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UC Gardening Blogs
Watering
It is such a hot and dry time of year that it is axiomatic that the garden must be watched over for water needs. I know that what I am about to say about watering is obvious, simple and maybe redundant. But I think it needs to be said again. First of all, different plants have different water requirements. So don't just don't put succulents on the same timer or water line as roses and not expect there to be some trouble somewhere.. Be clear how much water is emitted at each station. The emitters usually say on the product what the emission rate is in gallons per unit time (as gpm or gph). Secondly, if possible, use a drip system for individual plants, rather than overhead sweeps as lawn requires. Thirdly, if you are sufficiently paranoid like I am, it is a good idea to check periodically – I do once monthly – just to make sure that the system is intact. Leaks and timer problems seem to be controlled by a poltergeist so the mysterious and unexpected is very possible. I personally would go around to all the stations just to make sure that the bubblers and lines are intact and doing their job. I figure that in this weather if I were to wait for the plant to let me know it is distressed, it is going to be too late. Going all around, incidentally, also gives me a chance to look under each plant for weeds and to spot-mulch if need be.
Fourthly, just to be on the safe it is worth checking your smart meter at least once during the dry season. I didn't know how to do this myself until after I got a very large water bill and called the water company. Much to my surprise, I was able to get an appointment with the meter-reader and I asked for a quick lesson in how to read the meter. The newer meters may have more information than the old ones but the usage figures are somewhat buried. But the company was very cordial about having someone come out when I was home to give me a lesson in reading the meter. I discovered that with a drip system it is very difficult to keep track of some leaks and often the best first step from reading the meter is getting onto whether there is a leak.
Unlike some of the other resources needed for gardening, water is a particularly scare community resource. Too much use is reflected in a bill; not like Round-up which shows its overuse by illness in the user, infiltrating the water supply and beyond. Still, it is a non-renewable resource shared by all of us. Not to be squandered.
When interviewing a person for gardening assistance, good to ask if they are equipped to check your irrigation system. Might as well not go through this hiring process more than once if that is avoidable. It is a specialized skill, but an experienced gardener can see when plants are stressed and they may have enough experience to call your attention to the location of the breakdown.
Sorry if this note is too ‘preachy'. The topic is important and, as far as I am concerned is underemphasized. Amen!
The Crab Spider and the Bee
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A crab spider has just ambushed a honey bee on a bluebeard blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The crab spider can turn colors from white to yellow or yellow to white This one is yellow, awaiting prey on a blanketflower, Gallardia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Silkworm Moths, Blacklighting, Hot Chocolate, Cookies and More
Yes, there are day-flying moths. And some of them are quite attractive. Take the Stiriini moth,...
A Stiriini moth, Annaphila astrologa, fluttering in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Lepitoptera curator Jeff Smith chats with visitors at last year's Moth Night at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bohart Museum associate Greg Kareofelas answers a question during the Bohart Museum's Moth Night last year. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The family craft activity at the Bohart Museum is an opportunity for kids to be creative. This year "kids will be able to color and string white cocoons and make necklaces or bracelets with them," said Bohart associate Emma Cluff. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
"Moth Man" John DeBenedictis (right) talks to moth enthusiasts at the Bohart Museum's 2018 Moth Night. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Overnight Visitor
We had an overnight visitor, a bird. It spent almost 2 days in our garage. It was a young Mockingbird.
It all started in the morning; my daughter Toni was doing some gardening in the front yard. When this young Mockingbird flew and landed right in front of her. It stayed to watch what she was up to. When she finished, she gathered her gardening stuff together and started walking into the garage to put things away. The bird followed her right into the garage. I could hear her saying “shoo, no, no, go away”, but this bird was not interested in leaving her. To let her know its intentions, it flew up into the rafters and there it stayed.
Out came the broom to try getting it to fly out the way it came in. By now it was a game, as it flew just out of reach when she was close. Leaving the side garage door and the main garage door open didn't work it was one happy bird.
By this time, it was night and dark, so we closed both doors where the bird spent the night. Morning came and there was a “chirp, chirp” from the garage door into the family room. So, opening the door from the garage into the house what Toni found sitting on the step yes “her bird”.
She called friends for advice that didn't work, finally called the Wildlife Center they suggested setting water and seed right outside the door. She did this no luck the bird was not interested.
Still, after seeing the bird that morning, she had errands to do so she left.
When she came home, we happened to look out the living room window, the wonder of all wonders the bird is sitting on the front lawn, very still almost statue-like. Looking around like it couldn't decide if it wanted to leave or not, but finally, it did leave.
I told Toni please if you want a pet, I said, “no birds in the garage.”
by Christine Young
