- Author: Michelle Davis
On a hot Saturday recently I was hiking in the Sunol Regional Wilderness in an oak bay woodland, not bay like water, but bay like tree, actually lots of bay trees. The heavy scent of peppery bay leaf surrounded me. I know that Umbellularia californica is a native California tree, but I had never seen or smelled so many in one area. It is said that the Golden Spike used to connect the Transcontinental Railway in 1869 was driven into a railroad tie made of a California bay tree.
The Native Americans used the leaves from the trees to treat headaches. They added them to poultices with spices to help unconscious people regain consciousness. They burned the leaves to make smoke that would daze deer and make them easier to procure for food. The nuts were harvested in the fall and were used in various ways by different tribes as food – some boiled, some dried, some raw, some roasted.
Leaves of the Umbellularia californica can be used to flavor food, but don't use the amount that your recipe calls for. These leaves contain a lot more of the volatile oil than the European Laurus nobilis, which is probably why I was smelling them so strongly. If you do choose to use them, it is recommended to pick the young, lighter green, shiny leaves and only use about ½ or even ¼ of a leaf of what you would normally add. I won't be eating them, but I truly did appreciate the scent and the shade on the trail that day.
- Author: Betty Victor
Question: What do you do when you buy or are given more plants than you have containers for?
Well, several years ago I had a very old metal wheelbarrow that almost rusted through. The wheelbarrow was headed for the dump until I stopped "my yard clean up helpers" from doing removing it. Now it is home to a variety of succulents and they are doing very well.
A Del Monte wooden lug box that was once used on a fruit orchard inVacaville, formerly located where part of the factory stores are, now has basil and parsley growing in it.
An elephant watering can has a Rose of Sharon growing from his backside, another yellow watering can with bees painted on it that was a gift has a succulent growing in it. Even a very small colander, a yellow mixing bowl that had a small crack and could not be used in the kitchen, found a new life in the garden.
So if you find yourself like I did, more plants, no containers, look around your house, I bet you will find something to use as a planter that it was not originally intended for.
Plus having the benefit of less stuff going to the dump. Upcycle!
- Author: Patricia Brantley
I came across this great book “Hummingbirds; A Life-size Guide to Every Species” by Michael Fogden, Marianne Taylor and Sheri L. Williamson, published by Harper Design. As you can guess, “Life-Size” in this case is a bit compact, but the information and pictures are wonderful. It's a great “read” when your brain just needs to rest and look at pictures, but contains substantial information about the entire Hummingbird family. I've checked this copy out of the local library, but I plan on purchasing it and adding to my private collection.
Inspired by the book, and of course the little hummers themselves…I've written a short poem.
I saw a tiny hummingbird land upon a tree,
He perched just long enough so that I could see,
His iridescent colors shining, so quick his rest was done,
Like a flash he took off, Lightening in the Sun.
- Author: Trisha E Rose
- Author: Lowell Cooper
I am writing this blog note from Rte 89 on the way on a road trip from Hoover Dam to Glacier and back to Benicia by the end of the month. Can't get a picture but to describe the plant in question is the best I can do. This is the third year in a row I found a volunteer amongst my roses. While I was busy ruminating about what it might be , it grew. And grew and grew. I became convinced it was a rogue giant sunflower. It never flowered. I cut it down when I began to feel like the leaves would swallow my house. But it grew back. One major stalk abou 2" across. A minor pup only 1". When we left on our road trip, the plant was at least 12' tall with leaves the size of a baby blanket. No flower, ever. I submit this as a teaser: what is it? Next time I will submit it with a picture. Call me stumped.
