- Author: Rhonda Allen
It's a joy to walk along the tree lined path and discover a variety of native plant species you might not know about. This garden recreates natural environments that are dwindling.
The garden was started as a community effort with support from the City of Modesto to improve a neglected strip of land and provide a usable space for the neighborhood. Much of the assets in the garden came from donations and neighborhood efforts. Modesto Subaru also came on board as a supporter to help with needed improvements. 
The garden has sections of interest, such as a children's play area, where a little lending library can be found and activities such as tic tac toe and hopscotch. Rustic wood benches are scattered along the path for rest and view stops. The city provided 32 valley oak trees which form the backbone of the garden along the path.
During the spring months there is much color to enjoy. Look for white poppies, yarrow, daisies, and mock orange in the white garden area.
The blue garden hosts blue eyed grass, ceanothus, Cleveland sage and other bluish blooms. The striking dark blue blossoms on the ceanothus are a must see and attract large numbers of bees, both native bees and honeybees.
Another developing color area is the yellow garden, which has sunflowers, wallflower, and other asters.
You may find your own favorite plant or color spot as you walk along the trail and explore. Many area residents come back weekly to see which plants are newly blooming. The garden changes constantly,
The increase in bird and insect visitations is a reminder of what communities can do to help support our natural environment.
If you see some plants that inspire you, consider planting these species in your home landscape to provide a food source for our native pollinators, which are in desperate need of habitat and nutrition that these plants can provide.
Enjoy your walk!
----------------
You can learn more about the La Loma Neighborhood Garden by visiting their website at https://sites.google.com/prod/view/lalomanativegarden
----
Rhonda Allen is a Master Gardener trainee. She is set to graduate and become a Master Gardener this June!
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Our program had a fantastic spring schedule of classes and events planned. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 concerns, they've been canceled or postponed. Gardeners are innovative people by nature, so we won't let this stop us! We plan on bringing programs to you virtually.
Library Gardening Series
Our first Stanislaus County Library Partnership Series: Container Vegetable Gardening was held at the Riverbank branch in early March. We can't offer this class right now at the other branches, so we are going virtual! Our plan is to hold a Zoom webinar featuring Master Gardener Rho Yare. It will include online vegetable gardening book recommendations from the Stanislaus County Library.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a service that allows presenters to hold meetings or give online seminars. If you have a computer, visit https://zoom.us/download and choose ”Zoom Client for Meetings.” Next, open the download to install it. Zoom is also available as a free app for your tablet or smart phone.
Once you have Zoom installed, enter your name and create and password. Having Zoom means you can video chat with your friends free for 40 minutes. Our organization subscribes to Zoom, so we can offer online presentations that everyone can join or listen to later.
Class Sign Ups
A week before the class, we will post an announcement about our upcoming webinar on The Stanislaus Sprout. Just before it starts, click on the link to join. You will be able to see the presenter and their slides. You won't be able to talk during the class, but you can type your questions into the chat feature located on the bottom of the screen.
What if I can't/don't want to use Zoom?
No problem! After the class, we will import the video on our soon-to-be-created Youtube Channel. We will make an announcement when it's ready.
We hope this email finds our Stanislaus County gardening friends staying healthy and sheltering/gardening in place as much as possible.
- Author: Rho Yare
Rho Yare is a first year Master Gardener in Stanislaus County.
In most cases plants are forgiving, will not lecture you, give away any of your secrets, request money nor the car keys. Those plants in your yard, patio or on the balcony might just need a little love and right now you have the time.
If you are fortunate to have some land around your home perhaps this would not only give you other options of things to do while at home but make your world more attractive and interesting. Wander round your space and reacquaint yourself to what is planted there. This might be a good time to weed, trim, or remove shrubs or plants that are no longer looking their best. Perhaps checking the irrigation system or planning some changes that you might like to make to your outside environment.
At this point all the health experts are telling us that spending time outside is good for us if you are healthy and if we do not congregate with those not in our immediate living situation. Including young people in the exploration of your garden/yard is a wonderful way to talk to them in a relaxed setting and listen to their fears, interests, and frustrations. If there are no young people in your home, then this might be a perfect time for a solo garden experience.
You could invite that person who shares your home to join you outside in your gardening area to keep you company while you work. A change in routine and space can sometimes produce surprising results. Sharing this time might make communication easier and perhaps alleviate some fears and anxieties about COVID-19 and the future.
Getting away from all those screens and looking at something besides the inside of your home could be beneficial to your mental wellbeing. If you have a patio or balcony you can still garden and have the benefits of exercise, stress reduction, beautification, education, and possibly a food source.
Children are especially excited when the seeds they plant in containers begin to sprout little green leaves. You might already have some containers that can be used for your small space garden.
Or consider the next time you make that trip to purchase home supplies at a grocery or variety store you add a container, some soil, and a package or two of seeds. It is amazing how your gardening experiment will be interesting, challenging, and have the bonus of the “I did this” factor for adults as well as for young people.
Although some resources have been curtailed the Internet has many sites that can give you gardening advice. Another source is the UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have completed a rigorous course of classes and would welcome your questions, offer free advice, and encouragement. Leave a message for us by phone (209) 525-6802 or email ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu
Adding gardening and outside time to your schedule might help with some of the long and possibly boring days ahead. None of us want to be “stuck” in our homes but expanding our horizons to a little beyond the four walls just might make this time more interesting for you and give you some new skills and interests.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Urban landscapes are much needed resource for pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. What should you plant to attract them?
Honey bees are well-known plant pollinators, but they aren't the only bees in the landscape. California is home to over 1,600 species of native bee pollinators. Many of them may be found buzzing around in your backyard, looking for pollen and nectar.
Learn how to recognize native bees and other pollinators, and take home a list of plants they prefer. Join the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Harvest Hall at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center. Sign up at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2020 to reserve your space. Free flower seed packets for participants.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Spring Vegetable Gardening for Beginners on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 6:00-8:00 p.m. will teach you:
- How to find out your soil type
- How to prepare garden soil for planting
- Planting techniques for seeds and transplants
- How to care for vegetable plants
- How to grow vegetables in containers.
Sign up now to reserve your space and free vegetable seed packets. REGISTER HERE
Stay tuned for announcements about each class in your email inbox so you can be the first to sign up!
