Myths and facts about the Sierra Foothills Bull pine From the time we moved into the mountains, I heard from neighbors and local friends about the Bull pines. Bull pines, Pinus sabiniana, are seemingly hated, seen as ugly, messy trees and reputed to somehow (?) suck water from people’s wells and aquifers. You must cut down the huge trees if ...

This blog is about dreaming and creating. In the months ahead, I will share with you information and tips on:

Trash to treasure Cathy Wanderaas of Montana was looking for a new idea to landscape a part of her backyard. She was also looking for a new use for a swing set her children have outgrown. She ended up creating a fantastical ‘doorway’ that leads from one side of her garden to the other. Now, she is getting compliments from ...

Broken or cracked bird bath? There’s no reason not to continue using it… in your garden! When you think about it,…broken or leaky bird baths and fountains, too, are merely pedestals to raise your garden to another level. As you can see, Flea market Gardeners have held on to these so called broken pieces and upcycled them into something spectacular. ...

Written by Don Grove The North Fork History Group recently received a photograph from the Sierra National Forest, Photo HPO3635. J.A. Thomason took this photograph in the 1940s of the Veteran’s Wall that was located somewhere within the North Fork community. Do you know where this Wall was located, when it was built, or when it was taken down? If ...

Marvelous Motel Chairs Motel chairs bring memories into your garden! We see these vintage metal patio chairs and think of our Grandparents chatting and sipping lemonade with family and friends at backyard barbecues. How did motel chairs become so popular and loved? We think they’re just fun!

Part Two – In May, Tractor Man and I lugged four bales of hay down our slope and set them up as a garden! At the same time, we constructed a ‘Ranch Gate Garden’, by stringing three old ranch gates together that we found on our place, fencing in the 16′ x16′ garden. The fourth side we made from wire ...

SUMMERTOWN, USA – It’s one of summer’s biggest holidays and not everyone is ready. Looking for a last-minute fix? SNO asked Facebook readers for their favorite easy items to share for summer parties and got a nicely varied response. North Fork resident Sarah Crotinger says she relies on salsa de fruta, and even forked over her recipe.

Cats have taken over the Internet and why not Flea Market Gardening, too?! We humans have had a fascination with cats since the beginning of time. They are silent, mysterious and zen-like. We are charmed also by their comical, and sometimes goofy predicaments that are the result of their famous curiosity. Then, they step into the garden…

A Closer Look At Basket Weaving – From the new book Willow Creek History, by Marcia Penner Freedman, a chapter explores the Mono tradition of basket weaving (p 33). The chapter begins with a quotation from Gaylen Lee’s book walking where we lived: I know that nothing ends, all of life goes on, they are still here, all of the ...