Author Archives: Lou Murray, Ph.D.

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About Lou Murray, Ph.D.

I'm a retired medical researcher, retired professional writer/photographer, avid gardener, and active environmentalist living in southern California. I wrote a weekly newspaper column on environmental topics in the Huntington Beach Independent for many years. I also supervised environmental restoration projects and taught at the Orange County Conservation Corps before retiring in the summer of 2016. This blog chronicles my efforts to live a green life growing as much food as possible for my husband and myself on a 4,500 sq ft yard that is covered mainly by house, garage, driveway, and sidewalks. I am also dedicated to combatting global climate change.

Home makeover during a wacky weather week

A garage sale on Oct. 9 2010 from 9-2 will be held at 9152 Kapaa Drive to benefit the Huntington Beach Community Garden. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday on the hottest day in LA history

Yesterday Sept 27 was the hottest day on record EVER for Los Angeles. Yet I still managed to harvest over 14 lbs of produce from my garden, plus 11 eggs from our hens. Continue reading

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Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

I visited the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific today. They have a great new exhibit on human population growth, global warming, and the effect on the ocean. Continue reading

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How long will the tomatoes hold out?

The garden is supplying us with a seemingly never ending supply of tomatoes, but the apples are gone already. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

My harvest this week totaled over 7 lbs, split evenly between fruits and vegetables, plus 8 eggs. The last of the citrus crop is in and the apples are nearly finished. Continue reading

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How to make guava jam

Here is a step-by-step guide to making jam out of pineapple guavas, with two recipes and photos. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday, Sept. 13 2010

I harvested over 11 lbs of produce this, including the first Fuji and Granny Smith apples and Russett potatoes of the year. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday Sept. 6 2010 (on Tuesday)

This week, we bought new Mission-style furniture that is being hand-built by Amish woodworkers in Indiana, and harvested over 6 lbs of produce plus 14 eggs from our tiny urban homestead. Continue reading

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Making every square inch count in the garden

I spent the first day of Labor Day weekend planting a bay laurel tree in a pot and planting my first strip of the season of melting sugar snow peas. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday, August 30, 2010

The late August harvest is slowing down, but I still got 7 pounds of fruits and vegetables and nine eggs from my southern California urban garden this week. Continue reading

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