Grow Native Nursery in the Veterans Garden

Ever since I got rid of my lawn, I've been looking into various drought tolerant plants to grow in my front yard instead. I've fallen in love with the Ceonothus, or the California lilac, which can grow up to a majestic 20 feet tall, depending on the species.The tree bears beautiful purple blooms which, when rubbed in water, generates suds and hence are also called soap flowers.

Not many commercial nurseries carry the ceonothus, but I found that Grow Native Nursery in the Veterans Garden in Westwood has them. This nursery is a branch of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens in Claremont, a wonderful garden that features native flora in all its glorious manifestations.  It's branch nursery in the Westwood Veterans Garden sells California native plants from the RSA Botanica Gardens. Bryce, the young man who works at the nursery is the most helpful and knowledgeable person who can give you great ideas on how to grow native plants in your garden.

So far, I've purchased several ceonothus plants over the summer, but they've all died on me, I think because of the unseasonably hot southern California summer this year. (It's imcomprehensible since these plants are supposedly native to California, drought tolerant, and should be used to this weather, but whatever). I just bought two more ($9.50 for a one gallon plant) because I'm determined to have a ceonothus tree survive in my yard. Wish me luck.

By the way, Grow Native Nursery is a non-profit that works with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System to maximize veterans’ opportunities in the sustainable horticulture industry. Go visit the nursery for great plants and to support a great cause. It only opens Wednesday through Sunday, so make sure to go on those days.

Grow Native Nursery at the Veteran's Garden
100 Davis Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Grand Central Market.

The downtown LA Grand Central Market is in the midst of transforming into a more upscale food market. It is currently a mix of foodie hangouts such as Eggslut, Wexler's Deli, C and G Cafe, and many ethnic, been there forever food stands. Hope it stays that way. You don't want the upscale yuppy foods to drive out the traditional Chinese, Salvadoran, or Mexican stands. 

Apple Picking in Oak Glen, California

When I was living in the East Coast, I loved eating apples.  Over the years though, especially after moving to California, I've lost my taste for this fruit.. The supermarket bought apples tasted dry, the texture isn't as crisp as I remembered, the skin is waxy, and the apple flavor is just not quite there.

When I decided to go apple picking with Chloe at Riley's Farm, one of the few places that allow U-Pick apples in Southern California, I wasn't expecting much. I just thought it would be fun getting out of the city for a bit. It took us about an hour and a half to get to Oak Glen, near Yucaipa, across the hot, charmless expanse of San Bernardino County and the 10 Freeway. But when we turned onto Oak Glen Rd to go up the mountain, the landscape all of a sudden turned lusher. Riley's Farm in Oak Glen was bustling with activities. It has a full on New England theme with a "publick house" called "Hawk's Head" that serves food that surprisingly tasty, a fruit shack, guys dressed in minutemen costume, and women in old New England garb. School groups were there, as were lots of families and young couples. The place reeks of tourist trap, of course, but it was fun nonetheless.

 

The apple trees at Riley's Farm were loaded down with lots of apples. So much apples in fact, that tons have ripened and fallen onto the ground to rot and get eaten by bees and squirrels. The apple varieties included red delicious, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Senshu apples as well as Bartlett pears. The sizes of the apples were not big, but they were delicious. The apples were bursting with flavor and we couldn't help eating them while we picked. I think I liked the Senshu apples the best, but all were tasty. We picked two large bags of apples and pears for $18 each. Not cheap, but well worth the price and effort.

Apple picking is in season right now. Go to Riley's Farm for some luscious fruit and pumpkins.

Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399


909-797-7534