Here's a question for our group. I am thinking about growing prickly pear cactus in my yard. Does anyone have this plant in their gardens or have any advice/suggestions about growing cacti in the PNW?

I am not sure where to buy my plants as well. Of course I LOVE making jams and preserves so of course prickly pear jam sounds great. Any input is appreciated.

Autumn Equinox is almost here and time again to gather for potluck and exchanging our harvests.
A couple of folks asked that we do a fall gathering. Hope you have saved some seeds from your garden to share!!! I am busy collecting some of the medicine and edible flower seeds from my garden to share with you all. Harvest McCampbell will be joining us to talk story and share from her personal seed bank box of gold. She has many heirloom and hardy varieties perfect for the NW.

*Please bring your po… Continue

Hello one and all:
I'm working on building a bio- sponge swale in my organic garden in Seattle. To accomplish this lots & lots of shredded paper and old phone books will be needed.
So if you have a bunch of these materials, please let me know. We are working on a new permaculture design for our organic vegetable garden that will help the garden store water! We would be happy to do a show and tell about the process if you'd like to see.

Thanks for your help
Laurie, in Seattle
206 725 3324

I had no idea what a Cardoon was until I was trying to duplicate a stunning Italian recipe. The plant took two years before it flowered, but the bees were really happy when it did! The stalk grew to almost five feet in height and produced seven fruits/flowers. Love it! Another organic treat for the bees and me… Continue

I also became very interested in traditional Mexican cooking. So of course a tomatillo plant entered into the garden. I couldn't believe how much fruit it produced on one plant. I cooked down 8 cups of green goodness that will be used to make homemade verde sauce this winter! Of course they are emerald green… Continue