Greenhorn in the Garden

Garden: Our California "Winter"

2012-02-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

Jerusalem Sage. Blooms late spring to early fall.

Lion's Tail. Blooms late summer and early fall.

I hate to break the news to the two of them that it's February. As far from normal bloom times as one can get. We have had an exceptionally warm and dry winter, as I understand the rest of the country is undergoing the same thing overall. We have been between 70F (21C) to 80F (27C) since Christmas with an occasional near 90F (32C) for good measure. My normal turning off of the irrigation has failed to happen at all this year. I certainly hope it's not a sign of a miserably hot summer.

Style: Cufflinks

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Note to self: clean lamp next time

Are there some things in life that just bring you joy? These are some of those for me.

I don't wear cufflinks every day, but when I do I make sure they count. I don't own too many pairs, although that may be a good idea for a future post, but the one's I own I wear. Several inherited from my grandfather, a pair that was a gift from my father-in-law and a few I've purchased myself. These beauties fall into the last category. E-bay. Great place.

Today we play Wigan, so I'm wearing the lucky links, as we seem to need some help after the theft we had at Manchester City. I haven't kept track of our won/loss record while wearing these, but no matter. I'm sure the lads feel empowered with me wearing them.

As I stated previously, I don't wear cufflinks every day. Not even every other day. You see, I live in the suburbs. And work in the suburbs. I'm happy if my co-worker's are wearing a laundered shirt...and shoes. But, I choose to try. So today, at 11:45 am Pacific Standard Time (tune in), I'll be wearing my cuff links.

Inspriation: This is What Heaven Will Look Like

2012-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Not, that I'll actually be ending up there, mind you.

both from calvinscanadiancaveofcool.blogspot.com

beautiful-libraries.com

Inspiration: Kitchen Cabinet Lighting

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

As previously reported, the next order of business and to complete the undercabinet lights in the kitchen. Previously, we had these:

They don't give off the most pleasant light it being bright and white. Plus, they flickered as only flourescents can before coming on.

astleforddesign.com

kitchen-cabinet-bathroom.com

This last one is an example of the bright white light we are trying to avoid.

helpful-kitchen-tips.com

In the meantime, we'll continue our search.

Kitchen: Almost Done!

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

A while back, we redid the kitchen. And, of course, it's still not done. That's how I roll, so to speak. One of these day's, when feeling like I need to self deprecate, I will post all of the unfinished projects I have. There are a lot.

Anyway, below is our kitchen as I was in destruction phase. I'm really good at destruction phase. I'm also much thinner now then the toad in the picture below. About 40 pounds thinner. Mark's Daily Apple. Go there. Be inspired. It works.

I have scoured the computer for before shots prior to that one and can't find any. This was done pre-blogging, of course. Not that my picture taking has gotten any better. Here are a couple more of the "pre" pictures.

I included a picture with my father-in-law, without who's guidance half the stuff I embark upon wouldn't be completed. As you can see, we took out a bar height wall along with all the cabinets. We didn't change the footprint of the room, meaning the sink, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher are all in the same place which is a huge cost savings. We simply updated the contractor grade cabinets and counters with new. We did add a little bit of storage, as well, replacing the bar which I am dismantling in the top picture.

Here is the nearly completed kitchen. As a side note, I'm going to begin posting a lot about the inside of the house. The reason for my lack of posts, is that the garden is taking a back seat to the completion of the house itself. The way I look at it though, is that I have a big garden that we happened to plunk a house in the middle of. Therefore, the house is as much of the garden as the outdoors is. Moving along...

Two things still need to be done. First, the backsplash is wood wainscoting, needs to be caulked and painted. Second, we need to replace the under cabinet lights.

As you can see, there are some wires sticking down. Don't panic, the circuit breaker is off for these. Anyway, that's the second thing that needs to be done. More on that later.

Maintenance: Plumbing...Ugh.

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

And, the reason I say "ugh" is that I have found if you are over six feet tall do not become a plumber. The places you need to squeeze yourself into are unbelievable. It took me 90 minutes to swap these out, and I believe 86 of those were spent trying to put myself into a position where I could turn a wrench.

Anyway, in everyone's life the broken must be fixed. This past weekend it was a leaky shut off valve under the sink's upstairs. Our house was built in 1994, which as far as houses go is not that old. Unfortunately, we live in tract housing. For those of you not familiar with tract housing it consists of large housing developments all built by the same builder, thus there are only a few models to choose from, and all of the houses look pretty much the same. I believe, too, that the builders take 37 minutes to erect and finish each structure. They also buy the cheapest fixtures money can find. When you can save $1 each and are building 3,456,717 houses you can do the math to see how much money is being saved. But, my builder's diatribe will be for another day. Back to the task at hand.

Here is the culprit. A small leak that was wetting my lovely wife's make up bags, q-tips and other required items. Luckily, these items are relatively easy to fix. If you're the size of a hobbit. Or, at least, very limber.

Oldie on the left and newie on the right. Yes, newie is a word. Brass and copper replaced by stainless steel. Hopefully, newie will last significantly longer.

Not too much to it. Loosen the old and replace with the new. The oldie was a single piece with the copper water line soldered to the fixture. Newie is two different pieces. Much easier. No soldering. Less setting things on fire.

One thing to realize, though, when you purchase replacement parts for things. Many times the replacement part is meant for NEW construction. Meaning, it comes with parts you don't need. Thus, the compression fittings and some of the nuts need to be tossed. Don't worry, here extra parts are ok.

After putting on the new and turning the water to the house back on (I did mention you need to turn that off, yes?) you get the lovely non-leaking version.

Maintenance, baby. Learn it, live it, love it.

When Spurs Lose, I Booze

2012-01-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

Oy, that's a little blurry. Sorry about that. Anyway, heartbreaking loss this morning to Manchester City. We came from two down only for the dirtiest player in the world to score a last minute penalty. A player who shouldn't even have been on the field after stomping Scott Parker. Anyway, I felt black and tans were in order. Especially with my nifty brolly. That's it in the front.

Anyway, first goes in the Bass followed by the Guinness. The Guinness gets poured through the brolly that sits on top of the glass. When done...perfection.

Hope both of you enjoyed the weekend. I did. Minus two hours.

Decoration: Let the Bidding Begin

2012-01-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

We're always looking for new artwork for Castle Turling. However, in the spirit of giving, I am willing to let these go. By the soon to be famous Kiki, these are all originals. Bidding starts at $10,000 each. Buy all four, and I'll throw in the easel.

Check this out

2011-12-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to point out the Rohan Anderson over at Whole Larder Love has a video series on several recipes that he has put together for a TV station. Check them out. They're as follows:

December 5: Rocket Pesto

December 6: Spanish Rabbit

December 7: Spring Slice with Garden Salad

December 8: Smoked Eel Tagliatelle with Asparagus

I'm interested in that rabbit, as I have hundreds of the things running through my backyard. You've been warned, Bugs!!

Gone Fishin'

2011-12-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning, me and the boy went fishing. I haven't been fishing in at least 30 years. My son has the outdoors bug, and I'm trying to urge that bug to continue to grow. So, off we went.

Look at that cast! Unfortunately, that was about the only thing to look at. We caught exactly squat. Which is American for zip, zero and nada. Not even a nibble!

The boy did re-teach me quite a few things, as he's gone fishing with his grandfather a couple of times. He taught me, once again, the fisherman's knot seen above to attach hook to line. Unfortunately, most of my time was spent dealing with this!

After the THIRD time of this happening, I threw in the towel and shared my son's rod. Of course, with his I have absolutely no trouble. I guess that's what I get from buying the cheapest set up Turner's Outdoors had. The rod itself is nice, so it looks like a new reel is in order.

It was unfortunate that we came up blank, as I was really looking forward to smoking some trout. And, no, not that kind of smoking.

My Ticket Quest Update

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

For the two of you concerned about these matters, do not fear. I have gotten me hands on three tickets for Spurs versus Chelsea at White Hart Lane, granted from what I'm pretty sure is the Irish mafia. And, no, the family doesn't mind eating macaroni and cheese for the next three year's, and I've convinced my son that college is overrated, despite what some people say. Hey, he gets to come to the game. No whining.

Garden Entrances, House Exits

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Recently, we've had some new doors put in. These will hopefully give some much better views of the garden once completed then our typical Southern California cookie cutter contractor cheap ass sliding door. Yes, that's what they're called. The previous one's, not these.

The bottom photo is of an arena that used to be a window. We decided to remove the window and add a door. This, hopefully, will become a nice private patio. At least, that's the plan.

Please, please, please...

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

You may remember our sad little gopher ravaged orange tree. Well, we've killed the gophers...and their offspring. And, now we have these:

She's making a comeback. These are Valencia oranges and the Sunset Magazine Massive Plant Book states they are summer bloomers. Maybe in Australia, but last time I looked it's fall and these still have a few weeks to go. There are six oranges in total on our sorry little Charlie Brown tree.

I'm foreseeing a big comeback for this guy. In the meantime, it had better ripen those oranges...my Blue Moon is waiting.

Thank a Veteran

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

My pops. Japan, pre Vietnam

Gramps on my mom's side, World War II

Gramps on my pop's side, World War I

Pops-in-law (the one in the beard), Vietnam

In addition, the one's I don't have pictures for, great, great Gramps, American Civil War and great, great, great, great Gramps, American Revolution.

Thanks to each and every one of you, and all the others that have served.

If You Do Things, They Will Come

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so giddy, I could pee!!! We recently added compost, sand, gypsum and lots of love to this section of the garden.

Yes, yes, yes, the two of you that follow along at home can tell I'm doing things out of order, but at the end of the day it all ends up here. But, while I was digging all of this soil into my inert earth, I found exactly...exactly...zero earth worms! Two weeks later we planted, and I found this...

Isn't she beautiful? Yes, if you try, things will change for the better. And, of course, I cut it in half so I had two. Do you think I'm an idiot?

Dear Tottenham Hotspur,

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Can you make it any more freaking difficult for an American to buy tickets to one game!?!?!?!? Granted, I understand there are about 5,894,506 people on the waiting list for season seats, but sweet Jesus, they live there! There are other games they can go to! I'll only be there for Chelsea at home and Norwich away! I don't even know where Norwich is!!! Alright, I'm done. Maybe someone can recommend a good pub to go to.

Drip Irrigation...Take 2

2011-11-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Not that the first stuff I put in needs to be changed, mind you, I'm actually continuing the retrofit to another section.

This is a new kind (or different, I should say, hell if I know if it's "new" or not) of drip irrigation from what I previously posted. Up to now, I had been laying flexible tubing and then attaching smaller flex tubing along with an emitter at the end. This particular item has an emitter, or hole, already in the tube every 12 inches (too much math to figure out what that is in metric). So, all I have to do is lay it near the plant and make sure a hole is somewhere in the vicinity. It took about one third the time the other tubing did. Me like.

However, since I am the brilliant gardener that I am, when I capped the sprinkler heads already in this area months ago, I did not mark where the heads had been. Thus, a wild goose chase began to find them. After digging several holes, and then realizing the pipe was buried 1.7 miles below the surface, I decided just to cut into an area and put in what I needed. Above is what I needed. And, since it was such a chore to do, and I highly recommend when you're already there to add in a few more.

I ended up putting in three risers, although I'm only using one for now. That should leave me enough to finish off the bed once the rest of the plants get in.

The beauty of this is once the tubing is laid moving it is quite simple, just pick it up and put it down where you want it. Also, with a 50 cent adaptor I can add to the tubing at a later date to continue the run. After 100 feet, however, it's best to start a new line as you will lose too much water pressure to maintain the proper drip.

In the meantime, I will be setting my clock's back an hour tonight and you should do the same should you be so required. Spurs vs. Fulham tomorrow at 8 am PST, and if you forget you won't tune in until halftime! We'll be up by 7 by then!!! HA!!

I Compost, Therefore I Am

2011-10-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

A couple of months back, when I wasn't blogging which we shall refer to as the "dark ages" for obvious reasons, we picked up a compost bin at our local big box store that you have to pay to be a member of. I don't pay, it's a gift membership, but anyway...

We picked up this beauty. Why, you gardener types ask? Well, a couple of reasons. First, it was $40, about 75% off. And, I'm cheap, so right off the bat, we're a match made in heaven.

The second reason takes a little more explanation. We have been pondering this for a while. Now, most people would ask, "why ponder, it's just dirt?", well it's not that simple. I wanted to create a very simple chicken wire structure from lumber and chicken wire we already have. I have read about composting and had come to the conclusion that it would be a cheap way of creating the black gold for the garden. My lovely wife has not read about composting and was of the opinion that it would be a stinking pile of shit that attracts rats. So, this is our compromise. I get the compost, and if it is a stinking pile of shit (because I did it wrong, which is not out of the realm of possibility) it would be contained.

I'm glad to report that every time we open the bin to put in scraps, clippings, etc. it smells just like...dirt. I have been vindicated. For now.

The innards. Not bad, people, it's not like I opened up a deer or anything. So, we currently put our table scraps of veggies (no meat, dairy, etc), yard clippings, newspaper, egg cartons and the like into the bin. We keep a smaller old Folger's can on the counter to put them in while cooking. From what I understand, it takes roughly 273 years for this to break down, so my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson Turling X will post it's completed compost. Granted in 273 years we won't have computers, and he'll just e-mail it directly to your brain. So, be sure to sign up for updates! In reality, I think it's closer to a few months, so we'll see.

Lastly, I have one question I am pondering, that I need to research. I've read that I should have a 50/50 mix of "brown" stuff to "green" stuff. The green stuff being obvious, but the brown along the lines of newspaper, fallen leaves and the like. My question is if I let the green stuff, such as grass clippings, dry out and turn brown before composting does it count as brown stuff? The reason being this is California and we don't have things around such as fallen leaves and the like. Just green stuff. Once I find the answer, I'll be sure to post that.

Rohan Anderson. Whole Larder Love.

2011-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Nice video interview of Rohan Anderson, who's blog is linked to on the left. I've never met him, since he's in a different hemisphere, but I read his blog whenever something new appears.

I stole this image from his site. Hope he doesn't mind, but I am giving some free advertising here!

Sweet Mary of Jesus: Plants

2011-10-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

Odd that I use biblical references so much, since I'm an atheist (knock 10 off the followers after that little revelation). Anyhoo, we here at Castle Turling (read: me) actually planted stuff this weekend!

Yes, they're small, but aren't we all at the beginning? These are the daylillies I previously posted on these way back in January. My God (biblical), that was 10 months ago. And, yes, they're four inches tall!!! Bite. Me. Greenhorn!! It's in the title!! I'm making no promises here, this is nothing more then an exercise in self degradation.

Moving along. We finally got these in the ground. I've been trying to get them to a point where they were tall enough where the rabbits won't eat them. Then, we inherited a chihuahua. That's another post, but the rabbits have vanished, although the chihuhua is the biggest pansy I've ever met. Rabbits are dumber then dogs. Write that down. So, I'm feeling glass is half full that that the rabbits won't eat them to nubs. The plants to nubs, not the chihuahua, although that wouldn't surprise me.

Now, my ~~soil~~ dirt is nothing more then inert matter. Here's an example:

Bear in mind the darker brown on top is the soil and the orange item on the bottom is a field stone. We have incredibly hard clay soil. In an effort to make things grow, we're adding matter as we plant. To the bed above we've added:

7 cubic feed of soil amendment
75 pounds of sand
25 pounds of gypsum

These are the daylillies pre-amendment all laid out. And, a couple of year's ago, I added two inches of planter's mix to this very bed. No noticeable difference. So, we added the above items and turned the soil in the couple of feet next to the lawn. (At this time, I'd like to note the spectacular Lion's Tail in the background.) I need to add about four more daylillies to the tail end (closest to the camera) in order to complete the entire row. Our local big box store had some sorry looking daylillies, so I'm going to hit up the nursery this week. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to add amendments to the backside of the planted row to get ready for the rest of the plants we'll attempt to get in this fall.

P.S. North London Derby, Spurs 2, Arsenal 1. All hail Kyle Walker. What a strike. And, all hail Wojciech Szczesny. Should have had that, he should.

The Logical Conclusion...

2011-09-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

...is that we can't seem to get this ball rolling!! So, today we hired someone to help us come up with a plan for this garden. We've had too many trips to the nursery with no luck and this garden looks strikingly similar to how it looked two years ago.

We have found we're pretty good at doing things once given some direction, and it's the direction we're having trouble establishing. So, onward and upward. I'll be introducing our new designer real soon. Stay tuned...

Mr. Whitmore

2011-09-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

For your listening pleasure. Don't get excited, the picture doesn't change. Plus, give me some credit, it's my first embedded video. Christ, Turling, welcome to 2008!!

Veggie's Are a Bit Closer

2011-09-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Just a bit, though. Lots of work still to do, but at least we have dirt! Err, sorry, soil.

Looks a bit like concrete, doesn't it, but I assure you of ye' of little faith, that it is fluffy and whatever other quality plants like.

After Spurs complete destruction of Liverpool this morning, I felt inspired to actually accomplish something. Which I still didn't, because as you can see, I have a couple of inches space left to fill to reach the top of the box. I want to hit the top, so when it settles it won't look half full.

I made a mix of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 sand. The recipe I had found online called for 1/3 vermiculate instead of sand. Then, I went to the store and priced vermiculite. Sweet mother of God that crap's expensive!!! I would have been better off using 1/3 14kt gold! Luckily for me, one of the bag's at the gardening center had "accidentally" been opened. Funny how that happens when you wedge your finger in the top and pull, but I digress. So, I decided to take a look and vermiculate = sand. Yes, people, it's f-ing sand. So, you know what I got??? Well, I got a bag of vermiculate, because there's a little Catholic left in me and the guilt was overwhelming, but after that I got SAND!! So, it's 1/3'ish sand you could say.

Anyway, now I need to tackle irrigation, because let's be honest, I sure as hell won't remember to hand water everyday, and then complete some fence requirements to keep the rabbits out. Then, we'll actually plant something. But, not today. It's 95F (35C) and I'm grabbing a pint. Plus, I'm dog sitting a chihuahua and, to no fault of my own, it's barricaded itself under the television console. I'm sure it's pissed its little brains out down there, too. It's sure peed every where else. Where's that pint??

Listen Up, Wankers!!!

2011-08-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

Honestly, quit setting crap on fire over there!! You're now seriously about to disrupt my Saturday morning of coffee drinking and enjoying our beloved Tottenham Hotspur beat the bejeezus out of Everton! I've been looking forward to this since May, so don't fuck it up!!

Don't make me open this, damn it!

Just Another Wednesday. It is Wednesday, Yes?

2011-06-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I was going to have one of two exciting posts, but alas, I can't. Why do you ask, oh curious reader? Well, they would have required pictures. And, my lovely wife, whom is not home at the moment, took the card from our big, expensive camera to put in the little handheld camera. Now, I do find it funny that the little, inexpensive camera can take a few pictures without a card, but I'll be damned if our big expensive camera (which I have) can't do jack diddly squat without the card!!! So, what's one to do? Yes, exactly. Sit around, drink beer, smoke cigars and watch the lawn be watered. Very important that I keep an eye on the hose to be sure some mysterious kink doesn't appear. A fate worse then death, I say.

But, all is not lost. I do have have a little tidbit for those of you waiting by your computers with bated breath for my next words of wisdom. I have three words for you. (I learned this from Kyna who has her "What Are You Listening To" posts.) Three words. William. Elliot. Whitmore. Go to ITunes. Now. No, wait, not yet, I have a few more words. If you don't believe me completely (shame!), then just download "Johnny Law". You're welcome. Now...go.

P.S. He has a new track here and it's free!!!