gardening on the edge newsletter, summer 2009 ~ monterey bay master gardeners

8/9/2019 Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, Summer 2009 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

1/25

MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS summer 2009

Landma rk Environm enta l Educ a tion Ce nter 1 IPM: Ma nag ing Aphids4

The 12th Annua l Maste rs Garden Tour6 The Prune rs Corner11

Ca lifornia Mo nkey Flowers12 Book Reviews15 On the Future o f Foo d, Part 216

Try It You ll Like It: Vancouveria17 Benefits of G ardening: Nature Defic it Disorder18

The Ed ible Ga rden: Pep pers19

How Ma ste r Gardeners Do It20Tree Wa lks22

Confessions of a Reluctant Gardener23 Relevant Internet Misc ellany24

Cultivate knowledge

Sum mer 2009 #13

GardeningontheedgeJournal of the Monterey bay master gardener

The native plant demonstration gardens are abuzz with

bees attracted by sweet nectars, brilliant colors and salviascents. An enthusiastic group of insect net-swinging stu-dents from the popular Wildlife Biology class gather by thenearby pond to debate the best strategies for collecting thedragonfly specimens that swoop over the cool waters fortheir entomology study.

Over in the lush organic garden, Carmel Middle Schoolsixth graders are busily harvesting some of the spring timebounty for a cooking class in the outdoor kitchen: sugar snappeas, freckles lettuce, red cabbage and bright orange calen-dula flowers, as part of the Ecoliteracy unit entitledCreating a Sustainable Meal learning the importance of

ingredients that are LOCAL, SEASONAL, FRESH and OR-GANIC with their eyes, noses, fingers and taste buds in theprocess.

Its a beautiful spring day and the Hilton Bialek Habitat,where I work, play, teach and learn, is bustling with life.

Fifteen years ago, the Hilton Bialek Habitat was a glim-mer in the eye of founder and current Director Craig Hohen-berger who at that time was a well-seasoned eighth gradescience teacher in the Carmel Unified School District with adeep passion for birds and nature. For years he would lookacross to the abandoned 10-acre Christmas tree lot adjacent

to the public school at the mouth of Carmel Valley and

dream of creating a living laboratory where he could take hstudents to study science and nature firsthand.

This vision slowly gained momentum and won approvfrom the District Board of Directors in the fall of 1995 athen the real work began. Hohenberger wrote grants, locgarden groups like The Carmel by the Sea Garden Club anRana Creek Nursery drew up designs and help came from

directions, including the Carmel Middle School scienteachers and the ready hands of middle school students.The first step was to plant native gardens, building

the premise If you build it, they will come they are the 1species of birds, insects and small mammals that depend The Habitats now-mature landscape for food and sheltThe addition of a bird-friendly pond and versatile amphtheater opened up possibilities for new educational venuwhile the green house and shade shed empowered studenand staff to propagate plants on a large scale.

In 2001, fifty raised beds were constructed out of rewood, an eight-foot fence was raised and the first edibles an

ornamentals were tucked into the fertile earth of the Habit

Landmark Environmenta

Educa tion CenteTanja Roos, MG0


2/25

2 summer 2009 MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENE

site. In its early years, the Organic Garden was solely dedi-cated to scientific experimentation and study with a fewfun cooking labs on the side. I began my work in the gar-dens on the heels of a visit from a fellow Berkeley grad, sus-tainable foods superstar and school garden champion, Al-ice Waters, when she spoke at the Habitats grand openingin May 2003. Following her recommendation: Any school

garden that wants to have a cooking and nutrition pro-

gram, must build a pizza oven, we designed and installeda wood fired oven which became the cornerstone for ouroutdoor kitchen classroom and also set the stage for deli-ciously expanding the interdisciplinary programs offeredin the gardens.

Every year, as the seasons pass and my experience

grows, the productivity of the land increases and more pro-grams are developed. Its incredible to look back five yearsand consider that I was originally hired as an 11 hour/weekintern to care for the entire property and develop/run allthe programs. Today I am incredibly fortunate to be joinedby a dedicated and passionate team of five inspiring indi-viduals who make up the Habitat staff: Craig Hohenberger(Founder/Director), Ellen Fondiler (Development Direc-tor), Merrie Potter (Community Outreach Coordinator),Amanda Yantos (Native Plant Program Director) and JasonSharrett (Business Office Manager). It brings to mind theMead quote, Never doubt that a small group of committedindividuals can change the world While we may nothave reached world fame yet, we are doing our best tochange the fundamental way little citizens look at theworld every school day.

The thriving progress visible today in the Habitat isnothing short of inspiring. In 2006, that progress earnedthe Governors Environmental and Economic LeadershipAward for Childrens Environmental Education. Whatstarted as a humble outdoor laboratory has expanded intoa landmark environmental education center here on theCentral Coast and with the recent acquisition of its 501(c)(3) non-profit status, the Habitat is poised to broaden its

innovative programming to even wider audiences in thecoming years.

Currently over 1,500 students now participate in pro-grams at the Habitat each year, from third graders to highschool students (including Regional Occupational Pro-gram in Ornamental Horticulture and a newly added APEnvironmental Science class) to underserved members of

the Boys and Girls Club and RISE Program (Recruitment

in Science Education-CSUMB) and groups of administra-tors/teachers from around the world seeking inspiration tostart similar programs at their own schools.

The small native plant demonstration plot has evolvedinto an expansive showcase of four distinct habitat typesnative grassland, mixed conifer forest, riparian zone andcoastal dune/chaparral. This thriving ecosystem has be-come a powerful example for the students and communityof the importance of growing native plants, especially inthese times of diminishing water resources across the stateof California. The Habitat hopes to lead, by examplehomeowners and landscapers looking for responsible waysto design their landscapes.

The Native Plant Program generates 40,000 starts peryear in contract with such notable entities as the State andRegional Parks, The City of Carmel and Friends of the For-est. Students are actively involved in seed collection, plant-ing, thinning, up planting and the eventual restorationwork with the species that are grown at places like the old

Odello Fields west of Hwy 1, Palo Corona Ranch, down-town Carmel and the Marina Dunes Preserve. Two popularplant sales invite the community to participate: one in fall(Saturday, Oct. 3this year, in partnership with the Califor-nia Native Plant Society) and the other in spring (alwaysthe Saturday of Mothers Day Weekend in May, completewith live music, a farmers market and expert advice).

The Organic Garden, meanwhile, has grown well be-yond its original fence line, expanding to include a full acreof year-round cultivated gardens, an off-the-grid, solar-powered greenhouse to propagate all the veggie and flower


3/25


starts for the gardens, and large scale vermicompost binsand compost piles, with a plan to plant an heirloom fruitorchard next bare root season. (Many more exciting changes arein store for the gardens, to find out make sure to read Part 2 of theHabitat article in Fall edition of GOTE.)

Along with the physical expansion, the diversity ofclasses and programs that now use the gardens is growing

every year. While science continues to be the backbone,Chinese, French, language arts, history, art and world cul-ture are regularly found immersed in the gardens and in the

outdoor kitchen classroom. The goal for the garden pro-gram is to get all teachers outdoors by helping them meettheir state mandated standards in a creative, hands-on

way.Any produce that is not consumed directly by studentsin cooking classes or sold to the parent community in minifarmers markets is brokered to Casanova and La Bicycletterestaurants in Carmel, providing the garden program extraincome for heirloom seeds and plants, and the restaurantsthe ability to serve their patrons the best organic localfood, while supporting a growing program.

Three years ago, we began teaching sixth graders anew six week class called Ecoliteracy, which introducesstudents to the pressing environmental issues facing ourplanet and empowers them to take personal action to make

tangible changes in their local communities. Students con-sider the implications of our rising population, (6.7 billionand counting) in the face of our planets finite resourcesand are encouraged to practice more sustainable solutions.Students are also actively involved in running the campus-wide recycling program and actively inspire their class-mates to help them green the campus.

Every fall, in an effort to share this ethic with thebroader community, the Habitat hosts a day long commu-nity celebration of environmental consciousness and ac-tion, called the Sustainable Life Festival (this year on Sept.26, 2009). Guided van tours take the public to homes that

model green design and sustainable systems; non-profitsand local businesses display their eco-wares; local food isserved in the garden kitchen; music, art and communityconnections abound. For more information about thisevent: www.solartour.info.

This coming fall, the Habitat will be launching a seriesof adult education workshops in partnership with local

experts on increasingly vital topics like edible landscapingplanting native habitat gardens, water catchment andother water efficiency techniques, green building designand home composting.

As inspiring as it all is, whats coming next might bemore exciting namely, the groundbreaking of MontereyCountys first public school green classroom, in the Habi-tat gardens, from which will we will grow a huge new har-vest of programs.

To read more about the Habitats plans for the futuremake sure to read the follow up article in the fall edition ofGOTE. The Habitat will also be a destination on the Mas-ter Gardener Garden Tour this coming September. Wedlove to have you come by and see this incredible propertyfirst hand. To keep in touch with the Hilton Bialek Habi-tat and its exciting new developments or to make a taxdeductible donation visit: www.carmelhabitat.org.

All photos by Tanja Roos


4/25


Integrated PestManagement :

Manag ing AphidsPa tric ia Nic e ly, MG03

Every time I see a wad of aphids in my garden, I feel a

bit violated. I love insects, but Ill admit that aphids creepme out a bit. Im always surprised by their sheer numbers;and I cant help but think that if I dont do something im-mediately, Ill come back the next day to find a shriveled,lifeless plant laying on the ground, surrounded by a bunchof cartoonishly bloated aphids wiping their chins and issu-ing satisfied belches in remembrance of their fine meal.Once I am able to extract myself from this fantastical im-age, I see the aphids in a more realistic light. They are tiny,fragile critters that provide sustenance for many gardendwellers and usually wont cause me too many problems.

There are dozens of different aphid species in Califor-

nia ranging in color from green, yellow, brown, or black, tored; some of them also secrete waxy or woolly coverings.All are soft bodied, small (1/8 inch or less), and generallypear shaped, with long legs and antennae.Adult aphids can be winged or wingless. Most aphids havea pair of posterior tubular protrusions called cornicles, thepresence of which distinguishes aphids from other insects.

However, many gall-making aphids and wooly aphids lackcornicles. Aphids undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg-nymph-adult), and during most of the year this happensasexually and very rapidly. Females can bear young with-out enlisting the help of a male.) In the fall some aphidswill reproduce sexually, leaving eggs to overwinter.

Most aphids feed on plant sap from leaves and shoots.Large infestations can cause curling, yellowing, drop, galls,or stunting, and can weaken plants. Vegetable seedlingsare very susceptible to aphid damage because of their smallsize and rapid growth. Root-feeding aphids can kill lettuceplants and stunt or even kill young apple trees. Aphids canalso transmit viral diseases to some vegetables and orna-

mentals. Established woody plants are not typically damaged by aphids.

With a hand lens you can see a lot happening on anaphid-infested plant. Youll likely see the aphid nymphsand adults, especially on the undersides of leaves. You wilprobably see their molts, the tiny white skins that are shed

as they grow. If you have a large aphid population, you willlikely start to see the impact of their natural enemiesPredators include lady beetles and their larvae, soldier bee-tles, lacewing and syrphid fly larvae, aphid flies, andmidges. Parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside the aphidsand the wasp larvae kill the aphids; eventually, adultwasps emerge, leaving behind large, crisp, aphidmummies. Aphids that succumb to fungal diseases(usually during humid weather) will appear fuzzy andshriveled.

Aphids also have natural allies; like other honeydewproducers, aphids secrete a sticky, sugary substance that

ants love to feed on, so much so that they will herd andprotect an aphid population in order to maintain a goodhoneydew supply. Large amounts of honeydew can bequite messy, and can also foster the growth of black sootymold, which can decrease the amount of light available tothe plant. On the plus side, honeydew can attract benefi-cial insects to your garden.

So, given all this info, what is the best way for a homegardener to think about aphids? Lets go through the basic

steps of Integrated Pest Management:1) Correctly identify the pest. If you see insects or damage

look for aphids. If you dont see these, but you have aplant that is susceptible to root-dwelling aphids, such aslettuce or apples, consult the UC IPM website for moreinfo on managing these aphids.

2) Can you tolerate the pest? If you have confirmed thepresence of aphids, determine your threshold of toler-ance. Low to moderate numbers of leaf-feeding aphidsare not usually damaging. Honeydew is not usually aproblem unless it is causing a mess in outdoor areas orcreating such a mold problem that the plants are suffer-

Left: Green peach aphid colony; right: woolly apple aphids, UC IPM website


5/25


ing. Most established woody plants will survive a goodbit of aphid feeding. Younger plants and herbaceousplants that are heavily infested and exhibiting signs ofdamage or stress might need intervention.

3) Identify the conditions that are contributing to thepests success, and change them. Control ants that mightbe tending the aphids. Avoid overfertilizing and over-watering, since aphids are attracted to nitrogen-rich, fast-growing tissues. Control common aphid hosts such assowthistle and mustards (host plants can vary with sea-son and life stage). Protect beneficials by not using broad

-spectrum insecticides in your garden. Avoid aphid-susceptible plant varieties, and consider replacing plantsthat are routinely imperiled by aphids. Many pests areaffected by temperature extremes, so consider tempera-ture in your planting plan.

4) Utilize non-pesticide controls. Be patient. Become fa-

miliar with aphid predators and parasites. Monitor yourgarden bi-weekly for changes in aphid or beneficiapopulations, and changes in plant vigor. Provide benefi-cials with nectar-producing plants and other foodsources (purchasing beneficials is better in commerciaapplications). Grow seedlings indoors or under floatingrow covers. Plant virus-resistant varieties. Check transplants for aphids. A moderate water jet can remove manyaphids as well as rinse off honeydew and sooty moldHand-prune localized infestations if appropriate, anddiscard in soapy water. Look into aphid-deterrent re-flective mulches. Some have experimented with insectrepellant sprays, such as garlic and pepper. Remove anddiscard plants infected with aphid-transmitted viruses ifyou are concerned about virus transmission to otherplants. Remember, anything you do to remove or deteraphids might also affect beneficials.

5) Use pesticides as a last resort. If plants are sufferingand other controls are not helping, choose pesticidesbased on soap, neem, pyrethrin, or oil, and use themproperly. Pesticides may be less effective on aphids protected by galls or curled-up leaves. Dormant sprays aregenerally not recommended for aphid-only controlAvoid broad-spectrum insecticides, because they remaintoxic for long periods, kill beneficials, promote resistant

populations, pollute the environment, and can create apest population explosion later on. Aphids have manynatural enemies, so pesticides are usually not requiredPesticides are not useful in controlling aphid-transmitted viruses, because virus transmission is sorapid.

Some great aphid references:

Online: Aphid Pest Note and Aphid Quick Tip, bothavailable on the UC IPM website (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu).

Books: Pests of the Garden and Small Farm , Pests oLandscape Trees and Shrubs, and The Home Orchard.

All are excellent UC publications and are available forconsultation at the MG Hotline office or for purchase atthe UC Cooperative Extension office.

IPMis an ecologically-based approach to managing pests thattries to prevent problems through a combination ofmethods and uses pesticides only as a last resort.IPM programs can be applied against insects, weeds,

plant diseases, rodents, or other pests. With IPM, youllhave a safer home and environment and youll have fewerpest problems.

Remember these IPM steps as you try to solve your pestproblems:

Correctly identify the pest

Determine if it is a problem you cant tolerate.

Identify the conditions in your home or garden thatare causing the pest to thrive or invade and changethem to the extent possible.

If this isnt enough, consider other methods such ascultural, mechanical, physical or biological controls,

or use least-toxic pesticides as a last resort.

For more information on identifying and managing antsin California, consult the Ant Pest Note or Ant QuickTip, both of which can be found on the UC IPM websitewww.ipm.ucdavis.edu or call the Master Gardener Hotlineat 763-8007.

Lettuce root aphid; waxy infestation on lettuce roots.

Photo by Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM Online


6/25


Barba ra Schilling , MG04

Ma ryann Mc Cormic k, MG04

This year's exciting Masters Garden Tour will takeplace on the Monterey Peninsula September 12 between10am and 4pm. Enjoy strolling through nine private, twopublic and one school garden in Carmel, Carmel Valley,Monterey and Pacific Grove.

The featured gardens represent a wide variety ofdesign and usage ideas and provide examples of MasterGardener sustainable gardening practices such as the useof water-smart plants and irrigation techniques, compost-ing, and creating healthy and productive kitchen gardens.

The public Cooper-Molera and Monterey Museum ofArt La Mirada Gardens are fine examples of communityprojects that are shaped and tended by Master Gardenerswho also volunteer at Carmel Middle School wherethe organic gardening experience is integrated into everystudents curriculum.

New this year is a Thumbnail Lecture Series compris-ing twelve short talks repeated three times so that thevisitor has ample opportunity to hear each one. (See page10 for details.) Topics include: turning your kitchen wasteinto rich compost with a little help from some friendlyworms; recycling your yard waste into compost; vegetablegardening; a demonstration of how to establish a colony ofbees; the best ways to prune your trees and shrubs; creat-ing sacred spaces; container gardening; low-water garden-ing; how to arrange your gardens bounteous flowers;succulents; wildlife gardening; and fire-safe gardeningtechniques taught by Dave Egbert, our locally famous

Coastal Gardener. See your ticket for Thumbnail Lecturelocations.

Shoppers can choose from among hundreds of plantsrepresenting many diverse species gently propagated byMaster Gardeners and browse gardening-related books

and handcrafted art created by more than a dozen wellknown local artisans. You might even be one of manywinners of the garden and "surprise" raffle!

Every garden on the 2009 Monterey Bay MasterGardeners Tour has beautiful, inspiring plant selectionsand original design elements that illustrate how one cantransform an ordinary plot of land into a unique andpersonal sanctuary. Dont miss it!!

The Gardens

The Braddock Residence, MontereyThis garden was a winner in last years Water Smart

Gardening contest because of the dramatic decrease theowners achieved in water consumption. This lush, woodedlandscape includes roses and hydrangeas along with at-tractive, water-wise features such as dry creek beds, per-meable pavers and French drains.

Tickets include maps and

provide all the information you need

to make your experience truly

exceptional. Tickets may be

purchased at the fine stores listed

on page 9 or online at

www.montereybaymastergardeners.org.

12th Annual

Masters Ga rden TourGarden Sanctuaries of the

Monterey PeninsulaSeptember 12th


7/25


Carmel Middle School & Hilton Bialek Habitat, Carmel

Native plants thrive without irrigation in the HiltonBialek Habitat, which is comprised solely of vegetationcarefully selected to support our native species of birds,animals and insects. The Organic Garden is beautiful andbountiful. Monterey County's first green public schoolclassroom is under construction in the western part of thegardens and will feature a living native grass roof, windturbine, solar photovoltaic panels, gray water recyclingand eco-materials. (http://www.carmelhabitat.org/)

Carr-Schilling Residence, MontereyCasa Buelna is located on two acres that have been

transformed from extensive lawn areas into mounded bedswith drought tolerant Mediterranean plantings. A matureoak forest, Salvia, Penstemon, Euphorbia, Grevillea, lavender,roses and various succulents as well as native Ceanothus,Arctostaphylos and grasses are just some of the plants thatare artfully combined to create a natural look. Thelocalvore resident has a large food garden of vegetableand herbs in raised beds, a small fruit orchard, and a berrypatch. This is an open, sunny, gardeners garden.

Cooper-Molera Adobe, MontereyThis garden represents the golden era of historic Mon-

terey featuring heirloom plants and cultivation techniques

that were in use before 1865. The two-acre property housesfour adobe structures, an orchard, a vegetable garden, andan extensive ornamental area with a large selection of heir-loom roses and herbal plantings. All of the plants havebeen extensively researched to ensure that they wereavailable before 1865. (http://www.historicmonterey.org/p=cooper_molera_adobe; http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=956 )

The Gillooly Residence, CarmelThis immaculate garden demonstrates effective and

picturesque ways to deal with the challenges of plantingunder coast live oaks and gardening on steep hillsidesCarmel stone pathways wind through trees, up and downterraces, and past vine-covered arbors and trellises. Acontainer garden adorns a large deck that overlooks themouth of Carmel Valley.


8/25


The Grate Residence, Pacific GroveOver the past thirty years this property has been trans-

formed from a plot of bare earth into a garden wonderland.Well-placed walls reflect scant Pacific Grove sunlight tobeds of roses and fruit trees. Angular pathways aresoftened by planted pots and beds burgeoning with uniquesucculents, vines and giant camellias. The owner is locallyrenowned for her expertise in heirloom roses and garden-ing techniques.

The Kent Residence, MontereyWinding pathways lead the visitor through a se-

ries of rooms in this densely planted half-acre garden inthe sunbelt of Monterey. Large, esthetically pleasing oaksand artfully placed vines and trellises create private nooksand hide-a-ways that the owner designed as a total re-treat. There are also vegetable beds, fruit trees and a well-established compost area that demonstrates severaldifferent composting techniques.

The Lloyd Residence, CarmelThis largely-native wildlife garden lovingly enfolds a

storybook cottage. The owner, who spent years working asa gardener in England, was inspired to add cottage charmto the graceful oak terrace landscape by creating individu-alized spaces in themes: a shady refuge, a tte--tteseating area, a reclined-oak resting bench. A separate guestroom looks over salvias, callas and an incredible view ofPoint Lobos.

The McCormick Residence, Pacific GroveThis playful garden blends the interests of children and

adults in a series of garden rooms. A lovely live oakwoodland abuts a small native grass lawn; a shade/fuchsiagarden lies next to a spa; the herb garden overlooks hybridtea roses and old climbers; and a food garden shares spacewith a hand-made playhouse. Seating nooks and patios addto the relaxing atmosphere. This garden has something foreveryone.


9/25


MMA La Mirada, MontereyPart of the Monterey Museum of Art, La Mirada is an

historic adobe comprised of galleries and gardens. At theentrance under a canopy of Monterey cypresses is a largerhododendron garden with pathways that meanderthrough the sedimentary Carmel stone hillside. The formalrose garden is historic and particularly noteworthybecause of its many examples of hybrid teas and older,heirloom varieties. There is also a well-developed propaga-tion center, a flower cutting garden, and many romanticnooks with water features and specimen plantings.(http://www.montereyart.org/about_us/facilities.html)

The Murray Residence, MontereyVisit the personal sanctuary of local artist Elizabeth

Murray and experience the mlange of play and creativityin her garden. Lizs historical home and garden, nestled inthe oak woodlands of Monterey, embody her personalgardening philosophy. Features incorporate color, texture,mystery, and movement highlighting a gardendesigned for play, spirituality, and practicality.

The Walzer Residence, CarmelThis garden embraces two common challenges

limited space and deer. The house sits at the back over-looking the front garden that is densely planted with a re-markable variety of species. The owner, a local expert insucculents, created a specimen garden that showcasesexcellent examples of cacti, drought tolerant plants andnative species.

Where to Buy Tic kets

Advance purchase ~ $20.00; day of Tour ~ $25.00.Purchase online too www.montereybaymastergardeners.org/tour2009/tour_main.htm

Carmel: Brintons ~ FezQ of Carmel ~ HomescapesCarmel Valley: Valley Hills NurseryGilroy: West Side NurseryMonterey: Drought Resistant Nursery ~ Cypress GardenNursery ~ Swenson & Silacci Flowers ~ Wild Bird CenterPacific Grove: Miss Trawicks Garden Shop ~ Pacific

Grove FloristPrunedale: Bokay Nursery ~ McShanes Nursery and Land-scape ~ Swenson & Silacci FlowersSanta Cruz County: Aladdin Nursery ~ Far West Nursery Garden Company ~ Hidden Gardens ~ Native Revival ~ Pot-tery Planet ~ Plant Works ~ ProBuild Garden Center(formerly Lumbermans) ~ Scarborough Garden CenterSeaside: Seaside Garden CenterWatsonville:Sierra Azul

(Please call ahead; locations subject to change.)


10/25


Tour Thum bna il Lec tures(See ticket for times and locations)

Vegetable Gardening Marcia SmullenLearn tips and techniques for organic vegetable

gardening and see examples of heirloom varieties of every-thing from tomatoes to greens. The talk will also discuss

the enhanced value of organic vegetables and the benefitsof companion planting and crop rotation. Marcia Smullenhas studied heirloom and historic vegetable gardening formany years, and holds a U.S. patent on an organic methodof pest control (soil solarization).

Worm Composting Bob McCormick; Larise BakerWhy use worms to compost? Explore how to start a

worm composting bin: what type and size of bin will suityour family; what worms to buy; what to feed them andwhat NOT to feed them; what are the pitfalls. BobMcCormick is a local environmental science/biologyteacher and a worm afficianado. Larise Baker has been a

vermiculturist for over 10 years.

Beekeeping Richard CarrIf you want to know the buzz about the bees, this talk

explores the benefits of bee keeping in an urban environ-ment the production of honey, pollination for yourflowering plants, and the enjoyment of many, manyoutdoor pets! It is easy and fun. Richard Carr is anamateur beekeeper and is active in the local bee commu-nity.

Low-water Gardening Bob CostaIf youd like to learn how to maximize water efficiency

in your own gardens, this talk will cover several helpfultechniques, including irrigation, drought-tolerant plantchoices and other useful practices. Bob Costa is a horticul-turist, an irrigation specialist, and a consultant to WaterAwareness Committee of Monterey County.

Succulents Stuart WalzerRock garden lovers will enjoy this talk about cultivat-

ing succulents and integrating them into your garden. Thislecture is set in a collectors garden and will showcase awide variety of unusual specimens, highlighting AeoniumandEcheveria. Stuart Walzer has been growing succulentsfor over forty years, both locally and in southern California;

he been a Master Gardener for thirteen years.

Container Gardening Speaker TBAEven the smallest patio or porch can boast a crop of

vegetables or a garden of flowers. The container gardeneris limited only by his or her imagination. Come and learnhow to make your own bountiful beds.

Composting Speaker TBALearn how to turn your garden and kitchen plant

waste to a garden bonanza. You can refresh your gardensnutrients, enhance your soils water carrying capacity andkeep your household refuse down to a minimum. With

proper compost management techniques, you can keepyour plants healthy, your fertilizer needs low and yourwallet full! Speaker - TBA.

Flower Arranging Erik CroonquistCreate your own bouquets and nosegays from the

plants in your garden. Learn to use fronds, prunings andleaves as well as the flowers in unique ways with fabulousresults. Erik Croonquist is the manager of Swenson andSilacci Flowers, Inc., a well-known Monterey flower mer-chant.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs Peter QuintanillaLearn the principles and basic techniques for pruning

small trees and shrubs. Good pruning practices revitalizemature plants and control and shape larger plants. PeterQuintanilla is a Certified Arborist and Master GardenerHe teaches pruning classe for Monterey Bay Green Gar-deners, Master Gardeners and bilingual pruning work-shops for landscape crews.

Wildlife Gardening Speaker TBAFor many gardeners, attracting a variety of animals

into the garden is one of the major goals of their effortsInvite living creatures into the garden, extending theirrange into an urban environment and allowing you to enjoyand observe them.

Fire Safe Gardening Dave EgbertSeptember is fire season. Learn how to create a beauti

ful blooming landscape to help protect your home fromwildfires. Dave Egbert, the Coastal Gardener, is a locatelevision personality, an avid plantsman and volunteerfirefighter.

Creating Sacred Spaces Elizabeth MurrayThis talk focuses on gardening for the soul. The gar

den owner shares her personal gardening philosophy andencourages listeners to transform their own private gar-dens into places that satisfy their need for the sacred, forplay, for meditation, and for connecting with the earthElizabeth Murray is an author, an artist and a professionagardener who lives locally.

And there s more!

Plant Sale: A wide selection of perennials lovingly propa-gated by our very own Monterey Bay Master Gardeners.Art Sale: Wondrous arts and crafts by local artisans.Book Sale: Choose from Master Gardeners favorite newand lightly-used books.Raffle: Enter for a chance to win one of our fabulous raffleprizes!

Buy Your Tickets Online!www.montereybaymastergardeners.org

Proceeds support school and community garden projects.


11/25


The Pruner s CornerPaul Mc Co llum, MG 04

Greetings to all you gardeners! I hope your springseason was as beautiful for you as it has been for me. Well,here we are at mid-year already and the work and enjoy-

ment of our gardens continues to keep us busy and hope-fully out of harms way. There is so much to do this time ofyear that the days just seem to fly by!

As for summer pruning, we need to consider at leastfive things:1. Decide what you are after. Why am I doing this?2. Use proper tools that are sharp and sanitized. Your

pruners, shears, loppers and other tools should besharp and clean. Also, the blade of your tool should bewiped with alcohol between each cut.

3. Begin by removing any dead wood. This is good forthe health of the plant, and leaves you with a clearerview of the work left to be done. Sometimes the re-moval of the dead wood is all that needs to be done tomake a tree or shrub look its best.

4. Use your imagination! Try and visualize how theplant will look after you remove crossing branches ortake away the top third, etc.

5. Work slowly. Before pruning a branch, bend it out ofthe way if possible and decide if you really want toremove it.Summer pruning of roses means deadheading the spent

blooms down to a 5-petaled leaf and usually one with thenode facing away from the center of the plant. Climbersand ramblers that have been trained to have their canes at

45 degrees or parallel to the ground can have the floweringvertical stems pruned so that two or three nodes are left oneach; they will produce more flowers. One-time bloomersthat have not already been pruned should be cut back nowso that they will be in top condition for next year. Canesand new growth that are blocking walkways or are other-wise in the way should be cut out.

Shrubs and plants that flower should be deadheaded toclean up the plant and rejuvenate them. Flowering peren-nials like columbine and penstemon will appreciate theattention. With seed-producing plants, stalks can be justleft in the garden so birds and other wildlife can feast (and

theyll also get rid of many of the unwanted insects). Thoseof you who may want a clean and sanitary garden may notwant to leave this kind of compost laying around and thatis just fine different strokes! All native perennials shouldbe deadheaded at the end of their blooming cycle or in theearly fall keep an eye on the plant and it will tell youwhen it is time.

As for trees, the time for heavy pruning is past butlight pruning will help shape the tree and keep it inbounds. Many people are summer pruning their fruit treesto keep the size down and the fruit at a reachable height.Trees that put on a lot of summer growth (like many of the

plums) have done well for me with summer pruning. If see a branch growing in a direction I dont want it to go, cut it off.

Some plants need different types of pruning. Shearingusually means trimming back the outer layer of foliage sothe foliage grows back denser. Some plants respond well tothis treatment and others do not. Golden aster can be

sheared with scissors or a weed trimmer. Sage (dont cutinto the old wood), wax myrtle, Escallonia, and sugar bushare other examples.

Another technique is coppicing, which means cuttingthe plant down to the ground. Two examples that respondwell to this method are the Toyon and mock orange.

Selective pruning is perhaps the most widely usedmethod of pruning and involves the removal of particularbranches to achieve a desired shape. Using this techniqueyou can effectively open up the plant and allow more lightand air to go through; and when done conscientiously itwill show off the plants natural beauty.

Besides the plants mentioned above examples of othersthat respond well to summer pruning are manzanitaOregon grape, wild lilac, flannelbush, monkeyflower, hollyleaf cherry, coffeeberry, and oleander.

One last reminder: after you prune your plants add alittle organic fertilizer to the soil, dig it in and top it withgood compost (homemade if possible) as a mulch to con-serve water and watch your plants show their apprecia-tion for all your good efforts.

Any questions can be directed to me at [email protected]. See you in the fall issue.

Prune most broadleaf shrubs to keep their natural shape by using

primarily thinning cuts. Avoid making heading cuts or shearing

the whole plant. Cut off the largest, oldest branches at or very

near the ground. Leave the younger, shorter stem.

(http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5764/26329.pdf)


12/25


Featured Plant:Ca lifornia Monkey Flowers

Sue Ta rjan, M G06

My love affair with monkey flowers began twenty ormore years ago when my husband and I lived in Los Ange-les in the Eagle Rock area between Glendale and Pasadena.Almost every morning or evening, wed load the dogs intothe car and drive to the head of one fire trail or other andhike up into the chaparral covered foothills of the SanGabriels, the mountains that loom above the LA basin.Spring through midsummer without fail, there would bethe monkey flowers, school-bus orange cascades of cheer-ful little blooms on scrubby, woody bushes with thin,sticky leaves. Paintbrush, penstemons, poppies, lupines,and other natives would blossom there, too, but none as

reliably or for as long.I had no idea, however, just how diverse and ornamen-

tal these plants are and how easy to maintain in the gardenuntil I first visited Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden(http://www.rsabg.org) in Claremont, the largest (86 acre)botanical garden anywhere devoted solely to Californianative plants. Founded in 1927, its well worth a visit forany native plant enthusiast planning a trip to SouthernCalifornia because youll see a vast array of natives growingin one place along with a wealth of educational resourcesfor the gardener. There I saw monkey flowers displayed inrock gardens, containers, borders, slopes, and together

with almost every California native plant community.I was captivated!Speaking of diverse, heres a bit of plant classification.

Monkey flowers have traditionally been placed in the fig-wort family, Scrophulariaceae, although this appears tohave changed recently to the lopseed family, Phrymaceae.Most gardeners familiar with monkey flowers refer tothem as Mimulus, but be aware that many authoritiesamong them the Integrated Taxonomic Information Sys-tem (http://www.itis.gov) and Las Pilitas Nursery (http://www.laspilitas.com)divide the plants between two genera,Mimulus andDiplacus.

Monkey flowers placed in the genus Mimulus are theannual and herbaceous perennial species that preferriparian areas and welcome some shade, doing quite wellunder cottage garden conditions. Those placed in the ge-nus Diplacus are woody, upright perennials that tolerate thefull sun and dry conditions found on rocky slopes. Youlfind them alongside coyote bush, buckwheats, salviasartemisias, etc. Thus, the monkey flower I first gotacquainted with may be called either Diplacus aurantiacus

A Few Monkey Recommendations by Plant Community(fromDesigning California Native Gardens)

Community Species(all here classified underMimulus)

Chaparral Any bush monkey flower(Diplacus)

Coastal bluffs M. aurantiacus

M. longiflorus

M. bifidus

Coastal sage scrub M. longiflorus

Desert garden M. bigelovii

Grassland M. kelloggii

Mixed evergreen M. guttatus

Montane meadow M. primuloidesM. lewisii

Oak woodland M. aurantiacus

Redwood forest M. dentatus

Riparian woodland M. guttatus

Left: Mimulus lewisii, pink or mountain monkey flower

Right: Mimulus bifidus cultivar, possibly 'Trish'

Photos by Sue Tarjan


13/25


australis or Mimulus aurantiacus australis, depending on the source youuse. I find the distinction useful myself, as it readily identifies theecological niche a particular monkey flower belongs in and its likelycultural requirements.

Monkeys range in color from yellow through red with bi- and tri-color combinations. Hybrid monkeys, often called Verity hybrids,add near white, rose-purple, and bronze to the palette. Blossoms

have an almost pansy-like appearance, tubular and with two ridgeson the lower throat. Among the natives of our region are Diplacusaurantiacus, Mimulus cardinales (scarlet monkey flower), and Mimulusguttantus.

Although monkey flowers tend to be short lived, theyre not toofussy and propagate and transplant easily. Herbaceous monkey flow-ers do very well in well draining containers. Water herbaceous mon-keys once every week or two if its hotless often if woody. Prunewoody types before growth starts in spring. If you prune after theirfirst flowering, they will bloom again in fall or more if watered. Ileave herbaceous types alonemany die back completely in winterto pop up again in springI have some monkeys (Mimulus moschatusor musk monkey flower) in a planter that have been returning faith-fully for five or six years.

Youll be pleased to see the insect pollinators, hummers, and

other birds gravitate to these plants for nectar and seeds. In fact, theleaves are edible to humans, and young leaves can be used in salad orstir fry if youre adventurous. They tend to be salty, so watch out!

DEER AND GOPHERS LEAVE MONKEY FLOWERS ALONE,ALONE, ALONE! I've never had one incident of either botheringthem. They ARE brittle sometimes, however, particularly the woodyspecies, so don't plant them in heavy traffic areas or where dogs andkids will run through them all the time.

Native Revival Nursery in Aptos usually has a great selection ofmonkey flowers. The best time to plant is fall after the first rain, butIve had good luck planting any time but dead winter at my house(which means strong wind, heavy rain, and even snow).

Monkey BusinessKari Olsen, MG06Learning to propagate from cuttings can be

dauntingall those sterile conditions required,

rooting hormone, controlled temperature range,

the secret medium mixture. As it turns out, the

keys to learning propagation are not any of those

thingsthey are patience and having a first suc-

cess.Mimulus (Monkey Flower) is an incredibly

easy plant to propagate from cuttings, the perfect

first plant for beginners.

Two years ago, Sue Tarjan and I went on our

annual fall shopping spree at a local native plant

nursery. As always, the back of the Prius was

crammed to bursting point, and as we unloaded

the plants, I found a piece of her new Mimulus

had broken off in the crush. Without forethought,

I cut it to just the tip and stuck it in a small pot

filled with potting soil. There it sat outside on my

porch the remainder of the fall, through winter,

and into early spring. Its appearance neverchanged during those four months, and while it

didnt look very healthy, it also didnt look dead,

so I left it alone and pretty much forgot about it.

Midway through spring, I rediscovered it and

thought it looked a little greener towards the tip.

A week after that, it looked like it might have

grown. I tipped it out of its pot, and to my aston-

ishment saw the entire pot filled with roots.

While there had been no signs of life above the

soil, the cutting had been busy during those

months establishing a root system and waiting

for the proper season to begin its top growth. I

repotted it in a larger container, added fresh pot-ting soil and a spoonful of balanced fertilizer,

and that sprig took off going from a 2-inch twig

to a blooming one gallon plant in about two

months time. By that point, I had long forgotten

whichMimulus species it was, so the first flower

to open was a wonderful surprise. It was aMimu-

lus bifidus, a mock azalea, named for its large

blooms that resemble an azalea flower.

Since then I have propagated many more

plants from that first cutting, and those successes

led me to experiment with other plants with vary-

ing results. Some live and some dont, but some-

where along the way, I realized that propagating

by cuttings isnt as mysterious or complicated asId thought. True, there is a lot to learn and there

are many tools you can invest in to improve your

odds if you find yourself trying to propagate eve-

rything in sight (I did). But nothing is as impor-

tant as having that first successful cutting;Mimu-

lus can help you make that step.

If youd like to try propagating by cuttings,

find a fellow gardener who has a Mimulus, break

off a couple of tips, and follow my not-so-

scientific method. Watching a new plant grow

from a piece of broken stem is extraordinary. It

changes the way you see your garden.Mimulus propagation before and after. Photos by Kari Olsen

Left: Mimulus

bifidus Pumpkin

Photo by C Kriedt

Right: Mimulus

puniceus, red

monkey flower

Photo by S Tarjan


14/25


Mimulus cardinalis.

Mimulus moschatus (musk monkey flower)

Mimulus Changeling

Mimulus auriantiacus

Mimulus lewisii. Photos by Sue Tarjan.

In a bed with mallow, buckwheat, etc.


15/25


Book ReviewsGarden Your Way ToHealth and FitnessBunny Guinness andJacqueline KnoxTimber Press, 2008 Sharon Tyler, MG04

We have all done it. Westep into the garden to takecare of a five-minute job pull those few weeds or clipsome small twigs or branches and one thing leads to an-

other. An hour or two later, we realize how long we havebeen working, made all too apparent by a new painfulmuscle or a familiar joint pain. To prevent injury from gar-dening, look at this book!

The first chapter, Elements of Garden Fitness, is de-

voted to preventing injury by stretching and strengtheningcore muscles on a regular basis. Excellent photos and care-ful instruction assure correct body alignment and success-ful performance of the prescribed exercises. Post-gardening stretches are tailored to muscles that have beenused in the garden.

The next chapter, Using Your Outdoor Gym, de-scribes how to use gardening chores to burn calories. Spe-cific exercises are incorporated that can be done in the gar-den. The authors present equipment ideas that includeexercise opportunities such as a bench that could be usedfor casual sitting or as a place to stretch tendons or per-

form power lunges and much more.Safer Gardening: Tools and Techniques explains howto use tools safely. Also presented are techniques to carefor knees, shoulders, neck, back, hands, wrists, elbows andfeet, while pruning, weeding, digging and planting. Help isgiven to choosing the right tool, and then using it correctly,which can prevent many strains.

The chapter Design Ideas for a Healthy Lifestyle sug-gests that walkways and paving are elements for a wel-coming and safe garden. The sections on lawn maintenanceand plant selection will be less relevant to California gar-dening, since the authors wrote these for their own region

of England.The final chapters are entitled Health and Fitness inthe Ornamental Garden and Health and Fitness in theProductive Garden. In the first, the composition of bor-ders, weed control and other design ideas are suggested. Inthe second, the authors discuss the vegetable garden, fruittrees, herbs, and how to plan ergonomic workspaces forthese. Happily, instructions for how to create and main-tain a compost heap using correct body mechanics are in-cluded.

Using the Pilates principles in the guided system of-fered in this book may make the physical demands of gar-dening less damaging. More enjoyment and less pain!

The Complete CompostGardening GuideBarbara Pleasant andDeborah L. MartinStorey Publishing, 2008 Patricia Nicely, MG03

As compost gardenersgo, I am neither sophisti-cated, nor adventurous, norparticularly well-educatedabout composting tech-niques. I do win some vari

ety points, though; Ive got my very pokey worm bin, and abin where I toss my extra veggie waste, and a new binwhere Ive used the tried-and-true but labor-intensive fastcomposting method. But something clicked in me thisyear, a desire to try new things in the garden. Also, my

back is killing me, and frankly Im tired of forking my com-post. I think thats why I picked up a copy ofThe CompleteCompost Gardening Guide at the Capitola Book Caf.

Its a 318-page book, and I read most of it that sameweekend. The authors writing style is easy to read, beinga refreshing mix of casual yet highly informative. They discuss a wide range of composting techniques, from a simplepit in the ground to a standard, high-maintenance hot pileSome of their techniques are very creative yet practicaland most come with amusing names (I cant wait to makemy very first honey hole). I found their willingness to trynew things inspiring, and was relieved that most of their

methods involved little maintenance, honoring the ideathat slow is good. They discuss composting tools, apparatus that you can make yourself (even a solar soil cooker!)the nuts and bolts of decomposition, plants that grow welin compost piles, and many other topics. I especially appre-ciate that they discuss composting in the context of re-source conservation, not just in terms of re-use and recy-cling, but also in terms of the petroleum you might use (orsave) collecting materials and supplies for your compost-ing endeavors, and how you might help your communityby composting its waste.

For gardeners new to the realm of composting, the in-

formation in this book would definitely inspire you andguide you in the right direction; for more seasoned com-posters, I see this book as an infusion of potentially noveltechniques, and maybe a fresh perspective on what rot cando for you. And, its a fun read.


16/25


On the Future of Food , Part 2Thomas Ka rwin, MG99

In the spring issue of Gardening on the Edge, I wroteabout the first part of Michael Pollans essay, Farmer inChief, which is his critique of Americas food system inthe form of an open letter to the President. Pollan lists

problems with the food system and calls for reform guidedby the following three principles Provide a healthful diet for all people Improve the resilience, safety and security of our food

supply Reconceive agriculture as part of the solution to envi-

ronmental problems like climate changeThis article summarizes Pollans recommendations for

change.Resolarize the American FarmPollan notes that most of the problems with our food

system exist because it relies on fossil fuels, and concludes

that federal policies should support a return to the tradi-tional reliance on the energy of the sun.

Pollan recommends using federal policies to driveAmericas farmers away from subsidized commodity cropsgrown in monoculture and toward growing as many dif-ferent cropsincluding animalsas possible. He ob-serves, the greater the diversity of crops on a farms, theless the need for both fertilizers and pesticides both ofwhich are made from petrochemicals.

Currently, federal farm policy provides subsidies tofarmers who grow corn, soybeans, wheat and rice(commodity crops) and prohibits them from growing

fruits and vegetables (specialty crops). Federal subsidiesto farmers should instead increase with the number of dif-ferent crops they grow or the number of days that theirfields are used to grow food, replenish the soil with covercrops, or control erosion.

Related policy changes include: Require municipal composting of food and yard waste

and free distribution of the compost to area farmers. Promote continual use of farmland (rather than leaving

it fallow) and conduct research to develop varieties ofgrains than can be grown like prairie grass.

Encourage farmers to move animals off of feedlots and

back onto farms: sunlight nourishes the grasses andgrains, the plants nourish the animals, the animalsthen nourish the soil, which in turn nourishes the nextseasons grasses and grains. This change involves end-ing federal subsidies of grains, ending the use of antibi-otics in feed, and requiring feedlots to clean up theirwastes like any other industry or municipality.Pollan acknowledges that these changes could increase

the cost of food, but argues that complex, sun-based agri-cultural systems could produce more and better food thantodays high-yield commodity crop systems, and also gen-erate multiple social benefits. These are realistic goals, he

says, but the food industry needs more research on sustain-able agriculture.

Re-regionalize the Food SystemPollan notes, resolarizing the food system means

building the infrastructure for a regional food economyone that can support diversified farming and, by shorten-ing the food chain, reduce the amount of fossil fuel in theAmerican diet. This change involves a series of related ac-tions: Establish four-season farmers markets Establish agricultural enterprise zones Provide local meat-inspection corps Establish a strategic grain reserve Regional federal food procurement Create a federal definition of food

On this last bullet point, Pollan says, We need to stopflattering nutritionally worthless food-like substances bycalling them junk food and instead make clear that suchproducts are not in fact food of any kind.

Rebuild Americas Food CulturePollan urges the President to use federal policy, public

education and his own examples to promote a new cul-ture of food that can undergird your sun-food agenda. Pol-lans ideas for rebuilding Americas food culture includethe following: Require gardens in schools as part of the curriculum Introduce a School Lunch Corps program to forgive

federal student loans to culinary-school graduates inexchange for two yeas of service in the public-schoollunch program

Assign responsibility for food labeling to the surgeongeneral, rather than the Department of Agriculture, toavoid having to negotiate regulations with the foodindustry

Require that labels on packaged foods show how manycalories of fossil fuel went into its production

Post daily menus for the First Family, including atleast one meatless meal each week

Replace five acres of the White House lawn with anorganic fruit and vegetable gardenPollan concludes his open letter to the President by

noting, cheap food is only cheap because of governmenthandouts and regulatory indulgencenot to mention theexploitation of workers, animals and the environment on

which its putative economies depend. Cheap food isfood dishonestly pricedit is in fact unconscionablyexpensive.

Michael Pollan is a professor at the University of California, Berkeleyand the author of several well-researched and provocative books and articleson food, gardening and agriculture.

To read Farmer in Chief, browse to the New York Times MagazineOctober 12, 2008 issue on food. Use the following link, and scroll down to find Pollans piece. http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2008/10/12/magazinindex.html

To learn of Pollans other writings, visit his personal website: http:/www.michaelpollan.com/


17/25


Try It, You ll Like It: VancouveriaChristina Kried t, MG06

One of my favorite dry shade plants is Vancouveria orinside-out flower. I believe the species that is living on thenorth side of my house is V. planipetala, redwood inside-out

flower, native to southern Oregon and northern California.It looks a little raggedy in the winter but has never beenwhat I would call deciduous as is V. hexandra, northern in-side-out flower, native to Washington and Oregon. Bothspecies have white flowers. The only other species in thegenus is V. chrysantha which has yellow flowers, is evergreenand is reputed to be the most drought tolerant; I havenever seen it. They are members of the Berberidaceae, orbarberry, family, cousins to Epimedium.

I researched several of my gardening-with-natives andgardening-without-water kinds of books and was dis-mayed to find it absent from all but two of them. Sunset

Western Garden Book (of course) lists it as does MarjorieSchmidts Growing California Native Plants (University ofCalifornia Press. 1980).

Its dainty laciness reminds me of maidenhair fern, an-other favorite. Ms. Schmidt notes that Vancouveria has fewequals for rambling ground covers in shaded areas. Also,Its attractiveness continues over a long period, and it isapt to hurdle retaining logs, grow into paths, and ignoretree roots which sometimes discourage highly cultivatedplants. She recommends that you mingle it with wild iris,azaleas, or as a cover for lilies. I second her suggestions.

Although established Vancouveria will do better than

survive without supplemental water, it looks happier if ithas a drink once in a while. The plants were well-established in my yard before I arrived and, as I recall, theonly other plants living in that bed were Juncus (a rush)and a couple of as yet unidentified ferns. During mysecond year here, the owners had that side of the houserepaired and painted; in a few hours the workers (clearlyNOT gardeners) trampled the Vancouveria to a mush thatresembled pesto sauce. In that decimated space, I sadlystored a 6 potted hydrangea and three small bamboos(also in pots) and only watered the containerssparinglyat that. And to my absolute surprise, the Vancouveria

jubilantly reclaimed the bed, filling it in completely in oneseason.

Vancouveria grows from rhizomes and spreads aroundfairly rapidlyor so it seems to me. I never water theplants directly, but I do continue to water the potsall ofwhich, Im embarrassed to admit, are still in storage there.

Heronswood carries it online: http://www.heronswood.com/perennials_perennials-t-to-z_vancouveria/; and in the Santa Cruzarea, after eight phone calls, I only found it at RedwoodNursery where they have gallon cans. Charlie at The Gar-den Company will special order it. Maybe Ill try propagat-ing mine.

From top: The inside-out

flower (Photo: http://

www.rainyside.com/features/

plant_gallery/nativeplants/

Vancouveria_hexandra.html)

Second: Close-up of leafletsThird: Nice dense mat of green

Bottom: The Vancouveria is

about 15 tall.


18/25


Benefits of Gardening

Nature Defic it DisorderKathleen Sonnta g, MG06

Lets broaden the definition of horticulture to includetime spent outdoors in a natural setting as well as timespent improving land to create a garden or tend a garden.

Nature Deficit Disorder describes what happens toyoung people who become disconnected from their naturalworld. Richard Louv links this lack of experience in wildnatural settings to some of the most disturbing childhoodtrends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, anddepression. Research supports Louvs claim. A recent Uni-versity of California study shows that 90 percent of 9-year-olds get a few hours of exercise outdoors most days andfewer than three percent of 15-year-olds do.

A recent study found that children today spend an av-erage of 6 hours each day in front of the computer and TVbut less than 4 minutes a day in unstructured outdoorplay, leading researchers to discover a new condition spe-cific to this current generation that they have callednature deficit disorder. This emphasis on indoor timespent in front of screens versus outdoor play and discoveryhas been correlated with negative psychological and physi-cal effects including obesity, loneliness, depression, atten-tion problems and greater social isolation due to reducedtime with friends and family.

A growing body of scientific evidence identifies strongcorrelations between experience in the natural world andchildrens ability to learn, along with their physical andemotional health. Stress levels, attention-deficit hyperac-tivity disorder, cognitive functioningand morearepositively affected by time spent in nature. In the sameway that protecting water and protecting air are strategiesfor promoting public health, says Howard Frumkin, direc-tor of the National Center for Environmental Health at theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, protectingnatural landscapes can be seen as a powerful form of pre-ventive medicine. (http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/4401/)

The Children and Nature website (http://www.childrenandnature.org/) has links to articles and in-formation about connecting children to nature. Over thelast 4 generations change has occurred that makes it un-common for children to go outside and play without su-pervision and programmed activities. On this websitethere is a Nature Clubs for Families toolkit that suggests

ways for families to get out and enjoy activities in a naturalsetting.

Richard Louv appeared on the Today Show (http://richardlouv.com/appearances) where he was able to getattention for his ideas and inspired parents and communi-ties to bring their kids outdoors. As the correlation be-tween childrens health and their connection to nature isvalidated by more scientific studies, interest in existingprograms and development of new opportunities for na-ture education and experience are growing.

The junior ranger program at Yosemite National Parkhas been popular since the 1930s. Today a lot of people

have heard about nature deficit disorder and about kidsbeing disconnected from nature and being plugged in allthe time, so there is a renewed focus on junior ranger pro-grams. Thanks to that renewed interest, rangers in Yosem-ite have gone from one Junior Ranger Program a day tothree in recent years. The kids in the program don't seemto notice that the TV's, iPod's, and cell phones are nowherein sight.

Environmental Education helps address nature deficitdisorder

Perhaps the greatest change will occur when environ-

mental education is added to the educational standardsoutlining required curriculum in K-12 schools. The NoChild Left Behind Act (NCLB) pressured teachers to nar-row instruction to prepare students for the barrage of stan-dardized tests that measure the students performance andthe schools success at educating the students. Severalstates are working on the enactment of stateenvironmental literacy plans. Such a plan, developed lo-cally, spells out how a state will integrate environmentalinstruction into the curriculum to ensure that studentshave a basic understanding of their natural world.

The House of Representatives approved the No ChildLeft Inside Act of 2008 on September 19, 2008. The legisla-tion is currently making its way to the president's desk(http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=687)

Get involved.Sign a petition encouraging Congress to pass the

"No Child Left Inside Act"at the following website:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2qBkLid1Nk2wUTFSZktxIA%3d%3d

The best six doctors anywhere

And no one can deny it

Are sunshine, water, rest, and air

Exercise and diet.

These six will gladly you attend

If only you are willing

Your mind, they'll ease

Your will, they'll mend

And charge you not a shilling.

Nursery rhyme by Wayne Fields

What the River Knows, 1990


19/25


The Ed ib le GardenTammy Taha ra , MG 06

Good Eats and Gardening Tips

PeppersOnions, peppers, garlic and tomatoes, sounds like the

beginning of a salsa recipe, doesnt it? Those are the crops Ihave growing in my garden this spring.

Just about every article Ive read about peppers men-tions how easy they are to grow from seed. I used a seed-ling mat for bottom heat and a grow box to start my seed-lings and it took almost 3 weeks for them to sprout. I didsoak the seeds in water as suggested on the seed packet,but I might just as easily have used a hydrogen peroxidesolution or weak chamomile tea to help break the seed coatdown and speed germination ah, research!

Once the seeds sprouted, my plants languished with

two leaves for a couple of weeks and I decided to put themoutside once their second set of leaves emerged and theweather grew warmer. When our recent weekend heatwave hit they sprang to life! With any luck, Ill be harvest-ing jalapenos, Thai hot chilies, pepperoncini Greek, Cornodi Toro, Jimmy Nardellos Italian and cayenne blend pep-pers this summer.

Capsicum, a member of the family Solanaceae, has beencultivated in the Americas for over 5,000 years with evi-dence of their utilization by native peoples since 7500 BC.The five domesticated species consist of C. annuum, C. bacca-tum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens. Members of this

genus are now grown world-wide.Peppers like it hot, about 80 degrees for germination

and below 90 degrees for growing and developing fruit.Plant seedlings outside, once the danger of frost haspassed, in soil rich in compost and well-rotted manure;peppers do not like wet conditions but do require consis-tently moist soil so take care to avoid over-watering. Plantsshould be spaced about 18 24 inches apart in rows 24 36 inches apart in a sunny location. To conserve moistureand keep weeds at bay, be sure to mulch around yourplants.

Critters most likely to visit your pepper plants are

aphids and spider mites. Blast them with a stream of waterfrom the hose being sure to hit the undersides of the leaves.You might also try an insecticidal soap or oil for heavy in-festations.

Peppers may be harvested in their green, immaturestage or left to ripen to a red, yellow or orange color, de-pending on variety.

My sister, Candy, is an excellent cook. She gave me herrecipe for Chicken Soup with Chilies in 2002 and Ive beenmaking it ever since. This is an excellent use of peppersand corn so abundant during the summer months. Enjoy!

Candys Chicken Soup with Chilies

Shredded, cooked chicken, amount to taste32 oz. container of chicken broth or more to taste1 large sweet red onion, chopped medium1 large avocado2 ears corn, grilled and shucked from cob2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, if desired2 3 large ripe tomatoes, choppedFresh lime juice, to tasteCilantro, chopped, to tasteCorn tortilla strips, baked until crispyQueso fresco, to taste

Combine cooked chicken, broth, onion, tomatoes andcilantro. Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes. Mean-while, slice jalapenos into thin strips and remove seeds ifdesired. Grill, along with corn, in a cast iron pan over me-dium-high heat until lightly browned, stirring often. Re-move from heat and shuck/scrape corn from the cob. Addthe corn and jalapenos to the chicken, broth and veggies

and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat. Just beforeserving, add chopped avocado, lime juice and a handful ofchopped cilantro. Stir. Garnish with baked tortilla chipsand a sprinkling of queso fresco or other crumbly cheese.

Sourceshttp://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/V3-479.htmlhttp://www.calantilles.com/capsicum_peppers.htm#General%

20Historyhttp://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/pepper.htmhttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html

Above: Cayenne pepper

Below: Thai peppers, Wikipedia


20/25


How Master Gardeners Do ItCom p iled by Sha ron Ettinge r, MG00

What Australian or New Zealand plants doyou grow? Do you have any tips about care, etc?

Candice McLaren, MG01Years ago when I designed and planted my front yard, Iselected some vertical, sword-like plants that producedflowers. I liked them as they clump and don't need a lot ofcare after they get established. Once in a while I will cleanout the dead leaves and after the flowers are spent, cut thestem down. Theyre very easy care plants in spite of beingin the salty winter winds and the summer fog.

Kangaroo paw plants (Anigozanthos, Haemodoraceaefamily) are perennials and native to open eucalyptus

forests in western Australia. I started out with a varietyPink Joey that only grows to about three feet and has red/pink flowers. Since it did so well along side my dry creekbed, I added a taller one, Anigozanthos flavidus that is aboutfour feet tall and has yellow-green flowers. The flowerstems can get to five feet tall. They make good cut flowersfor unique arrangements. They like moderate water.

Debra Van Bruggen, MG06I am growing New Zealand flax (Phormium) also

Westringia. The only tip I can offer is one I received from ateacher at Cabrillo, Lisa McAndrews. She suggested that

no phosphorus be used when fertilizing New Zealand na-tive plants. According to what she told the class, it willeventually lead to the plants demise since phosphorus isnot naturally occurring in the New Zealand soil.

Tammy Tahara, MG06I have two Adenanthos sericeus (woollybush) - one in a

big pot and one still in its 1-gallon nursery can, mostly be-cause I haven't had that much luck growing them wellClearly I'm not doing something right because it's growingtaller but not bushier, even after I gave it a little pruningWhen I mentioned this to a nurseryperson they were sur-prised, saying they had never heard of having to prune thisparticular plant. I love the plant and would like to plant itin the ground and will once I do more research on the bestgrowing conditions.

Which Hydrangeas do you grow? Please share anytips you may have on care and watering?

Claudia Boulton, MG99Hydrangeas are not doing wonderfully in my shady Rio

Del Mar garden and I haven't quite figured out why. Thebest is the Oak leaf - Hydrangea quercifolia - which bloomswell and has nice fall color if I don't prune it. The H. macrophyllas do the worst. One, a lacecap which I think might be'Blue Wave,' had only two blooms last year that never fully

Red kangaroo paw on left and yellow on right.

Photos by Candice McLaren.


21/25


developed. The other one which does well is H. serrata 'BeniGaku'. I'm working on enriching the soil, but some of themmay come out next year to make room for some othershrubs that might be happier here.

Barbara Gordon, MG98I grow regular ones. They bloom red when the soil is

acid and blue when the soil is basic. I don't water themfrequently. I have lacecap hydrangeas and 2 other types.

What methods have you used to successfully growstrawberries?

Candice McLaren, MG01This year I went out and bought some strawberries

for a large plastic container that I had. Since I don't have alot of garden space, I figured I could move the pot aroundto keep the plants in the sun. One can see from the photosthat these plants don't have a lot of room to grow buthopefully enough to produce a good crop. As my winterbackyard is very shady, I probably won't keep them overthe winter but will treat them as an annual.

I purchased a variety Pajaro that Sunset Western Gardenbook says produces a large conical berry with promisedgood flavor (the jury is still out). It has a long fruiting pe-riod starting in June, and is "Best in California." I havesmall berries now and will feed the plants later this week.

Sharon Ettinger, MG00Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow in 3 long

window box containers. Two plants per container worksbest. The strawberries can hang over the edge of the con-tainer to keep them dirt free and make great treats during agardening session. The Seascape variety is sweet and deli-cious in this coastal climate.

One year I found some Alpine yellow strawberryplants at the farmers market and planted them. They weresome of the best strawberries Ive ever tasted. They weresmall, more like the size of a raspberry, but the taste was avery distinctive sweet pineapple flavor.

Christina Kriedt, MG06I dont grow a lot of strawberries, but have always had

a few plants around for my grandchildren; I have had theseplants for 12 years now and I have no idea how old theywere when I inherited them. They are not prolific produc-ers, but do squeeze out just enough luscious fruits everyyear. When I recently transplanted them, I created a towerof three clay pots in graduated sizes and planted into eachlevel. I drove a bamboo stick through the drainage holes ofthe top two pots to keep the whole thing relatively stableThe plants are very happy and watering is easy.

Do you have any water saving tips for this thirstytime of year?

Mary Koch, MG00Check www.cagwin.com (our large Bay Area land-

scaper website). They have a great links section regardingwater conservation. Also the High Country Gardens web-site is focused on low/no water plants.

Claudia Boulton, MG99Start now to help your plants develop deep roots. Wa-

ter deeply and let them go almost to the wilt point beforewatering again. Try to increase the time between water-ings, so the roots will be well developed by the time the(ordinary!) hot season arrives. Monitor plants regularlyduring the hot months and be sure to cut back on wateringas soon as the season begins to cool. Water in the earlymorning

Barbara Gordon, MG98Non-thirsty plants are #1. I water drought tolerant

plants about once every 12 weeks. Veggiesdon't count here!

Carol Kaplan, MG01I have been collecting rainwater in large containers

during the winter. I am using it now to water.

Left: From the ground to

the rim of the topmost pot the

stack measures 21

Below: Tower of pots from

above; on top is a 6 pot


22/25


Melita Israel, MG95Use lots of mulch. I've even used shredded paper when

chips and other material are not available. It looks a bitweird.

Scuffing the top layer of the soil helps to stop evapora-tion. Shade plants with trees and other shrubs or trellises.

Check the soil to see if plants need to be watered. Use acoring device or shovel. Some plants look wilted, but revivethe next morning. They are protecting themselves from toomuch sun. I have a small catchment system that collectswater from my lath house plastic roof. The gutters run thewater into two old hot water tanks that are raised a bit offthe ground and are linked together. The roof collects waterwhen we have morning fog. I do dishes by hand and carrythe spent water into the garden. Some particles of food layon the ground which the birds eat (as well as, one day,an opossum).

Aerin Martin, Water Conservation Representative, City ofSanta Cruz

Pull weeds while they are growing like crazy in springas they are also competing for water and soil nutrientswith plantings.

Reduce the irrigation schedule times starting in

August and into the fall as the light changes.Avoid fertilizing and pruning that would stimulateexcessive growth and a greater need for water.

Inspect irrigation systems regularly for leaks, brokenpipes and heads, and needed adjustments.

Use a soil probe to check moisture levels before water-ing plants.

Water the soil before you lay down fresh mulch.

Christina Kriedt. MG06Dont water the lawn. Ever.

Lea rn a bout the Trees in Santa Cruz

Before you visit the Boardwalk and Mystery Spot, takea stroll among our trees.

On Saturday, July 18th at 9:00 AM, meet arborist LeslieKeedy at City Hall Courtyard for a walking tour of about25 different species of trees that grow in downtown SantaCruz. Learn horticultural information such as tree family,place of origin, growing characteristics and interestingfacts. Wear walking shoes and be prepared to stroll aboutone mile up minor hills and along city side streets for 1.5 to2 hours. No reservations required. More information: City

Parks and Rec, 831-420-5270On Saturday, August 1 at 11:00 AM, Leslie will guide

you on another plant walk, this time at Evergreen Cemeterynear Harvey West Park where you will learn about itscharming combination of plants and trees. FREE. More in-formation: Museum of Art and History, 831-1964 X20.

Top: Bougainvillea and Hydrangea cuddling

Bottom right: Anigozanthos, kangaroo paw, flowers

Bottom left: Sunflowers and Alstroemeria (C Kriedt)

Summer Beaut ies!


23/25


Confessions of a Reluc ta nt

GardenerChristina Kried t, MG06

I may not do a lot of gardening myself, but I do reallyenjoy other peoples gardens. Just driving around town this

time of year is a treat. The photo below is of an absolutelystunning dogwood that is growing on the Westside ofSanta Cruz. The owner says its about five years old, butshe doesnt recall the name; its definitely a show-stopper!

And then there are the wild flowers! This a profusion ofmonkey flowers growing in the road cut on Pacheco Passon the west side of the mountain.

And the yellow bush lupine is equally profuse alongHighway One; these are growing at Pescadero.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse surrounded by wildflowers (andice plant)...

The rose garden at the mission in San Juan Bautista

Kangaroo paws in downtown Santa Cruz. I rest my case.


24/25


Releva nt Inte rne tMiscellany

Christina Kried t, MG06

Food, Inc. MovieStarring Michael Pollan and EricSchlosser

A movie for people interestedor rather, worried aboutour food. Food, Inc. exposes America's industrialized foodsystem and its effect on our environment, health, economyand workers' rights. (http://www.foodincmovie.com)

Sustainable foods can be found in your community bypurchasing organic and/or locally grown produce andproducts. It's easy to find farmers markets, CommunitySupported Agriculture programs, restaurants and morewith the user-friendly Eat Well Guide. Simply type inyour zip code to find out what's in season near you.(http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home)

Warning: Food Inc. is not for the faint of heart. Whileits focus is not on the gory images of slaughterhouse floorsand filthy feedlots, what it does show about the journey ofour food from "farm" to plate is not pretty.

Red Hot Chili PeppersThe seeds are NOT the hottest part of peppers. It is at

the point where the seed is attached to the whitemembrane inside the pepper that the highestconcentration of capsaicin (the compound giving pepperstheir pungent flavor) is found. Capsaicin, the 'hot'constituent in chile peppers, is not water soluble - it issoluble in fat and alcohol. So don't drink water to cool

your mouth after eating very hot chilies. Drink milk orbeer, or eat some ice cream or guacamole if your mouth ison fire. (I can vouch for that.)(http://www.foodreference.com/html/fchilepepper.html)

Salty MonkeysMimulus species tend to concentrate sodium chloride

and other salts absorbed from the soils in which they growin their leaves and stem tissues. Native Americans andearly travelers in the American West used this plant as asalt substitute to flavor wild game. The entire plant isedible, but reported to be very salty and bitter unless wellcooked. The juice squeezed from the plants foliage was

used as a soothing poultice for minor burns and skinirritations. (http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Mimulus)

Drying Hydrangea FlowersLeave blooms on the shrub until late summer.

One can cut the blooms, strip off the leaves, arrange themin a vase, with or without water, and leave them to dry. Itis not necessary to hang hydrangeas upside down to dryunless the stems are very thin and weak. To retainextremely natural hydrangea color, use Silica Gel to dryfresh blooms. (http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/dryingnat.htm)

GARDENINGONTHE EDGEJournal of the Monte rey Ba y Ma ster Ga rde nerswww.montereybaymastergardeners.org

EDITORChristina Kriedt

ASSISTANT EDITORSSha ron Ettinger & Kathlee n Sonn tag

DESIGN/ LAYOUTChristina Kriedt

CONTRIBUTORSC & STAFFS

The M onte rey Bay

Master Ga rdeners extendsresearch-based

horticultural informa tion;

creates and p romo tes

educational and recreational

ga rdening a c tivities inMonte rey and San ta Cruz

co unties; and supp orts the

educ ational program of the

University of Ca lifornia sCooperative Extension.

Boa rd of Direc tors

Cynthia Jordan, President

Simon Stap leton, Vice PresidentGig i Tacheny, Trea surer

Bonn ie Pond , Sec reta ryBarba ra Gordon

Betsy Shea

Christina KriedtDarcy Horton

Denise Wea therwa x

Patricia Nicely

Sheryl Mc Ewa n

Susan Sud d jian

Tom Karwin

A 501 (c) (3) Corpo ration

Post Office Box 1786

Ca pitola , CA 95010

HOTLINE 831-763-8007

CULTIVATE KNOWLEDGE

Many thanks to all the de dica ted

Monterey Bay Ma ster Ga rdene rs who rea d ily sha

their know led ge , expertise a nd advice .

Co pyright 2009 MBMG. All rights reserved

Amy Sava ge S

Barba ra Sc hilling C

Bonnie Pond S

Christina KriedtC,S

Darcy Horton S

Cynthia Jorda nS

Denise Weatherwax S

Kari OlsenC,S

Kath leen Sonnt ag C,S

Maryann McCo rmick C

Patricia Nic elyC,S

Paul Mc Co llum C,S

Sha ron EttingerC,S

Sha ron Tyler C

Simon Stap letonS

Sue Tarjan C,S

Tammy Taha ra C,S

Tanja RoosC

Thomas Karwin C,S


25/25


Visit Our Super Sponsors!

Sierra Azul Nursery, Watsonville, http :// ww w.sierraa zul.c om , 763-0939,

email: [email protected]

The Garden Comp any , Santa Cruz, http :// ww w.theg a rdenc o.c om / , 429-8424

Ac tively Aerated Co mp ost Tea , Aromas, pulpitp [email protected] m

Bokay, Sa lina s, http :// ww w.bokaynursery.co m/ , 659-1268, em a il: jeff@boka ynursery.co m

Hidden Ga rdens, Aptos, 688-7011

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

gardening on the edge newsletter, summer 2009 ~ monterey bay master gardeners

Documents