Jack Fruit by Dana

So recently we added more plants to our garden.  Jack Fruit was just one of them.  I researched the health properties of Jack Fruit and I learned that Jack Fruit is high in fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Grape Flowers in the Rain by Dana

It rained today and I noticed that my grape flowers looked really pretty in the rain with the water on the vine and on the small flowers.

Blood Orange Tree by Dana

We have a new addition to Dardan family garden it is a Blood Orange Tree.

Cape Gooseberry by Dana

On Monday Darnell and I went to visit his old classmate Joseph and his wife Alma.  They have a beautiful garden.  They gave us Cape Gooseberry Preserve that they made in September from their plant they had.  The taste of a Cape Gooseberry is that of a grape and a cherry tomato.  We have a few plants growing in our garden. The flower on the plant is yellow with brown spots.  Once the flower dies the berry comes from the plant.

Cape Gooseberry with a shy flower

Cape Gooseberry bush in our garden

Cape Gooseberry preserve made by Alma and Joseph

Black Mission Fig by Dana

When we moved we had to rearrange 

our plants in our garden.  Today Darnell noticed

 that our Black Mission Fig tree has produced it's first fig. 

***Awesome***

DarDan's garden

Black Mission Fig Tree

Plant Sale by Dana

On October 11th Darnell and I went to a plant sale hosted by Merritt college.  While we were there we met a gentleman from Vista, California who has an assortment of rare plants and fruit trees from around the world in is nursery.  It was really cool, we bought Apple mint, Chocolate peppermint, Native Wild Grape Vine and Cerinthe Major Atropurpurea.

Herbs and Veggies by Dana

Yesterday I picked fresh herbs and veggies so I can make spaghetti. Here's the pictures

Iko Iko Bell Pepper, Apple Pepper or (Habanero Pepper), Greek Oregano, Holy Basil, Parsley, English Thyme, and Sweet Basil.

I sauteed the peppers with garlic and onions

Then I added my sausage and herbs

I let the herbs and veggies cook with the sausage so the flavors could intermix together then I added my ground turkey 

As everything was cooking away I added my seasonings and last but not least I added home made spaghetti sauce which Darnell made from fresh tomatoes.  Some from our garden and some he gets from the crop swap he does every Monday

Home made spaghetti sauce

Finished product

Passion Fruit by Dana

Yesterday Darnell told me that our passion flower plant was producing a fruit, I was excited to hear that.  So this morning I got up and took a picture of it.  

In researching the health benefits of the passion fruit I learned that passion fruit is rich source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber (research info from nutrition-and-you.com Power Your Diet) 

Playndirt crop swap on the Terrace at the historic Berkeley City Club, Berkeley, Ca

Playndirt crop swap on the Terrace for members at the Berkeley City Club in Berkeley, Ca. Crop swap was held during the monthly member mixer that included wine tasting. Pictures taken during set up, more pictures to come. #plyndrt #playndirt #cropswap #huntingtonpark

Chilacoyote Fig Leaf Gourd

About 1 year ago while working on a garden project for our Introduction to Horticulture class at Oakland's Merritt college, I found a Chilacoyote under some overgrown roses. At the time I didn't know what is was, that was until Joe, another classmate showed up and identified it, he then cut it up and distributed the seeds to other classmates. Joe planted his seeds and you can now see the results, his first Chilacoyote fruit has developed.

Monarch Butterfly

This past Monday a young couple participated in my crop swap by bringing Parsley. To my surprise there was a Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar roaming about. After some research I needed to feed it by getting a milkweed plant that it can feed on. If you want some Monarch butterflies then get some milkweed to attracted them.

Prep for weekly crop swap

Chinese Pears, Apples, Garlic and Quince- extra from El Cerrito, Ca waiting for the next #cropswsp #huntingtonpark #playndirt

Blackberry Tea by Dana

Yesterday I made some blackberry tea.  I researched online to see what the beneficial properties of blackberry leaves are and according to Livestrong.com "blackberry leaves can be made into a tea or use as a gargle solution...."( Livestrong.com )

Shiozak's Garden by Dana

Had a great time harvesting from John's & Allison Shiozaki garden, Thanks!!

John and Alison

Macintosh apples, Myer Lemons, Grapefruit Cocktail and Grapes

 Cape gooseberry and Squash

 Sweet Lemons and Plums

Eggplant, Potatoes, Grapes, Jalapeno peppers, Green peppers

 Herbs and more

Rhubarb and more

 Some I'll use at home and the rest at this Saturday's crop swap at noon at Ohio st. and 16th st. on the Richmond Greenway. 

Urban Tilth, Doria Robinson

Shiitake Mushrooms by Dana

Over the weekend I learned how to grow my own Shiitake mushrooms using a cut log.

1. Get cut log, ie Oak

2. Purchase plugs with Shiitake mushroom mycelium 

3. Drill holes slightly longer than plugs 

4. Hammer in plugs 

5. Cover holes with wax 

6. Wet log or soak in water overnight

7. Store in cool, shaded area, mist occasionally 

8. Now I'll have to exercise patience. 

I'll have Shiitake mushrooms in about 8 months.

Berkeley Crop Swap by Dana

After our crop swap on 7/28/14 Darnell and I went to the Berkeley Crop Swap.  It was awesome, there was so many people there that we had to draw cards. We brought peaches. Once our number was called we were able to choose what crops we wanted.

My First Crop Swap by Dana

Yesterday I attended my first Crop Swap with Darnell.  It was a success.  A few people came up and took some fruit.  One lady mentioned she didn't know about the swap, so that's another project for us advertising the swaps a little better,  but anyway we addressed questions some had and just really enjoyed the conversations.  We were located on the corner of Carlson and Huntington Ave near the park.

Iko Iko Peppers by Dana

Our Iko Iko Peppers are growing.  They are purple.  When I researched about these particular peppers I learned that they are sweet and they will eventually turn red.  They're good for salads, making salsa, frying or just eating fresh.

Iko Iko Peppers

Richmond Crop Swap by Dana

On Wednesday July 9th Darnell and I went to the Richmond Crop Swap that the City of Richmond holds every Wednesday.  We traded some Lemon Cucumber seeds for a verity of  plums, grapes, peaches, pluots and a pepper. We've used some of the plums to make smoothies.  They're so good.

Playndirt's first crop swap