Despite the seasonal changes, the warmth of southern California means we still have some summer fruits around, one of which are raspberries! Get them fresh at the farmer's markets around town, or choose a pick-your-own farm to visit and pick yourself a flat of fresh fruit! more ›

It's the third day of 80 degree-weather in Los Angeles and you may be feeling like we missed spring. Spring is planting time and that takes the right seeds. I've written about companies that offer really great product, but nothing is better than the experience of friends. Their favorites might be your favorites too. Seeing that there is no "Yelp" for backyard gardens, I rely on my cadre of gardeners, garden writers and twitter cohorts to aide my planting decisions for the 2011 Season. I've leaned over the virtual fence of the internet to ask for advice from my community of gardeners. I've asked a dozen of stellar plant geeks to share their favorites with you. more ›

If it happens, some are calling it the end of California's avocado dominance. The state's $300 million-a-year industry -- it brings the United States 90 percent of the nation's avocados, much of it from Southern California coastal areas -- has been facing competition from Peru since January. But competition is not what the industry is, at least, publicly fearing, it's what imported avocados can bring. more ›

Have you ever driven on the 23 in Ventura County (between Moorpark and Thousand Oaks) and seen all these goats walking the plank high up in the air? It makes for some fun visuals, but the owners of the land do so much more that's worth noting. more ›

Sometimes the best creativity comes with some boundaries. When you join one of the many local Community Support Agriculture (CSA) programs, you get a large amount of vegetables, often ones that are not part your staple. Radishes?! What the hell am I going to make out of these! more ›

The LADWP took notice of last week's "Comment of the Week" about breaking city water conservation rules in order to sustainably grow your own veggies. They say it's doable, so take listen up, says spokesman Brooks Baker in an e-mail: more ›

Authorities in Santa Barbara County have confirmed that a wildfire which has currently scorched over 75,000 acres was set within a Mexican drug operation's cooking area, according to LA Now. The blaze began on the pot farm, and it's believed "the assailants are still in the forest area trying leave the forest by foot," as the fire rages uncontrolled. The "La Brea fire" started on August 8th, but is only at about 25% contained right now. Although firefighters are working to deprive the blaze of new fuel to burn through, hot temperatures, low humidity, and difficult terrain have made this battle a challenge. Over two hundred homes remain on evacuation. more ›

There's Erik and Kelley Knuzten with their homegrown revolution in Silver Lake. There's also Silver Lake Farms. Over in Torrance, a woman named Judi Gerber writes the LA Farm Girl blog about urban, local and sustainable farming and gardening, local food, victory and community gardens . Out in South Pasadena, there's the Urban Homestead. And today we learn of another large urban farming operation in Altadena. more ›

Just like in a recent episode of Weeds, deep within public lands are some major areas prime for cultivating marijuana. Yesterday, local and federal officials eradicated two sites, one in a state park and another on National Park land. Likely to be worth close to $10 million on the street, 2,088 marijuana plants were found in Malibu Creek State Park and another 1421 in Zuma Canyon. more ›

"Boycott Forever 21" a sign read at a small protest of around 30 people gathered last Saturday outside the Pasadena location of Forever 21. At issue is the former land of the South Central farm, which was a community farm that was evicted and moved to the San Joaquin Valley, of all places. A Forever 21 distribution center will be the new occupant, once the site is developed. "We're asking for Forever 21 to return the land to the community," a young protester of the Never Forever 21 Coalition told CurbedLA. "It could be turned into a park, for instance." CurbedLA was there to catch the action and a video. more ›

A reader excitedly e-mails over that he's spotted Broguiere's Farm Fresh Daily egg nog with the face of California's cheerleader, Huell Howser, illustrated on the bottle. more ›

Tucked secretly away amongst residential condos and too-snug street parking sits The Schindler House, a small artistic enclave that is part of the larger Mak Center. The unobtrusive works of modern beauty blend seamlessly with the grass and garden that occupy a worthy portion of the smallish plot. And perhaps it is here, on the oblong lawn as the sun sets over consistently progressive West Hollywood, that films like The Garden truly deserve to be screened. more ›

Marilyn Hall Patel, a U.S. District Judge in San Francisco, prohibited the American Egg Board (AEB) from spending $3 million in federal advertising dollars to put a stop to Proposition 2, a November ballot initiative that will give more humane treatment to farm animals (basically, it will let them move freely, be able to extend their legs in cages). The AEB is "funded by a national legislative checkoff" and "the board is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture," according to its website. With that said, Judge Patel ruled against the Egg Board because it violates federal law for them to spend funds " "for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action." more ›

For almost a year now, a small corner storefront near Sunset and Vine has taunted neighbors and office workers as they pass by. "Coming Soon!" the sign reads at The Farmer's Kitchen, a Selma Ave./Morningside Ct. space owned by the non-profit Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles. When it finally opens (which they hope could be in a year, construction just started) it will be a permanent extension of the Hollywood Farmers' Market and hold cooking classes while being a neighborhood "farm fresh" cafe with an emphasis on assistance and nutrition education to the low-income population. more ›