Our Story (as far as gardening goes)

We live in Cupertino CA in the heart of Silicon Valley.

We started growing tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and herbs about 4 years ago. Our tomatoes went like gang busters the first year, with varied success in subsequent years.

We are planning to put in a chicken coop sometime this winter. And a bee post which is basically a 4x4 post with various diameter holes for non hiving bees to use.

After taking a class from Love Apple Farm, we decided to put in a winter garden this year.

In September we put in a border on our original planter against the back fence making it in effect a raised bed.

Today, I just finished the construction of two more raised bed planters, which i hope to put into place soon.

There are plenty of websites on making raised planter boxes, I modified plans I found on www.videojug.com, just search raised planter boxes. Our raised bed planters are constructed out of 2 x 12' rough hewn redwood, a nine foot 4 x 4 cut into 8, 11 1/4" lengths stabilizing the corners, all held together with 16 5 1/2 inch long 1/4 diameter lag screws.

Starting out

We are learning to grow our own food, but it is really more than that. It started about 3-4 years ago when I took a cheese and wine class, and heard the word terroir for the first time.

Canning classes at Happy Girl Kitchen were a huge inspiration.