Harvests are changing to tree fruit and nuts

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.      
The 23rd Exchange had the following:  hydrengeas, macadamia nuts, lettuce, kale, figs, persimmons, beans, tomatoes, avocados, grapefruit, diced pumpkin, rosehips, greens and green drink (recipe to follow), pineapple guava, pink lady and granny smith apples, pumpkins, dog treats, eggplant, mint, roses, camelias, and chard. 

Granny Smith & Pink Lady

And I almost forgot the freshly squeezed orange juice alternately being given away and sold by my son, aka  "Cowboy Slim". 

What a great community of gardeners and gatherers !  Thank you one and all for your participation.

Anyone interested in hosting an exchange in 2011 ? Please let me
know and we'll get you on the calendar.

Chrysalis hanging on the wall - 

Look at that Gold Line and 3 Golden dots . Will the Butterfly have that also?

Produce Exchange Sunday 9/26 at Beverly's House

A big "Thank You" to Lori for volunteering her home for our last wonderful exchange. WOW, what a bounty of  beautiful fruits and veggies, plants and bread (Thank you to Antonio of Nopalito Nursery  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, avocados, juice oranges, chard, kale, carrots, tomatoes, apples, greens, eggplant, squash, lemons, mandarins, beets, plants, meyer lemons, figs (my personal favorite), chiles, rosemary, sage, parsely, basil, tomatillos, garlic plant, cantalope , watermelon, nectarines, lavender, chives, carrots, lavender bundles, orange peppers, San Marzano tomatoes, tarragon, marjoram, the ever-popular Dog Treats, zucchini, grapefruit, bell peppers, society garlic plants, succulent starts and artisan bread.

Thank you one and all - whether you were volunteering, on the giving or receiving end or both !
What a great community of gardeners and gatherers ! 

Upcoming Events:
Sept 25 - Baron Bros. Giant Parking Lot Sale 7:30 - 5pm
Everything on Sale .....Up to 80% OFF!
7568 Santa Rosa Rd. Camarillo, CA 805-484-0085

Sat Sept 25 - Lawnless Landscaping Class given by Nopalitos Nursery 9:30 –11 Free

Sat Oct 9 - Design Like a Pro:Tips and Techniques for Beautiful, Functional, Sustainable Gardens
given by Nopalito's Nursery 9:30-12:30 $35

Sun Oct 10 - Guerrilla Succulent Garden Planting with Kirsten of our very own Ventura Produce Cooperative
8am - 9 am  Thompson & Catalina
www.350.org/guerrilla-succulent-garden


Oct 16 - Fall Composting Workshop 10am - Noon at Green Thumb
Green Thumb Nursery
1899 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura
For further information call (805) 652-4584
805/652-4525 • www.cityofventura.net

Produce Exchange -Sunday Sept 12 – Lori’s house - 10065 Darling Road

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, cactus, hot peppers, avocados, figs, cucumbers, purple onions, yellow squash, zucchini, kale, eggplant, lettuce, black grapes, peaches, carrots, chives, Anaheim chiles, lemons, bananas, grapefruit, mint, flowers, plant cuttings, blackberry plant, and succulents.

Thank you one and all - whether you were on the giving or receiving end or both ! What a great community of gardeners and gatherers !

We got some press in the new magazine Natural Awakenings available around town in doctors offices, yoga studios and at the YMCA. http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1p1o0/NaturalAwakeningsVen/resources/index.htm

You’re invited to the Sustainable Landscape Workshop on Saturday, September 11^th at the University of California Cooperative Extension offices in Ventura .  This workshop is free but registration is required. If you wish to attend, email Leah Haynes, ljhaynes@ucdavis.edu , the Master Gardener Program Coordinator.

Green Thumb and the City of Ventura are partnering for the Fall Composting Workshop on Oct 16, 2010, 10 am - Noon at  Green Thumb Nursery, 1899 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura
For further information call (805) 652-4584  

805/652-4525 • www.cityofventura.net

And last, but not least ........... Does anyone have any extra Mailing labels or Adhesive Name tags ?

Hope to see some of your smiling faces this Sunday at noon. Don't forget to bring your own bag or basket.

Last exchange and Next

I couldn't be happier that the last exchange hosted by Everett & Dinisia went so well without me. I feel like my baby is starting to walk, no make that run, on it's own. Thank you again Everett & Dinisia for volunteering your home as the setting for the exchange.

There were over 25 people that contributed the following: oranges, lemons, giant sunflowers, japanese cucumber, concord grapes, green grapes, hot peppers, tomatoes, yellow and red tomatoes, serrano peppers, lettuce, basil, avocados, zucchini, cilantro, cbaca squash, chives, rhubarb, texas tarragon, mint, red onions, sage, parsley, chard, apricots, coffee grounds (for soil amendment) and trellis wire.

Thank you one and all - whether you were on the giving or receiving end or both ! What a great community of gardeners and lovers of local fresh produce.

Our next exchange is this Sunday August 22 – noon at Robeks Fruit Smoothies at 4726 Telephone Road at noon - Thanks Tina (805) 676-1330 for hosting !

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 ?