gardening on the edge newsletter, june-july 2007 ~ monterey bay master gardeners

8/9/2019 Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, June-July 2007 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

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MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS June-July 2007

GARDENING O N T H E E D G EN E W S L E T T E R O F T H E M O N T E R E Y B A Y M A S T E R G A R D E N E R S

Number 124 June/July 2007

2nd Annual Smart Gardening FaireDowntown Tree Walk

Dust MulchingGrowing Tomatoes Upside Down

The Tomato That Ate The DrivewayThinking Outside the Ring

Flower Confidential: A Book Reivew

MBMGs and School GardensTwo Must-Have Resource Books

Second Quarter Meeting of MBMGSummer Veggies in the Youth Garden

Water Conservation TipsWhats Blooming in Your Garden?

Mark Your Calendar!Tom Karwin, MG99 and Betsy Shea, MG04

The 2006 Faire was such a phenomenal successwere doingit again!

The Monterey Bay Master Gardeners, in conjunction with theParade of Ponds, will present the second annual SmartGardening Faire at Skypark in Scotts Valley on Saturday, June23, 2007 from 9 AM until 4 PM. This free event for homegardeners will present up-to-date knowledge abouthorticulture, water conservation and sustainable gardeningand landscaping for novice and experienced gardeners. The

events of the day will include talks by highly qualifiedspeakers and demonstrations by local gardening andlandscaping groups plus a marketplace of plants and gardenrelated items. The day will be rounded out with childrensactivities, live music and food booths.

Visit www.smartgardening.org for compete information.

SPONSORSThe Faires organizing committee appreciates the support ofthese sponsors: Scotts Valley Water District; San LorenzoValley Water District; and Santa Cruz Water District. TheFaire offers them a venue to provide public information on

water conservation through the use of drip irrigation andother methods. Their information is most timely now as weanticipate severe drought conditions.

EXHIBITORSWe are expecting up to fifty exhibitors for the 2007 Faire. exhibitors represent local gardening groups, ecologicminded landscapers, recyclers, and more. We are asking eexhibitor to include sustainable gardening informationt,tips for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Mexhibitors also will have demonstrations and plant sales. current list of exhibitors is on our website:www.smartgardening.org.

MARKETPLACESeveral nurseries including FezQ in Carmel Valley, CrescHill Nursery, Astones Protea, Surf City Growers and TSole Nurseries will have booths. Artists, including sartistic Master Gardeners, will offer garden-related artpurchase.

CHILDRENThe Life Lab Science Program will present a full day of garoriented activities for children, making the Smart GardenFaire a family event. Life Lab activities are being partisponsored by the Valley Womens Club.

DEMONSTRATIONSAttendees can learn to build a professional-grade wateand pond, in a major demonstration c o n t i n u e d o n p a

2 N D A N N U A L S M A R T G A R D E N I N G F A I R


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June July 2007 MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDEN2

by professional pond builders from Brookside Water GardenCenter from 9 AM to 12 Noon. This demonstration at theSmart gardening Faire will be the first stop in this yearsParade of Ponds.

Other demonstrations, many hands-on, include the following: Tool sharpening Plant propagation

Composting Experts will answer questions on plant problems

SPEAKERSIn keeping with the mission of the Monterey Bay MasterGardeners, the Faires activities will focus on educationalpresentations. We will have speakers at three sites within theFaire, as follows:

RECREATION ROOM10:30: Angel Guerzon Invasive Plants Introduced throughHorticulture11:30: Joe Biondo The World of Succulents

12:30: Fran Albrecht Creating Deer-resistant, DroughtTolerant Container Gardens1:30: Fred McPherson Watersheds, Climate Change and theEffect on the Home Gardener2:30: Bobby Markowitz Rainwater Harvesting in the HomeGarden3:30: Monterey Bay Master Gardeners Planning & Creating aGarden in Your Childs School

SENIOR CENTER10:30: Alrie Middlebrook Designing California NaGardens11:30: Monique Smith Lee Bats Our Friends in the Gard12:30: Thomas Wittman Non-toxic Burrowing RodControl1:30: Barrie Coate Trees in the Home Garden Landscape2:30: Renee Shepherd Rainbow Gardening The Ultim

Kitchen Garden

SPEAKERS TENT A new feature will be instructive presentations by sevlocal garden societies, some offering demonstrations of thparticular gardening expertise. Read the schedule and most current lists of speakers and topics on our webswww.smartgardening.org.

MUSICThe Cabrillo College Farmers Market String Band will pduring the day to add to the festivities.

DIRECTIONSTake Highway 17 to Scotts ValleyLeave Highway 17 at the Mt. Hermon exit.Continue .7 mile on Mt. Hermon Road.Turn right on Kings Village Road.Follow Kings Village Rd. to the end.Turn left into Skypark.

One way to help conserve moisture, especially in the summervegetable garden, is by dust mulching. A day or two afterwatering, cultivate around plants to fluff up the soil so the toplayer dries out more readily and creates a mulch to keep waterwhere it is needed most: around the roots of the plant. Thedepth should be 1 to 1 and extend to just past the drip lineof the plant. Continue to stir the soil every few days to keepthe soil loose and airy and don't apply any other mulchmaterial over it. Loosening the soil on the surface creates tiny

air spaces that inhibit the capillary action that draws moistfrom below. Without the dust layer, moisture is sucked tosurface and lost to evaporation. Be sure to get the plant off good start with normal irrigation for a couple of weeks beftrying this technique. Try this with one of your Early Gtomatoes and one of your apple trees. Usually the result ilittle smaller plant with a little less yield but the taste is mconcentrated. Several tools work but a Shuffle or Hula howell suited to work up the soil around your plants.

Dust MulchingPaul McCollum, MG04

DOWNTOWN TREE WALK

SANTA CRUZSATURDAY, JULY 21

9:00 AM

CITY HALL COURTYARD

WALKING TOUR LASTS 1 1/2 - 2 HOURS

CALL PARKS AND RECREATION

DEPARTMENT MAIN OFFICE

(831)420-5270

FOR MORE INFORMATION


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Growing Tomatoes Upside DownPat Davis, MG06Ed Note: I spoke with Pat at the March quarterly meeting when she wasgetting ready to try the upside down method of growing tomatoes at herSanta Cruz patio home. Pat was willing to share her experience with all ofus. Here is part one of her story we will check on her plant again in thenext edition of GOTE. Kathleen

At the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show I wasintrigued by a device being sold by a very good salesman, andstopped to watch his presentation. I walked away with a bag-like thing (about 18 inches long, and 10 inches in diameter) togrow tomatoes UPSIDE DOWN. The planter is sold underthe name Topsy Turvy (http://topsyturvys.com/).

First let me explain why I would resort to such an unusualtomato-growing method. I have a patio homepatio in thefront, patio in the back. There is full sun where there iscement; no soil where I also have full sun. I have triedgrowing tomatoes in a planter--I quickly learned what whiteflies could do to a tomato plant. I also experimented with atomato in partial sun. Another failed experiment. I considerthis new concept to be my last attempt to grow tomatoes inmy yard.

At the Cabrillo College Farmers Market I spoke with awoman who was selling tomato plants, and she suggested that

I use an indeterminate tomato plant. Being the novice MasterGardener that I am, I didnt know that there are determinateand indeterminate tomato plants. I learned that thedeterminate plant is also known as a bush tomato. This

determinate plant grows to a certain height, stops, and allfruit ripens at once, then it dies. So..I chose an indetermintomato plant. When I first brought it home, the plant wasquite mature enough to survive what I was about to do toso I had to let it grow for another week or two. One of things I learned in the Master Gardener classes last year i

be patient regarding my plants.

When the day came to plant my tomato plant, I read detailed, illustrated, directions that come with the ToTurvy planter (also available on their website shown aboShould you want to use this innovative system, do not tryskip the step regarding the string and placing the whole up waist high. There is no doubt that you need BOTH hato get the tomato and the soil into the planter.

When I was watching the presentation at the Garden Shthe salesman demonstrated how he would place a froplastic bottle of water into the top funnel of the planter

water the tomato plant slowly. This is also the easiest wafertilize the tomato.

My plant is still alive (which is a miracle in itself after whput it through) and Ill keep you posted on how it is doi

Just looked I have flowers!

Make Your Own Upside-Down PlanterChristina Kriedt. MG06Drill a 2 hole in the center of the bottom of a 12 plastichanging planter; place a 6 piece of landscaping fabric over thehole; cut a slit in the fabric large enough to push your tomatoplant through from the bottom of the planter; insert yourtomato planta small-fruiting variety will work bestthrough the hole and the fabric, upside down, of course. Eitherhang the pot or have someone hold it while you use one hand

to support the plant and the other to fill the pot with pottsoil; tamp the soil and add herbs or annuals in the top of pot. Basil is a good companion for tomatoes, or borage whdiscourages tomato horm worms.

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/05/19/how-to-make-upside-down-tomato-planter/

for complete instructions with photos.


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There's Still Time to Propagate for the Tour Plant Sale!Bonnie Pond, MG00

It's June 1. The snails ate the cuttings you so carefullypropagated in March. What can you propagate now that willbe ready for the September Masters Tour and plant sale? Justtake a good look around your garden. Anything that will beblooming in September, perennial or annual, will sell.

There is more than one way to do it: divide clumps of perennial plants after they bloom if you have too much of a good thing, share it bulbs in packages can be planted in containers now

Happy digging, separating and potting!

Well, it didnt really eatthe drivewaythats the Hollywoodversion. But there grew from an inoffensive crack alongside mydriveway, a volunteer Solanum esculentum var. cerasiforme(formerly Lycopersicon lycopersicum) that eventually covered

concrete to the tune ofnearly 200 square feet.O n e d e t e r m i n e d indeterminate annual-or-tenderly-perennialcherry tomato plant.

Theres something abouta thick mound ofpoisonous, hairy leavesthat warms my heartscockles every year. Mymouth waters at the

very mention of thejuicy globes that garnishthem from July throughSeptember. Ah! Thedefinitive taste ofsummer. Safe to say,theres nothing ap-petizing about the green parts which really are poisonous, andcan in fact cause death. My research doesnt tell me just howmany leaves and/or stems you must ingest to effectively departthis earth, so Ill assume, for the sake of caution, that oneshould eat none.

From a technical standpoint, a tomato is a berry, unlike astrawberry, which is not a berry at all, but an accessory fruit,the seeds being those little achenes (the actual fruits) that arestuck all over the outside, and the leaves of which are edibleand medicinally useful, so they say. The tomato berry is a fruit,except when you add it to an ambrosia salad, when it isactuallywrong. So, it is a fruit that does its best work withbasil and fresh mozzarella. To me, that makes it a vegetable;but do not confuse it with vegetable flannel, a textilematerial, manufactured in Germany from pine-needle wool, adown or fiber obtained from the leaves of the Pinussylvestris. (http://www.dictionary.net/vegetable) Therein lies

the problem.

So this cherry tomato plant, which almost went the way ofother uninvited greenery there on Oaklands E. 16 th Street,grew and grew and grew. And before long, the fruits appearedand appeared and appeared. For months people walking by

helped themselves to the irresistible, sun-warmed treats. Ithem to my family at nearly every meal, as my children undoubtedly complain. Ill bet no one in the neighborhooda cold that year, we all ate so much Vitamin C. (Ounce

ounce, cherry tomaprovide more nutritiov a l ue t ha n l atomatoes, because mof the nutrients contained in the sh t t p : / / w w w . b l e n d

.com/superfoods.aspx). Adont forget lycopenwas in heaven.

But it wasnt all anand haloes. That

afforded me my encounter with, most massive infestao f , M a n d u c a q uquemaculataka tomhornworms. They whorrifyingly plump

green, and I dont mean environmentally friendly, not environment. So I collected the hungry hornworms, plathem ceremoniously on the walkway, about thigh-high, smashed them with a brick.

I never did get the green splatter out of those white co

slacks.My tomato plant wouldnt have won any blue ribbons for sreally serious vines can reach 65 feet. (Personally, I find tdifficult to believe.) Hornworms have yet to visit me in SaCruz, although one of my cousins does occasionally.

Explorers brought the tomatl to Europe from Peru (like related potato). My father, who was a WWII pilot in NoAfrica and Europe, wrote in his memoir: The runway right down the middle of an Italian farmers tomato paWhen we got out of the plane we saw the beautiful liItalian tomatoes. We filled our helmets with them. After liv

in the hot, dry desert for so long, I, for one, never tasanything so good as those tomatoes. I guess the farmer towned them was hollering all over the place and I hamends were made, some time or other. I hope so too, Dad

Confessions of a Reluctant Gardener:The Tomato That Ate The DrivewayChristina Kriedt, MG06


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Flower Confidential: A Book ReviewSue Tarjan, MG06If you've ever admired a cellophane-wrapped bunch of flowerswhile standing in a supermarket's checkout line and idlywondered how it came to be there, Flower Confidential: The Good,the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers (AlgonquinBooks 2007) is the book for you!

Flower Confidential delves into the

breeding, growing, and selling offlowers throughout history withspecial attention given to thecontemporary cut flower industryand the Dutch, of course, the firstand still foremost power in theworld of flowers. But this is no dry,technical tome. In fact, the author,Amy Stewart, begins locally, nearher home in Eureka, California, andproceeds to draw her readers in not

just with her deft handling of the

subject matter and her obviousexpertise but with her palpable love for the flowers and herability to connect with the people she interviews and theplaces she visits all over the globe.

For example, her account of the eccentric lily breeder LeslieWoodriff, who gave the world the 'Star Gazer' lily, folds in agenerous pinch of the science behind flower genetics togetherwith the colorful history of Arcata's Sun Valley Floral Farms,which made the beautiful bulb a household name. From old-fashioned plant breeding, she segues to high-tech genesplicing, taking us to Florigene, an Australian companycurrently engaged in extracting genes for blue pigment from

petunias that they then feed to bacteria in order to infect rowith the desired gene, all part of the centuries-long quest blue rose. Along the way we're treated to a fascinadiscussion of why and how flowers bother to wow us anitypes with those eye catching colors followed by one equenthralling as to why some flowers smell so good, some smso bad, and others don't smell at all!

Stewart returns to the Pacific Coast next to check growers from Ao Nuevo Flower Growers to Sun VallOxnard branch before heading to the flower fields greenhouses of the Netherlands and Equador. She gamfollows the harvested flowers to Miami International Airpwhere 88 percent of all the cut flowers sold in the UnStates enter the country, to get a glimpse of the bloomscene at its peak just ten days before Valentine's Day bemoving on to visit the Dutch flower auction only to arrivecircle back in Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue at the little flokiosk outside Bookshop Santa Cruz.

The book concludes with a thought-provoking ruminationthe future of florists in general and a typically hectic snapsof Valentine's Day in the life of one florist in particular. author wraps her subject up nicely with some hints on cafor cut flowers and a few interesting statistics. Also incluare notes and a selected bibliography.

This is Amy Stewart's third book. Her first two books, Fthe Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden (set in Santa Cruz) The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms,also must-reads for California gardeners. For minformation, visit Amy Stewarts web page at ht

www.amystewart.com/media.html.

The Japanese tomato ring allows you to grow 5 lush tomatoplants around what is essentially, or actually, a 3" x 3compost pile. The system takes advantage of the tomatosadventitious rooting capability: it will grow roots all along thestem wherever it touches soil. The wire ring provides yourplants with support, the compost supplies the plants with

nutrients and water, and the growing plants disguise thecompost pile and actually make it almost attractive.

Use 4' tall heavy-gage chicken wire and four to six strongbamboo or plastic poles. Place your poles 18" apart, either in aring or a square. Encircle the poles with the wire, sinking thebottom 6 - 8 of the wire into the ground. Tie the ringtogether .

Begin to fill your cage with compost materials and plant yourtomatoes around the outside. Their roots will grow into thenutrient-rich compost. Water into a depression that you makein the top of the compost and tie the stems to the wire as they

grow. (The idea originated in South Carolina; apparently, noJapanese tomato gardeners were involved.)

Thinking Outside the RingChristina Kriedt, MG06plain old compost bin

tomato-disguisedcompost bin

Parts of a tomato leaf


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Kathleen Sonntag, MGMonterey Bay Master Gardeners and School Garden

SCHOOL NAME SCHOOL CONTACT/PRINCIPALMG LIAISON

ASSIGNED

MG GRANT

APPLICATION

RECEIVED

SUGGESTED INIT

STEPS

Mission UnionGrades K-8

36825 Foothill RoadSoledad, CA 93960

Elizabeth Bozzo, [email protected]

831-678-3524Chris Carrier Yes - $500

Contact PrincipaSite visit

International School of Monterey,Monterey

Grades K-8

1720 Yosemite StreetSeaside, CA 93955

Chrissie Jahn, [email protected]

583-2165Diana Huang Application sent


Henry F. Kammann ElementarySchool

Grades K-6

521 Rochex StreetSalinas, CA 93906-3426

Estella Vasquez, [email protected]

Telephone: 753-5665Cathy Baker Application sent


Harden Middle SchoolGrades 7-8

1561 McKinnon StreetSalinas, CA 93906

Chris [email protected] Valdez, Principal

796-7300

Alicia Molina Yes - $500Contact Principa

Site visit

Bradley Union School

Grades K-8224 Dixie StreetBradley, CA 93426

Catherine Reimer, Principal

[email protected](805) 472-2310

Gina Strup andTammy Tahara Application sent Contact PrincipaSite visit

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners interest in school gardensbegan with the Anzar High School garden and is expandingwith the recent award of grants to two additional schools soar this year. Maryanne McCormick has been involved withhe Azar project for over two years and is employed by the

chool to develop the project into a full-fledged workinggarden and integrate it into the schools curriculum in additiono the role of MBMG Liason. Alicia Molina has led the effort to

help schools write MG grant proposals to help get the projectsunderway.

In this article you will find information about two scgardens, Anzar High and Bradley Union and the exciprogress that has been made. Since the Bradley Union probegan in April 2007, we will be able to follow it frombeginning.

Be sure to contact the liason for any of these new proj(table below) or Maryann McCormick for Anzar High Scso that you can get involved. Its a wonderful wayaccumulate those volunteer hours.

BRADLEY SCHOOL The Bradley school projects first workday was held in ApThe group of volunteers built and installed four raised band prepared them for planting. The entire fenced garden cleared of weeds and leveled for the beds. The plan is for tafter school program coordinator, Linda, to continue withproject with the help of the parents and volunteers.

Gina and Tammy are the liaisons assigned to help with lesplans or any gardening issues that come up. MBMGs

helped get this garden started were Chris Carrier, Gina StTammy Tahara and Alicia Molina.

MBMGs helped with the design layout. They explained wto watch out for such as learning about the prior use of garden area to determine if any soil inspections needed totaken. (The site just outside of the school was a landfill forcommunity trash. It continues to be tested for gases.) Saconsiderations for the children, such as no ponds if the

ill not be supervised or locked when an adult is not presere considered. Another safety issue is shading for the hen working outside (it gets to be 124 degrees at times l

in the year!) Theyll have their growing challenges in that h


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ANZAR HIGH SCHOOL

Maryann McCormick first started the project at this highschool school in 2005 it was to be a farmers market. Theneed for a place for the school to grow its own produceevolved into this school garden project. Over the past 2.5years an enthusiastic group of MBMGs, Anzar High parentsand students have transformed a 70x120 plot of rugged,

ground-squirrel infested land into a bountiful productivegarden. In addition, MBMG volunteers, students and parentsplanted an orchard with a variety of fruit trees ranging fromapples and pears to pitted fruits to fig. There are 27 treesoccupying approximately acre of Anzar High property.Gopher baskets for protection were built by MBMG and manystudents.

Barbara Schilling; Paul McCullom; Martha Cepress; PaulaAnthony; Bobbie & Richard Walstrom; Deedee Hannanina;Betsy Shea; Peter Quintanilla; Barbara Gordon all providevolunteer support to the garden by working with Maryann,parents and students enrolled in service learning at AnzarHigh usually Juniors and Seniors. MBMGs have taughtvarious classes including fruit tree selection andunderstanding climate zones, rose selection, irrigation, pestmanagement etc. MBMG can volunteer hours any time duringthe school year to help maintain the garden as well as in thesummer when students are gone.

The project is becoming a full-fledged working garden that isintegrated into the schools curriculum. Approximately 18gopher-proof vegetable boxes all built by students under theauspices of Maryann and other MBMGs are now over flowingwith a variety of vegetables sold at the May farmers market,

used in the schools culinary arts center in cooking classes,sometimes supplements school lunches and is given to localfood pantries.

Student involvement provides an option to fulfill the schoolsservice learning requirement. There are about 20 studentsworking in the garden and classroom 2-3 days a week.Culinary arts students harvest crops. The garden is also usedin the curriculum of other high school classes this term.

In early 2006, a hot house was built by the AgriculExplorations class and a garden gazebo was built by studeenrolled in a construction class. The hoop house is homestarter veggies. The gazebo, donned with Anzar High Eag(also made in the construction class) acts as a gathering sfor students.

This year, MBMGs along with students planted 45 graplants, creating a perimeter fence for the vegetable gardPlans are in the works to create an ornamental garden twill be situated at the entrance of the school. Irrigation been installed and mounds created. Maryann has bkeeping us all posted on the group email.

The garden has inspired an incredible level of generoamong businesses in both Monterey and San Benito countFor the school year 2005-06, the Anzar garden receiapproximately $9000 of in-kind and cash donations includ$1000 from MBMG. Some other donations came f(including but not limted) Home Depot, Graniterock, TreeAntiquity, Earthbound Farms, Aromas/San Juan CommunFoundation.

Bradley School volunteers Anzar School students learning about gardening


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Upcoming Meetings: September 29th and December 1st

Two Must-Have Resource BooksTom Karwin, MG99Gardeners of the Monterey Bay area have the pleasure ofgardening in one of the most floriferous areas of California andhe world. The natural characteristics of the area support a

wide range of plant communities and an extensive flora,epresenting about 75% of the plant families that make up

Californias extensive floral resources.

n this environment, gardeners can benefit from referencematerials that provide overviews of the areas taxa. TheCalifornia Native Plant Society recently has published twobooks that are valuable resources for the areas gardeners.

Morgan, Randall, et al (2005). An Annotated Checklist of theVascular Plants of Santa Cruz County, California. Santa Cruz:California Native Plant Society, Santa Cruz Chapter.

This book is the third and most complete catalog of theountys vascular flora. It builds upon earlier works, datingrom 1893 and 1961, respectively. The authors of the new book

tate that the purpose of this checklist is not as a guide todentification, for which other sources are available, but rather

as a status report on the current distribution, nomenclature,and rarity of all taxa known to occur in the County, includinghose that have been recently discovered or remain

unpublished.

The book lists the countys genera in three sections (Ferns &Fern Allies, Dicots, and Monocots), each of which is organizedby plant families. Most of the genera are listed with notesndicating the floristic region in which they are found. (The

County has been divided into thirteen floristic regions.)

The authors have provided extensive appendices, includingists of invasive exotics, rare and endangered plants, endemics

and near endemics, and other useful information.

Matthews, Mary Ann. (2006). An Illustrated Field Key toFlowering Plants of Monterey County, and Ferns, Fern Aand Conifers. Monterey: California Native Plant SocMonterey Bay Chapter.

Similarly, Mary Ann Matthews book builds upon two ear

orks that were published respectively in 1964 and 197also incorporates illustrations and other material from Jepson Manual and Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States.

As indicated by its title, the purpose of this book is to supthe identification of the flowering plants of the Countypursues this purpose with a key identification system thatauthor has adapted from several sources, with the goamaking it usable by both non-professional and trabotanists.

The author notes, because information in this book has bassembled from so many different sources, a numbeinconsistencies have crept into the text. The final producta non-standard format, but the departures from traditionalidentification texts have been made to increase the bousability of the book for non-professionals.

Key identification can be challenging for the casual gardebut this book makes the process as accessible as it can be, includes a large number of helpful line drawings of the plaAnyone who gardens in Monterey County and seeksidentify plants of the area will find this book to beinvaluable reference tool. Many of the plants almost certaoccur in Santa Cruz County as well.

These two books are extraordinary resources that amoun

great gifts by the authors and local chapters of the CalifoNative Plant Society to the gardeners of the Monterey Bay

Saturday, June 9, 2007, 10 am to 2 pmSierra Azul Nursery2660 East Lake Ave. (HWY. 152), Watsonville, CA 95076(across from the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds)

Our advanced training at this quarterly meeting will be

presented by Jeff Rosendale, owner of Sierra Azul (retail) andRosendale (wholesale) Nurseries in Watsonville. Jeff hascreated the inspiring demonstration garden of Mediterranean-planted mounds at Sierra Azul and will give us a tour of thegarden, describing the mound building process and the manyxerophytic plants it contains. Over 30 years in the nurserybusiness, Jeff has been involved in both wholesale and retailgrowing and sales. He was also President of the Board ofDirectors of the UCSC Arboretum. For more informationabout Sierra Azul and a preview of the advanced training,please go to the website, www.sierraazul.com. You will alsoind a link to a map there.

Schedule for the meeting:10 to 11 MG Business Meeting (please contact one ofmeeting coordinators if you have an item for the agenda)11 to 12 Tour of Sierra Azul Demonstration Garden12 to ? - Lunch and Shopping Opportunity(stay as long as you like)

Bring your own lunch, beverage, hat, sunscreen, comfortshoes, and folding chair (if you like)Please note there will not be a potluck lunch or raffle this due to the outdoor nature of the day. There is a shelter foto sit in for the business meeting, however.

We look forward to seeing you on June 9!

Marcia Charland (459-7945 / [email protected])Lin Eucalyptus (728-4195 / [email protected])Your Quarterly Meeting Coordinators

SECOND QUARTER MEETING of the MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS --Open to the public


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Summer Veggies in the Youth GardenKathleen Sonntag, MG06

As the days get longer and the sun gets warmer we start tohunger for summer vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes ripenedon the vine, peas and beans bright green and bursting withflavor. Zucchini, melons. Add to that basil, parsley, cilantro,and other favorite herbs. Today we are more conscious thanever of the need to eat locally grown foods in season. We visit

the flourishing farmers markets and grow our own produce ifwe can. OR, how about a Saturday morning at the YouthGarden to awaken your senses?

To find an outstanding example of a potager (kitchen garden),we need look no farther than the Youth Garden next to theUCCE building in Watsonville. Since 1998 it has been aMBMG volunteer project. It is a place where youth cancomplete community service, learn about gardening, andbecome involved in marketing projects that benefit victims ofcrime. Recently, youth have been making and sellingbirdhouses and wreaths to cover the operational costs of thegarden. They deliver food grown in the garden to economically

challenged citizens in South County. They learn valuablegardening and life lessons from the dedicated MasterGardeners who volunteer, especially the hardworking YouthGarden coordinator, Candice McLaren.

If you are getting your own garden going, there are things youhave to do before planting. Candice has a crucial piece ofadvice based on the experience she had in May check outyour irrigation system completely first! Well, maybe removethe weeds first, then check the irrigation. It should be in placeand operating correctly before you plant. Then turn the soil,add compost and plant young seedlings or sow seeds.

A combination of young plants and seeds were planted in the

Youth Garden in May There are several varietiestomatoesEarly Girl, cherry, Sun Gold, and Acethat provide tomatoes all thru the summer. The team of MGs youths also planted zucchini, parsley, basil, peas, Swiss chleeks, carrots, some sunflowers from seeds and two ambrcantaloupes. The salsa garden plants include tomat

tomatillos, green onions peppers, and garlic.Since Candice and the other volunteers are there every otweek or so, birds and bugs used to have ample time to do tdamage; however, since bird netting was installed, much damage occurs. Unfortunately, the tomatillos we planted eon were eatennot by us! We also lost our cantaloupes.

The added bonus of a Saturday morning spent in the YoGardenabove and beyond the pleasure of tending the plaworking with each other and the young peopleis preparand consuming a delicious dish prepared with the prodfrom the garden. Sometimes there is fresh salsa to go wchips. Often the cooking team creates a pasta dish using Sw

chard, tomatoes and whatever else is ready to eat (a little band garlic, perhaps).

Candice reports that in 2006, 95 Master Gardenvolunteered 350 hours on 13 Saturday mornings, and 102 tecompleted 408 hours of community service. Since 1Master Gardeners have contributed over 6000 hours in Youth Garden! On May 12, we had 7 teens and 6 MaGardeners- Joanne, Paula, Chris, Liz and Alan S and CandSteve was our Probation Officer.

If you havent pitched-in lately, consider spending a few hoon this project. Those who have always go home glad t

made the effort.


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LIMIT TURF AREAS A lawn is almost always the single largest user of water inthe home landscape. Many gardeners have large expanses ofturf that are never used but require considerable time, effort,and resources to maintain. Use turf only where it serves a purpose, such as in play orentertainment areas. Select water-efficient grass varietiessuited to your local climate. Replace nonessential turf with ground covers, mulches, orhardscapes such as decks, walkways, patios, or dry creek .

P UT P L A N T S IN T H E R I G H T P L A C E S Select low water use plants that are appropriate to yourclimate. Consider the use of California natives from yourclimate zone. Most need regular watering until they are

established, but will require less water thereafter. For ease of irrigation, group plants with similar micro-climatic needs in the same watering zone. Lawns, water-lovingplants, and container plants require frequent irrigation whilemany trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and ground covers needless frequent irrigation. Established trees and plants may needjust a little more water than they receive in rainfall, and someestablished, drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and ground coversmay survive with average rainfall alone. Limit the use of ornamentals that require frequent irrigationand group them in areas where they can be watered together.Productive garden areas, such as a vegetable bed, may also

require larger amounts of water than the surroundingland scape. Plant low water users farther away from the houseor where irrigation may not be as readily available.

IRRIGATE EFFICIENTLY Water only as much as is necessary and adjust yourirrigation schedule periodi callyeach month, ideallytoreflect seasonal changes in temperature, wind, humidity, andrainfall. Your irrigation system should be customized toprovide only as much water as is needed for each grouping ofplants. Extreme differences in microclimate areas require distinctlydifferent irrigation regimens and should be irrigated withseparate valves or systems. Use an efficient watering system such as drip or soaker hosesto minimize water loss through evaporation or runoff. Turf isbest irrigated with sprinklers. To further reduce evaporation, operate your irrigation systemduring the cooler hours of the early morning rather than duringthe heat of the day or in windy weather.

Infrequent, deep watering encourages deeper root growtand results in plants with greater tolerance of fluctuationsoil moisture. Check your irrigation system regularly for leaks, broheads, faulty valves, and other malfunctions. Be sure tmisdirected water is not running off onto drivewsidewalks, or streets.

MULCH, MULCH, MULCH! A thick layer (3 inches or more) of coarse mulch actsinsulation for your soil and significantly reduces evaporationsoil moisture. Mulching helps maintain a consistent temperature and protects roots from the heat and drying effof summer weather.

Keep mulch several inches away from the trunks of treeshrubs as it may harbor insects or pathogens that promroot and crown diseases such as Phytophthora root (Phytophthoraspp.). Mulch can effectively reduce weed growth by blocking sunlight needed for weed seeds to germinate. This reducompetition for soil moisture and reduces the time neededgarden maintenance. Organic mulches such as bark products, humus, and leabreak down over time, resulting in improved soil structure the slow release of small amounts of nutrients. The soil under the mulch should be checked periodically

be sure that irrigation water is reaching the soil and the rzone of desired plants.

APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE Heavy pruning can lead to excessive plant growth increased demand for water. To shape and direct plant growprune lightly during the winter dormant season or very easpring. The overuse of fertilizers results in rank growth and hewater consumption. Apply nutrients only when plants nthem and use low concentrations or slow-release formulatio Reduce weeding chores by pulling unwanted plants befthey mature and produce seeds. Weed growth can be kep

check with the use of mulches and dense ground coversblock sunlight from reaching weed seeds. Mow lawns sonewhat higher during very warm weatThis reduces the growth rate and the demand for wapromotes deeper toor growth, and lessens the likelihoodsunburn injury. Taller turf also shades the soil and reduweed seed germination.

Als Corner will be back in the next issue

Water Conservation Tips for the Home Lawn and GardenExcerpted from Publication 8036, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resourc

Pamela M. Geisel and Carolyn L. Unr


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June

Abutilon spp.Aechmea spp. & hybridsAesculus hippocastanumAgapanthus hybridsAgastache foeniculumAllium schoenoprasumAlstroemeria hybridsAmaryllis belladonnaAnthemis nobilisAntirrhinum majusAquilegia spp.Begonia sp. and hybridsBrugmansia spp.

Camelia spp. and hybridsCampanula spp.Centrantus ruberChrysanthemum spp.Cistus spp.Clematis spp.Cuphea hyssopifoliaCyclamen spp.Dahlia hybridsDianthus barbatusDicentra spectabilisDymondia margaretaeEpiphyllum hybrids

Erigeron karvinskianusEscallonia spp. and hybridsEschscholzia californicaFallopia japonica 'Reynoutria'

(Polygonum cuspidatum, orReynoutria japonica)

Fragaria chiloensisFuchsia hybridaGeranium spp.Gerbera jamesoniiGrewia occidentalisHebe spp.and hybridsHelianthus annuusHeliotropium arborescens

Hemerocallis spp.

Hibiscus spp. and hybridsHydrangea spp.Hypericum perforatumIberis sempervirensImpatiens spp. and hybridsIndigofera spp.Ipomoea spp.Jasminum polyanthumKniphofia uvariaLamium maculatumLathyrus odoratusLavatera assurgentifloraLavendula spp.

Ligustrum spp. and hybridsLilium hybridsLobelia erinusLonicera spp.Lupinus spp. and hybridsLychnis coronariaMagnolia spp.Meconopsis betonicifoliaMoluccella laevisNandina domesticaNemesia strumosaNicotiana alataOcimum hybrid

Oenothera spp.Origanum vulgarePaeonia hybridsPelargonium spp.Petunia hybridaPhlomis fruticosaPhygelius capensisPieris japonicaPrimula spp.Rosa spp. and hybridsSalvia leucanthaSatureja montanaSenecio hybridusSolanum lycopersicum

Strelitzia reginae

Sutera cordataTrachelospermum jasminoidesTropaeolum majusVerbena bonariensisVeronica spp. and hybridsViola spp.Zantedeschia aethiopica

JulyAbutilon spp.Achillea spp.Aechmea spp. & hybridsAgapanthus hybridsAgastache foeniculum

Allium schoenoprasumAlstroemeria hybridsAnthemis nobilisAptenia cordifoliaAsclepias tuberosaBorago officinalisBougainvillea hybridsBrugmansia spp.Callistemon spp.Campanula spp.Canna hybridsChrysanthemum spp.Coreopsis spp.

Correa spp.Cuphea hyssopifoliaCyclamen spp.Dahlia hybridsDianthus barbatusEchinacea purpureaErigeron karvinskianusEschscholzia californicaFragaria chiloensisFuchsia hybridaGeranium spp.Gerbera jamesoniiGrewia occidentalisHebe spp.and hybrids

Heliotropium arborescens

Hemerocallis spp.Hibiscus spp. and hybridsHydrangea spp.Impatiens spp. and hybridsIpomoea spp.Jasminum polyanthumLamium maculatumLathyrus odoratusLavatera assurgentifloraLavendula spp.Leonotis leonurusLilium hybridsLobelia erinus

Lonicera spp.Lychnis coronariaMirabilis lindheimeriNemesia strumosaOcimum hybridOenothera spp.Origanum vulgarePelargonium spp.Petunia hybridaPhiladelphus spp.Phyla canescens (P. nodiflo

Lippia nodiflora)Plumbago auriculata

Primula spp.Rosa spp. and hybridsRosemarinus officinalisSalvia leucanthaSatureja montanaSolanum lycopersicumSutera cordataThunbergia alataTrachelospermum jasminoiTropaeolum majusVerbena bonariensisViola spp.Zantedeschia aethiopicaZingiber officinale

Whats Blooming in Your Garden in June and July?The following is exerpted from the Whats Bloomin database which is based on observations made by Monterey Bay MasGardeners 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] by Christina Kriedt

Alstroemeria hybrid Achillea millefolium Aquilegia sp.


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Etcetera:RelevantInternet MiscellanyChristina Kriedt, MG06Fresh tomatoes can be enjoyed year-round when they are grownhydroponically indoors under lights. They are reputed to be superiorin flavor and nutritional value to their common outdoor cousins. Itsa little troublesome, but might be worth the effort if youre a realtomato enthusiast. Search online for more information.

The best variety of tomato for dry farming is Early Girl according to

Sunset magazines Lauren Bonar Swezey. Prepare the soil deeplywith plenty of organic matter before planting, then stop wateringaltogether when the plants set fruit. The result should be much moreflavorful tomatoes; and, as a bonus, youll use less water during thedry summer season. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_n4_v189/ai_12884209

More tomato growing tips:Pinch off all the flowers until the plants reach at least one foot tall;sprawling tomatoes are more susceptible to pest and disease attacks.http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-16-193,00.html

Once the tomato plants are about 3 feet tall, remove the leaves fromthe bottom 1 foot of stem. These are usually the first leaves to

develop fungus problems. They get the least amount of sun and soilborn pathogens can be unintentionally splashed up onto them.Spraying weekly with compost tea also seems to be effective atwarding off fungus diseases. Pinch and remove suckers that developin the crotch joint of two branches. They wont bear fruit and willtake energy away from the rest of the plant. But go easy on pruningthe rest of the plant. You can thin leaves to allow the sun to reach theripening fruit, but its the leaves that are photosynthesizing andcreating the sugars that give flavor to your tomatoes. Determinate

type tomatoes tend to set and ripen their fruit all at one time, maa large quantity available when youre ready to make sauce. Youget indeterminate type tomatoes to set fruit earlier by pinchingthe tips of the main stems in early summer. http://gardening.abouod/vegetablepatch/tp/TomatoTips.htm

If the growing season is just about over and your tomato plants

have a crop of green tomatoes on them, don't rush to harvest tgreen and then let them ripen indoors. To encourage the gtomatoes on your vines to ripen before frost, remove any remaiflowers. The flowers won't have time to mature into fruits anyand removing them will signal the plant to finish setting seeripening existing tomatoes. http://gardening.about.com/od/growingtGreen_Tomatoes.htm

1 Cut unpeeled tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle slices withand pepper. Let tomato slices stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, pflour, milk, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes.2 Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Dip tomslices in milk, then flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs. In the skfry half of the coated tomato slices at a time, for 4-6 minutes on side or until brown. As you cook the rest of the tomatoes, add oil as needed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

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

Editor Kathleen Sonntag

Assistant Editors Sharon Ettinger & Christina KriedtDesign/Layout Christina KriedtCirculation Jan Olafsson

Swiss chard, Beta vulgaris ciclaPurple salsify, Tragopogon porrifoliusCabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES3 medium, firm green tomatoes1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/4 cup milk2 beaten eggs

2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbscornmeal1/4 cup olive oil1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper

Hotline: 831-763-8007

CONTRIBUTORS

Paul McCollumTom Karwin

Kathleen SonntagChristina KriedtSue Tarjan

Marcia Charland

Lin Eucalyptus

Pat DavisBetsy Shea

Bonnie PondCandice McLarenMaryann McCormick

Alicia Molina


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Smart Gardening Fairewww.smartgardening.org

Downtown Tree Walk(831)420-5270

The Tomato That Ate the Drivewayvegetable flannel: http://www.dictionary.net/vegetabletomato nutritional value:http://www.blendtec.com/superfoods.aspx

Topsy Turvy Tomato PlanterPhotos: Christina Kriedthttp://topsyturvys.com/

Make Your Own Upside Down Planter

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/05/19/how-to-make-an-upside-down-tomato-planter/

Flower ConfidentialAmy Stewart: http://www.amystewart.com/media.html

Bradley School

Facts and photos: Alicia Molinahttp://schools.monterey.k12.ca.us/~bradley/

Anzar High School

Facts and photos: Maryann McCormickhttp://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ca/4926/

Summer Veggies in the Youth GardenFacts: Candice McLarenPhotos: Candice McLaren and Christina Kriedt

Flower Confidential: A Book Review

http://www.amystewart.com/media.html

UC ANR Water Conservation in the Home Landscape

Publication 8036: www.anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8036.p

Copyright 2007 MBMG. All rights reserved

I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody coushare or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation. It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to obser

a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a rose of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green.~Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mosses from and Old Manse , 1854~

Left: Gladiolus hybrid. Right: Rosa hybrid.Photos by Christina Kriedt, this page and previous

Our SponsorsSierra Azul NurserySan Lorenzo Lumber CompanyThe Garden CompanyFezQBokayHidden GardensThe Potting ShedWild Rose Landscape Design

http://www.sierraazul.com, 763-0939http://www.sanlorenzolumber.com/santacruz.html, 423-0223 http://www.thegardenco.com/, 429-8424Carmel Valley, 659-1268Salinas, 659-1268Aptos, 688-7011Aptos, 685-1626Aptos, 539-5841

SourcesChristina Kriedt, MG06


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gardening on the edge newsletter, june-july 2007 ~ monterey bay master gardeners

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