Subscriber Comments for
More Trees Than You Can Shake A Stick At

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 115666	2010-10-23 04:57 PM
I loved this article! I am new to edhat, so I am not familiar with the scope of your writing, but this travelogue is great, and I would definitely like to see more of these. Also, how about special botanical things to see in the area somewhat beyond the usual stops such as the best autumn leaves in this area, succulent gardens in the winter, or wildflowers in the spring. Regarding wildflowers, I never know the right weekend to go to the Santa Ynez Valley to see wildflowers. Another idea is Walter Thomkins-type articles of botanical spots in the Santa Barbara area. In case you did not live in SB 25+ years ago, he had a column in the News Press about the history of locations in the area kind of like History 101 in the Independent only better. Definitely keep writing!
COMMENT 115670	2010-10-23 05:23 PM
Mitzie....Welcome....It's great fun and diverse and Billy's going to love you. I agree we need more on Walter Thomkins and how Santa Barbara began. I love his books and the history...
COMMENT 115677	2010-10-23 05:48 PM
Great article. Thank you. Have you visited a favourite of mine, the Huntington Gardens in San Marino? Also Fern Dell in Griffith Park can be an interesting walk through. Yes, after a visit to San Diego and L.A. we too are always glad to return to the peace of our home and the green landscape of Santa Barbara.
COMMENT 115705	2010-10-23 08:35 PM
Love the story, the art and landscape thing is sooo interesting to me at the moment. I'm trying to purchase a house and realize I'm choosing gardens instead. The first home had a wonderful garden but the bones of the house not so great. My second choice of home is terrific but I won't make an offer because the back yard is too shady (neighbors trees). Any advice for what to look for in landscape design? So far no one has incorporated sculpture and art into the landscape dang it. If they had, my offer would be on the table. What ever you choose to write about Billy has been great so far.
COMMENT 115724P	2010-10-23 11:05 PM
Ninja horticulture? How to sneak inexpensive, but appropriate and good plants into inhospitable environments in town. Those tiny little holes in the commercial sidewalks, or in the center median islands... Where to get vast quantities of wildflower seeds to sow beside the roads, and the right time and way to sow them. (Carpinteria did this with California poppies, according to a friend -- they gave away free bags of seeds to anyone willing to scatter them by the roadside or bike paths.) Even better, how to persuade local governments to plant fruit trees for street trees or areas like the Fairview onramp. Their homage to orchards is lovely, but would have been far lovelier if they'd actually planted a real lemon or walnut orchard. etc.
COMMENT 115732	2010-10-24 07:33 AM
I hate to admit it, but I love your scorching exposes of bad gardening practices. I just pray you never visit my neighborhood.
COMMENT 115677	2010-10-24 07:43 AM
In fairness to a landscape "slipping neighbourhood". When money is tight and jobs disintegrate the yard is the first to slip. Food and rent come first. That's reality.
SIMPLESIMON	2010-10-24 09:23 AM
Great article, Billy. Thank you. I didn't know about this "California Scenario". Looks like an awesome place to visit. Regarding your request for topics, how about introducing us to great landscape gardens like these? Also, the practical me says, split your articles to focus on one topic so that we can continue to get your wisdom weekly.
COMMENT 115761	2010-10-24 09:47 AM
This subject has probably already been done, however every time I park in the lots on Calle Real as I open my car door (practically) onto Natal Plum and Bougainvillea, which both have nasty thorns. I think who in the world had this idea? Just wondering.....
COMMENT 115771	2010-10-24 10:42 AM
Billy, I'm pretty new to this site so you may have done these, but here are ideas: the parking lot on Carrillo @ the freeway is a great place, cool and pretty. What are the trees? Someone mentioned ugly gardens are a result of the economy; seeds are cheap and you could explain about preping the soil. Composting with kitchen scraps, leaves, etc, cost nothing. Raising some veggies, even in a tiny space, is rewarding. Succulents are super easy and often friends could break off a branch or two to share, no cost. I enjoy your column!
SPARKEY	2010-10-24 10:32 PM
Love the photos and the info. Welcome Mitzie, edhat is a neat place to be.
BILLY GOODNICK	2010-10-25 09:46 AM
Your humble author, Billy Goodnick (alias Nicky Goodstix) here, having a Sally Field "You like me!" moment. There are some great suggestions above and I'm also getting some direct e-mails from readers. I'll keep compiling and respond en masse in my next column, then pick out the ones I can sink my teeth into the write about with as little effort and research as I can without insulting my readers. That's how it works around here. And all you mooks who read Edhat and don't subscribe -- I'd call you a bunch of leaches, but I like you, so I won't. But DOOOOO consider helping support this fun and valuable website with a few bucks. You're getting something for free and the rest of the readers are subsidizing you. Help if you can.
BONNER	2010-10-25 03:49 PM
I think it would have been nice if you included Goleta Valley Beautiful in the Arbor Day encouragements, as well as SBB. GVB has been adding 300 (I think, you'd have to check) trees a year to the GV and the volunteers always do Arbor Day presentations at local schools. We're lucky to have two fine organizations in our midst. What about articles that take you to a different nursery each week or whenever, and let readers know about them all, not just the fancy ones. Maybe you've already done this, not sure. Also Rare Fruit Tree guy out on western Cathedral Oaks, you know who I mean, can't think of his name right now. Don' forget all of us readers on the outskirts of Santa Barbara, we're your fans too!
COMMENT 116057	2010-10-25 03:59 PM
Billy I love to read your, ahem, "constructive criticism" column subjects. I don't think you should do them every week, though. However, as a thought for one of those types, I have 3 nearby neighbors who have lawns and over-water - I'm talking about watering everyday, and so much so that water runs down the gutter; lots of run-off which I think is wasteful. Maybe you could do a column explaining how much water is plenty, and ways to have a friendly discussion with a neighbor to help them change their ways? However - if you do come to these houses / my neighborhood, you don't get to point out all the bad stuff at my house. ;-) (As I told my hubby, it's not that we're doing anything "wrong," it's just that we're not doing much.)

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