tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820103975548507022024-11-05T18:42:40.715-08:00We're a free neighborhood monthly exchange of all the FRUITS, VEGETABLES, HERBS and FLOWERS we grow in our yards. A collective in which we all get to enjoy some of what everyone grows in exchange for contributing what we don't want or won't use ourselves.Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-66482133726951696632014-07-07T07:22:00.003-07:002014-07-07T07:22:32.092-07:00

I'm so pleased to announce that Gloria, the gracious and lovely owner of A Secret Garden Florist & Cafe has offered her establishment as a permanent home for our Produce Exchanges. It's a beautiful centrally located place with plenty of free parking nearby as well as coffee and pastries for those of us highly caffeinated gardeners. Our Crop Swaps will be held every other week during the

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-71304291169017139322013-12-15T07:42:00.000-08:002013-12-15T07:42:00.208-08:00

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Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-30488119532615988032013-04-13T15:19:00.001-07:002013-04-13T15:19:26.307-07:00

If you have the opportunity check out the new path to the Ventura Botanic Gardens. It's a nice little switchback and gentle uphill walk toward the Cross. Native plants are growing and the hillsides are very green and lush. Springtime is in full bloom. Looks like it's time to start exchanging. Many thanks to Diana for hosting this Sunday's exchange on 4/14/13 Diana's House 1520 Thrasher 12 noon

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-73384365200317849372012-12-05T10:20:00.000-08:002012-12-05T10:20:02.169-08:00

Oh it's that time of year again when you rush rush rush, shop shop shop, bake bake bake and wrap wrap wrap. How about a relaxing celebration with your gardening friends and fellow co-opers to appreciate all we have grown, gathered and shared throughout this past year ? Pineapple Coconut Raisin Pecan Dessert Tamales Lisa has graciously volunteered her backyard again for our Holiday Party. We

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-21641712164921628932012-11-12T01:04:00.002-08:002012-11-12T01:09:29.458-08:00

Being in Mazatlan over fall break has inspired me to share some of the wonders of Mexico with the Produce Exchange. And what better way than to make tamales. It's not particularly difficult, just a lot of steps. So many hands make it easier and of course more fun. Sunday Nov 18th - Tamale Making Party starts @ 10 am Produce Exchange @ 12 noon Maureen's House 9572 El Cajon Street Ventura, CA

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-75406979604122386182012-07-30T22:48:00.001-07:002012-07-30T22:48:06.958-07:00

Celebrate Good Times Come On......&nbsp; All you generous, loyal gardeners and exchangers. Can you believe we've been doing this for&nbsp; 3 years?This year's theme is PIE - sweet or savory pies, tarts, turnovers, empanadas, calzones, quiche or galettes.Bring your favorite and come share some of the others. Sunday August 5thLisa's House6476 Hummingbird Street12 noonRemember this is a free

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-66518842479636651672012-07-14T04:07:00.001-07:002012-07-14T04:17:51.513-07:00

Liz and Gary will be hosting the upcoming Produce Exchange on&nbsp; Sunday July 15th at their home at&nbsp; 1682 Ocean Ave at 12 noon. Liz has offered a cheese&nbsp; making demo to show the relative simplicity of this process.&nbsp; C'est Cheese! I'm just bringing the rosemary bread to go with.... Hope to see you there.

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-35657001635957154342012-06-25T02:32:00.001-07:002012-06-25T02:32:18.691-07:00

For those of you wanting to enter your flowers or produce in the 2012 Ventura County Fair, http://www.venturacountyfair.org/pages/3441/ &nbsp;here's some dates to remember................ Ventura County Fair Entry Dates - &nbsp; Produce I – July 31, 2012 – 8 AM – 6 PM Produce II – August 8, 2012 – 8 AM – 11 AM Potted Plants &amp; Collections – July 29 - 12 PM–5 PM &amp; July

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-8631334152499879642012-06-20T01:20:00.000-07:002012-06-20T01:20:40.118-07:00

School's out, fog's in and those little seedlings that you planted are finally taking root. You might even have some tomatoes ready soon. Until then, harvest your zucchinis and rhubarb and kale and come out for an exchange of your extras. Saturday June 23rd&nbsp; 12 noon Jim and Marion's House 340 N. Dos Caminos

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-78403986853092365062011-10-07T18:14:00.000-07:002011-10-07T18:16:37.056-07:00

Peter Glazebrook from Newark, England, holds his record-breaking giant onion that weighed in at 8.150kg (~18 lbs) in the Heaviest Onion competition to claim a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. What do you have in your garden that compares? or is the smallest? Bring it on Saturday, October 8th at 12 NOON to&

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-6554180342968784432011-09-18T18:29:00.000-07:002011-09-18T18:29:07.254-07:00

Many thanks to June for hosting the last terrific exchange at your home. We had a host of herbs including mint, oregano, bay leaves, basil, as well as a bounty of veggies of tomatoes, radishes, beans, peppers, cucumbers, rhubarb, yellow crookneck, lemons, swiss chard, green onions and chilies. There was planting materials of cocoa fibre, pots and trellises ... and a special treat of just

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-20899922946465660122011-09-09T08:15:00.000-07:002011-09-10T03:35:00.440-07:00

Saturday September 10th our Produce Exchange will meet at 12 noon off the Avenue on the West Side of Ventura. June Peterson has graciously offered to host our event which will be held at 5054 Norway Drive. For more info or to volunteer for set-up or clean-up, please call Maureen Durkin at 805-340-8756 or June at 641-9273.

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-21772020239662243702011-07-19T23:07:00.000-07:002011-07-19T23:24:54.965-07:00

It's time to exchange again. This Saturday 7/23/11 at 12 noon at&nbsp; Maureen's house,&nbsp; 9572 El Cajon Street 805 340-8756.Oh and it's a potluck too, as we celebrate 2 years of wonderful exchanges. Yippee, I'm so honored and proud of all involved, so let's party!Bring yourself, your Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Plant Starts or Culinary Delights to exchange and meet some like minded

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-37594677303377643812011-07-08T13:39:00.000-07:002011-07-08T13:39:02.232-07:00

Many thanks to Jan and Bernie for hosting the last terrific exchange in the keys. We had greens, oregano, rhubarb, onions, flowers, mint, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, Italian oregano, apricots, beets, oranges, cactus, lemon verbena, sorrel, sage, parsley, artichokes, and more oranges. This is a reminder that the next Produce Exchange is this Sunday, 7/10/11 at 12 noon at Lucinda and Dave's &

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-41848856247248958872011-06-21T04:09:00.000-07:002011-06-21T04:12:47.479-07:00

Thanks again to Jim and Marion for hosting our last wonderful exchange. You have created a wonderful horticultural fantasy at your home, especially with your new greenhouse. We all have garden envy! Our Next exchange is Saturday, June 25 @ 12:00 noon Jan and Bernie's 1314 Beachmont St. (in the Ventura Keys) 644-4465 We will start exchanging at 12:15pm. Don't forget to bring your own bag or

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-5152642950062936042011-06-04T06:51:00.000-07:002011-06-04T06:59:34.162-07:00

Get ready to harvest, gather or volunteer. Our upcoming exchange is on &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sunday, June 12th at 12 - 1 pm&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jim + Marion's house &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 340 N. Dos Caminos Ave &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 207-4234 Bring your extras .... Fruit, Veggies,&nbsp; Herbs, Seeds,

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-45599030810191816032011-05-11T03:36:00.000-07:002011-05-11T03:36:38.998-07:00

Let's try something different and have our exchange on Saturday. Some of you have been asking for this, so let's give it a try. Bring your extras .... Fruit, Veggies, Herbs, Plant Starts, Baked Goods to exchange or just drop by and meet some like-minded people who enjoy the garden. Maureen's House&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9572 El Cajon St.&nbsp;&nbsp; 1- 2 pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Saturday May 14th

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-91365099422823051722011-05-07T09:19:00.000-07:002011-05-07T09:25:11.126-07:00

Do any of you remember the 1979 film Being There with Peter Sellers? He was simple-minded gardener, but his analogies gave him recognition and are still applicable today.Chance the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden. President "Bobby": In the garden. Chance the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-12064818891842565912011-03-11T23:03:00.000-08:002011-03-11T23:03:14.555-08:00

Time to pick those oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes, dig out the beets, radishes or potatoes, or cut the chard, lettuce or herbs and head over to&nbsp;&nbsp;Marion and Randy's House&nbsp;471 Montgomery Place &nbsp;Sunday March 13th&nbsp;&nbsp;12 Noonfor the first Produce Exchange of the not-so-new year. Hope to see you there !

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-42391252607915777162010-12-07T11:52:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:54:28.343-08:00

Thanks to Alicia of the Jordan Ave Community for hosting last week's exchange. It was a small and fun gathering with a lot of variety if not quantity : Tomatoes, brocolli, greens, seranos, dahlia tubers, pumpkin, avocado, basil, lettuce, kale, rosemary, rose potpourri, camelias, peppers, eggplant and some yummy peppermint rice krispy treats ! We will be taking a break from Exchanges

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-62044671601638743312010-11-26T15:26:00.000-08:002010-11-26T15:26:34.822-08:00

We're on for Sunday..... Rescheduled Produce Exchange ....&nbsp;Hope to see you there! Pam's house - 2404 Mohican Lane 641-0052&nbsp;&nbsp;

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-39820467257146796492010-11-20T19:20:00.000-08:002010-11-20T19:20:41.790-08:00

The Produce Exchange will be called due to rain. NO Exchange tomorrow...plan on next Sunday (11/28) if you're in town, same place, same time.&nbsp;Pam's house - 2404 Mohican Lane 641-0052 &nbsp;Happy Thanksgiving one and all !

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-28462725688081378722010-11-15T14:18:00.000-08:002010-11-15T14:21:39.232-08:00

A big "Thank You" to Suzan for volunteering her home for our last exchange. She had her Vegan Cookbook, decorated wooden spoons and tasty apple cider for us to enjoy. And look at the photo of the Chrysalis (future butterfly) we saw attached to her wall.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; The 23rd Exchange had the following:&nbsp; hydrengeas, macadamia nuts, lettuce, kale, figs, persimmons, beans,

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-48428772150870433222010-09-25T09:06:00.000-07:002010-09-25T09:17:15.934-07:00

A big "Thank You" to Lori for volunteering her home for our last wonderful exchange. WOW, what a bounty of&nbsp; beautiful fruits and veggies, plants and bread (Thank you to Antonio of Nopalito Nursery&nbsp; for sending your cousin, the amazing Culinary Student from San Francisco)! http://www.nopalitonursery.com/ The 19th Exchange saw more than 36 people sharing the following: Mint, oregano

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082010397554850702.post-77212722276283040662010-09-10T05:46:00.000-07:002010-09-10T05:46:06.910-07:00

A Big "Thank You" to Tina for volunteering their Robeks Fruit Smoothies location as the setting for our last exchange. The complementary samples of wheat grass and fruit smoothies were yummy too!There were over 35 people that contributed the following: Dog treats, tomatoes, more tomatoes, lemons, oranges, cherry tomatoes, Holly Hobby seeds, tangerines, herbs, orange zest, basil, parsley,

Maureen Durkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776652191429891725noreply@blogger.com