Many thanks to Claire Harper and Allison Mitchell from Riviera Orange County for talking gardening with Ashley for the May 2021 issue. "Environmental stewardship is at the very heart of our gardening philosophy at Heirloom Potager. From organic seed selections to understanding what goes into soil mixes, our goal is to nurture confidence in our clients that they ca grow delicious, healthy food without the need for synthetic intervention."
It takes a conscious effort and a bit of work to make a better tomorrow. As consumers, we have the opportunity to vote every day with our dollars. We can choose to support small business owners and makers; buy from companies that do more than pad their bottom lines; and we can find ways to shorten supply chains. Learn more about the steps Heirloom Potager is taking to earn our B Corp certification.
"Owner Ashley Irene's showcase garden is on the property of a 1920s French Tudor home in Santa Ana's historic Floral Park. Ashley's advice: Grow things that you really love and want to eat, and write down your experience as you go. We give all of our clients a garden journal and encourage them to take meticulous notes. This month, I recommend planting avocado, carrots, melons, summer squash, watermelon, arugula, lavender, sage, and tomatoes."
Chef Michael Reed and his wife and co-owner, Kwini, brought on Ashley Irene, founder of Heirloom Potager in Santa Ana, to create and maintain a culinary garden. During a recent visit, she showed off planter boxes filled with herbs, edible flowers and vegetables: Hatch chilies, calendula, cherry tomatoes, French beans, summer squash, sorrel, black basil and a lot more including Mexican lime, Meyer Lemon and kumquat trees.
Spring is officially here which means it's time to plant the summer garden! Evening temperatures are warm enough to move all your seedlings into the garden. With your young warm season plants in the ground, start planning for succession sowing and stocking up on worm castings to make compost tea and feed your soil. Tomatoes, squash, and peppers can be hungry feeders. Check out our suggested flower companion planting guide this month to bring happy pollinators to your garden.
Save the Date: May 1, 2020 | 11am-3pm If you've ever wanted to get the best gift for the maternal figures in your life, you don't want to miss this one-day pop-up sale in Floral Park. Kathy Skilton of Passport, Please, Chef Mila Payne, and Heirloom Potager are providing a one-stop shop to stock up on the most unique and heartwarming gifts.
"It's key Irene keeps her showcase garden outside her 1926 French Tudor style home in Santa Ana's Floral Park neighborhood looking good. It was her calling card when she started the business last June, and remains one of her best forms of marketing as she seeks to build her upstart company."
Spring is officially here which means it's time to plant the summer garden! All your summer favorites should be started from seed and transplanted into the garden. Hopefully you've started some tomato seeds already and have hardened off your transplants! If you haven't, stop over to a local nursery to pick up some warm season crops and start planning for succession sowing and amending your garden soil. Check out our suggested flower companion planting guide this month to bring happy pollinators to your garden. Check out the Orange County CA April planting guide.
Enjoy this hearty and healthy breakfast hash served with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and kale. This is a treat for one or an easy dish for brunch. Serve with your favorite style of eggs and enjoy!
With spring days away, it's time to start hardening off your spring transplants, planning for succession sowing, and amending your garden soil. Check out our suggested flower companion planting guide this month. Heirloom Potager will be installing some new gardens for residential clients and starting some commercial design projects. Check out the Orange County CA March planting guide.