Spring is here, and if you did not already start a vegetable garden while you were stuck at home for the last year, now is a great time to do so. Food you grow at home is fresher and more nutrient dense than grocery store produce. Plus, you cannot get any more local than your backyard, which means you can reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the added benefit of knowing exactly how your food was grown and what products were used to grow it.
 
If you are interested in growing some of your own food but have not yet dabbled in backyard vegetable gardening, here are six tips to get you started.
 
1. Choose the right spot.
Most food plants do best with at least six hours of sun each day. It is best to choose a spot that receives morning sun but has a bit of shade to protect your plants from the afternoon heat. If possible, also choose a spot that is protected from the wind.
 
2. Choose your garden format.
Choosing raised garden beds or container gardening allows you to better control the structure and content of the soil. These options generally also mean less weeding and may make gardening a little easier on your body. Or, if you have furry family members like mine, growing in raised beds and containers will keep your dogs from peeing on your food plants all the time. Alternatively, growing in the ground does not require purchasing planters or materials to build beds and may ultimately allow for more gardening space.
 
3. Determine what to grow.
Growing food in a typical backyard garden is not going to replace trips to the grocery store or farmers market to stock up on produce. So, the best plan for beginner gardeners is to grow something that you eat a lot of or that is more expensive at the grocery store. For example, I like to grow some foods that are significantly more expensive when buying organic, since I can grow everything organically in my backyard. If you have never grown food before, start with something easy, like tomatoes, peppers, radishes, carrots, or just about any herb.
 
For each of the plants you grow, you will need to research common pests and diseases, how best to care for them, what kind of support or protection they need, and whether it is best to start that particular plant from seeds or opt for seedlings. Therefore, it is best to start with just a few varieties while you are learning the basics of vegetable gardening.
 
4. Put it on paper.
Making a garden plan helps you determine which and how many seeds and plants to purchase and where you are going to plant them. This is an opportunity to research which plants grow well together, how much space each plant will need, and the best time to plant different types of food plants. You can also use this planner to record planting dates and can refer to it next year to make sure you are rotating your crops properly.
 
5. Label the rows.
Labeling your plants or rows of the same plant will help you easily identify them, know how much water each row needs, know the planting date, and know when it is time to harvest. I use paint stir sticks for this, since they are biodegradable and you can purchase them inexpensively in bulk. Write the type of plant, planting date and prospective harvest date on the row marker, and then stick it in the soil to mark the row.
 
6. Learn from local gardeners.
As things begin to open again, keep an eye out for local gardening classes and workshops offered at the Ojai Community Demonstration Garden behind City Hall, Ojai’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, Quail Springs Oasis & Permaculture Farm in Cuyama Valley, UC Hansen Agricultural Center at Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula, or Ventura College. You can also call the local Master Gardener Helpline at (805) 645-1455 with gardening questions and to learn about available gardening classes and resources.

As we move away from the rainy season (or not-so-rainy season) and the temperature begins to rise, it is time to prepare our homes for the next season. So, as you make your to-do list for this year’s spring cleaning, be sure to include these five home maintenance tasks to help you start the season right.
 
1. Service your HVAC system.
 
It is a good idea to change your filters and service your HVAC system at least twice a year: once before winter when you will be using your heater more and once before summer when you will be using your air conditioner. Most homeowners can change their filters, but you should hire a local professional to service the system.
 
2. Clean and repair window screens and screen doors.
 
As the weather warms up, you will likely be leaving your windows open more often to allow the fresh air and cool breeze to move through your home. So, spring is the perfect time to remove your screens, clean them with water and a mild detergent, allow them to air dry, and then reinstall them. While you are cleaning them, look for bent frames or holes in the screens. Even a tiny hole will allow insects to enter your home, so hire a handyman to repair them or pick up a screen repair kit at ACE Hardware to fix the holes yourself.
 
If you are having your windows cleaned as part of your spring cleaning, make sure your window washer includes cleaning the screens.
 
3. Clean your gutters.
 
Clogged gutters and downspouts do not function properly, attract critters and can result in damage to your home. Therefore, as the rainy season comes to an end, it is time to have them cleaned. Remember, in areas like Ojai, we keep our gutters clean to prevent damage from both water and fire, since dried debris can easily catch fire from errant sparks.
 
4. Clean your refrigerator coils.
 
Cleaning your refrigerator coils is an easy home maintenance task, but most of us forget to do it on a regular basis. In most homes, it is a good idea to vacuum the coils about every six months, but if you share your home with furry friends, you will want to do it more often. So, while you are giving the interior of your refrigerator a thorough scrub down as part of your spring-cleaning routine, don’t forget to clean the coils as well.
 
5. Check your irrigation system.
 
We are all about to start using our automatic irrigation systems more as the temperature rises and we move towards summer. This makes spring the perfect time to make sure your system does not have leaks and is functioning properly. If you have a landscape maintenance company that cares for your property, you can ask them to check the system for you. If you do not, you can check the system yourself. Manually run the system through all of the zones and walk through your property to check for leaks. While you are doing your walk-through, look for broken sprinkler heads and adjust any sprinkler heads that are spraying your driveway, sidewalks, fences, or structures.
 
Irrigation leaks can waste a lot of water and cause a significant increase in your water bill, so be sure to check your system regularly.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one in every 10 homes has leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water per day. Across the country, we are wasting about one trillion gallons every year – just from minor water leaks.
 
Every home is going to get a water leak at some point, which is going to increase your water bill, possibly result in a fine, and, of course, waste water. So, let’s go over some basic questions about water leaks to help you identify and handle a leak quickly.
 
Whose responsibility is it to repair a leak?
 
If the leak is at the street, it might be on the water company’s side of the meter, so you will need to call your water company right away so that they can assess the situation and complete a repair. If the leak is on your side of the meter, it is your responsibility to repair it. 
 
How do I know if I have a water leak?
 
If you see standing water in an area where standing water shouldn’t be or an active drip coming from a faucet, this is an obvious indicator that you might have a leak. This also helps you quickly pinpoint the location of the leak so that you can address it right away.
 
It would be great if all leaks were this easy to identify and find, but most are not. Sometimes, you may not see any indication of a water leak until you see an increase in your water bill.
 
If you suspect a water leak, one way you can check is to turn all of the water off in your house and on your property. Then, go to your water meter and look for the low-flow indicator. If the low-flow indicator is spinning when all of the water is turned off, you have a leak.
 
What do I do if I have a water leak?
 
The easiest thing to do is to turn off the water and call your plumber or landscaper so they can come find it and repair it.
 
If you have a serious leak, do not wait for your plumber or landscaper to arrive. Turn the water off as soon as possible. This is easiest if you have a customer service valve, which is located on your side of the meter and allows you to turn off the water to your entire property. If you do not have a customer service valve, I recommend installing one.
 
For smaller leaks, you may be able to locate the leak and turn off the water just to that area.
 
If your meter is spinning but you do not see standing water, start with your irrigation system. When one of my clients has a leak, it is almost always in their irrigation lines. Turn on all of the zones and walk your property to look for leaking sprinkler heads or drip lines. When you find it, turn off the valve going to that area until you can get the leak repaired.
 
If the culprit is a leaky faucet or toilet, turn the water supply off at that location. This allows you to continue to use the water in the rest of your house while stopping the leak until you (or a handyman or plumber) can repair it.
 
You may also locate interior water leaks by listening for water dripping or looking for wet spots in drywall or inside cabinets. If you hear water trickling in the walls or find moist, soft spots in your wall or ceiling, turn off the water going into your house until you can arrange for a repair.

From the marble tile entry, step down into the formal dining room or to the living room with a see-through fireplace shared with the family room.

The open floor plan then leads to the kitchen with breakfast nook, island, lots of cabinets and quartz composite counter space, breakfast bar, tile floor and backsplash, and a cooktop, refrigerator and dishwasher installed in 2020.

French doors lead into the spacious master suite with a gas fireplace, raised platform for your bed or a seating area, and an en suite bath with a walk-in closet, dual-sink vanity, separate lavatory and shower, and a jetted soaking tub.

French doors lead from the master suite to the patio, and a separate door leads to a private yard with a pond and waterfall.

Two of the three guest bedrooms share a bathroom, and there is another guest bath in the hall.

Outside, there is a large, covered patio for outdoor entertaining, a beautiful deck with amazing mountain views, plenty of space for a garden or more fruit trees, and an above-ground hot tub.

Other features include owned solar, 2019 roof, two Nest thermostats, and a laundry room between the house and the two-car garage, which has an electric vehicle charger.

See more photos and learn more on the property information page.