Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, April-May 2008 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

8/9/2019 Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, April-May 2008 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

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MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS April - May 2008

GARDENING ON THE EDGEN E WSLE TTE R O F THE MO N TE R E Y B AY MASTE R GAR DE N E R S

Number 129 April / May 2008

Beneficial Insects: Ladybird BeetlesA Master Gardener Remembered

EpollsRead It and Weed

Perking Up Your GardenBud Burst

The Propane Weed Torch

UpdatesThe Sole of a GardenerBook Review: Garden Insects of North America

Photo Essay, San Francisco Flower Show 2008Favorite Succulents

Advanced Training & Volunteer OppsRelevant Internet Miscellany

Beneficial Insects: Ladybird Beetles Denise Weatherwax, MG08 Who has never recited Ladybug,adybug, fly away home? Almostnyone, whether a gardener or not,an easily recognize the common

garden insect known as a ladybug,ady beetle or ladybird beetle.

Many gardeners are aware that theadybug is a beneficial insect.

Despite its cute, colorfulppearance, it is a voracious

predator of harmful species such asphids, scale insects, and other sap

eeders. A single ladybug may eats many as 5,000 aphids in itsifetime.

Larvae of ladybugs are equallybeneficial predators. Adult femalesusually lay small clusters of eggsnear colonies of aphids, scalensects, or mealybugs. In two toive days, the larvae emerge.ometimes compared to alligators,he larvae have a ferocious appearance (and a healthy appetite).

Depending on the species, larvae grow from about 1 mm to 8mm in length. After 21 days the larva attaches itself by the

bdomen to a leaf or other surface to pupate; depending on theemperature (61F to 82F), new adults emerge in 2 to 8 days,ompleting the cycle. Under ideal conditions, several

generations may be produced.

n general, adult ladybugs are 1/16 to 3/8 of an inch long, dome-haped, either oval or convex in shape, and often shiny withhort legs and antennae. Wing covers are dark, either reddish-

orange to pale yellow, with or without black spots or irregularmarks. Some species are solid black or black with a red spot.

The head is concealed from above. Like many other brightly-olored insects, they are protected by an odorous, noxious fluidhat seeps out of their joints when the insects are disturbed.

Larvae are elongate, with long legs. Young larvae usually pierce

and suck the contents from prey, while adults and older lachew up and consume the enprey. For example, a larvaCoccinella Septem-punta (Sespotted Ladybug) can eat 50 taphids per day and may wandeto 40 feet in search of prey.

Several species of ladybugs occuthe Monterey Bay area, incluthe following:

Hyperaspistiny, shiny, black wseveral red, orange, or yellow son the back.

Rhyzobius lophanthaereddish and underside, and a grayish bdensely covered with tiny hIntroduced to California fAustralia in 1892 to control insects.

Coccinella septempuncta (SeSpotted Lady Beetle)red wing covers, three black spots

ith one spot spread over both wing covers, for a totaseven. Adults and larvae of this species prey on aphids other insects. Introduced from Europe for biological contraphids.

Chilocorus orbus (Twice-Stabbed Lady Beetle)shiny bith two red spots on its back, and reddish underneath. P

on scale insects.

Harmonia axyridis (Multicolored Asian Lady Beetlerelatively large, variably colored species; wing covers rfrom black to mustard; spots number zero to many. The mcommon U.S. form is mustard to red with 16 or more bl

spots. Introduced from Asia for biological pest control.The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) h

ider range of colors and spot numbers than other ladyspecies.

Adult Coccinella septempunctata,Seven-Spotted Lady Beetle


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April - May 2008 MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDEN2

Ladybugs can often be purchased at garden stores for use in thehome garden. However, according to the UC Integrated PestManagement website (IPM), conserving our resident naturalnemies is actually a more efficient and longer-lasting strategyhan buying and releasing beneficials in gardens andandscapes. Reasons are: released ladybugs may just fly away

home unless released in a greenhouse or similar enclosure;

lso, collected specimens native to other areas may be of lessvalue as predators than local species. In any case, once preybecomes scarce, adult ladybugs will move on, but providedhat some have reproduced in the garden, the larvae willemain and continue to search for more prey.

trategies for attracting and retaining ladybugs (and otherbeneficial insects) to a home garden include planting flowershat produce pollen and nectar (dill and yarrow, for example),earning to recognize different life-cycle stages, minimizing

dust, which interferes with their activity, by washing planturfaces, avoiding or minimizing use of broad-spectrumnsecticides and spraying a combination of whey and yeast

called wheast) on plants as an artificial food source.

f current levels of aphids or scales are intolerable, try oil oroap to reduce pests while still conserving beneficials.

No matter how it arrives, the ordinary ladybug is always awelcome resident when it chooses to fly away to make itshome in a garden.

ReferencesUniversity of California Davis, Statewide Integrated Pest Manage-ment Program (IPM) http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html

Cooperative extension of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateUniversity http://www.ext.vt.edu/

University of Kentucky College of Agriculturettp://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef105.asp

University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology &Division of Plant Industry http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/

The Ohio State University Extension Fact SheetHorticulture and Crop Science

ttp://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2002.html

U.S. Dept of Agriculture (USDA) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/br/lbeetle/

Photos: First page: Wikipedia commons; above: USDA site; all on right: Wikipedia)

The MulticoloredAsian Lady Beetle(Harmonia axyridis)has a wider range ofcolors and spotnumbers than otherladybug species.

Hippodamia overwintering en masseColorado Ladybugs, Colorado Springs, CO

Right: Pupal stageBelow: Larval stage

Left: Neoharmonia venustaBelow: Harmonia testudinaria


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A 1999 graduate of the Master Gardener program, LindaCaruthers joined the board in Nov. of 2000. In 2002 she

co-chaired the presidency, and subsequently becamepresident, serving in that capacity until November of2005. Her calm and focused approach to the office ofboard president reinforced the strong foundation of theMG program while charting some exciting new territoryand programs for the next decade. Linda's passion forgardening and for the MG program is evidenced by thehundreds of hours she spent successfully completing theduties of her office. Her compassionate and caringattitude for the people she interfaced with along the wayis her trademark and will not be forgotten by those whoworked with her. Thank you, Linda, for a job well done.

Martye Lumpkin, MG01 Linda Caruthers (MBMG class of 1999) died ofpancreatic cancer on March 13, 2008. During her last fewweeks, good friends were with her, and both the weatherand views from her bed were gorgeous. She was cared forby Hospice of Santa Cruz as well as 24-hour dailycaregivers so that she could remain at home. She hadtime to reminisce about such things as Russellsrestaurant in Long Beach, talk about mini-vacations, andher collection of daffodils which were in bloom. She wasknitting scarves from gorgeous yarns right to the end.

Earlier MG graduates will know Linda from her manyyears of services as chair of the fall garden tour, president,and finally as class coordinator.

Because Linda requested that there not be any services,she suggested that a contribution be made in her name toa National Trust site that had been a passion of Lindasfor many years. Their address is: Filoli, 86 Canada Road,Woodside, CA 94162. Please stipulate that thecontribution is to be used at the discretion of LucyTolmach, Director of Horticulture.

Claudia Sammis, MG99

A Master Gardener RememberedLinda Caruthers

Linda with Steve Tjosvold


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Epolls compiled by Sharon Ettinger, MG00

Whats the best advice you have for other

gardeners?

Cynthia Jordan, MG94

Never EVER think that one day your garden will be "done". Ift's done it's because you are deador no longer interested in

gardening. It will always be a work in progress. Enjoy it nomatter what state it is in. If you adopt this attitude you canwalk through your garden and see the beauty of it; otherwise,very visit to your garden will result in you creating a mentalist of "this or that needs to be done".

Al Derrick, MG95pend your time and money on your soil. A well-known gardenxpert visiting me, put his hand into one of my gardening bedsnd remarked, "ANYONE can garden in this soil". I chose tohink the remark was complimentary. My point is ANY soilan be made into GREAT garden soil if you put in the effort.

Leora Worthington, MG03Use Integrated Pest Management techniques for the safety ofhe complete environment of your garden. The critters, fromungi to insects to birds to moles, deserve considerationoo. Know what your plant's living requirements are and

diligently follow them. This makes them hardy and removesmajor unknowns when figuring out problems that may ariserom variable sources such as prolonged cold weather. Most ofll, enjoy your garden. Admire it when you look at it. That willdd life to it too.

Simon Stapleton, MG06Please yourself! It's your palette! Don't be afraid to fail!Challenge the "rules"!

Paul McCollum, MG04Build your soil and leave it better for the next person. Plant

over crops in some part of the garden each year. Keep wormsnd make ACT (Aerated Compost Tea) with the castings.

Practice nothing organic leaves the property - it is all hotomposted (or given to the worms) and left to mellow a few

months before using. Keep yearly records of your garden withpictures. Try different varieties and experiment. Plant

omething new each season. Share the bounty. Walk in thegarden every day if possible and observe. Sit or stand quietly inhe garden at different times of the day and give attention to allhe different life that exists. Plant flowers in the garden.

Appreciate the gift and blessing that God has given you.

Barbara Gordon, MG98Plan, go slow and be sure to have fun. Including others to workwith you and exchanging with them is GREAT.

Kathleen Sonntag, MG06Buy small plants and be patient. They are easier to plant andmore likely to do well.

Dee Dee Hanania, MG99To do a through prep such as installing gopher wire adding compost or healthy soil to start. Water seeds ofteget them started and be sure to plant at the appropriate tim

Pat Small

Keep trying!

Tom Karwin, MG99Stay ahead of garden maintenance by working for an houmore several days every week.

Jan Olafsson, MG01DO NOT TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY!It's all just a lesson learned.

Joan Halperin, MG04Sign up for the next MBMG class!

Whats your most tenacious weed?How do you attempt to get rid of it or live with it?

Do you have a favorite weed?

What do you like about it?

Christina Kriedt, MG06I have to say that at the top of my list of tenacious, haubiquitous, unwanted South African plants is Oxalis pes- caaka nodding wood sorrel or Bermuda buttercup. Such swinnocent names. Even as I complain about it, howevconfess that I find it to be a lovely, cheery plant and a ha

addition to an other

drab winter backyardfront yard, side yard....not dedicated enough toup the bulbs. "The genunot known to be subjecpests or diseases in garden..." (Du PlessisDuncan 1989).

As I consider it, though, Ithink I like its cousin less:O. corniculata, (green leavesor purple leaves - same

plant) a European nativeaccording to some sourcesbut of unknown originaccording to others. It isthat low creeper withexploding seeds. Theroots are fibrous and Ihave a hard timeremoving them.

Then there is the nasty exploding hairy bittercress, Cardahirsuta, a member of the mustard family; I find it growin

Oxalis corniculata


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more places every year.Ieally don't like that

one - it invades mypotted plantings.

Medicago polymorpha, orburclover, is prob-ematic because of the

burs. I pull it out asoon as I see it.

My most interestingweed is cleavers orGalium aparine. It sticks to everything but it makes a fabulousymph system tonic according to my research. Catchweed,

bedstraw, cleavers, stickywilly: "A weak-stemmed recliningplant with backward-hooked bristles on stems and leaves and

lusters of 1-3 (usually 2) very small white flowers on stalksising from whorled leaf axils. The common name is

ppropriate since the bristles cause the stems, leaves and fruitso cleave to clothes and the fur of animals. The fact that geeseat the plants accounts for the other common name. The plantsre also known as bedstraws since the pleasant smelling foliage

of a yellow-flowered species (G. verum) was used to stuffmattresses in medieval times." I didnt find Galium in the UCdatabase....

tolerate dandelions because the children love to make wisheson the fairies. Welcome to my world.

Carol Kaplan, MG01Oxalis! It is everywhere. I patiently pull it up, clump by

lump. It seems to multiply from one year to the next. At leasthe flowers are cheerful.

Al Derrick, MG95Yellow Nutsedge is byar our worst weed. I

doubt it is possible toliminate it entirely.

Recognizing it while its still tiny and digging it

out is about all that canbe done when it is in an

stablished planting.Herbicides are effective

only on the plant itself and leaves the tubers undergrounestablish new plants. Our most time consuming pest hethe Giant Himalayan Blackberry which has escaped into mof rural California.

Dee Dee Hanania, MG99My most tenacious weed is probably Malva. Using a shovelnew tool a fellow gardener gave me that has a short handlea very sharp blade works wonders. My favorites are ClarkCalifornia poppy.

Paula Anthony, MG06My most tenacious weed,after foxtails, has to beCalifornia burclover. Thisyear I've been home a lotand try to go out and pull afew everyday. Much easierwhen the grounds wetand the burs haven't

formed yet. Hopefully,next year there will befewer.

Alicia Molina, MGPurslane, also know

erdolagas in SpanIt is actually high

itamin C and Hispanic culture cit as a vegetable. made peace with i

feeding it to my potbpigs. They love it!

Melita Israel, MG95Weeds are growing compost. Just cut and let it hapI like the pimpernel, both red and blue, that pop up in garden.

I eat nettles, which are tastierthan spinach. Just use gloves topull and clean. (Wonder how theI n d ia n s pic ke d n e t t l e s ? )Microwave like a fresh veggie.

When we cleared the orchard, Ifound spurge everywhere. Justletting the grasses grow took careof the spurge. Also, dust devilsdeveloped with no vegetation tohold the soil.

I have a book, Weed-Control WithoutPoisons by Charles Walters Jr., thatwill tell you what fertilizer

Bittercress - Cardamine hirsuta

BurcloverMedicago polymorpha

Galium

Taraxacum

Yellow Nutsedge tubersCyperus sp.

Portulaca - Purslanegrown as a vegetable

Spotted SpurgeEuphorbia maculata


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lements are in the soil by the weeds that grow. In it he asks,What are the weeds telling us? For example, he says. "Thatoils must have enough calcium to manage the aluminum in theoil. This will take care of quack grass " The author's book isull of humorous sayings.

An area of my garden where I usually do little gardening wasull of European grass weeds. They grew in the spring and set

up dry grasses, making a fire hazard and seeds that makeveterinarians rich withheir foxtails. Here I

planted a succulent,which the former ownerhad established in theyard 30 years ago. I wasble to stop mowing the

grass and it has died outby my planting many

p r i g s o f t h i succulent. Just breaking

off a stem of thisucculent and putting itn the ground is all that'sequired. In fact it will grow without planting it. It grows tolow bush, filing a space of about 1-2 ft wide and high. I'm not

ure of the name. Maybe it's called Mexican confusum. Itsleshy leaves usually carry the plant through drought. Last year

with so little rain there was much dieback. It produces yellowlowers every spring and stays green the rest of the year and it'soming back just great.

Claudia Boulton, MG99ve lived in places where there were SERIOUS weeds, but here

s foggy Rio Del Mar, my nemesis is Oxalis pes-caprae. So lovelyn late winter, with its innocent-looking yellow flowers, soNVASIVE, a real pest. I'm not sure whether it actually shootsts seeds, as is rumored, but the rapidity with which it spreads

would lead one to think so. I flame it when very small or pull itup when the soil is very wet. I've become so obsessed with ithat I can't resist pulling the flowers off (so seeds don't set?)

when I'm out walking the dogs in the neighborhood.

Sharon Tyler, MG04My favorite weed, like my favorite plants, changes with theeasons. My current target for removal is vetch. It looks

nnocently beautiful with its purple flowers and delicateeaves, but it soon twines around and strangles all other plantsnear it. Vetch develops seedpods very quickly so unless I amttentive at carefully removing it by hand, including all theender roots, I lose ground to its tenaciousness This weed,

when pulled, easily separates from its roots, which re-growmmediately.

m always aggressively after all forms of thistle, using a handpick and heavily gloved hands to remove the roots.

Another pesky varmint is groundsel. Very early to flower, theyellow petals quickly turn to seeds that spread by catching a

breeze. These weeds sprout easily, and I'm sure I'll never kup with them. The roots release easily if I catch them in dsoil.

The spreading stems of burclover help to spot their lyellow flowers, which soon turn into sharp spiny burs. Troots can be removed with a typical weeding tool.

Bindweed is annoying because itspreads by undergroundroots. It is almost impossible toremove by hand. Mostly, I try toremove the flowering stems, butthat takes a lot of vigilance.

My yard is so covered withvarious kinds of filaree that Ican only remove them fromareas where other desirableground covers will compete.

Some typical weeds arewelcome in my yard. TurkeyMullein has nice soft leaves, andpleases the birds, as do thevarieties of mustard. I let thesego wild. Butterflies also like the mustard.

I could go on, but it appears that so can all the weeds.

Tom Karwin, MG99I spent several hours weetoday, so I have multiple candidfor your list. I recognize the "u

suspects" at this point but I dknow their names.

I will nominate Cape Oxalis Bermuda Buttercup) as mtenacious. Its botanical namOxalis pes-caprae. AccordingSunset's Western Garden Problem S(1998), it was introduced fSouth Africa as an ornamental. Treference states, "To manage COxalis, you need to get rid ofbulbs." Good luck with that!

My approach has bto pull the plants bethey flower. I someplace that doin

ill stop the formaof bulbs. That msense to me, but stuff grows in profusion that I havbeen able to keep up

Sedum confusum (Photo: Sharon Ettinger)

Vetch

Vicia sativa

GroundselSenecio vulgaris

FilareeErodium

(Unless otherwise noted, all photos: Wik

or Christina K


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You can call any plant you dont want a weed, but that basicdefinition is a bit too idiosyncratic and vague to be very useful.You could add that a weed is a plant that pops up withoutbeing planted. Of course, it still has to be a plant you dontwant; otherwise, youd call it a volunteer, like the wildflowershat surprise you every spring years after sowing that packet of

wildflower mix.

But how do other people know which of your plants areweeds? For example, when I was a little girl, my mother wouldsk me to weed some little patch of yard now and then. At thisequest, I would suffer a pang of anxiety as I scrutinized the

plants before me, all of them green and thriving, and invariablysk, Which ones are the weeds? I soon learned that theurefire way to identify a weed was to look for any wayward

plant wandering outside my mothers evenly planted rows. Buthated to pull them; those weeds possessed the same

narchistic attraction I linked to coloring outside the lines ofoloring books.

To encourage reluctant weeders like me, you could hone yourdefinition by calling weeds useless interlopers, but beware.Picture dandelions in the lawn. You may prefer thosemonotonous monocots, but my tortoises prefer thedandelionsthose nutritious leaves and succulent flowersyum! Or what about miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)? Its

lso highly nutritious and a bona fide native plant to boot. Soyou might call them weeds, but somebody else might call themalad. In England, even stinging nettles are valued as importantood for wildlife and humans!

ince some people equate weeds with nonnative plants, letsonsider exotics versus natives. As with the currentmmigration debate, people can get pretty passionate abouthis topicand if you dont believe theres a connection, check

out American Perceptions of Immigrant and Invasive Species: Strangersn the Land, by Peter Coates (2007 University of California

Press; see http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10682.php).For instance, take eucalyptus (no joke). Some Californians justhate them while others cant imagine California without them.Are they weeds? You decide. In any case, the Monarchbutterflies love them. Ironically, three Australian pests haveinally tracked down their elusive hosts in California, so our

ucalyptus may wind up threatened themselves.Consider the following: Mesquite (Prosopis species), a toughnative that calls to mind the Southwest, sweetly scentedhoney, and summer barbecues, is taking over the AustralianOutback and is considered one of the worlds most worrisomenvasive species by the World Conservation Union. On the

other hand, the Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), seriouslyhreatened in its few remaining native stands, thrives in vast

plantations in New Zealand and Australia where it is grownor lumber, squeezing out the native vegetation. Mche, orambs lettuce, is a weed in French wheat fields but a delicacyn Sunset recipes. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Many people worry about weeds because they tendoutcompete crops or garden plants or natives for nutrientslight. But it gets complicated. Some natives, like horsew(Conyza canadensis), are weeds in food crops that are not nalike soybeans. Which is the weed? It depends on whether are a farmer or an ecologist. In general, weeds have evolve

areas that mimic the disturbed environments humans exccreating through agricultural practices and constructioroads and buildings. Frequently burned and windswenvironments and areas of shifting soils like sand dunes, fplains, river banks, and deltas encourage plant adaptatthat are weedy: rapid reproduction and growth, hardy annumerous seeds, multiple generations within one growseason, underground or creeping stems, or chemicals retard or prevent growth of other nearby plants.

But what about evolution? Lets face it; we may not like webut they are evolutionary winners. Can we stop invasive natives? Its doubtful. In California, for instance, horsesallowed in many restrictive areas that dont allow dirt bikedogs, but they do far more ecological damage because tmanure contains millions and millions of weed seeds, ahave yet to see equestrians scooping up their mounts pBut some argue that weeds may not be so bad. J. L. HudSeedsman, who maintains a public access seed bank wherecan purchase an astounding assortment of seeds from arothe world, argues that weeds are just as important as oplants when it comes to preserving botanical diversity. Chout his fascinating website to learn more. (www.jlhudsonseeds.ne

In an age of global warming and massive eco-destructioseems prudent to treasure seeds and seed banks of any kAfter all, weeds are survivors that may in the end windpropping up their ungrateful fellow species, Homo sapiens. Tpotato famine. Agriculture has favored a few species at

Read It and Weed Sue Tarjan, MG06

Miners Lettuce,Claytonia perfoliata(Photo: C. Kriedt)

Stinging NettleUrtica Dioica

(Wikipedia )


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xpense of all others, but those few are susceptible to climatehange and other catastrophes. In the Andes, Peruvian potatoarmers are being forced further up their mountainsides to

protect their potatoes from the same blight that starved therish. There are similar sky islands in our mountain rangesSierra, White Mountains, etc.) that harbor species that exist

nowhere else. They will go extinct not from weeds but fromlimate change unless they are harvested from the wild,

propagated, and spread through the horticultural trade intoother ecological niches more favorable to them. Yes, some ofhem may become weeds, but biodiversity will be enhanced.

Think about the condors. If they hadnt been taken from thewild, they would have gone extinct, and their survival is stilldicey. The Endangered Species Act (1973) has fostered anunderstandable tendency to split genetic hairs to find uniqueor endangered species in order to protect endangeredcosystems, but the truth is that it is our ecosystems that arendangered. As climate change occurs, species that weonsider weeds now may emerge as ecological heroes in theuture, protecting and nurturing other species that might

otherwise perish. So just what is a weed? Your guess is as goods mine.

WeedicismsQuotegarden.com: http://www.quotegarden.com/weeds.htmlThinkexist.com: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/weed/Brainyquote.com: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/weed/

Some Online Resources for California GardenersEncycloweedia: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/

ncycloweedia_hp.htm Weed Photo Gallery: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/

weeds_common.htmlWeed Research and Information Center: http://wric.ucdavis.edu/California Weeds Online Store: http://www.calweeds.com/CalIPC Weeds of California: http://www.cal-ipc.org/resources/

ooksandcds/weedsofca.php

t is hard for me to imagine a morning without the wonderfulroma and taste of freshly ground coffee, frequently enhanced

with my favorite hot cocoa powdermight as well enjoy thebest of both worlds! The good news is that when they haveinished providing me with a hot drink, the grounds from myavorite fair trade organic coffee can keep on working. Theyan go into the garden compost bin or the worm bin OR theyan be mixed into your garden soil.

An eye-catching article proclaimed that coffee grounds spreadround vegetable and other snail-loving plants will kill thelimy pests. In addition, mixing the grounds with brokenggshells can be very effective. Some sources insist that it is

not the texture or taste of the grounds that is responsible foridding an area of snails, but that the caffeine is what getshem. Hence the suggestion that you spray very concentrated

offee (made from instant coffee) around susceptible plants

instead. I say, Why bother when you can just spreadgrounds around? If you dont drink coffee, most coffee sh(including the famous one with the green and white logothe one that started it all in Berkeley) have used grouavailable for gardenersand they are happy to recycle thCoffee companies even have information on their webabout adding coffee grounds to the soil! And you know the paper filters should be tossed in the compost pile a

with teabags where they will decompose quickly.

I have it on good authority that worms love coffee groundsprocess them in as little as three weeks. Adding them to

orm bin rather than directly into the garden is anooption, if you have a worm bin. They will improve the nitrolevel of your compost, if you prefer that method. The cautabout direct application in the garden are two: Spreadgrounds out or they will form a thick mat and can mold. Aa thin layer or work them into the soil.

In the end, I went to a definitive source, the Sunset SoilPlant Laboratory, Inc., Bellevue, WA to determine if and w

I should recycle my coffee grounds. There has been so minterest in this topic that the scientists at the Sunset labs dchemical analysis of coffee grounds. Here are the results:

Nitrogen: 2.28 percentPhosphorus: 0.06 percentPotassium: 0.6 percentAvailable nutrient levels: The pH or reaction of the cogrounds is considered slightly acidic and in a favorable rat 6.2 on the pH scale.

The primary water-soluble salts in this product are potassmagnesium, sodium and chloride. The potentially problemions in sodium and chloride are each sufficiently low as t

inconsequential in terms of creating problems for plants.There you have it. The grounds wont hurt anything in garden and can certainly improve soil nutrition and tilth, to

This is the best summary list I could find for the benefitusing coffee grounds in the garden (www.sustainableenterprises.co

Sprinkle around plants before rain or watering, and plants will have a source of slow-release nitrogen.

Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance. Cfilters and tea bags break down rapidly during composti

Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertiliUse about a half-pound can of wet grounds in a five-ga

bucket of water; let sit outdoors to achieve ambtemperature.Mix into soil for houseplants or new vegetable beds.Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggbarrier to repel pests.

If you are into vermi-posting, feed a little to your worms

Resourceshttp://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/qa/coffee-grounds-garden.ashttp://www.sustainableenterprises.com/Business/coffeefert.htmhttp://www.paghat.com/coffeeslugs.htmlhttp://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=793&bhcd2=1204604352http://www.sunset.com/sunset/garden/edible/article/0,20633,1208232,00.htm

Perking Up Your Garden Kathleen Sonntag, MG06


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saw a propane weed torch in action for the first time duringthe 2006 MG training class on Weeds and all I could thinkwas, Ive gotta get one of those. I dont know if it was thethrill of the flame action, the thought of complete and utter

weed destruction with a flick of the wrist, or the possibilitythat this could eliminate the temptation of using herbicides onweeds that refuse to die. (OK, I admit it was the flame action.)

Justifying the purchasetook a while. Most of mygardening is limited tocontainers so, other thanthe ubiquitous weeds inconcrete cracks manage-able by the boiling watertreatment, I didnt have a

pressing need for atorch. Fortunately, I amnow helping renovatetwo gardens from theground up providing mea legitimate reason tomerit the purchase.Besides, I hadnt givenmyself my own holidaypresent. It was time toshop.

started researching

propane torches online toind out what I was really

dealing with. For home landscape use there are two basictypes: a beefy torch that uses a five gallon propane tank and asmaller torch with less fire-power which uses a 14 oz. propanecylinder.

While each manufacturers information was easily available, Ihad trouble deciphering the customer reviews, which Isuspected were less than reliable. Nearly ALL products have acertain number of conflicting accounts in their customerreviews. Usually I go with the odds figuring there are somedefective items out there and hoping mine isnt going to be oneof them.

The customer review information for propane torches wasatypical in this regard. Most of what I read was fairly evenlysplit between works like a charm, to what a disap-pointment and a lot of sort of works but not as well as Iwanted reviews. It occurred to me there was a highprobability people might buy this tool expecting it to be thebe-all and end-all solution to weed control. If that was theexpectation, the inevitable reappearance of weeds poking theirittle heads through the soil might lead a person to think his or

her propane torch didnt live up to its promise, thus producing

an unfairly unfavorable review.

A posting to the MBMG Yahoo group soliciting reviews ffellow MGs proved much more helpful, not to mention mreliable. A MG knows there is no single method of wcontrol, and that a combination of good cultural practicegenerous layer of mulch and, inevitably, some hand-pullinthe necessary recipe for weed control. The MG also realthat sustainable gardening practices involve some amoun

work and upkeep in order to stay ahead of eopportunistic weeds. Bottom line: there is no silver bullethe weed eradication department. What I wanted to k

as if a propane weed torch was worth adding to my wcombatant methods.

The MBMG Yahoo grposting produced mmore responses thaexpected, plus a couprequests to report findings, which is wgenerated this article. H

are a couple of revhich helped me iden

useful features, strenand limitations, as weinformed me of other siderations Id not thought of:

I've been using Bernzomatic with gsuccess. It works greaoxalis and field bindw

two of my most pesty weeds. I've had great success wpopweed, too, because as you know, it can disperse swidely when it is touched. The Bernzomatic kills it hopefully scorches the seeds so they won't be viable (but not sure about that). Debra

I have one that is light and easy to hold and use, withigniting switch. [Note: this is the Bernzomatic.] It is quseful at this time of the year when weeds are small tender. Oxalis is one of my prime targets and it works

hen they are small and tender, but it often takes sevapplications. The same for weeds in cracks - sevapplications before the weed stops coming back. I have

found it useful with anything over 2-3 inches in height. I pabout $50. Canisters of propane are about $4-5 each hardware store. Claudia

I have a torch that I bought from Peaceful Valley Farm Supa few years ago (the inexpensive one that you use with a scanister.) I love it, although (I think) because it doesn't haregulator, it freezes up periodically (the propane gets very as it comes out), so I have to stop working after a few minto let it warm up. This happens a lot when I am in my cshady back yard in the winter seems to stay lit much lonin the sunshine. I use it to control weeds in the soil betwmy pavers. You don't want to let the weeds get too

The Propane Weed Torch Kari Olsen, MG06


10/21


because more weeds means more smoke, which is a bitunpleasant. In general, I like it. Patty

don't know the brand we have but we do find it somewhatuseful. It is not self-igniting weve had it for years. We findwe can only use it during the wet months we have pine treesand the needles will ignite underneath what you see and keepgoing. So a bit scary. But it works well on basic weeds. Like

most garden wonder items, it does well for some things butnot everything. But if you have oak trees or pines, be verycareful. The oak leaves and pine needles can ignite veryquickly. Robin

have a small Bernzomatic that I bought at OSH three or fouryears ago. I love it. It works best on small weeds that are justgetting started. For larger weeds it just takes forever to burnhem off, and then I need to go back over them several times ashey seem to re-emerge. It also works great to clean off the

BBQ grill. AND, I use it to "poof" off the spider webs from ourock walls, because it's much quicker and easier than sweep-

ng. The smell occasionally bothers me if I'm up wind fromwhat I'm burning. It takes a long time to go through a smallpropane can (you can get them quite inexpensively atCostco). I find that I can use mine for about an hour at a timebefore I get "stiff."

My sister has a larger one that she uses a propane tank withlike a gallon or so sized). She hauls the tank around in a

wagon. It destroys everything. She has a lot of Himalayanblackberry vines where she is and it just totally "torches" themight out of existence. Mary Alice

After reading this advice, I narrowed the field down to two

ikely candidates: the Weed Dragon Torch Kit and theBernzomatic Blaze Away. The Weed Dragon uses a five gallonpropane tank which requires a dolly to move it (soldeparately, of course) upping the price considerably. The torch

has a fuel regulator that helps it run consistently and the 10hose gives a decent diameter in which to work. Mostmpressively, the 100,000 BTUs must pack a punch if it canorch Himalayan blackberry vines out of existence. The facthat the Weed Dragons five gallon tank is refillable eliminates

having to needlessly throw away the used propane canisters isalso a plus. A couple of cons in terms of my intended uses: itdoes not have the self-igniting feature and, more importantly, I

know if Im going to have to haul around a heavy tank ratherhan just grab the torch, its less likely that I will actually put ito use. The Bernzomatic, which uses the disposable propane

cylinders, is much more portable just grab it, press the self-gniting switch and torch away! Drawbacks are less fire power20,000 BTUs) so some of the hard core weeds may win out inhe end, and using propane cylinders instead of a refillableank which does produce unnecessary waste.

The next task was choosing the model and figuring out if Icould buy it locally or if it had to be ordered. Like anythingelse, there are a multitude of online sources for ordering eithermode but when Im not sure what Im buying, I really prefer to

look it over in person. January isnt a month when gacenters are fully stocked so after a number of calls it was OSH that had one in stock and that was the BernzomOnce there, I naively wandered around in the gadepartment thinking I ould find it there; not so. I wthrough a couple of clerks who had no idea what I talking about but they finally found someone who did an

directed me to Aisle 17 which he referred to as the torch aOf course why didnt I think of that??

In the end I bought the Bernzomatic then and there at OWhile equipped with more firepower, the Weed Dragon wits five gallon tank seemed like overkill at this time and it certainly more money than I wanted to spend when I wacertain this was a product I would find useful or effectivethe MGs had reviewed the Bernzomatic favorably andportability and ease of use issue was the deciding factor.

Triumphantly bringing home my torch, I proudly showed ito my husband who clearly had some qualms over me u

anything involving fire without supervision. These suspicere probably confirmed when I asked how it worked, say

"So you just put on the propane canister and turn it on, rig"Nooooooo, FIRST you read the Instructions, THEN youon the propane canister and turn it on." Right.

Using my Bernzomatic torch is easy and, I have to admit, Ive found the self-igniting trigger start mechanism featurbe extremely handy. The torch is light with the propcylinder attached so its completely portable; walking betwseveral areas is no problem though I do tend to plan my roto avoid using up fuel (with all my experimenting Im stilmy first propane canister.) The best method is to use a s

Before and after aheat treatment


11/21


weeping motion just enough to boil the water in the leaves;no need to blast them until they blacken then youre justwasting fuel. A mere 24 hours after torch-treatment and whereonce stood a vigorous weed is now a wilted husk. As with allweed control methods, the key seems to be torching the weedswhen they are still small and accepting that repeat treatments

re sometimes required.

A word on a few specific weeds in my life. Clearly nothinghort of napalm is going to have an effect on Bermuda grass buthough the torch doesn't kill it outright (does anything?) iteems to slow down its growth until I can get to the handemoval I keep procrastinating. In other words, it buys meome time. My guess is that this would be the same fornything that spreads by runners. Evil popweeds succumb tohe torch with ease when they are small and tender but seem to

become more resilient as they grow. And definitely get to thembefore they start setting seeds; Im not yet sure if torching killshe popweed seed or simply helps to disperse it. Small oxalis

plants wilt away at the touch of the flame no need to wait 24hours to see that result. What Ive not determined with

ertainly is whether this actually kills the oxalis or just renewsts will to live. But unlike my relationship with Bermuda grass,ve long since decided Im not going to spend my gardening life

battling the yearly onset of oxalis; as far as Im concerned itspretty far down on the noxious weed list.

For my purposes, I am happy with my purchase of theBernzomatic torch. Im still learning what it can and cant dond it will take a full weed year to make a completevaluation of its effectiveness. It is possible that I may find a

heavier duty torch might have been a better investment long-erm, but for my needs now, the Bernzomatic is a good choice.

Besides, I can always upgrade. Who knows? Maybe Ill find Ineed two torches...All photos: Kari Olsen)

These are flowers of a large shrub (or small tree) that grows ingardens of the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose.

Can you identify it?Reply to: [email protected] - Subject line: mystery flo

Bud Burst

Candice McLaren is participating in Project Bud BursNational Phenology Network Field Campaign for Cit

Scientists.

The organization collects important climate change datthe timing of leafing and flowering, targeting native tree flower species across the country.

Candice sent these photos of the first bud bursts inWestside Santa Cruz yard. Below is a 4-in-1 apple: The rside bottom branch is a Golden Delicious, the one above (to burst) is a Fuji. Gala is top left and Braeburn is bottom

Left:Candice believesthis is an oldBarlett pear.It has lived in heryard for over 10years.All of it's buds

burst at once.

If you areinterested inlearning more,visithttp://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/index.html


12/21


UpdatesSmart Gardening Faire: Coming into Focus

Tom Karwin, MG99

The first day of summer, June 21 st, might seem a long way off,but when planning the Smart Gardening Faire for that day iteems very close.

The Faires planning group has been receiving earlypplications from exhibitors and we have signed up almost all

of our speakers. Were very pleased with the lineup so far, andwere holding one speaker slot for one more Big Name.

We continue to welcome new exhibitors who would supporthe Faires emphasis on sustainable gardening and landscaping.f you have suggestions, please send contact info to us. Wevelready invited last years exhibitors to return. Seemartgardening.org for lists of the 2007 exhibitors and the up-o-date list of exhibitors for 2008.

For this years Faire, we again will have speakers in the ScottsValley Senior Center and the community room in the Parks &Recreation building. Unfortunately, we wont be able to addhe Scotts Valley Community Center as a speakers venue this

year. We discovered that it had been reserved already for abirthday party. Weve learned that theres no such thing as tooarly for reserving popular spaces so we will reserve the

Center now for next year.

Other current tasks include arranging for vendors to providehealthy food, booking music combos to add to the ambiance ofhe day and scheduling garden-oriented entertainment for the

kids. Were confident that it will all come together!

At this writing, we are preparing to launch our publicityampaign and our sponsorship recruitment. Were makinginal changes in our sponsorship package and designing a newogo! Betsy Shea has planned our publicity campaign. This year

we will increase newspaper advertising, emails to local gardengroups and postings on smartgardening.org to publicize theFaire.

A major change in the Faire this year is its close workingelationship with the Water-Smart Garden Contest and the

Water-Smart Garden Tour. The Faire will serve as the pivotpoint between these two important events by hosting the

nnouncement of winners of the Contest and launching ticketales for the Tour. We are coordinating publicity and fund-aising for the three events, as well. The Contest, Faire and

Tour are becoming integrated into the MBMGs extendedampaign of education on sustainable gardening andandscaping.

This year the message is focused on water conservation. Thatocus surely will be important in future years as well, as

projected climate trends reduce our water supplies. We will allneed to learn to garden with less water and protect ourwatershed by replacing synthetic chemicals with compost andother organic materials.

The Monterey Bay areas water agencies see the Faire as a gehicle for encouraging public awareness of the need toater wisely in the garden and landscape. The distr

education priorities align well with the MBMGs missioinform home gardeners about research-based sustaingardening practices. Were pleased to be partnering with

Water Awareness Committees of Santa Cruz and MontCounties.

Contest & Tour Candice McLaren, MGProgress is being made on the 2008 Water-Smart GaContest (new) Smart Gardening Faire and Garden Tour. Ahours of meetings, emails and conversations, we have seen all our summer events are flowing into one great concept, twonderful projects! Our message will be clear: wconservation is our way of gardening on the Monterey Bay.

We expect to have our logo and new look to put onapplications that will be available on our website and allWater Agencies in early April. We are putting togethrequest for sponsors and Bonnie Pond will be asking

volunteers to start putting potential sponsor lists together.Already many of you have expressed interest in showingeither your gardens or ones that you have designed. I have heard of one that is still being designed and they want to eNEXT year! It will feature an underground water collecsystem and I can't wait to see it!

With our rainy season coming to an end soon, andgardening season starting, this summer will be anowater challenge. I hope that all of you will look for wayconserve water and become involved with our sumprojects. They are all going to be GREAT FUN!

Mark Your Calendar!

Smart Gardening FaireJune 21

Masters Garden TourAugust 9 - 10

California Statewide

Conference

September 24 - 26


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A heretofore unreported medical condition is affecting 12% ofoastal California home gardeners, report the American

Podiatric Research Institute League and the FarmersOrganized Outreach League. According to their article in theNovember 2007 issue of Foot and Ankle Journal, studies show

hat the feet of gardeners who stand on deeplyomposted beds for extended periods of time emit an unusualnd highly offensive odor. What is especially disconcerting ishat the intense odor develops whether or not the gardener

wears shoes while gardening. Researchers tested the feet ofhundreds of volunteers over a three-year period. The smell,hey say, is very similar to that of a skunk's defensive secretion,

or musk; however, washing with tomato paste or other tomatoproducts does not eradicateit, as on dogs and othermammals.

We are investigating thepossibility that whenmicroscopic soil nematodesin g e s t b a c t e r ia a n d emit ammonia, the ammoniamight accumulate in thesoles of these gardeners'feet, writes Dr. EymjoKingha, Nematologist, Dept.of Nematology at UC Davis.What is puzzling, is thatwe have never before seen

nematodes travel through these dense natural or synthetic

materials, such as those of which the soles of shoes are made.We are conducting tests with radioactively dyed Elaphonemamirabile to track its movement through various materials andmembranes. Nematodes are the most numerous multicellular

nimals on earth. A handful of soil can contain thousands ofhese simple roundworms, many of them parasites of insects,

plants or animals. There are nearly 20,000 species in thephylum Nemata.

Dr. Kingha continued to explain that they cannot saywhy gardening in non-composted soil does not have the sameffect. Nematodes prefer moist soil, so they may concentrate in

arger numbers in water-retentive composted soils than in soilswith less organic matter. Another conundrum: whats different about the feet or shoes of individual gardeners thatauses some to smell but not others?

Compost is rich in bioiodegraders' (organisms such asbacteria, fungi, earthworms, insects, and nematodes) that eathe organic material. Together with carbon sources (grasslippings and most food scraps), nitrogen sources (dead leaves,wigs and wood chips), and air and water, the biode-gradersre an essential component of the composting process. Theesulting mixture of decaying vegetation is considered byerious gardeners to be a critical ingredient for a thriving

garden. Smelly feet might be a small price to pay for a beaubountiful garden.

Actually, the researchers are not convinced that it is nematthat are causing the problem. They will be studying osuspects, particularly Actinomycetes (filamentous bacthat grow in damp and warm soil conditions and causepleasant woodsy 'rain' smell), earthworms, compost includes non- egetative ingredients (such as meat leftovand the diverse minerals that comprise our coastal soils. you're one of the hundreds of central coast gardeners whfeet smell like well, skunk, there could be hope for you s

April 1, 2008.

Footnote A remedy for generally smelly feet quoted from the Internet tybodywork called Jin Shin Jyutsu has a special ''flow'' that works for sm feet (when all else fails). It works! You can do this for either foot. your left little toe with the left hand (use thumb and any of the 1st 3 finand hold the sole of the same foot with your right fingers. To do the foot: Hold your right little toe with your right hand (same as above)hold the sole of the same foot with your left fingers. This is a bit awkfor you to do, so someone else can do this for you when facing you. I su20 minutes of this daily, alternating each foot, for a few weeks. This cdone while watching kids, TV, socializing, etc. if you are limber and

long pants. (http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/beauty/bodyodor.html)References:http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/jb_date.cgi?day=01&mon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/derbyshire/6545667.stm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_1,_2006

(All images: Wikipedia)

The Sole of a Gardener Christina Kriedt, MG06


14/21


Book Review:Garden Insects of North

America: The Ultimate Guide toBackyard Bugs Tom Karwin, MG99

Whitney Cranshaw(Princeton Univer-sity Press, 2004)

This fat bookpresents a wealth ofinteresting anduseful informationin the first couplechapters before itstarts cranking me-thodically throughthe facts and great

photos of specificinsects.

In the early pages,the author indicatesthe animals that thebook covers. Thebooks title clarifies

hat its about a specific subset of the insects of North America,nd Professor Cranshaw defines that subset in scientific terms.ts quite interesting, for those of us who find insect taxonomyascinating

Heres the abbreviated version.

The book is about phylum Arthropodainvertebrates withegmented bodiesand is mostly concerned with the class

Hexapoda, animals that we commonly call insects. Theirbodies are divided into three sections (head, thorax, andbdomen) and they have three pairs of legs (located on thehorax) and one pair of antennae.

Class Hexapoda includes fourteen orders of insects. Only oneof these orders, Hemiptera, includes true bugs, e.g., waterbugs and aphids.

ome members of five other classes of Arthropoda are included:Crustacea (pillbugs and sowbugs), Diplopoda (millipedes),Chilopoda (centipedes), Symphyla (symphylans whichesemble centipedes) and Arachnida (spiders).

Finally, the book also has information on slugs and snails,which are in class Gastropoda and phylum Mollusca. Theuthor calls them garden bugs, although they are not insects

or even Arthropoda.

The book devotes eight chapters to many categories of gardenpests, e.g., Leaf Chewers, each with a detailed but non-echnical discussion of many specific insects.

There is also one chapter on Beneficial Garden Arthropohich includes predators, parasites, pathogens (which are

arthropods), and pollinators.

The book does not list our current insecte nuisible, the LBrown Apple Moth, because its an exotic, not an insec

North American.When I encounter an unfamiliar insect in the garden, I likknow just what Ive got. I like to know its proper name,can refer to it correctly and perhaps look it up in this booanother reference work. There is a multitude of garden insso identification is never easy, but this book is a valuresource for both identification and control.

The book doesnt have a key identification system, but it haappendix that lists many garden plants with the nameinsects and mites that attack them in one way or anotheyou have a specimen of the insect, an example of the dama

has caused and genus or common name of the victimized pthis book could be helpful in identifying the culpriparticularly useful element for this purpose is the extencollection of color photographs of insects.

Garden Insects of North America would be a valuable referork in a gardeners library. Although its a formidable vol

of 656 pages, its an authoritative work and surprisiinexpensive (less than $20 through amazon.com).

As always, there is a wealth of related information onWorld Wide Web. Heres a sampling.

A Comprehensive Guide to Safe Biological Pest Control, by BuglogControl Systems. Lists common insect pests, with photos, winformation on biological controls for each one. Valuhttp://www.gardeninsects.com/index.asp.

Garden Insects and Pests, by Gardeners Network. Links to usinformation on web sites. http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/insect.

Featured Creatures, by University of Florida & FloDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Detdatabase of insects, searchable in several ways. Floridashumid climate supports some insects that we dont see inMonterey Bay area, but theres a good measure of com

experience as well. http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Beneficials in the Garden, by Galveston County (Texas) MGardeners. Im pleased to recommend this good workmaster gardeners in Texas. This website includes several sarticles on beneficials and a photo gallery of predaparasites, decomposers/recyclers, and pollinathttp://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials_in_the_garden.htm

Pests in the Garden, by Colorado State University. An excelebsite on the subject, with information organized u

multiple headings for convenient study.http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/pests.htm.


15/21


Photo Essay: San Francisco Flower Show 2008 Kari Olsen, MG0

Twenty-two full-size display gardens filled the Cow Palaceat the 2008 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.

Particularly noticeable this year was the generous number oftrees gracing the main garden pavilion, which adds to the

marvel that these garden displays areliterally created overnight.

Right: Set on a series of multilevel rock terraces, it was theplants in Life on the Edge that took center stage. At first

glance, the unusual and showy Mediterranean climate plantscaught plant-aholic's eye but as one moved through the garden,

it was the attention to detail, plant choices and design thatbecame apparent. The display was cohesive; by pairing

numerous specimen plants with more subtle succulents andother drought tolerant species, it created a vibrant, dynamic

space without being cluttered.Gold Award plus several additional Horticulture Awards.

Sponsored by Garden Design Magazine.Designed by Living Green Plantscape Design.

Constructed by Rock & Rose + Birkmyer.

The Water is Life garden reminds us that water IS lifeDecidedly aquatic, this display offered an opportunityto step into a refreshing space literally surrounded by

water, Visitors walked on boardwalks over quiet poolsas the soothing sounds of water gently poured over a 10high wall. Water-loving plants knit the garden together

creating a lush, tranquil oasis. Gold Award.Designed and constructed by Studio Replica, Inc.


16/21


Colorful recycled glass is the eye-catcher in TheJeweled Garden! Glass planters and a luminous glass"pool" with walkways throughout the garden create amagical space populated by glowing glass dragonflies

and striking sculptural trees. Crystal Award.Designed and constructed by DJ Curb Appeal.

Hot Springs of the Acropolis replicates a hillside hot spring

cascading over icy-blue aragonite and smithsonite rocks native Greece. Familiar Mediterranean climate plants surrounding thpools emphasize the similarity of climate between

California and Mediterranean countries.Bronze Award.

Designed and constructed by Goulart Designand French's Waterscapes.

Containers from around the World with Succulentsdemonstrates the versatility of succulents in different styles of

containers from Mexico, Asia, and Europe. Succulents areperfect low maintenance plants for small space gardening.

The Essence of the Tree shows how using maturetrees in container gardens allows us to enjoy theirgrace and elegance in our smaller, intimate spaces.


17/21


Garden Fantasia Container Gardens for City Livingdemonstrates the "full-garden" effect achieved by artfully

grouping attractive planters and dramatic plant combinationsin a small space. The plant choices selected in this display are

decidedly high impact and low maintenance.

Antique 17th, 18th, and 19th century pots from Spain providefocal points and accents in the Terra Aqua i Flamma

container display garden. Whether used on their own orplanted with succulents, citrus, or herbs, these unique pots

will stand out in any Mediterranean-style garden.

Favorite Succulents Paula Anthony, MG06

I love all succulents, mostly because they are so forgivingeasy to propagate. My favorites, Ive discovered sbecoming a MG, are Aeoniums. I attended an Aptos GarClub meeting one month with speaker Patrick Anderson

is an expert on succulents, lives in San Diego and broubeautiful slides of his garden. The best part was he brought cuttings that he passed out after the lecture!

I picked up one little Zwartkop and the fun began. Tcolor changes from almost black to green centers with dedges, depending if theyre in full sun, partial sun or shadethe end of summer they grow very tall and leggy. At this pin their life cycle they dont look very attractive in the groor a pot.

Then I discovered Beheading, from a wonderful book caDesigning With Succulents by Debra Lee Baldwin. You actu

cut off their heads with a sharp knife, severing the rosabout an inch below its base. Then place the rosette sheltered, shady area. In ten days or so the cut end will hcallused and sprouted roots. Pot in fresh soil. Ive also potted the cuttings immediately and they seem to do Next, watch what happens to the decapitated stem. Leain its original place, planted in the ground or a pot, and to it as when it was intact. New rosettes may grow fromor more leaf axils. When these are 2 or 3 inches in diamremove them and plant. This process works for Aeoniumsshowy hybridEcheverias (ruffled cabbages).

Ive had so much fun this winter watching the babemerge from the ugly decapitated stem, anxiously waitinthem to grow to be 2 or 3 inches so I can pluck them offcarefully place them on some dirt. I might be able to part wsome of them for the class raffle or MG plant sale, but Imsure. Ive got this crazy attachment

Aeonium flowers(Photo: C. Kriedt)


18/21


Volunteer Opportunities

Cooper Adobe Garden: workdays 10:00-noon on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of month. Contact Marcia Smullen, 626-3519. Oworkdays can be arranged.

Seaside Green Team Project: workdays every 3rd Saturday 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Contact Mary Wilson, [email protected], and ask to be placed on email reminder list.

Carmel Orchid Society: meets at 8:00 PM on the first Monday of each month, except May, September and December at: Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado Street, Monterey.

Santa Cruz Orchid Society: monthly meeting at Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz at 8:00 PM on the first Fridaach month. Orchid show and sale is in early February each year.

Monterey Bay Dahlia Society: meets second Friday of every month; 7:00 PM potluck dinner, 7:30 PM meeting. Simpkins SCenter, Community Room 979 - 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz

Monterey Bay Rose Society: meets the last Friday of the month at the Grange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Check the ite (http://www.montereybayrosesociety.org/) for guest speaker information.

Advanced Training OpportunitiesCheck websites for fee information

date day time class organization/website contact

Mar 28 Fri 7:00pm Striped Roses Monrerey BayRose Society

29 Sat 9:00 4:00pm Tending a Summer Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm Cynthia Sandbe

29 Sat 9:00 4:00pm Tending a Summer Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm Cynthia Sandbe

April 6 Sun 9:00 4:00pm Tending a Summer Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm Cynthia Sandbe

12 Sat 2:00pm sunset Peak of Season Wildflower Tour Fort Ord Public Lands CNPS

19 Sat 11:00 1:30pm Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve with Val Haley CNPS

19 Sat 11:00 1:00pm Keeping Chickens Love Apple Farm Cynthia Sandbe

20 Sun 9:00 4:00pm Fire Follower Hike - Henry Coe Park CA Native GardenFnd.

408-292-9993 [email protected]

20 Sun 10:00 4:00pm Going Native Garden Tour website

26-27 Sat-Sun

10:00 4:00pm 36th Annual Wildflower Show, Santa Clara website

26 Sat 10:00 noon Edible and Medicinal Native Plants of Delaveaga Park CNPS

May 3 Sat 11:00 1:30pm Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve with Val Haley CNPS

3 Sat Botanical Excursion to Clear Creek/San Benito Mountain CNPS

11 Sun 10:00 3:00pm Fort Ord Vernal Pool Flora and Fauna CNPS

17 Sat 11:00 1:30pm Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve CNPS

17 Sat Mysterious Monterey Manzanitas CNPS

24 Sat 10:00 4:00pm Edible and Medicinal Native Plants ofHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park

CNPS

30-31 Fri-Sat Conference: Climate Change and Your Backyard CCUH, UC Davis

June 16 Sat 11:00 1:00pm Designing Ca Native Gardens Native RevivalNursery

July 17 & 18 Thu-Fri

11:00 2:00pm Plant Problem - Diagnosis & Becoming a 1st Detector UC Davis

Sept 24-26 Wed-Fri

Statewide MG Conference Monterey Bay MGs

Mar2009

22-26 Sun-Thurs

International MG Conference, Las Vegas Nevada MGs of SouthernNevada

19 Sat 1:00 -- 3:00pm Wormshop Cabrillo College Karen Grobe427-3452

Advanced Training Opps: April and May Christina Kriedt, MG06

When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.

If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. ~ Author Unknown


19/21


Relevant Internet MiscellanyChristina Kriedt, MG06f you are fascinated by bugs, check out Bug Guide, aommunity of naturalists who enjoy learning about andharing their observations of insects, spiders, and other relatedreatures. They capture never-before-seen behaviors and have

photos of species that you won't find anywhere else on the

web. (http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740)Ladybugs cannot fly in temperatures below 55 F.

A gift from Europe, dandelion is a perennial that grows best inmoist areas in full sun; however, it can survive some shade anddry conditions once established. Dandelion grows year roundn California except in the coldest intermountain areas wheret is dormant during the winter. It produces a strong taproothat is capable of penetrating the soil to a depth of 10 to 15eet, but it is most commonly 6 to 18 inches deep. Buds growrom the uppermost area of the root, producing a crown thatan regenerate "new" plants even though the plant is cut off at

or below the soil surface. Sections of the root as short as 1 inchn length are also capable of producing new plants. Talk aboutdapting to your environment!

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7469.html)

Banana slugs aredetritivores (a fancyerm for decom-

pos e r s ) . T he yprocess leaves,nimal droppings,nd dead plant

material, and then

ecycle them intooil. They seem to

have a fondness formushrooms, andhey spread seedsnd spores when they eat. (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/anana_slug)

Oxalis pes-caprae:

It is endangered in South Africa (it's place of origin) wherepredators have decimated the genus. My personal solution:send them ours. (http://www.berkeleyhort.com/gardensuggestions/gs_jf04_sourgrass.html)

In the United States, O. pes-c. thrives in California, Arizonaand Florida.

Experts agree that the O. pes-caprae that is widespreadoutside South Africa does not produce viable seed. Instead,a pale-brown bulb produces a taproot during the rainyseason, inching out with a lateral runner that often popsup in the middle of another plant. As if the runner wasn'tenough, the bulb's taproot produces 10 to 20 bulblets forthe next season.

It has been spread around the world as a lovely orname-- and it has gotten out of hand. (No kidding!)

To mitigate the population in your garden, pull the taproot out when the soil is soft, grasping it just belowlevel. When it tries to come back in a weakened state

bulb trying to re-energize itself) pull again. Each ythere will be fewer and weaker plants to pull. This you might slow it down....

Another method is sheet mulching, smothering the wby using black fabric mulch or cardboard. On top of you add a thick (up to 8 inches) layer of woodchipleaves. The bad news is that sheet mulching could tayear or two to kill the plants.(http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20040207/ai_n14569and http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/0HOGIFO5GQ01.DTL&type=printable)

Some say that the best way to get rid of Cape Oxalis move.

If it rolls up when you poke it, it's a pillbug (faArmadillididae). If it doesn't, it's a sowbug. Isopods are insects; they belong to the class Crustacea, mainly maanimals with a calcareous exoskeleton and jointed appendlike crabs. In one California study, isopods ate whatever whand, living or dead plant (and fecal) material. (hcrawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/BugofMonth17.html

Visit Neary Lagoon on Sunday April 27, 11:00-1Well explore our urban wetland, learn about how

changed over time, and introduce you to the plants animals that call Neary Lagoon home. Meet promptly atNeary Lagoon Entrance at Chestnut Street. Bike racks metered parking nearby. Dress in layers, bring water and a Limited to 30 participants, pre- registration required. To up, call 420-6113. (http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pr/parksrec/fanathist.html) (Photos: C. Kriedt)


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Abelia grandifloraAbutilon spp.

Aechmea spp. & hybrids Allium schoenoprasum

Aloe veraAlstroemeriahybrids

Aquilegia spp.Borago officinalis

Brassica alboglabraBrugmansia spp.

Calendula officinalisCallistemon spp.

Camelia spp. & hybrids

Ceanothus spp. & hybridsCentrantus ruberChoisya ternata

Chrysanthemum spp.Citrus spp.

Citrus X limonClematis spp.Clivia miniata

Crocosmia crocosmiifloraCuphea hyssopifolia

Cyclamen spp.Cymbidium hybrids

Daphne odoraDietes iridioides (D. vegeta)

Digitalis spp.Dymondia margaretae

Echium fastuosum (E. candicans)Erigeron karvinskianusEschscholzia californica

Festuca californicaFragaria chiloensis

Freesia hybridsFremontadendron spp. & hybrids

Fuchsia hybridaGeranium spp.

Hebe spp. & hybridsHeuchera spp. & hybridsImpatiens spp. & hybrids

Iris - bearded hybridsIris - Pacific Coast hybrids

Iris X hollanica cultivars Jasminum polyanthum

Kniphofia uvaria

Lamium maculatumLavatera assurgentiflora

Lavendula spp.Leptospermum scoparium

Limonium spp.Lunaria annua

Malus domesticaMalus spp. & hybrids

Melaleuca alternifoliaMimulus spp.Muscari spp.Myosotis spp.

Narcissus spp. & hybrids

Oxalis spp.Paeonia suffruticosa

Passiflora spp.Pelargonium spp. Petunia hybridaPieris japonicaPrimula spp.

Prunus domesticaPrunus tomentosa

Prunus, subgenus Cerasus

Psoralea pinnataPyrus communis

Ranunculus asiaticusRhododendron spp. & hybr

Ribes spp.Rosa spp. & hybridsRosemarinus officinalis

Salvia leucanthaSenecio hybrids

Spiraea prunifoliaStrelitzia reginae

Sutera cordataThysanotis sp.

Tropaeolum majusTulipa spp. & hybrids

Vaccinium spp.Viola spp.

Westringia fruticosaWisteria spp.

Zantedeschia aethiopica

This list is exerpted from the Whats Bloomin database, which is based on observations made by Monterey Bay MasterGardeners in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The entire database is online at

http://www.montereybaymastergardeners.org. Please send your data to Annette Longuevan at [email protected].

Whats Blooming in Your Garden in April and May?

EDITOR Christina KriedtASSISTANT EDITORS Sharon Ettinger & Kathleen Sonntag

DESIGN/LAYOUT Christina Kriedt

G A R D E N I N G O N T H E E D G E Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

Hotline: 831-763-8007

CONTRIBUTORS

Candice McLarenChristina KriedtClaudia Sammis

Denise Weatherwax

Kathleen SonntagKari OlsenMartye Lumpkin

Paula Anthony

Sharon EttingerSimon StapletonSue Tarjan

Tom Karwin

Copyright 2008 MBMG. All rights reserved

STAFF

Bonnie PondCynthia JordanDenise Weatherwax

Kari OlsenPaul McCollumSimon Stapleton

Tanja RoosTom Karwin

Alstroemeria

Thank you to all theMonterey Bay Master Gardeners

who share their knowledge and advice in ourEpolls


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Visit Our Wonderful Sponsors !

Sierra Azul Nursery, Watsonville, http://www.sierraazul.com, 763-0939,

email: [email protected], Santa Cruz, http://www.lumbermens.net/store_locator/zSearch.asp?

ZipSearchSubmit=1&State=CA, 423-0223, email: [email protected]

The Garden Company, Santa Cruz, http://www.thegardenco.com/, 429-8424FezQ, Carmel Valley, 659-1268

Bokay, Salinas, http://www.bokaynursery.com/, 659-1268, email: [email protected]

Hidden Gardens, Aptos, 688-7011

Wild Rose Landscape Design, Aptos, 539-5841, [email protected]

Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, April-May 2008 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

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Transcript of Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, April-May 2008 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners