Garden Rookie

The Art of Espalier

2012-01-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

An espalier is created by pruning a tree or shrub so that it grows in a single plane. The technique was used to grow grapes in ancient Greece and Rome and was later refined in the walled settlements of medieval Europe. With growing space at a premium, fruit trees were planted against the parapets and pruned flat. South- and west-facing walls heated by the Sun provided a warm microclimate that extended the growing season, giving the fruit more time to ripen. The open pruning allowed lots of sunlight to reach every part of the plant, enhancing fruit color and boosting yields.

via

Follow this link to a great article on how to espalier at Fine Gardening Magazine. Enjoy! Michelle

Aquaponic Window Farm... I like this idea a lot!

2012-01-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

I found this video on Youtube the other day and I became green with envy. I do not have a fish tank but I sure do want one now. Watch the video, and be inspired.

So, What is Aquaponics?

Visit Aqua Ranch online.

Aquaponics (pronounced: /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks/) is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.

via wiki

The Urban Organic Gardener is moving again....

2012-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

As you may know, the Urban Organic Gardener used to have a fire escape garden and it was pretty amazing. Then he had to move to L.A. for his job and created a balcony garden which I could relate a little more to. Now, he is moving again. Watch the video to see how this will change his site and how he gardens. Visit his site here. Michelle

Urbanized Trailer

2012-01-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to watch this documentary the other day at Tower Theatre.

January Book of the Month

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Apartment Friendly Plants

2011-12-11T20:12:00.001-08:00

Thank you Forrent.com.

Mason Jar Wall Planter

2011-12-08T12:13:00.001-08:00

Amazing, right?

Wanna make it? Meeee, too! Go to Not Just a Housewife Blog.

Worm Composting 101

2011-12-07T19:47:00.001-08:00

To read more on Vermicompost click here.

Also, you should really check out Mary Appelhof's site filled with resources.

How to Build a Worm Bin.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Extended Trailer

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well- with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health. With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle. While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well. What emerges is nothing short of amazing - an inspiring tale of healing and human connection. Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves. Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv3vEXy_EwU

Forks Over Knives Trailer

2011-11-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

If you have not watched this gem yet, please do yourself a big favor and get on the ball and watch it! Forks Over Knives is Instant on Netflix and that is where I first watched this documentary.

Boiling Water to Kill Weeds video

2011-11-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

I made this video with my Mom for fun about a week ago. Please don't take it too serious since it's kinda silly and the camera work is poor. :) Please enjoy! Michelle

Where are my posts about my gardening? What's the deal?

2011-11-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

First off, thank you for coming to my site gardenrookie.com. If you have been to this site before you may have noticed that it has been revamped and has a new name (formerly known as Michelle Renee's Gardening). It was really hard for me to change the name but I wanted a shorter and easier to remember site name, hence Garden Rookie. Second, it was so hard to toss my site's Blog Title Image of the orchids I took pictures of at the Fresno Fair in 2009 especially since I had great feedback on the image. I didn't totally scrap the picture, it is now my favicon. Yay! So, not a waste.
Now that I have explained the changes to the aesthetics of the blog, I would like to let you know why most of, if not all of my content lately has been from other sites, youtube videos and such. I always like to include information from other sites because as my websites name is Garden Rookie, I do not know it all. But, as of late, I have not been putting much original content. I apologize for this sincerely but I do have a good reason, moving. I have moved about 3 times in the last year or so. Other than putting a garden on the top of my car, I really did not have a way to proceed with gardening.
With that being said, I have now settled in an apartment on the third floor of a brownstone in my home town of Fresno. You may already see my problem. I am on the third floor of a brownstone. I do not have a balcony but I do get plenty of sun during the day. I have not had the time do think of any kind of gardening I could do since I work full-time, going to school and trying to have a social life. I missed gardening. Lately, I have been wondering what I could do other than the couple of house plants that I have growing in my new place.
The it hit me, I need to make a Window Farm from scratch. I must admit that I have no clue how I am going to do this but I have started collecting soda bottles since I adore that sugary substance immensely. If you have explored my blog before or if you know me, you might know about my fascination with Window Farms. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to buy a kit from Window Farms right now so I figure I will make my own.
Come back soon to see the updates!

Lots of love,

Michelle

www.windowfarms.org

Window Farms Gives New Yorker Growing Power

2011-11-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is so bad ass! I just love Window Farms and I am pretty sure I am going to buy one or make one from scratch. I will let you know. Also, I promise my video will be up soon!

I think I am in love...: Glacier Gardens in Juneau Alaska

2011-11-04T21:13:00.001-07:00

Videos

2011-10-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

I am working on a short video for the blog and it should be up in about a week! Just FYI!

<3 Michelle photo credit

Growing Edibles in Containers

2011-10-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Date: November 5, 2011

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Sponsor: UC Master Gardeners - Fresno County

Location: Garden of the Sun

Event Details

Cost $15.00

If you have a spot outdoors with 6 hours of sun per day and a container, you can grow edibles. Learn the basics of growing fruits and vegetables in containers including container selection, potting mixes, irrigation, and plant selection.

click here for more info...

Gardening Rhythms: Killing Weeds With Vinegar

2011-10-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

Step 1
Combine 4 cups vinegar, ¼ cup salt and 2 tsp. liquid soap in a spray bottle. There are many similar formulas, with varying amounts of ingredients. In fact, you can use straight vinegar. Salt works in the same manner as vinegar, drawing moisture from the plant. Soap helps the vinegar and salt stick to the plant. It also breaks down the surface plant wax, allowing the other ingredients to enter more readily.

Step 2
Cover all plants in the near vicinity with a plastic tarp before spraying. Spray the vinegar weed killer in cracks of sidewalks or driveways. Gravel walkways are another safe place to use this mixture.

Step 3
Reapply the spray a few days or weeks later, if you spot regrowth. The root systems of some mature weeds may survive the first application.

Videos from my trip to the Fresno Fair 2011.

2011-10-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Here are several videos of my visit to the Fresno Fair 2011 with my Mom. We had a great time with the pigs and one of them even said "move it" to the other pig that kept pestering him. It was pretty cute. I almost wanted to take one of the hogs home at the end of the day. Enjoy!

-Michelle

My trip to the Fresno Fair 2011

2011-10-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Soil envy - perennial plate

2011-09-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

The Perennial Plate Episode 71: Soil Envy from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.

SOURCE

TREND SPOTTING: Terrarium Parties

2011-08-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

There is a new trend in town and it's easy, fun and cute! What is it you might ask? Terrarium Parties! Ok, enough with the cliches. Ick!

Imagine this, get on your Facebook and create an invite. Tell Betty to bring soil, tell Diana to bring an assortment of glass bowls, ask Mary to bring some moss, and ask Tara to bring succulents. Tah Dah (sp?), you have yourself a Terrarium Party!

Readymade.com: Build your own Terrarium Party

ACME Party Box: Terrarium Kits

photo via

My herb garden.

2011-07-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Bird decline, insect decline and neonicotinoids Systemic Pesticides

2011-07-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

A must see... Vanashing of the Bees.

2011-07-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

Congrats!!!

2011-02-17T20:20:00.001-08:00

Congrats goes out to Andrea Szabo with her contest entry!

She put me on to a great sf.eater.com.

$25 gift certificate is the prize!!