- Author: MaryJo Smith
There is some debate over what to water next after the Tree.
Ultimately, it depends on whether your focus is on food crops or on the landscape, the ease of replacement, and the expense. I value my herbs because I cook with them, and I also want a small vegetable garden to eat from this summer (food prices will be higher). So, I plan on sacrificing bedding plants and annuals in favor of my herbs, strawberries and vegetables. I'll use mulch, shade cloth and drip irrigation to get the most from the water I have available to me.
The Lesser Nobles – Shrubs.
Typically shrubs planted within the past two years will require irrigation during drought, thought not as much as newly planted shrubs. During severe drought conditions, plantings up to five or six years of age may also require supplemental water.
The Merchant Class – Perennials and Established Trees and Shrubs.
Established shrubs or trees (three years or more in the ground) can be watered deeply about once a month, especially if they are showing signs of stress. Deep, thorough irrigations from spring through summer can be enough to keep most trees and shrubs alive when water is in short supply. Many tree and shrub species will drop leaves or wilt under severe water shortage but will survive. Under-watered fruit trees probably will produce less, if any fruit, but will also survive. Once water shortages are lifted, these trees will again leaf out and produce fruit.
The Serfs – Established Lawns, Groundcovers, Containers, Bedding Plants and Annuals.
Annuals and herb plants are a lower priority because they require the most watering to keep alive and can be replaced inexpensively or can be replanted next year when adequate water is available.
P.S. Remember, The Tree is King.
- Author: Molly K Weden
Just some thoughts about being in the gardening biz for so long. Besides being a Master Gardener the last 4 years, I have worked in retail sales at a local nursery for many years.
One of the things we encounter with the public is their discomfort with the nomenclature of plants. Many gardening concepts get a bit twisted, too.
A kid asked if we sold aphids.
Many have asked for hummus to improve their soil. With a side of tahini?
One woman wanted asylum. I know the nursery is a serene place, but I think she really meant allysum.
Another lady wanted some albuterol. She wasn't wheezing, so I directed her to the abutilons.
One young guy came into the nursery looking for credentias. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what he wanted. I just hope he didn't get yelled at for coming home empty handed.
Overheard: "I think salvia is part of the sage family."
Rhododendrons are rhododendrums, camellias are chamelions, and every vine is a jasmine.
A lady called us trying to locate a pedophilia tree.
People come in looking for Purple Verbas, Blue Static and Lantania.
My coworker K. swore she kept a straight face while a customer insisted on getting chlamidia.
These are true observations! We do our best to listen, and I have a personal rule to never be snarky to the uninformed. How else would a person learn if they didn't ask?
Help and Advice From the Help Desk of the Master Gardeners of Contra Costa
Client's Request to the Help Desk of Master Gardeners of Contra Costa
I live in Concord. When my family and I moved to California 4 years ago, a representative from the Board of Agriculture (I believe… editor: probably County Department of Agriculture), came out to inspect all of our outdoor furniture, etc. for pests. While he was visiting, he helped identify some of the trees and plants in our new yard. He mentioned at the time that there were people who would come out, free of charge, to help identify plants and help with how to best care for the plants and trees in our yard. We recently moved into a new home and have tons of wonderful trees and plants in our yard, but I have no idea what any of them are. I was hoping this service was still available and I was wondering how to access it. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
MGCC Help Desk Response:
Thank you for contacting the Master Gardener Help Desk. Congratulations on your new home; how lucky you are to have many wonderful trees. Unfortunately, we are not able to send Master Gardeners out for personalized home garden consulting. Our mission is to educate county residents about various aspects of gardening to empower them to be better gardeners. We have many educational opportunities to help you learn more about your garden. The Master Gardener's website is http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/ where you can find links to events and information about gardening in Contra Costa County.
Our Garden is a public demonstration garden of the Contra Costa Master Gardeners, located in Walnut Creek at the corner of North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive, just off Ygnacio Valley Road. Weekly speakers on Wednesday mornings present a variety of information April through October on edibles gardening and home gardening in general. Contra Costa Master Gardeners maintain the garden and interface with the general public. For example, this week's presentation is Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. We encourage you to bring in your home & garden problems & questions, and talk with a Master Gardener at the Gardening Help Table (9:00 AM - Noon) on Wednesday mornings. We also staff a table at the Concord Farmers Market on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of each month from May - October. Feel free to bring photos or samples of plants to any of our tables and we will try to identify them.
We also offer presentations at many libraries throughout Contra Costa. You can find listings for all Contra Costa Master Gardener outreach programs at: http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Find_Us/ .
If you have any specific plant identification questions, you can always email photos to the Help Desk, or visit to consult or drop off a sample at our office at 75 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, which is open Monday-Thursday from 9:00am - noon. See the web page http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/ for more details.
Good luck with your new garden.
Master Gardeners of Contra Costa
Editor's Note:.... Been thinking about this some more since originally preparing the response for BLOG posting... that's why it's now "Part 1"... intentions now are to follow up soon with some ideas about how the "average" gardener might get some additional help on identifying plants, trees, etc. in their garden... most likely focused on "self-help"... readers are welcome to provide their suggestions... e,g., print, web, help desks, societies, etc.
Note: The Master Gardeners of Contra Costa's Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. We can also be reached via telephone: (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/
- Author: MaryJo Smith
It's a cruel, cruel world out there – at least it is in your garden when water usage is restricted. All those beautiful trees, plants, vegetables and lawns need watering if they are to survive. But, what gets watered? Tough choices have to be made.
Your garden is like a medieval realm of yore, complete with a King, lesser nobility, merchant class, and serfs. We all know who gets the most (the King, of course) and who gets the shaft (the serfs, alas). So, lets break it down as it applies to our gardens.
The Tree is King. The Tree is so essential to our environment. It gives shade, helps cool the air, provides a habitat for numerous birds, animals, insects and fungi, it produces food, and it filters and cleans the air. Trees should be watered first, especially newly planted trees because it takes years for a tree to mature and it is less easily replaced than a bedding plant. You also want to give top priority to any newly planted shrubs. But remember, the Tree is King.
and there's the rest. . .
For more on how to care for your trees' watering needs, see UC/ANR California Garden Web - Keeping Trees Vigorous or Keeping Landscape Plantings Alive under Drought or Water Restrictions
- Author: Rebecca Suzanne
Produce sharing among friends is not a new thing (remember those giant zucchinis your neighbor would try to pawn off on your mom?) With the advent of the new sharing culture (think Freecycle, Craigslist, etc.), folks are taking this a step further. A bevy of crop swaps are sprouting up all over the U.S., including many in the Bay Area.
How exactly does a crop swap work? Think farmers market without the financial element. Every crop swap is unique but the basic idea is, you show up with something you have too much of, other attendees do the same, you swap all those goodies, and leave with a basketful of delicious, free produce.
At a recent crop swap I attended, I showed up with a bucket of navel oranges. Blessed with a prolific tree, I always have more than I can eat. My oranges were a hit and I left the swap with kale, collards, fresh dill, lemons, some plant starts, and three apricots. I feel like I got the best end of that deal, yet I think the folks I traded with felt the same.
Where are crop swaps held? Many informal swaps are held in the driveway or yard of a willing host. Churches and other organizations will often hold them in their parking lot. Community groups, particularly those with a gardening or environmental bent, will hold them at their facilities. There are a few nascent websites popping up, attempting to provide publicity for crop swaps, however I am not aware of any significant clearinghouse of crop swap information. If you know of one, please let us know!
To find a crop swap near you:
- Ask a friend or neighbor if they know of one (word of mouth works great!)
- Contact a local gardening group
- Contact an organization (such as Transition Berkeley) involved in food justice, sustainability, or environmental initiatives
- Review the calendar section of your local paper
- Ask your local library
- Check with your city or county representative or your local cooperative extension office
- Check with local email newsletters and event listing groups, such as nextdoor.com, and eventful.com
Or, start a crop swap of your own! Shareable.net has a great article on How to Start a Crop Swap, with practical steps for getting your event off the ground.
Do you already participate in a crop swap? Tell us what you think. We'd love to hear from you.