Sidebar Photoblog Archives

All About Earthworms – Red Wiggler Reproduction

Earthworm Reproduction As with other earthworm species, Eisenia fetida is hermaphroditic. However, two worms are still required for reproduction. The two worms join clitellums, the large orangeish bands which contain the worms' reproductive organs, and which are only visible during the reproduction process. The two worms exchange sperm. Both worms then secrete cocoons which contain several eggs each. These cocoons are lemon-shaped and are pale yellow at first, becoming more brownish as the worms inside become mature. These cocoons are clearly [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:18-07:00March 7th, 2012|Blog, Knowledgebase, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

How Things Work – Mixing A Bulk Order of Empire Builder Grower’s Mix

Forget the mixing bowl, bring on the bulldozer! At Sanctuary Soil and Feed, we do things big! Today, it was mixing a large bulk order of organic Empire Builder Producer's Blend for one of our customers. Our Empire Builder mix contains a custom mix of Clean Green Certified ingredients, including generous amounts of perfectly mineral balanced and microbe enhanced ingredients: Coco Coir, Sphagnum Peat Moss, Composted Forest Humus, Worm Castings, Coco Chips, Lava Rock, Pumice, Perlite, [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:18-07:00February 28th, 2012|Blog, Product Descriptions, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Wordless Wednesday | Spring in the Central Valley

It's still officially winter, but the sun is out and everywhere you turn is life, and color, and the promise of spring. The bee keepers have put the hives in the orchards, the almonds are blossoming and we are getting busier every day! Sunshine Brings the Daffodils Agriculture is the heart of the valley Hey buddy, a little lost?

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:18-07:00February 9th, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog, Wordless Wednesday|Comments Off

Swallows Announce the Return of Spring

Return of Spring by Gary KlineI have long regarded the return of spring as being announced by the return of the swallows. Oh, what joy their gay twittering (non-electronic) brings to the otherwise bleak surrounding world of February, or sometimes, March. The swallows don’t come on a set date. I’ve seen swallows flying over the lake through snow flurries. They have their own calendar, timed to what else is going on in the progression of seasons. I think it’s [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00February 6th, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Green Mile Hydro-Organics

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00February 1st, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

More Than Snow Falls

More Than Snow Falls by Gary Kline We were doing just fine in the winter of 2011-2012 until the snows of mid-January. Not that they weren’t pretty and we hadn’t sort of missed the winter whiteness (just one light and fleeting snowfall back in November), but these snows brought trouble. Bush and tree limbs were bowed practically to the ground from the snowfall on the 16th. I was headed out back to put braces in [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00January 26th, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Create The Best Soil For Your Garden

How to Create The Best Garden Soil A healthy garden requires the best garden soil available. The best soil for your garden is home to a wide variety of living things. Unlike dirt often found in urban areas, a healthy, fertile soil looks, feels and smells very rich and “earthy”. Encouraging organisms (fungi, bacteria and other beneficial micro-organisms) to thrive in garden soil is exactly what we gardeners ought to be doing. Organic gardening soil [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00January 24th, 2012|Gardening Tips, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Rainy Days in January

My morning commute can range from forty minutes to an hour as I drive through California's rural communities. Passing through Turlock, Keyes, Gray, Westley and finally into Vernalis, each days drive is an adventure. This weekend, Central California was hit with a much needed storm, which brought rain and wind which has carried over into my Monday morning. Even in this cold and dreary morning, the sun found time time to break through and brighten the day. [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00January 23rd, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Freezing Temperatures in California Create Agri “Cultural” Art

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00January 18th, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off

Wisteria Riddle by Gary Kline

Wisteria Riddle Wisteria trellis at Rengeji-ike park From Wikipedia: Wisteria (also spelled Wistaria) is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, that includes ten species of woody climbing vines native to the eastern United States and to China, Korea, and Japan. Aquarists refer to the species Hygrophila difformis, in the family Acanthaceae, as Water Wisteria. Some species are popular ornamental plants, especially in China and Japan. We have a wisteria; surely one of the largest and finest in the County. It was here when I moved in with an earlier wife and life, back [...]

By K. Triffet|2017-05-19T13:18:19-07:00January 15th, 2012|Blog, Sidebar Photoblog|Comments Off