I have observed that majority of the people compromise on quality while buying trellis systems just for saving money. If you have already bought a low quality trellis system and now vineyard trellis stakes are being damaged then you must need to take some immediate actions. You have two options with you, first to get the help of professionals for vineyard trellis repair and second to do it by yourself. Although, first method is reliable and apparently seems good then the second but it is highly costly at the same time so if you have enough money to pay the fee of repair service providers then it is good but still I emphasis on selecting the second option.

Even if you have limited or no knowledge about vineyard trellis then still you can repair it without the help of any professional, what you need is just commonsense and a little effort and I am sure these two things are present in every individual. Just buy post repair clamps for your vineyard trellis systems from market preferable from JimsSupply.com and fix them onto those posts, which are damaged.

This post is a guest post from Jimsupply.com, a Steel Service Center providing all metal shapes and sizes, vineyard and orchard trellising products, new and used pipe, agricultural and iron fencing, and livestock equipment.

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/12/guest-post-can-i-do-vineyard-trellis-repair-myself-without-any-professional-help/

IUE is currently looking to lease a 22-acre property in Altadena, CA which will be the headquarters and demonstration site for all IUE activities.  The project is still in its infancy, so we will keep everyone updated on its progress and any events we are holding.

Please visit the IUE website for more details and email us at info@instituteofurbanecology.org if you would like to be involved in this project.  Thanks!

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/12/the-growing-home-now-part-of-the-institute-of-urban-ecology/

We have just put up our latest episode (episode 9), which you can listen to at the IUE website.  Listen to all past episodes as well by clicking on the Focus on Food tab on the same website.

This latest episode features:

Rishi Kumar on The Art of Sheet Mulching (As described by Toby Hemenway): http://www.patternliteracy.com/books/gaias-garden/how-to-the-ultimate-bomb-proof-sheet-mulch

Curing Tooth Decay with Ramiel Nagel: www.curetoothdecay.com

Rosie Diveen on Beautiful Bone Broth: http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/12/rishi-now-co-hosting-focus-on-food-radio-show-on-kpfk-90-7fm/

Its that time of the month again!  Our monthly potluck is coming up this Thursday, Nov. 1. We’re excited to have Rob and Chelsea McFarland of HoneyLove coming out to this potluck to speak on Urban Beekeeping.  We’ve known Rob and Chelsea for the last few months, and they are doing some amazing work to help promote beekeeping and safe environments for bees away from GMOs and pesticides which have been damaging their populations.

As always, the potluck starts at 6pm and you should bring dish to share!  Since its getting dark pretty early, if you’d like a tour, please come at 6pm exactly otherwise it will be too dark for a tour.

Pre-register for the potluck here. Let us know if you have any troubles since PayPal has been a bit funky with us.

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/10/upcoming-potluck-thurs-nov-1st-with-honeylove-on-beekeeping/

We’ve partnered up with our friends at Kindred Spirits to present a series of gardening classes in Claremont at the Kindred Spirits Store.  The classes will focus on urban gardening using permaculture principles, and will include an organic snack prepared by Pearl.  More info on the class below:

This series of classes will focus on how to grow food organically with less work less worry by working with Mother Nature instead of against her.  A small organic dish to eat will be included.  In this first class, students will learn how to:

- grow living soil
- water naturally
- companion plant
- invite biodiversity
- avoid pesticides
- avoid GMOs
- grow superfoods
- grow organically

Register at the Kindred Spirits Store for this class. Info below.

Class Info

Date: Sunday, November 4
Time: 3pm to 5pm
Location: Kindred Spirits
813 W Foothill Blvd
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 626 2434

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/10/upcoming-class-the-work-free-garden-sun-114/

World Herbs Seminar:
Culinary and Medicinal Herbs from Mexico to India
PRESENTED BY DARREN BUTLER, KELLEE MATSUSHITA, AND ECOWORKSHOPS.COM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3
THE LA ARBORETUM PALM ROOM
8:45AM – 4:30PM

Speakers include:
USC Professor JIM ADAMS , coauthor with Cecilia Garcia of Healing With Medicinal Plants of the West on Chumash medicinal uses of CA native and local plants
DARREN BUTLER, on traditional shamanic and neo-shamanic plant spirit healing practices
NAOKO MOORE, on preparing, using, and cultivating traditional Japanese herbs for healthy cooking
JULIE JAMES, of Green Wisdom Herbal Studies introducing medicinal weeds in the garden and basic plant medicine preparations
KATHLEEN SANCHEZ, on herbs of Mexico and the Southwest
RISHI KUMAR, of The Growing Home on “Backyard Ayurvedics”

You may change your outlook on weeds from despair to delight as you discover the deep healing (not to mention powerful nutrition) of many common weeds and wild edibles. Participants will sample teas, extracts and salves, take home ideas and recipes to begin an herbal journey right away. Some of the finest herbs grow unexpectedly right in our own garden; dandelion for the liver, plantain for skin healing, the dreaded stinging nettle with more iron than any other plant source. You will be introduced to the medicinal uses of traditional Indian foods, such as tumeric as an antiseptic, or licorice root to cure sore throats. In addition, participants will learn about commonly found California Native plants as used by the Chumash people. Other plants to be discussed include Amaranth,
(used as a red dye by the Hopi) Mayo/Yoeme Basil, and Tarahumara Chia of the Southwest.

The World Herbs Series by EcoWorkshops.com celebrates our diverse international heritage by bringing together expert speakers on specially selected topics for a day of educational workshops. Join us in learning about the cultivation, preparation, use, folklore, and cultural traditions for culinary and medicinal herbs from around the world. Sessions will include practical methods and information for growing herbs in Southern California.

Registration information here.

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/10/rishi-presenting-at-world-herbs-seminar-sat-113/

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/09/videos-our-coverage-of-the-2012-heirloom-expo/

This upcoming Thursday will be our Monthly Potluck once again (Oct. 4).  Our guest speaker this month is David King, founder of the Seed Library of Los Angeles.  David will be speaking on the “Importance of Seed Saving” and his work through the Seed Library.  This is such an important topic right now with the high proliferation of GMOs in our country and the November ballot initiative (Prop 27) which require their labeling.  Please come to this potluck, its going to be a great event!  Pre-register and save on entry.

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/09/monthly-potluck-next-thurs-guest-speaker-david-king/

World Herbs Seminar: Culinary and Medicinal Herbs from Mexico to India

Presented by Darren Butler, Kellee Matsushita, and Ecoworkshops.com

Saturday, November 3
The LA Arboretum Palm Room
8:45am – 4:30pm

Speakers include:
USC Professor of Pharmacology JIM ADAMS, coauthor with Cecilia Garcia of the book Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West
NAOKO MOORE on Japanese traditional herbs for healthy cooking
DARREN BUTLER on traditional shamanic and neoshamanic plant spirit healing practices
RISHI KUMAR of The Growing Home on Backyard Ayurvedics
JULIE JAMES head of the Green Wisdom Herbal Studies Program on medicinal weeds and the basics of plant medicine preparations
KATHLEEN SANCHEZ on Southwestern and Mexican Herbs

You may change your outlook on weeds from despair to delight as you discover the deep healing (not to mention powerful nutrition) of many common weeds and wild edibles. Participants will sample teas, extracts and salves, take home ideas and recipes to begin an herbal journey right away. Some of the finest herbs grow unexpectedly right in our own garden; dandelion for the liver, plantain for skin healing, the dreaded stinging nettle with more iron than any other plant source.

You will be introduced to the medicinal uses of traditional Indian foods, such as tumeric as an antiseptic, or licorice root to cure sore throats. In addition, participants will learn about commonly found California Native plants as used by the Chumash people. Other plants to be discussed include Amaranth (used as a red dye by the Hopi), Mayo/Yoeme Basil, and Tarahumara Chia of the Southwest.

The World Herbs Series by EcoWorkshops.com celebrates our diverse international heritage of medicinal and culinary herbs by bringing together expert speakers on specially selected topics for a day of educational workshops. Join us in learning about the cultivation, preparation, use, folklore, and cultural traditions for culinary and medicinal herbs from countries and traditions around the world. Sessions will include practical methods and information for growing herbs in Southern California.

For more information and to register:
http://ecoworkshops.com/ecoworkshops/courses-and-workshops/2012-world-herbs/
$10.00 off $75 dollar registration to $65, if paid before Oct 10

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/09/upcoming-workshop-world-herbs-seminar-sat-113/

- 1 large eggplant (Black Beauty type)
- 1 to 2 tbsp diced ginger
- 1 large red or white onion, chopped
- 1 cup chopped heirloom tomato
- salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup ghee, butter, or other unrefined cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- (optional) diced green or red chili to taste
- (optional) bell pepper
- (optional) 1/2 cup frozen organic peas

Directions

- Roast the eggplant in an oven on broil until skin on one side is burnt (about 15 minutes).  Turn the eggplant over once, and roast again until other side is burnt (another 15 minutes or so).  Repeat one or 2 more times, until eggplant is well burnt all the way around.

- Cut the eggplant down the middle, and use a spoon to scoop out soft innards.  Then using a mashing tool, mash eggplant innards in a bowl.  Compost burnt eggplant skin or feed to chickens.

- Heat a 2 quart pan on medium heat, and add ghee/oil.  Fry diced ginger in ghee for 1 minute to soften.  Add chopped onion, tomato and bell pepper. Stir into ghee, then add turmeric and black pepper.

- Change heat to low, and cover pan with lid, checking and stirring every 5 minutes until oil begins to separate from vegetables (about 20 minutes).  Add additional tsp of ghee if necessary.

- Once oil has separated, add salt and optional frozen peas.  Garnish with fresh whole cilantro leaves.

Article source: http://thegrowinghome.net/2012/09/recipe-baingan-bharta-roasted-eggplant-curry/