Author Archives: Lou Murray, Ph.D.

Unknown's avatar

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.

Harvest and Planting Monday, Feb. 15, 2010

Spring is definitely here in southern California, and this has been a busy week in the garden with both harvesting and planting. Harvest for week ending Feb. 14 12 EGGS 2 leeks, 3 oz. 2 Meyer lemons, 8 oz. 4 navel … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Planting sunchokes and potatoes

Planting techniques for sunchokes (aka Jerusalem artichokes) and potatoes are similar. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day at the Fungus Festival

Our Valentine’s Day dinner included cultivated wild mushrooms from Hokto Kinoko Company, roasted leg of lamb from a locally raised animal, homemade chocolate truffles, and wine made by Vic’s sister and her husband. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What to do with eggs

Having our own hens means that we’ll be eating more eggs. Here are some of the ways in which we’ll be using them, including a recipe for leek and mushroom quiche with potato crust. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A day in the life of this urban “farmer”

A day in the life of this urban farmer included cleaning out the chicken coop and composting before going to work at the Orange County Conservation Corps, where I teach conservation awareness and positive values to mainly Hispanic males, many of whom are gang members on probation. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Connecting rain barrels in series

Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, prevent runoff, and get chemical-free water for your garden. Here’s how to hook barrels in series to collect even more rainwater. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Harvest Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

The harvest from my small urban garden included 14 eggs this week, bestowed upon me by my three new hens. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Our first two eggs

Learn how to tell if an egg is fresh and where the tradition of eggs for Easter came from. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

This is Our Moment

Armchair activism on clean energy is really easy with this link to the Natural Resources Defense Council and their This Is Our Moment campaign. Take action on a clean energy bill now. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The first egg, the first egg!!!

One-time costs plus recurring costs result in a $1,000 chicken egg. But it was worth it to have fresh eggs in our own yard. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments