Biggest Exchange Yet !

It warms my heart to see such a great gathering of people, fresh local produce and four legged creatures (aka dogs) all in my front yard. Thanks for sharing your bounty, stories, seedlings and knowledge.

Here's a list of what was shared on Sunday: Lemons, oranges, seed bulbs, seedlings, avocados, nectarines, black jade, zucchini, carrots, swiss chard, eposote, oregano, thai basil, dahlias, lavender, cucumbers, tomatoes, serrano chili, kale, bok choy, lettuce, strawberry plants, grapefruit, peaches, pathos plants, carry sacks, rhubarb, beet, jalapeno plants, limes, tool organizer and doggie treats.

Please take note of the date change on next exchange :
August 8th at Everett & Dinisia's House at 10471 Graham Court

Bring a friend, neighbor & your kids to the Produce Exchange
                        tomorrow Sunday 7/25

It's a FREE community event from 12-1 at
Maureen's House - 9572 El Cajon Street

We exchange all the extra Fruits, Veggies, Herbs and Flowers grown in our yards. Some people even bring homemade Doggie Treats!

Bring a small glass jar and learn how to make Preserved Lemons. I'll be demonstrating a simple method to make them and sharing some delicious recipes.

And don't forget a bag - to bring home your goodies !

Hope to see you tomorrow,
Maureen

Our 15th Produce Exchange at Jim & Marion's House

Our 15th Produce Exchange introduced midtown Ventura to the idea of sharing local fruit, veggies, herbs and flowers. Thank you Jim and Marion for hosting the gathering and sharing your love of gardening. They have raised beds in the front lawn as well as backyard. Marion served up green smoothies made from garden goodies and sliced watermelon. My son enjoyed eating the super ripe blackberries right off the vine and argued with me (as only a 6 year old can) that potatoes grow in the ground. Did I say otherwise ?

July 11th - Ventura Produce Exchange

I haven't even had a chance to thank all that attended our last exchange and now it's time for another.  Last exchange was set in a beautiful example of a square foot garden. Thanks Kate for hosting over 20
participants and tempting us with your yummylicious spiced brownies.
La Petit Reve(http://www.petiterevechocolates.com/

We had a great variety of edibles : lemons, avocados, Japanese cucumber, sunflowers, kale, chard, bok choy, rosemary, green onions, a bushel of french lavender, turbo-sized zucchini, squash, cilantro, tarragon, geranium, lobelia starts, tangelos, daisies, fern, beets, lettuce, onions, rhubarb, artichokes, apricot preserves, peaches, oranges, Murcott tangerines, marjoram, rosemary, sage, oregano, basil, chervil, tarragon and chives, zucchini bread and orange-mint agua fresca.  

Our next exchange is Sunday July 11th at noon at
    Jim and Marion's House,

    340 N. Dos Caminos Ave, Ventura, 93003

one block below Foothill Rd, near intersection with McKinley Ave

Please join us and bring your fruit, veggies, flowers, herbs, plants or other goodies to share. Rumor has it that there may be Green smoothie samples from the garden.

For more information,  call Jim 805-207-4234 or Marion 805-794-4605 or Maureen 805-340-8756

Thanks to Jim and Marion for hosting. 
Please bring your own bag or basket. Hope to see you there!

Ventura Produce Exchange Meets this Sunday 6/27 at 12 noon

Another Sunday is quickly approaching and the Ventura Produce Exchange will be meeting to share the fruits, veggies, flowers and extras from your gardens.

Come join the fun and meet some great gardeners and lovers of fresh local produce.

Another new location: ( Near the YMCA )

This Sunday - June 27th - at 79 Palomares
at  12 noon !

Thanks Kate for hosting !

Important info on this tiny insect... Asian citrus psyllid

Residents of Ventura County are asked to be on the lookout for a tiny insect that could wipe out California ’s citrus industry — and with it, every lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and mandarin tree in every urban and suburban yard.

This tiny insect, known as the Asian citrus psyllid, carries a deadly bacterial disease that is harmless to humans but inevitably fatal to all varieties of citrus. There is no treatment or cure. The disease has already destroyed millions of trees in citrus-producing regions around the world, including Florida .

The pest has been found in San Diego , Imperial, Orange and Los Angeles counties, and is expected to reach Ventura County this year. The disease is not far behind — infected trees have been found in western Mexico , and the disease is moving steadily closer to California .

The only way to stop this plague is to quickly find and kill the insect pest whenever it reaches a new area. If you have citrus trees in your yard, inspect them often. The insect feeds on the new leaves and stems of all citrus varieties. Twisted, stunted new growth is a sign your tree may be infested by the psyllid (SIL-lid), which looks like a small, brown grain of rice. You may also notice the tiny nymphs feeding on tender young growth. Look for sticky white secretions, like honeydew, or sooty mold clinging to the leaves.

If you think you have spotted this invasive pest in your trees, report the sighting immediately by calling 1-800-491-1899.

For more information about the pest and the disease it carries, call the Ventura County ACP-HLB Task Force at 805-535-8641, or visit www.farmbureauvc.com/pest.html.  

Ventura County Master Gardener Program

University of California Cooperative Extension

669 County Square Drive, Suite 100

Ventura, CA 93003

Master Gardener Contact Information:

       Email mgventura@ucdavis.edu  

       Phone: (805) 645-1455

       Fax: (805) 645-1474

       Website: http://groups.ucanr.org/VCMG 

Master Gardener Helpline Hours: 

       Tuesday and Thursday - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m

Abundant Exchange

Thanks to Lucinda and Dave for hosting the exchange !

Just awesome the abundance that was presented at last Sunday's exchange. So many varieties of so many wonderful fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts and plant starts.

Thank you one and all for growing, collecting, harvesting and sharing LOCAL. It does me proud to see our community come together like this.

We had lemons, avocados, rosemary, oregano, thyme, rue, meyer lemons, oranges, artichokes - big and small, chayote plant, garlic, chervil and basil seedlings, cilantro seeds, sweet peas, heirloom tomato plants, beets, onions, rhubarb, ginger flowers, dog treats, cilantro, chard, kale, celery, loquats, lavender, roses, macadamia nuts, lettuce, mint, grapefruit, parsley, sage.

Next exchange - the week after Father's Day - June 27th - at 79 Palomares  at noon- another new venue !

( Near the YMCA ) Thanks Kate for hosting !

Come Exchange Produce Sunday, May 16th

It's been a month already. How does your garden grow ?

Come and bring any extras for exchange 

Sunday May 16 at a new venue

572 S. Evergreen Drive

12 noon

Any fruit, veggies, herbs, plantings, flowers are welcome!

Or just bring yourself and meet some like-minded people.