- Author: Terry Lynn Pellegrini
Insects. I never knew there would be so many insects. Nor did I realize how many failures I would have, how much trial and error are involved, and just how many weeds would rear their prickly heads. My idealized image popped like a child's balloon, leaving me with the reality all gardeners face. Gardening is not for the timid.
As a gardener one must accept that there will be insects. Everywhere. Both beneficial and destructive. It takes time to learn how which is which, how to control the destructive ones and to cultivate the beneficial ones. While you may never become bosom buddies with the wolf spiders jumping around your petunias, you can at least learn to appreciate what they do for you in your garden. We must get over the “ick” factor and become appreciative of all the little miracles insects make happen. Pollination, breaking down decaying matter and wastes, and providing food for many other species. Yes, some will eat your plants, destroy your tomatoes, and burrow into your fruit. However, these tiny destruction machines are fewer and farther between than the good guys.
plant to save my life. I have tried by seed and by transplant, in pots, in the ground, and in raised beds. That darn dill looks great for a week or two then shrivels and dies. When I step back and look at my garden, I realize that I can raise other plants many others seem to have a hard time sustaining. Where I have one failure, I have ten successes. That is what I focus on.
Finally, gardening is hard work. We must prepare the beds, sow the seeds, or plant our nursery transplants into the soil. Gardeners weed down on their knees, hands pulling and tugging. They hoe, dig, trim, water, and harvest. We toil, strain, and swear – sometimes a lot. Yet we do this happily despite the sweat, grimy fingernails, dirty knees, and sore backs. For we are happiest out in our gardens – in the fresh air, sunshine, and gentle breezes. This is our paradise, our pride and joy. Whether it is a patio brimming with bright colored pots filled with flowers and a tomato or two, or a sprawling two-acre homestead, the garden fills us with joy. Our garden is where we share a piece of our souls with the World. No, gardening is not for the timid. But we gardeners would not want it any other way.
The Master Gardeners would like to invite you to join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators and how you can attract them to your garden. This presentation will focus on using California native plants and pollinator friendly practices to create habitat for these fascinating species.
When: May 26, 2020 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom
How: Register at: http://ucanr.edu/virtualpollinators/2020
Speaker: Chris Howington, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
Watch the Live Broadcast
To watch the presentation live, make sure Zoom is installed on your device. You'll receive the Zoom link just a few days before the presentation in an email, as well as slides for you to print so you can follow along. Please do not share this link with others.
If you don't have Zoom or want to watch the presentation at another time, it will be available on our YouTube Channel at a later date. http://ucanr.edu/uccemgyoutube
- Author: Heidi Aufdermaur
The Master Garden handbook defines a weed as “a plant growing where it is not wanted.” For the home gardener, a plant can become a weed when it interferes with intended use of land and water resources.
I recently purchased “Weeds of California and other Western States” a two-volume resource book. It lists over 1600 pages of plants considered weeds. As I read through this book, I see many plants listed that I would not have considered as weeds, such as the broadleaf forget-me-not. I love the look of this annual. I scattered their seeds several years ago in one area of my yard and this year I found them growing in several other places. This isn't surprising as I've observed their seeds attached to my clothes and garden gloves.
So, is it a weed if this pretty flower shows up somewhere else? According to the California Invasive Plant Council, the answer is “yes,” since this particular plant is also considered invasive. It can escape landscapes and move into natural habitats and pastures. The control of invasive plants in California costs over $82 million dollars per year.
Nostalgic Weeds
One “weed” I enjoy came from my grandmother's garden, it's called the “three-corner leek”. This “weed” looked so pretty in her yard, I brought it home many years ago. Now, I see it made itself comfortable all over the yard. This perennial bulb, with white umbel-like flowers, has “escaped cultivation as a garden ornamental”, according to the “Weeds” book. It has been somewhat easy to control, and I dig out the bulb when it appears. I think of Grandma when I see it, so in the garden, it's staying.
A Weedy Menace
I am slowly winning the fight in two areas where these weeds are located. However, under the birch trees, I have surrendered to taking my garden knife and cutting off the greens just below the surface of the ground. I know it may not be a permanent solution, but it looks good until I need to cut the greens again, in a few weeks. The “Weeds” book says this process eventually “depletes bulb energy reserves.” I have learned not to let this plant set flowers as it also reproduces itself using seeds.
I am determined to win this battle against the weeds with perseverance. Wish me luck!!! I hope to see your comments on how you are doing controlling weeds in your garden.
UC IPM Home and Landscape Pests - Weeds
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/menu.weeds.html
California Invasive Plant Council
https://www.cal-ipc.org/
Weeds of California and Other Western States, vol. 1&2, UC ANR publication 3488
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu
For more information about Stanislaus Master Gardener's program and upcoming classes, sign up for the Stanislaus Sprout blog at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/StanislausSprout
A Help Desk is also available to help with other gardening questions or concerns: https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/
Heidi Aufdermaur is a graduate of the 2019 Class of Master Gardeners in Stanislaus County.
- 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.
Curious to learn more about succulents? In this fun, hands-on workshop, you'll learn about different types of succulents, their care, and how to propagate them. Last, we'll help you create an attractive design with succulent cuttings in a small, hand-crafted wooden box (made by one of our Master Gardeners). You'll also go home with an assortment of extra cuttings for your landscape.
Where: Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, Harvest Hall Rooms D&E 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, 95358.
When: Saturday, October 26, 2019 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Cost: $25 (only 30 spaces available)
Questions? (209) 525-6862
Instructors: UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners Roxanne Campbell, Terre Gouveia, and Rho Yare.
Register for Gardening with Succulents