[Scpg] seed savers? traders? in Santa Barbara/goleta

[Darla Sharp]

Hi,

Relatively new to the list here - been reading for a couple months now. 
I recently (April 2002) moved from the SB County area (near Lane 
Farms/Magnolia Center) to the end of Goleta, in a designated rural area 
of ~150 homes, all 1 acre lots. We are the 9th (!!) owner of the 
property and there have been a lot of mishmash type yard occurences 
since the place was built in 1963. Most notably, the awful mass 
plantings of bermuda sod with green mesh plastic backing (argh, keeps 
showing up in my compost heap). We abut an open (undeveloped, but with 
very few native plants thriving) 20 acre space so naturally every weed 
happily living there blows right into my yard! I've been pretty much 
working on the yard non-stop since last April and am now coming up for a 
little bit of air.

I had the following questions for list readers out there:

1. Mulch: I have a couple of (hopeful) sources for getting some free 
mulch delivered, but I am stalling because I am worried I won't know 
what types of trees/brush to say yes to - for instance, are oaks too 
acidy? pepper trees too? walnut trees? eucalyptus? Is there a preferred 
type (redwood I'm sure, but I don't know that will be available to me)? 
Any information would be most helpful to me. Thank you!!

2. Are there any groups locally that exchange seeds? I'm interested in 
vegetable/fruit seeds, but I am also interested in a few different 
exotics that do well here.

3. Has anyone on the list built a smaller sized chicken tractor? Coop 
plans? Also, how long does chicken manure need to age before it can be 
used? Should it be the green layer of a compost pile? (I am very new to 
composting, but loving the turning the pile part so far!)

Thank you in advance for any feedback and for taking time to read my 
email inquiry.

Best,
Darla Sharp

--------------------------------
Darla Sharp
Systems Group
ICESS, UCSB
http://www.icess.ucsb.edu
darla at icess.ucsb.edu