California Scrub Jay

Join me in the yard to watch more of our avian friends. This time we’re observing the  California scrub jays that gather around the water dishes (with the occasional squirrel).

California scrub jays (Aphelocoma californica) are members of the crow or Corvidae  family. They are native to western North America, ranging from southern British Columbia, throughout California, west to the Sierra Nevadas, and south to Baja. They are in shades of blue and gray with no head crest, distinguishing them from species like the Steller Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), which sport a head crest.

Scrub jays have moxie. They announce their intention to visit the water dish with lots of loud, brash squawking from a nearby tree or bush. Then, they frequently squawk all the way through their bath. The best defense may be a good offense.

Scrub Jays are loud, but you’ll see that they do share with other birds and critters. Enjoy time with our local wildlife.

 

Raised Bed Prep for Fall Greens

The raised bed had fallen into disuse over the past half decade. Earlier this year it was filled with roots from nearby shrubs, and dirt clods from long periods of drought. The irrigation system had been disrupted after we had the house repiped, and never brought back online. Our son built the raised bed years ago (see Building a Raised Garden Bed), and it has yielded some delicious, tender vegetables (see Vegetable Garden - Three Weeks, Adventures in Lettuce, and The Harvest). 

Water helps soften up the soil

Time for an overhaul! I used water to soften up the soil, and a shovel and clippers to expose and clean out the roots. I also used a small auger, typically used to plant bulbs, and a hand drill to "till" the soil and work in some fresh soil. The irrigation system still needs work, but we have a water source (and winter rains will be welcome).

A planting auger helps break up the soil

Finally the long and arduous process has paid off, and the raised bed is ready for fall greens! Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, late summer and fall are the perfect time to plant cool weather greens. I planted seeds for lettuce, chard, and spinach, and ordered more seeds from Renee's Garden for basil, dill, and parsley. 

Ready for fall planting

One hitch - Mr. Squirrel is busy harvesting acorns from the oak tree, and seems to think I prepared the garden bed just for him. He has no regard for tender vegetable shoots, only a mad drive to bury his winter supply of acorns!

Plants to Dye For: Wrap Up 2021

In this post I'm closing up my atelier for the season, and taking a look back at all our projects. I had a great time searching our residential property for potential plant dyes. Some of the results were a little disappointing, and not as dramatic as the madder, cochineal, and logwood dyes from last year. But overall I love the soft hues that the plant dyes produce. I had expected more brown dyes, and was surprised by so much yellow! Following is a wrap up of our Plants to Dye For season in 2021.

Dye projects (from left to right): camelia, tulip tree, French broom, calendula, cherries 

Projects and Videos

Dyeing fabric using plants growing in our own landscape, or planted from seed.

Dye Project: Camellia Petals

Dye Project: Tulip Tree

Dye Project: French Broom

Dye Project: Cherries

Dye Project: Calendula Flowers

Seeds to Dye For

Growing our own dye stuff from seeds.

Seeds to Dye For

July Check In

September Check In

November Check In

Dye Project: Calendula Flowers (solar)

Books and Articles

Great books and articles for learning more about plants and dyes.

How to Use Iron Powder (Ferrous Sulfate), provided by Botanical Colors

The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes, by Sasha Duerr

A Lesson About Dye Plants: Broom, by Catharine Ellis

Dye Flower Instructions: Creating and Using a Dyebath, provided by Botanical Colors

Kissed by the Sun: The Art of Solar Dyeing, by Ria Burns

The Beginners Guide to Solar Dyeing, by Victoria of La Creative Mama

Dye with Calendula, provided by Dyeing Crafts

Homemade Calendula Dye, provided by Mother Earth News

Resources

Favorite sources for plant dye supplies and information.

Maiwa Textiles: shop for dyes and extracts, and learn how to dye (The Maiwa Guide to Natural Dyes).

Dharma Trading Company: shop for dyes, extracts and supplies, and learn how to dye.

Amazon: shop for alum, Synthrapol, soda ash, washing soda, dyes, and gallon jars.

Botanical Colors: recommended for dyes, extracts and supplies.

Slow Fiber Studios: shop for dyes, extracts and supplies; events, classes, and more.

Renee's Garden: shop for seeds and growing supplies.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. To see what we did last year, see Plants to Dye For (2020): Wrap Up. Stay tuned for more dye projects in the seasons to come! 

Plant Aquarium: Hawthorn

Several hawthorn shrubs thrive in our lower yard here in the East Bay, serving alongside hollyleaf cherry shrubs as part of the thick high hedge that stands between the backyard and a busy street. The hawthorn foliage helps absorb traffic sounds, and its long thorns provide security. The shrub survives with almost no water, but starts looking parched by fall and ready for winter rain.

Hawthorn (look at those thorns!)

Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) is a thorny shrub that is native to northern and western North America, and grows in various habitats from forest to scrubland. Its form is a compact erect bushy shrub covered in fan-shaped green leaves with teeth along the margin. Thorns grow in right angles along the branches, and can be two inches long. Flowers are white with greenish centers and grow in bunches. The fruit is a dark red to purple berry. Leaves turn yellow or red, providing fall interest.

Hawthorn branches against the sky

The thicket provides protection and nourishment for local wildlife, and the flowers and berries attract birds and butterflies and insects. By day the shrubs bustle with nesting activity, and by night host a chorus of crickets. The hawthorn is an important part of our yard, and the "homegrown national park" envisioned by ecologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy (see Bringing Back the Natives).

 

Hawthorn berries

Learn More:

• Wikipedia
• Jepson eFlora
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Forest Services