to make … Continue reading

Posted in books, design, inspire me | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

garden employment openings at the Getty

Two openings, head gardener and gardener. Deadline for applying is September 21, 2018. Descriptions of duties and job requirements follow: 8-21-18 Head Gardener, Getty Center or Getty Villa, Los Angeles, 9-21-18 deadline $24.16/hour. Work 76 hours every two weeks, typically … Continue reading

Posted in commerce | Tagged | 3 Comments

agricultural shade cloth is taken seriously in Ho Chi Minh City

Neighbors have taken note of our traditional summer shade cloth improvisations (what Nishizawa Architects calls “vernacular uses”) and are now deploying their own shade cloth configurations in strategic locations over the sunniest areas of their deck. Along with shading work … Continue reading

Posted in climate, design, inspire me | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

bloom day hack august 2018

The ‘Mesa Peach’ gaillardias seem to be this year’s answer to my craving for a low-growing summer daisy that fits in nicely among the permanently resident aloes and agaves. Similar water and light requirements, not too extravagant in summer growth … Continue reading

Posted in Bloom Day, design | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

take it outside

The parents’ exasperation with our indoor hijinks always crescendoed in a bellow of “take it outside!” whereupon we would bang through the screendoor and tumble out into the womb-like, cul-de-sac’d streets of our Los Angeles suburb, joining up with the … Continue reading

Posted in climate, edibles, MB Maher, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

good riddance to July, you hot and sultry thing

And hello August! (what fresh hell do you have in store?) Unlike me, pedilanthus loves it when the heat and humidity are matchy-matchy numbers. I’ve been so worried that Yucca linearifolia would reject this container, which has already killed a … Continue reading

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, clippings, journal, pots and containers, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments