We are all gardeners

...andscape rich with fish and game and meadows of tall grass and riotous wildflowers, shaded gently by spreading oaks. None of this was accidental, or Providential, as the colonists believed. The land was rich because the land was loved and actively managed by the tribes to ensure that they had the food and materials they needed, while supporting the rest of creation to the mutual benefit of all. They were practicing a form of permaculture so advanc...

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Mulch, mulch, mulch!

...As far as kids go, a yard full of trees to climb, secret forts, chickens, flowers, vegetable patches and interesting critters and bugs might better lure them outside than a perfect lawn. I know many happy kids who live in such yards. And as a kid myself, I preferred such spaces. I have no fond memories of grass. I do have strong memories of playing in wilder spaces–under trees, among boulders, in a rainy gutter, in the snow, at the beach. Lawn, f...

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Saturday Tweets: Cutting Through the Kudzu

...mple) August 26, 2015 Plant from 130 million years ago is among 'first flowers': study http://t.co/cPjiftSKZK via @YahooNews — Root Simple (@rootsimple) August 24, 2015 Summer of Science | Even When You Go Off the Grid, You Might Still Be On It | http://t.co/yh6ta3i3p3 http://t.co/2eJ54MhAd0 — Root Simple (@rootsimple) August 24, 2015 Leafy greens carry risks; at-home rinsing of pre-washed salad mix isn't doing much http://t.co/zZnKLEV...

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067 Wild Drinks and Cocktails With Emily Han

...raging” and how you can use easily foraged herbs, fruits, pine needles and flowers to make shrubs, switchels, tonics and infusions. Emily also shares her easy distillation method and advice on what to do with all those prickly pear fruits! If you want to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to [email protected]. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. The theme mu...

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Rucola Selvatica A Foglia D’ulivo: the arugula you’ve never heard of

...e the plant. The leaves are indeed shaped like olive leaves and the edible flowers are yellow rather than the usual off-white. I sow blocks of arugula seed every two weeks in the winter to guarantee a continuous supply. We had some hot weather so it went to seed a little faster than usual. One of the reasons I like arugula is that there are no insect problems, at least here in Los Angeles. My mom’s late Greek neighbor used to grow at least four va...

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