UC Gardening Blogs

If Cinderella Were a Moth...

If Cinderella were a moth, what species would she be? Maybe this tiny, shimmering one. When we...

This tiny moth, which appears to be a Cadra figulilella, the raisin moth, rests on a petal of a Mexican sunflower in a Vacaville pollinator garden during National Pollinator Week. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This tiny moth, which appears to be a Cadra figulilella, the raisin moth, rests on a petal of a Mexican sunflower in a Vacaville pollinator garden during National Pollinator Week. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Benign Neglect in Gardening

Ever hear of benign neglect? The term is used frequently in politics, psychology, and the medical world. Basically, it is an attitude or policy which by ignoring an issue or problem will benefit it more, than trying to solve it.  But in gardening?

Perhaps it means that it's okay not to take immediate action…let nature take its course. In the garden, sometimes not watering and fertilizing constantly is a good thing.   Plants can suffer from too much love.  Over the years I have had plants indoor and out that looked like they were dying, only to discover that when I thought they had died and I left them alone, they came back in abundance. Several were drought tolerant and I was over-watering them, others I had over-fertilized.  The UCD website has a list of plants that are drought tolerant[1] which do well with minimum care. I happen to have some of them. They seem to thrive by my not interfering with their care; Aloe Vera, Jade, Rosemary, String of Pearls, Mint, Orchids, and Succulents. 

 

[1] Plant Database | UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

Gardening Within Our Means

What does a careful analysis of our Mediterranean climate, historic climate patterns, and water...

A Moth's Nighttime Visit Turns Into Remembrances of Alice--and an Educational Video

Picture this: A Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus, flutters into the...

This image, taken May 2, shows the larva of the Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

This image, taken May 2, shows the larva of the Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

On May 9, the caterpillar of the Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus, looked like this. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

On May 9, the caterpillar of the Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus, looked like this. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

A beautiful Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus, eclosed on June 20. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

A beautiful Polyphemus silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus, eclosed on June 20. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

July Miku 2021

 

 

 

Crepe Myrtles Blooming
Great news ON increased funding
Getting Back to Normal

Crepe myrtle. photo by Mike Gunther

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