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The Digging ForkA Davis Garden Newsletter

September - October 2008

September October

Planting

see

plant notes

Perennials: everythingexcept frost tender plants-

trees, shrubs, primroses,Iceland poppies, pansies,snapdragons, stock, etc.

Cool season edibles:Good idea to shade transplants

artichokes, broccoli,cabbage, cauliflower,leeks, elephant garlic,lettuce, bulbing onionsstrawberries, alpinestrawberries

Cool season bulbs

Perennials: everything

except frost tender plants-(see September)

Cool season edibles:artichokes, broccoli,

bulbing onions, cabbage,garlic, shallots, leeks,elephant garlic, lettuce,strawberries, alpinestrawberries, cilantro,Swiss chard

Seedingdirectly

into the

garden

see

plant notes

Cool season annualsAmmi majus, larkspur,breadseed poppies, sweetpeas, forget-me-nots,cornflower, annual clarysage, red flowering flax

Cool season edibles:Good idea to shade seedlings

arugula, beets, broccoli,carrots, Florence fennel,kale, leeks, lettuce, dill,green onions, parsnip,

peas, radish, Swisschard, turnips

Cool season annualssee September, also CAwildflowers.

Cool season edibles:arugula, broccoli, beets,

carrots, cauliflower, fava beans, leeks, lettuce,miners lettuce, greenonions, parsnip, peas,radish, spinach, dillSwiss chard, turnips,cilantro

Fertilize Lawns and roses asneeded

Fertilizing in earlySeptember will help plantsgrow through the winter.

Cool season lawns asneeded

If you havent already, nowis a good time to add soilsulfur to citrus and otheracid loving plants andthose showing irondeficiencies.(will lower the pH of soil makingiron more available to plants. Mixsoil sulfur with top 6 of soil andwater well)

Pest &

Disease

Control

Tomato hornworms pick offSnails, slugs and earwigs

damage use baits or trapsAphids and whiteflies -can

spray off with water

See September.

Tasks Garden clean-up andmulching begins -- findspace for new plants

Weed control continuesDivide hardy perennials

Order perennial plants forfall planting. Order hardyannual seeds for directseeding.

Plant, plant, plant!!!

Continue garden clean-upand mulching, findingspace for new plants

Weed control continues

Divide hardy perennials

Planting continues!Renovate lawn

Water Continue watering asneeded. Make sure new

plantings have the waterthey need.

Same as September

broadleaf statice or sea lavender black-eyed Susan Goldsturm

Ceanothus shrub and California poppies

How to save water in our gardens.(Drought Tolerant and Low Water Plants)

Conserving water is on everyones mind nowadays.How can we reduce our garden water needs? Manygardeners are watering more than is necessary! A typical

Davis garden needs to be watered no more than once aweek, and most plants can easily go 2 weeks withoutwater. The incredible Storer Garden on the UCD campusis only watered every two weeks. Patricia and Marlenewater deeply, on average, about every 10 days during thesummer months and about every 3 weeks in the coolerspring and fall. Many factors contribute to water needsincluding soil type, whether the garden is on a slope orraised bed and if it is in the sun or shade.

Vegetable gardens are somewhat of an exception.Plants like tomatoes have 3-4 ft. deep roots but othercrops like lettuce and cucumbers have shallow roots. So

unless the vegetable garden is divided into differentwatering zones it typically needs to be watered every 4-7days.

Lawns do need water to look good. The amount ofwater needed is very dependent on the type of grass youhave and how well the roots are encouraged to growdeeply. Fescues are the most drought tolerant of the coolseason grasses, some needing a deep watering no morethan once a week during the summer. If runoff is a

problem due to compaction or a slope, water in two orthree short cycles, allowing the water to soak down to theroots between cycles.

The key to using less water:

Use of mulch to conserve moisture. At least 2-3 inchesis best, taking care to keep the mulch from touchingwoody stems. Compost, woodchips, shavings fromhorse barns and straw are all good mulches.

Deep and infrequent watering encourages the roots togrow deeper. When watering, about an inch of water(or more?) is needed to insure the water is penetrating6-8inches down to the roots. As the top of the soildries out, the roots go deeper looking for water. It is

best to start this watering schedule after the winterrains, not during the middle of summer. New plants,until established, will need extra water!

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Grouping plants based on their water needs. Droughttolerant, low water and thirsty garden plants shouldnotbe grouped together. Although this makes a lot ofsense, it isnt always that easy to do.

Plants that adapt to a Mediterranean climateDavis is part of an area in California that has a

Mediterranean climate. Only about 2% of the land massof the world enjoys this climate with long dry, hot

summers and mild, wet winters with little frost. OtherMediterranean climates include the Mediterranean basin,central Chile, South Africa and southwestern Australia.Here is a great map of these areas.http://www.grabovrat.com/mapsViews/mapsViews80.html

Many plants from Mediterranean Climates are droughttolerant or low water plants. A drought tolerant plantshould be able to live only on the rainfall it receivesduring a typical winter. In order to survive with nosummer water, the plant must go dormant in the summer,

be a cool season annual, or have some way to conserve orfind water. Long taproots help find water and also storemoisture and nutrients. Gray leaves are better at

reflecting heat and fuzzy leaves insulate and reflect light.It is easy to kill some drought tolerant plants with toomuch summer water. If we grow Mediterranean plants,(including the California natives) in our gardens, manydont look very nice during the summer months when wewant to enjoy our gardens. But once we get a good rain,they all start to perk up. It is really important toremember that not all California native plants are

drought tolerant!!!!!Many grow in riparian areas, in wetsoggy meadows, or along streams and need a prettyconstant supply of water.

Agastache Tutti Frutti basket-of-gold Island bush snapdragon

There are many, many low water plants that are happywith a deep watering about every 2 weeks. Sometimeslow water plants are labeled as those needing moderatewater. Most full sun plants sold at local nurseries can

be and will be low water plants if mulched and deepwatered. Besides Mediterranean plants, low water plantsfrom other parts of the world like Asia, Europe, Mexicoand New Zealand also do well in Davis.

Sunset Western Garden Book is a great resource forideas of drought tolerant and low water plants. Theyspecify plants needing little water as the more droughttolerant plants and moderate water for plants needingwater every 2-3 weeks. Another book that may be usefulis Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of theSan Francisco Bay Region. Remember that Davis isSunset Zone 14 which is useful information for both theabove books.

Plant notes!Here is more information about some plants mentioned in this newsletter.

Cool season annuals:See The Digging Fork September-October 2007 for ideas.

Best to plant seeds in the fall, but you will get another chance in theearly spring.

Drought Tolerant and Low Water Plants:Agastache Moderate water, perennial, good drainage, sun. Mostly

from SW United States and Mexico. Attract hummingbirds.

basket-of-goldAurinia saxitilis Moderate water, full to part sun,from Europe, Turkey. Needs good drainage. Perennial, 1 ft. tall.

black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm Moderate toregular water, from eastern United States, sun. Perennial, 2-3 ft. tall.

broadleaf statice, sea lavender Limonium platyphyllumModerate water, sun, from Europe. Cut flower. Perennial, 2-3 ft. tall.

California lilac Ceanothus Drought tolerant, CA native shrub.Some need summer dry and some tolerate summer water. Need gooddrainage.

coral bells Heuchera Moderate to regular water, perennial, 1-2 ft.tall, some are CA natives, part sun morning sun best.

Coreopsis Drought tolerant to moderate water, sun, perennial. Someself-sow.

globe thistle Echinops Moderate water, sun. Good cut flower.2-4 ft tall and tend to flop.

Island bush snapdragon Galvezia speciosaDrought tolerant

native to islands off the coast of southern CA. 3-4 ft. tall, needs gooddrainage, sun to pm shade.

Jerusalem sage Phlomis fruticosa Drought tolerant to moderatewater, sun, from the Mediterranean basin, 4 ft. tall perennial.

bluebeard Caryopteris Moderate water, sun, from Asia. Cutnearly to ground in winter. Woody, deciduous small shrub.

thrift Armeria maritima Drought tolerant to moderate water.Perennial, 1 ft. tall.

rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Drought tolerant to moderatewater, sun from the Mediterranean basin. Needs good drainage. Manycultivars available.

sea holly Eryngium amethystinum Moderate water, sun, from Italyand the Balkans. Good cut flower.

Cool season bulbs:See The Digging Fork

July-Aug. 2007 newsletter for

information about cool season bulbs to try. Dont worry if youdidnt order them, they are starting to appear in nurseries.

Ranunculus and anemone bulbs need to be planted now

but no later than the middle of October. They need timefor roots to form before the cold weather sets in. Dont forgetto water. Soak the tuberous roots of ranunculus for a few hoursand plant the points down. Anemone tubers should be soakedovernight before planting.

Most other bulbs are fine to plant in October and November

when you find some room to plant them.

Cool season vegetables and fruits:It is time to start a cool season vegetable garden!! Although the

weather is still hot, gardeners should be thinking about the peas,cabbages, lettuce and root crops that need to be planted soon.

Transplants and newly sprouted seeds benefit from shading from thehot afternoon sun. Many transplants are starting to appear innurseries. Root crops, however, are better direct seeded into thegarden as transplanting damages the root.

harvest of warm season vegetables cool season crop broccoli

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Local classes and workshopsCalifornia Native Plant Propagation Workshop

Sunday, September 14, come anytime between 10 amand 2 pm, $ 30 donation (to benefit Leukemia and

Lymphoma Society and Sacramento ValleyChapter of the California Native Plant Society)

Taught by Jennifer Hogan and held in PatriciaCarpenters native plant garden.

For information or to RSVP jen.hogan@wavecable.com

or (530) 661-3410

Gardening Skills Class Davis Adult SchoolMondays, September 22 to November 3, 6:30 8:30 pmPlus two Garden Visits to reinforce classroom learning:

Sunday, September 28, 3-5 pm andSunday, October 19, 12-4 pm (rain date is Oct. 26)

Taught by Patricia Carpenter and Marlene Simon $65Information www.djusd.k12.ca.us/AdultSchool 757-5380

Central Park Gardens -Master Gardener WorkshopsFall Vegetable Planting

Saturday, September 6, 9 10 amSelecting Plants for Year-Round Interest: Preparing

for the fall planting season

Saturday Sept. 6, 10:30 11:30 amMaking More Plants Divisions and Cuttings

Saturday, October 11, 9 10 amGrowing Wildflowers from Seed Collecting and

Preserving Your Own SeedsSaturday October 11, 10:30 11:30 am

Preparing for Winter in the GardenSaturday November 1, 9 10 am

Tool Care and SharpeningSaturday, November 1, 10:30 11:30 am

Free. Information http://www.centralparkgardens.org

City of Davis Worm and Garden CompostingFree compost bin by taking Davis Compost

Correspondence ClassInformation www.davisrecycling.org (530) 757-5686

Backyard and Worm Composting Workshop

Saturday, September 20, 9 11 amSaturday, November 8, 10 am 12 pm

Free workshops presented by Master Gardeners andheld at Woodland Community College

Information 530-666-8736http://ceyolo.ucdavis.edu/Gardening_and_Master_Gardening/

UCD Arboretum WorkshopGreat Plants for Central Valley GardensSaturday, September 27 9:30 am 12:30 pm$45 general/ $35 UCD Arboretum members

Advanced registration required. 530-752-4880 orarboretum@ucdavis.edu.

Master Gardeners Fall Gardening FestivalSaturday, October 18 9 am - 12 pm Cost: $5.00Held at Woodland Community CollegeInformation 530-666-8736http://ceyolo.ucdavis.edu/Gardening_and_Master_Gardening/

Ceanothus California Field Botanists AssociationNext Davis meeting September 27th (9:00am-12:00pm)Learn to key plants. Group meets about once a month

at UC Davis Center for Plant DiversityInformation www.ceanothusfieldbotanist.blogspot.com

Jerusalem sage globe thistle thrift

Plant sales and eventsPlant Sale and Garden Walk

Sunday, September 28 9 am to 2 pmPatricia Carpenters garden --36951 Russell Blvd., DavisFrances Andrews and Patricia have been propagating plants for

fall planting. Plant list will be sent to subscribers mid Sept.

UCD Arboretum34th Annual Plant Faire October 4

8 - 10 am member sale, 10 am - 3 pm public saleAt the new Arboretum Teaching Nursery

Arboretum on the Air Sunday, September 2811:05 a.m., KSTE Radio 650 AMUC Davis Arboretum Superintendent Warren Robertswill be chatting with host Fred Hoffman on the radiogardening show Get Growing with Farmer Fred

Also, lots of great talks and tours coming up!!For information www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu 530-752-4880

Three Palms Nursery Fall Plant SaleOctober 4-5 and 11-12 9am to 5pm 20% offRussell Blvd and Rd. 95A, 2.8 mi. west of Rd. 98Information www.3palmsnursery.com 756-8355

California Native Plant Society Plant SaleSaturday, September 20 9 am to 3 pm in SacramentoFor information www.SacValleyCNPS.org

Fall Plant Sales at The Gifted GardenerSeptember 15, October 6 and October 21 10 am to 3 pm

18th and J Streets, Sacramento. Sale benefits local charitiesFor information GardenNotes@sbcglobal.net

Davis Central Park Gardens Open HouseWednesday, October 1, 4:30 to 7:00 pm

Unveiling of a new sculpture, garden tours anddemonstrations, free seeds, tastings of vegetables freshfrom the garden, and children's garden activities.

For more information http://www.centralparkgardens.org

Friends of the Davis Library Book SaleOctober 3 (noon-7 pm), 4 (10 am-5 pm), 5(10 am-3 pm)Often good finds on gardening books! Info. 758-4754

Davis Garden ClubSeptember 22 7 to 9 pm Michael Covey speaking on

State of the Earth - Soil ImprovementOctober 27, 7-9 pm Annie Joseph speaking on Balance

in the Garden With Beneficial Insects.Eleanor Roosevelt Circle Community CenterFor information 222-3052 www.davisgardenclub.org

~ Garden Intern Needed ~For a few years now, Patricia has tried to have a paid intern or two.

The intern learns about plants, garden maintenance, composting,

irrigation, propagation, etc. and Patricia gets a bit of help in the

garden. Days and hours are flexible. If this sounds interesting to you,

send an email to Patricia.

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Organic GardeningThe word organic is commonplace today, but what

exactly is organic gardening, how is it achieved and whyis it so important? The definition of organic according tothe California Master Gardener Handbook is the use ofonly naturally derived materials and no syntheticsubstances. However, this idea in not new. Organicgardening began with Sir Albert Howard in India in the

early 1900s. Noticing diseases on neighboring farmswhich used artificial fertilizers, Howard gardenedcompletely with recycled materials from his farm andcomposted intensively to prevent such diseases. J. I.Rodale helped start the organic movement in the U.S.many years later.

When transitioning to organic practices, you may wantto try products that are listed with OMRI, which standsfor the Organic Material Review Institute.http://www.omri.org/ OMRI listed products areacceptable for organic production and processing and can

be use on USDA organic certified farms. Other productsmay be organically derived but not listed. There are also

numerous products out there that market with the keyword organic but may indeed not be.

Further confusing to some gardeners are the off shootsof organic gardening such as bio-dynamic, permacultureand sustainable gardening. Essentially, these share thesame organic methods and principals, but vary somewhatdepending on their founder.

Composting is key when creating a sustainableorganic garden. Use your own or purchased humuscompost to build a healthy soil which produces healthy

plants and will also limit use of fertilizer. Organic farmersfeed the soil not the plants. If fertilizer is used, there are

plenty of organic fertilizers to choose from.A major component of organic gardening is diversity.Create a garden with a variety of healthy plants thatattract different beneficial insects and limit the hosts for

pests and diseases. When and if an infestation occurs,instead of reaching for broad spectrum insecticides whichkill every insect in sight try using a more narrow targetedorganic solution. Dont be surprised if the insectsdisappear on their own or your plants thrive despite theinfestation. Natural predators will find their way intoyour garden and do the work for you or the insects willdissipate after their initial onslaught. If a broad spectruminsecticide is used, natural predators such as ladybeetles,

parasitic wasps and praying mantis will be killed.Beneficial insects eat a large number of their prey, butthey reproduce at much slower rates than their prey.Therefore, killing off beneficial insects while trying to ridyour garden of harmful insects, will actually result inhigher number of harmful insects.

Unfortunately there has yet to be a great alternativeorganic spray equivalent to the herbicide Glyphosate. Butmulching is a great way of keeping weeds low. Applymulch 2-3 inches or more and most weeds will have adifficult time emerging through this barrier. Theoscillating (stirrup) hoe is an excellent tool for smallweeds.

When gardening, keep the environment in mind byusing practices to minimize damage. The idea of organicgardening is to have an environment that is in harmonywith itself.

More gardening tips!Do you have a plant but dont know the name? You cantake it to the UCD Herbarium and they will help identify it.

http://herbarium.ucdavis.edu/services.html 530-752-1091The Herbarium is also a fun place to visit on a rainy day!

Green lacewing eggs arevery distinctive on silkenstalks. The yellow aphidson this milkweed will bedevoured by the larvae andthe adult lacewings willfeed on honeydew.

Photo Ian de Borja

Snapdragons will bloom through the winter months andinto spring if they have started to flower before and nighttemperatures drop below 50 degrees F.

Whiteflies are sucking insects which multiple quickly inwarm weather. Not much can be done do reduce thenumbers of whiteflies. Sprays are not affective and yellowsticky traps are mostly used to monitor and will reducenumbers only slightly. Ants protect whiteflies frompredators so reducing ant populations can help. Once coolerweather arrives they will dissipate.

Alpine or Woodland

Strawberries Fragariavesca are a real treat

spring through fall.Production does decreasesome during the reallyhot weather. The fruit issmall but very tasty andmuch easier to grow than production strawberries.Dot a few plantsthroughout the gardennear paths.

Tomatoes. Hopefully you are enjoying 6 ft. tomato plantsloaded with fruit. Did you remember to stake the tomato

cages? It is sad when they fall over.Fall issue of The Yolo Gardener, quarterly publication ofthe Yolo County Master gardeners.https://ucanr.org/mg/users/documents/6215The%5FYolo%5FGardener14943.pdf

Newsletter created by:Marlene Simon -- UCD graduate in HorticulturePatricia Carpenter -- Gardening Coach (Design and Education),

with 35 years of Davis gardening experience.

The bi-monthly newsletter is free if received by email. If mailed,the cost is $15 per year. To be added to the subscription list or tounsubscribe, contact us at: TheDiggingFork@gmail.com