I love growing food. I love talking about growing food. I really love sharing tips that show just how easy it is to grow at least a little food – even in tiny spaces. So, that is what I thought we would talk about this month. Growing our own food, even if it is just a single tomato plant on a balcony, helps us stay more connected to the earth, teaches our kids where food comes from, and reminds us to appreciate the people who grow and harvest our food for us. Gardening is time consuming, and most of us do not have room in our busy schedules to add growing food for ourselves or our families to the to-do list. In particular, most of us do not have the time or space to grow enough food to sustain us, but we can all grow something. There are plenty of easy options that probably come to mind, like radishes, carrots, tomatoes, and herbs. Today, let’s add potatoes to that list. The experts, which I am not, will tell you that you must buy seed potatoes from a nursery, cut them into pieces, keep them in the refrigerator for a few days, and dust them with sulfur before finally planting them in either February or August. That is probably the right way to do it, but I have never done any of this, and I have grown up to 20 potato plants at a time throughout the year. Now, it’s true that you don’t want to use conventional potatoes from the grocery store for this, because they have been treated with maleic hydrazide (a growth inhibitor), but whenever I have some organic potatoes around that I didn’t eat fast enough and have started to sprout, I plant them in the garden and watch them grow. Here is the simplest way to grow organic potatoes in your backyard: 1. Find tall, well-draining containers in which to grow your potatoes. You can grow them in the ground, but it is much easier if you grow them in a container that you can dump out at harvest time. I use tall, fabric planters that I can fold and store in the shed when not in use. 2. Fill the bottom of the container with about four inches of soil. 3. Place your sprouted potatoes about four inches apart in the container with eyes pointed up. If your potatoes are large, you can cut them into chunks with a couple of eyes on each chunk. 4. Cover them with about four inches of soil. 5. Water regularly and watch for sprouts to begin poking through the soil in a couple of weeks. 6. As the plants grow, continue to add soil to the container to cover most of the plant. Make sure to leave a few inches of the plant above the soil. This is going to feel wrong, since you will be covering up stems and leaves, but keep doing this until your container is full. 7. Once the plants have yellowed and withered, leave them for about a week or so, and then dump your container on a tarp or in a garden bed and sift through the soil to harvest your potatoes. You can brush off any big debris but keep them a little dirty for better longevity. Store them in a cool, dry, dark spot, and do not eat potatoes that are not firm or that have turned green. Green potatoes contain a toxic glycoalkaloid, solanine, that is toxic to us and our animal companions. If you reuse the soil, which I usually do, you might find that you get some volunteer potato plants wherever you use it. I always seem to miss a tiny potato or two and end up with volunteer potatoes growing in other parts of the garden. If you choose to purchase seed potatoes, check out one of our local nurseries to see if they are in stock. AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.
0 Comments
If a primary suite with five closets sounds like a dream come true, this might be the house for you.
Step from the covered porch into the living room with hardwood flooring and mountain views. Next, the kitchen is bathed in natural light from the skylight and has a breakfast bar and island, as well as ample storage and counter space, which will come in handy when hosting large gatherings in the long, adjacent dining room. From the dining room, step down into the spacious family room with hardwood flooring, a powder room with tile floor, and sliding door to the patio for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining. In the primary suite, you will find three closets and built-in drawers in the bedroom, as well as two additional closets in the en suite bathroom. There is also a large wood vanity, tile shower, and an over-sized soaking tub. Other features include two guest bedrooms with ceiling fans, a remodeled guest bathroom with dual-sink vanity, laundry room, and large backyard with a paver patio. For more photos and information about this Oak View home for sale, visit the property information page. To schedule a showing, contact Nora Davis today. This mountaintop retreat minutes from town beautifully blends Mid-Century Modern and Spanish Colonial architecture and is surrounded by well-designed landscaping, multiple outdoor living areas, and beautiful mountain views. A full remodel completed in 2022 updated every room and added upscale features throughout, including Brazilian wood floors, marble counters, remote-controlled window coverings, tankless water heater with recirculating pump, owned solar, hardwired ethernet throughout, and an EV charging station. The remodeled kitchen features two Bosch dishwashers and an island with a breakfast bar and Bosch downdraft cooktop. The gallery-style foyer features an over-sized, glass door that allows in natural light and mountain views on the front side of the home and opens to the living room with a glass wall at the backside of the house looking out to the heated pool and gorgeous mountain views beyond. Additional features include two primary suites, guest quarters, media room, and hot tub. Features include:
Five bedrooms, five bathrooms Approximately 3,349 square feet Full remodel completed in 2022 Two primary suites Guest quarters with separate entrance Media room Two fireplaces Brazilian wood floors in living areas Sisal or wool carpet in bedrooms Marble counters Island with breakfast bar and downdraft cooktop Two Bosch dishwashers Remote-controlled window coverings Vaulted ceilings Ceiling fans Skylights and glass walls for natural light and views Dual-sink vanities Over-sized soaking tub Large closets Hard-wired ethernet Approximately two acres 40-foot, heated swimming pool and hot tub Deck with pool cabana Pergola-covered main outdoor living area Multiple patios and seating areas Two fountains Flagstone walkways Sheds and fenced storage in side yard Two-car garage Gravel guest parking area Two owned solar systems Whole-house water softener Tankless water heater with recirculating pump Electric vehicle charger Mature, drought-resistant landscaping Heritage oak trees Space for guest house or horse facilities Beautiful mountain views Short drive to downtown Ojai Approximately seven miles to Lake Casitas For more information and to see more photos, visit the property information page. To schedule a showing, contact Nora Davis today. This country cottage with a covered front porch and picket fence is tucked away in one of Oak View’s most charming neighborhoods.
Just minutes from the post office, grocery store, coffee shop, and all that Oak View has to offer, build your dream life in this comfy home with remodeled kitchen, hardwood flooring in the spacious living room, newer carpet in the three bedrooms, primary suite located for privacy, laundry room, ceiling fans, two driveways with gated parking for your RV or toys, detached garage, and mountain views. The large backyard features a custom patio, deck, two fenced areas for dog runs or vegetable gardens, and plenty of space for a pool, garden, play area, sports court, or other hobbies. Start the day with coffee on the front porch where you can chat with passing neighbors or in the backyard enjoying mountain views from your back deck. This one is a must see, so don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the Ojai Valley lifestyle along with the easier commute from Oak View Learn more about this Oak View home for sale by visiting the property information page, or call Nora today to schedule a showing. Don’t miss this great opportunity to build your dream home or two rental homes on approximately 1.25 acres in Upper Ojai.
The property currently has a water meter, 20-25gpm well, Edison drop, approved grading permits for a guest house, approved plans for a guest house, and plans for a main house that have not yet gone through the approval process. The main house plans are for an approximately 2,600-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home with an office and attached, two-car garage with a bonus area above the garage. The approved guest house plans are for an approximately 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a detached, two-car garage with a game room above the garage. This Upper Ojai horse property with great mountain views is close to Rock Tree Sky, Summit Drive-In restaurant, and Stagecoach Station Market and is just a short drive from the shops, restaurants, schools, and weekly farmers markets in downtown Ojai. Visit the property information page for more photos of this Upper Ojai land for sale, or contact Nora today to schedule a tour of the property. Historically, this Ojai commercial building has homed plumbing and HVAC businesses, but as Bryant Circle evolves from an industrial area to a hip entertainment district, it could be transformed into a wine bar, restaurant, lounge, or whatever creative endeavor you can dream up.
The building is currently set up with separate spaces used as a showroom, office, breakroom or storage room, and large workshop with a roll-up door. There are two bathrooms, a parking lot, large front windows for natural light and mountain views, a covered front porch, and central air conditioning. The office furniture, tools, equipment, and inventory are included with the sale of the building at no additional cost or will be sold separately if the buyer does not want them. This versatile commercial property is located at the east end of the downtown area near a brewery, restaurant, and vintage trailer hotel and just a few minutes from all that downtown Ojai has to offer. Visit the property information page for more photos and a floor plan. Call Nora today at (805) 207-6177 to schedule a tour. Royal Oaks Ranch is a private, gated, approximately 5.33-acre country estate located in Persimmon Hills just a short drive or bike ride from all that downtown Ojai has to offer. Residence features include: Five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms Approximately 6,000 square feet Covered, wrap-around porch Four fireplaces Media room Wine cellar with tasting room Library Gym & massage room Upstairs laundry room with sink Two adjoining primary suites Brazilian white Macaubus counters Cellini oak-finished floors Honed marble slab showers Two walk-in, two-person showers Over-sized, oval soaking tub Vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings Antique chandeliers from around the world Copper roof and gutters Water softener system Tankless water heater & recirculating pump Voice-activated lighting & music Designed, plumbed & wired for flexibility Property features include:
Approximately 5.33 acres Custom exterior stain in 2023 Six-car garage + workshop RV parking with hookups Custom, wrought-iron entrance gates Swimming pool and spa Pool equipment replaced in 2022 Putting green with bunker Two-person tee box with strike mats Bocce court Slate chessboard Private well & stone pumphouse 10,000-gallon water storage tank Landscape irrigation with dedicated pump Fenced pasture Fruit and olive trees Mature landscaping Landscape lighting Multiple viewing decks and seating areas Mountain views Less than five minutes to downtown Ojai Walk or bike to weekly farmers markets Minutes from golf courses, spas, boutiques Learn more about this Ojai home for sale in Persimmon Hills by visiting the property information page or calling Nora today to schedule a private tour. Ojai Open House!
Date: Sunday (7/9) Time: 1:00 – 4:00 Location: 10802 Oak Knoll Road in Ojai Stop by between 1:00 and 4:00 this Sunday to see this three-bedroom main house and two-bedroom guest house on approximately one acre just off Creek Road! Learn more about this Ojai horse property for sale on the property information page. Just off Creek Road and across from a lemon grove, Oak Knoll Hideaway is a one-acre horse property featuring two single-family homes separated by a spacious, flat area with room for horses or other hobbies.
The three-bedroom main house boasts a wood-burning stove and see-through fireplace, large closets, laundry room, wood-beam ceiling, granite counters, covered patio, two-car garage, a covered carport or workshop area, and mountain views. There is also a two-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house that could be used for short- or long-term guests or as a rental to bring in monthly income. The property is dotted with heritage oaks, features beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and has RV parking at both houses. All of this is about five minutes from the shops, restaurants, and services offered in Oak View and fewer than 10 minutes to all that downtown Ojai has to offer, including a weekly farmers market, galleries, golf courses, spas, cafes, and boutiques. To see more photos and learn more about his Ojai horse property for sale with two houses, visit the property information page. To schedule a showing, contact Nora Davis today! Summer is here, which means the weather is warmer, the days are longer, and we are using our outdoor living areas even more than usual. Here are five quick tips to help you prepare for entertaining this season. 1. Increase shade. Shade sails, umbrellas, and canopies are portable, affordable ways to easily increase shade to keep your guests comfortable and make your outdoor entertaining spaces more usable throughout the year. You can position them to increase privacy if you live close to neighbors or set them up to provide protection from the sun without blocking your favorite view of the mountains. My friend just introduced me to welding umbrellas, which are wind- and fire-resistant, so if you are concerned about bringing textiles into your home’s defensible space, you might want to check those out. 2. Set up a drink station. If you entertain frequently, simplify your social gatherings by setting up a drink station on your patio. Depending on what you like to serve, this might be a bar cart with glasses, cocktail napkins, and a corkscrew, or it could be a table with a large tub to fill with ice and canned beverages. Having a drink station already established will make entertaining a bit easier and setup a bit quicker. 3. Prep your outdoor kitchen. Al fresco dinner parties and weekend grilling are mainstays of summer, so now is the time to make sure your outdoor kitchen is ready for this entertaining season. Clean the grill, stock your beverage refrigerator, make sure all your kitchen’s features are functioning properly, and make sure you have everything you need for successful entertaining, like beverage dispensers, recycling bins, serving trays, and fuel for your grill. 4. Add festive lighting. Longer days still eventually grow dark, so create welcoming spaces with warm, ambient lighting from string lights, fairy lights, LED candles, or solar-powered landscape lighting. 5. Prepare your fire features. If you do not currently have a fire pit or patio fireplace, now is the perfect time to consider installing one. If you do not have the time or budget to install a fire feature before your next social gathering, you can always get an inexpensive, portable fire pit that will do the trick until you can consider a more permanent option. For fire features that you already have, now is the time to clean them, perform any necessary maintenance, and make sure they are functioning safely and properly. AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.
|
The Davis Group
Welcome to our
Ojai living and Ojai real estate blog. Subscribe by email...
Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|