- Author: Regina Brennan, Master Gardener
No matter how old we are, when Fall comes, we inevitably hear the call of the garden: “Come, make haste, clean up, clear out and plan for next year's garden.” If we have been avid gardeners for most of our adult lives, it is an exciting pull of the heart, for Fall planning and preparation are the groundwork of our upcoming gardening season.
Before we get too far into the joy of the planning season, it is prudent to take a serious assessment of where we are from a health standpoint. Just because we may be in our 70's and beyond, we can continue to experience the joy of working with nature in the cycle of life in the garden by modifying our expectations and being honest with ourselves.
In doing research for this topic, I came across a statement in a delightful book called The Age-Proof Garden by Patty Cassidy. I will borrow her quote because I can't think of a better way to say it: “While your energy might be less and your capabilities more limited as you get older, spending time in the garden—digging, sowing, cultivating, fertilizing and harvesting—will keep you healthy, strong, positive and happy.” I choose to focus on this positive note, not just because I am an eternal optimist, but because I place a high priority on gardening activities in my retirement years. Careful planning while keeping an eye on the realities of unrelenting arthritis, along with balance and mobility issues, can result in being able to continue gardening for as long as it gives us pleasure.
Our goal as senior gardeners is to strive to eliminate stress that we experience when we set our expectations on outcomes experienced in our younger years. We can set ourselves up for stress and disappointment when our ambitions and dreams are not able to be met because we neglected to do the necessary reality checks. Seniors need the maturity and wisdom to recognize that they need to make compromises and adjustments if they want to continue having a positive relationship with gardening. There are three main areas to consider: Our garden environment, our health, and our energy level.
Downsizing and simplifying our home garden can be an adventure and an opportunity for us to become creative problem solvers. One of the things that may be difficult for some is to be able to identify areas where we need to have outside help. It can become expensive to hire landscapers to help rework a home garden into a simpler footprint that requires less care. Large fruit trees are high maintenance items requiring spraying, thinning of fruit, climbing on ladders to harvest fruit, picking up fruit off the ground ,and pruning, all of which can require more energy and balance than we have left. If hiring a professional or family member to do this for us is not feasible, it is okay to bid our tree farewell and have it removed. Ladders are not a seniors friend. Another area to consider is evaluating high maintenance shrubs and perennials that require constant deadheading and or pruning. It is perfectly acceptable to offer such a plant to a friend who has admired it. If no one wants it, the thing to do is to say your goodbye, shovel prune it, and put it in the green compost can to be hauled away. It is not always easy to say goodbye, but it is more important to put a priority on your own health and well being.
Once we have achieved level ground, eliminated tripping hazards and swapped out high maintenance for low maintenance plants, it is time to find that special place in our garden to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labors and to enjoy the memories of our garden adventures. It is even better to swap garden stories with a friend and a nice cup of your favorite beverage.
- Author: Melissa Berg, Master Gardener
Longitudinal research provides both individuals and their attending organizations essential data streams germane to very specific issues. Across the United States, pollinator decline remains a "hot button" given its impact upon our ability to continue growing food. The issue of growth/re-growth after forest fires is of particular concern given the extreme drought conditions that continue to plague the western states and invasive species are something that adversely affects both flora and fauna. Each of these issues has engendered a great deal of research over time and continues to be at the center of scientific inquiry, be it public or private.
Citizen science (also known as "community science") is the concept adopted by agencies and organizations that solicits voluntary research results collected specifically by private individuals. This line of data acquisition allows for anyone (with any background) the joyous opportunity to contribute meaningful material via a collective effort to further scientific understanding of key issues, often with a local impact.
This method of data collection affords researchers the ability to obtain large amounts of information, often across broader geographic regions, in a much shorter time span than would otherwise be possible on their own (even with an investigative team effort). In turn, the collectively acquired data illuminates larger conservation efforts as well as educating participants about an issue/species already of personal interest.
A few of the groups that have embraced the public in their conservation efforts are the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Xerces Society. Each of these groups has adopted and created projects drawing upon community science. CNPS uses the iNaturalist App in their "Fire Followers Campaign” which tracks emergent and recovering plant species in the aftermath of forest fires. Xerces Society has created separate projects spanning multiple states in an effort to spotlight invertebrate issues such as the Monarch Butterfly count in California as well as the Bumble Bee Atlas projects specific to the Pacific Northwest, Iowa, California, Nebraska, and Missouri. California Department of Fish and Wildlife is home to the "California Invasive Species Action Week" which goes far beyond target dates to include activities throughout the year around the state for both adults and children as well as spawning both live and virtual events to inform and engage the public about invasive species and its toll on our natural resources.
Events and Projects:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife “California Invasive Species Action Week" link
A number of apps and sites exist solely to engage and promote community involvement in issues that someone may already hold dear. Research is not something that many individuals may consider as a parallel to their own specific interest. The University of Arizona created SciStarter as a bridge between science and citizen.
University of Arizona/SciStarter link
Each of these organizations not only recognizes but embraces the need for public engagement in order to assure that conservation efforts become a part of the public consciousness moving forward.
- Author: Constance Starner, Master Gardener
Although spring is a wonderful time to see many native plants in bloom, each season has its own beauty, and a visit to a native plant garden now can provide inspiration for the fall planting season. California fuchsias (Epilobium spp.), asters (Aster spp.), California buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), and desert willows (Chilopsis linearis) may still be blooming, and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries are starting to color. The seed heads of native grasses provide interesting texture, and the leaves of deciduous trees like maples (Acer spp.) are beginning to color.
Here are four nearby gardens featuring California native plants that are well worth a visit any time of year.
The San Joaquin County Master Gardeners' Learning Landscape includes six distinct but interconnected gardens: The All-Stars Garden, the Foliage Garden, the Edible Landscape, the Mediterranean Garden, the Pollinator Garden, and the California Native Garden which showcases a variety of native plants adapted to our region. It is sited on the grounds of the Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center and maintained by Master Gardeners volunteers.
Learning Landscape: https://ucanr.edu/sites/sjcoeh/The_Learning_Landscape/
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at no charge. Address: 2101 E. Earhart Avenue, Stockton, CA 95206
The Sacramento Master Gardeners' California Native Garden at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center within Fair Oaks Park. The California Native Garden is one of six gardens within the Water Efficient Landscape demonstration area, with plants that were chosen because they work well in residential landscapes and are suited to the Sacramento area. Visitors will also learn about water-efficient landscape techniques such as the use of drip irrigation, compost, and mulch.
The Water Efficient Landscape Gardens website, which includes a plant list which can be found here.
The Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants is one of over 20 gardens spread over 100 acres at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens. Here, visitors can see an extensive collection of natives that work well in home landscapes, including a native meadow for those who are considering replacing their lawn. If you wish to purchase plants, the Arboretum Teaching Nursery holds plant sales in the fall and spring. The sale starts this year on October 19 for members, and after that for the public. More information will be published in their newsletter, The Leaflet. Subscribe online here.
The Arboretum and Public Gardens are open to the public 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at no charge. Parking is free on the weekends but $1.50 per hour or $10 per day in the visitor lots during the week. Click here for more information about visiting.
The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is worth a visit to see not only plants native to California, but a wide range of plants from all over the world—nearly 17,000 plants in all—one of the largest and most diverse collections in the US. The plants in the California area are grouped according to their communities, which include alpine fell-field, chaparral, coastal beach and dune, desert, oak woodland and pine forests, pygmy forest, redwood forest, riparian, serpentine, freshwater marsh, and vernal pool. Here is their website to help plan your visit.
Open from 10 am to 5 pm for general admission, but a reservation is required. The cost is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Parking is limited and costs $1 per hour. Address: 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720
And if you can't visit in person, you can take a virtual tour by clicking here.
For extensive information on nearly 8,000 California native plants—plant descriptions and growth requirements, areas where they grow naturally, the species of wildlife they support, and even where to buy them—the California Native Plant Society's Calscape website provides a wealth of information.
And for finding places to view native plants in the wild, a planting guide, and help identifying native plants you observe, the Calflora website is another excellent resource.
- Author: Julie Hyske, Master Gardener
When in doubt, eat dessert first! These mini pumpkin Oreo cheesecakes will be the star at any of your fall events. They are so fall and yummy, these are the show-stoppers. The maple walnut cookies make a chewy treat. Think warm tea, cozy blanket, and enveloping yourself in comfort. And if you can think about dinner after the goodies, you won't be disappointed by the balsamic pork tenderloin with harvest vegetables. The sticky finger-licking sauce on the tenderloin is surrounded by healthy Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, all ready to serve in short order. Next is a pretty apple, pecan, blue cheese salad that is both crunchy and healthy. Finally, the maple bacon sweet potato hash can be served with eggs for breakfast or apple chicken sausages for dinner. You won't be disappointed. This savory dish is autumn in a skillet. So when the weather cools down and you reach for a sweater, remember it's the perfect time to try your hand at a new favorite fall recipe!
Ingredients
2 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp sour cream
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
20 Oreos
1 (13 ounce) can Reddi Whip
Preheat the oven to 350. Place 18 cupcake liners in cupcake/muffin pans. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the sour cream, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and flour and beat until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until mixed in. Place half of an Oreo, frosting side up, in the bottom of 18 cupcake liners and spoon the batter into the liners. Place the other half of an Oreo into the top of the batter, frosting side down. Bake for 24 minutes. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing and placing on a wire rack to finish cooling. Keep refrigerated. Crush the remaining two cookies. Top the cheesecakes with Reddi Whip and cookie crumbs.
Serves 18
Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 tsp maple extract
1 tsp salt
Icing
4 tbsp butter
2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp maple extract
4 tbsp milk
½ cup chopped walnuts for garnish
Preheat oven to 350. Combine butter, sugars, eggs, flavoring and salt and beat until just combined. Add flours, 1 cup at a time. If dough is sticky to the touch, add more self-rising flour in ¼ cup increments until smooth. Stir in walnuts. Scoop dough onto insulated baking sheets one dozen at a time. Bake in center of oven 10 to 13 minutes until cookies are puffy and beginning to turn tan. Remove from oven and let cool on a baking rack. Meanwhile, mix icing ingredients until texture is smooth and thick. Add more milk or sugar to achieve a creamy texture. Ice cookies and, if you wish, garnish with additional chopped walnuts.
Makes 2 ½ dozen
Ingredients
1 pork tenderloin pkg.
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, rinsed and halved
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced
Parmesan, for garnish
The balsamic rosemary sauce
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
8 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
¾ cup fresh rosemary leaves
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
½ bouillon cube, crumbled
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
Preheat the oven to 450. Season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic cloves, rosemary leaves, Italian seasoning, honey, hot sauce, crumbled bouillon cube, and pepper until the marinade is emulsified and has a syrupy consistency. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar. In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the pork tenderloin and cook, turning frequently, until brown on all sides, about 10-12 minutes. In the meantime, line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread halved Brussels sprouts and diced butternut, season with salt and pepper onto the pan and toss with a tablespoon olive oil. Push veggies to a side to make room for the pork tenderloin. Once browned, transfer the pork tenderloin onto the sheet pan. Baste the tenderloin thoroughly with half the balsamic sauce and add a quick drizzle to the Brussels sprouts. Roast in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pork is done and the Brussels sprouts are nicely browned. Cut the pork tenderloin into thick 1/2-inch slices and serve with the other half of balsamic sauce over the top. Sprinkle the roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan before serving. Enjoy!
Serves 6
Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad
Ingredients
12 ounces salad greens (spring mix)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecan halves
6 ounces blue cheese crumbles
2 whole apples red and green, cored, sliced thin
Dressing
½ cup olive oil
2 tbsp coarse ground mustard
3 tbsp honey
1tbsp apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Add the greens, cranberries, pecans, cheese and apples into a large salad bowl. Mix the olive oil, mustard, honey and vinegar in a small jar and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the lid on the jar and shake well to mix. Pour a little of the salad dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine. Taste the salad and add more dressing to taste.
Serves 6
Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Hash
4 cups sweet potatoes, chopped (about 2-3 medium sweet potatoes)
1 green pepper, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 lb bacon diced into bite-sized pieces
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
salt & pepper to taste
Add bacon to a large skillet and turn the heat onto medium. Cook, stirring occasionally until it's just starting to crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Carefully drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease out of the skillet and return to the stovetop. Add diced sweet potatoes to the skillet and sprinkle with cinnamon, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes before adding the diced green pepper and onion. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the potatoes and veggies are tender. Mix the cooked bacon back into the sweet potatoes and drizzle the maple syrup over the top. Serve up hot!
Serves 4
- Author: Lee Miller, UCCE Master Gardener
Smaller lavenders are ‘Hidcote' H 24" x W 24" and 'Munstead' which is H 18" x W 24"' both bloom from summer to early fall. ‘Sarah English' is a little over 12 inches tall with flowers that are petite just like the rest of the plant. ‘Sarah English' makes a nice short hedge and it is also a good size for container planting. The flower receptacle is a dark purple which contributes to an overall medium purple flower color. Later in the season, you can gather the leaves and flower heads for scented sachets, pomanders and potpourri. There are many more lavenders including some that are pink and white as well as other species. Lots of lavenders to choose from that will add color and fragrance as well as fill in spots in your garden landscape.
