Pasadena Housewife

Andrea’s orchid

Oct 1st, 2008 by Jill

One of Andrea’s orchids.

Sep 30th, 2008 by Jill

Sep 30th, 2008 by Jill

Sep 30th, 2008 by Jill

(Photo by me)

(Photo by Gavin)

(Photo by Gavin)

(Photo by Gavin)

Two cameras, one Billings Farm cow.

Sep 30th, 2008 by Jill

This summer we visited Billings Farm in Vermont. My favorite part was the farm house kitchen.

Those open bins are for flour and sugar. I love the open wood shelves and the metal, earthenware and wood tools and bowls.

Herbs were hung up to dry over the firewood bin.

Houseplants were arranged in a copper tray filled with stones under a window.

Between the windows was a metal-lined sink on wooden legs.

Here is a close-up of the faucet.

And of course there was a wood-burning stove.

Sep 30th, 2008 by Jill

Jul 3rd, 2008 by Jill

Ollas are unglazed clay jars with wide bodies and thin necks.

They help conserve water in the garden. I learned about them from the Dervaes family here in Pasadena. They sell them in their online store.

You bury the ollas in dirt up to their necks.

Then you fill them up with water. The water slowly seeps out directly into the soil.

I found a rock that exactly fits the top of this olla to help keep mosquitoes and curious wasps out.

I’m just starting out with ollas, but for more information about their history and use, check out these resources from the Dervaes family:

Little Homestead in the City: Using Ollas – An article about ollas and a series of photos showing ollas going into the ground and in use.
Little Homestead in the City: Ollas – Olla instructions and F.A.Q.s.
YouTube: Path to Freedom – Water Wise gardening – A video showing how to install and plant around an olla.
Peddler’s Wagon: Olla – Ollas for sale in the Dervaes family’s online store.