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.

Harvest Monday on April 22, 2014

On a blistering hot Santa Ana wind day, I logged in a record harvest of over 20 lbs of produce. Continue reading

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Easter, 2014

We spent Easter with our young grandchildren. This year, we used natural dyes that we made ourselves to dye Easter eggs. What fun! Continue reading

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Harvest Monday (on Wednesday, April 21, 2014

Here is our harvest from last week, with a recipe plus photos for a delicious omelette. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday, April 14, 2014

Photos of what is in bloom in our southern California garden in April, including fruit trees, plus many fruit and vegetables nearing harvest. Continue reading

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Harvest Monday, March 31, 2014

Here is my Harvest Monday post, the first I’ve done in a LONG time, plus photographs of some of my produce that is ready to harvest. This week we harvested 2 lbs, 6 ounces of vegetables, and gathered 15 eggs from our hens. Continue reading

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Our yard as seen through a fisheye lens – March 29, 2014

Here are some unusual photos of our yard and garden, taken with my new fisheye camera lens. Continue reading

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What’s in bloom in February 2014 in my southern California garden

Here is what is growing and blooming in my southern California garden–fruits, vegetables, and flowers. And yet we use only 1/3 the amount of water used by the average Californian. Continue reading

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We got RAIN! And I saved it.

California is in a major drought. Here are some of the things that we are doing at our house to save water, including using rain barrels. Continue reading

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January 2014–heat and drought are wilting my southern California garden

Here is what is in bloom and what is ripening in my January Southern California garden. It is suffering in this heat wave and drought though. Continue reading

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November 2013 in the garden

Late autumn in my yard and garden in southern California this year is a mix of unseasonably hot days and fall foliage, plus an odd mix of summer vegetables that are hanging on, and winter citrus that is ripening. Continue reading

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