The Real Dirt

Imagine a library with thousands of books lining the shelves. Then imagine that instead of books, those shelves are filled with dried and mounted plant specimens. Such a systematic collection of dried plants is called an herbarium.

If we want to instill in our children a love of nature and raise a generation that will want to protect and preserve natural places, we need to get em hooked on birds. This is the wisdom behind many of the programs at Altacal Audubon, our local chapter of the non-profit Audubon Society.

In keeping with the Patrick Ranch Museum's mission to enhance people's understanding and appreciation of our community's rich agricultural heritage, a half-acre plot planted in heirloom almond varieties is situated between the Museum's entry road and the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden.

We know that we are losing wildlife habitat. We know that birds and pollinators are in trouble. The good news is that our home gardens can be part of the solution, by conserving water and protecting native wildlife through Altacal Audubon's Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program.

Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana O. Berg.) or Pineapple Guava is an evergreen subtropical shrub or small tree that produces an aromatic edible fruit with a somewhat pineapple flavored pulp.