- Author: Elinor Teague
Nurseries and garden centers also wait until temperatures are cooler before risking bringing in their fall stock. Our fall planting season usually ends in mid-November. We may well have just four weeks or fewer to plant seeds and transplants of cool-season vegetables and spring-blooming annuals instead of the used-to-be-normal six weeks of fall planting time that encouraged stronger growth and root development before cold winter temperatures arrived.
‘Hardening off' allows nursery transplants to adjust to the differences in light conditions and temperatures in the garden by spending several days in a sheltered spot outdoors in their nursery containers or cell-packs before planting. That period of adjustment will be a critical step this year.
Amending garden soil two weeks before planting by adding copious amounts of humus and compost will improve the soil's water retention and drainage. Regularly amending the soil is another critical step in helping seedlings and transplants develop healthy, extensive root systems that aid in surviving higher fall temperatures and heat spikes.
Many large landscape trees are looking pretty shabby at the end of this September. Some have already dropped most of their leaves and many branches look to be dead or dying. This summer's brutal heat clearly stressed them to their limits.
Trees planted in parks, lawns or parking strips which received shallow sprinkler irrigation rather than regular, slow and deep irrigation will show more signs of early senescence or untimely decline. Give all landscape trees, young and old, a really deep soaking (or two or three depending on temperatures and the tree's condition) this month. Deep irrigation allows root systems to take up enough water to sustain trees as they enter winter dormancy before the winter rains arrive and also promotes full dormancy and more vigorous growth in spring.
This summer really tested the capacities of heat and drought-tolerant plants to survive extremely high temperatures. The high temperatures also negatively affected bee, butterfly, bird and beneficial insect populations. If replacing plants that died or that are so damaged that it will take months to recover, consider replanting with flowering perennials and annuals that provide food, pollen, habitats and shelter for a variety of beneficial species. California native plants should be among the first choices.
Nursery and garden center labels may not indicate which flowers attract which beneficials but many seed companies now provide that information online and on seed packets. Try to plant all of the three flower types (umbrella, tubular, open) as well as bushes that produce edible berries. Add a fountain to your landscape to provide clear, trickling water for bees and baths for birds and keep the bird feeders cleaned and filled this winter.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
So quipped UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey about the portraits and multiple images of Richard "Doc" Bohart (1913-2007) gracing the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house on Saturday, Sept. 28, on what would have been his 111th birthday anniversary.
Bohart, an internationally recognized entomologist and a longtime UC Davis professor, founded the insect museum in 1946. It was renamed the Bohart Museum in 1983.
The 300 visitors at the open house visitors learned how to catch bugs, identify them, pin them and label them. They also learned about butterflies, moths, mosquitoes and ticks. As the open house concluded, they enjoyed a "Doc" birthday cake cut by the new Bohart Museum director, Professor Jason Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and associate dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Kimsey served as the director of the Bohart for 34 years until her retirement on Feb. 1, 2024. Specializing in hymenoptera, she continues her research; directs the Bohart Museum Society; and writes and edits the quarterly newsletter.
Kimsey, who was one of Bohart's last graduate students before he retired, remembers him in the audio of a newly produced video by Walter Leal, UC Davis distinguished professor of molecular and cellular biology and former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. Included are her archived PowerPoint images of the professor, and video excerpts from her 1996 interview of "Doc" Bohart in an Aggie Video production. (See https://youtu.be/3YqnK-CpbJE)
The video heralds Bohart's 60 years of entomological work, documents his childhood passion for insects, relates that his first publication (1936) featured Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites), and lists many of the species that bear his name. He authored two landmark books, Sphecid Wasps of the World (with Arnold Menke), and The Chrysidid Wasps of the World (with Lynn Kimsey), as well as 230 journal articles and four other books on wasps and mosquitoes, including the 2nd and 3rd editions of The Mosquitoes of California (the 2nd with Stanley Freeborn and the 3rd with Robert Washino). During his career, he described more than 200 new species and genera of insects.
The Bohart Museum, located in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus, is the home of a global collection of eight million insect specimens. It also houses a live petting zoo (Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, tarantulas and more) and an insect-themed gift shop, stocked with t-shirts, hoodies, books, posters and jewelry, among other items.
- Author: Barbra Braaten
October is here, and with it comes a mix of warm days and cool nights. As the seasons change, prepare your garden for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Here are some friendly and supportive tips to help your garden thrive this October, no matter where you are in the Golden State!
1. Care for Your Lawn
October is a great time to give your lawn some extra attention. Use an organic, high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Remove any weeds and reseed any bald spots. Water well until the winter rains arrive. The Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program has a helpful lawn fertilizing guide.
2. Sow Wildflower Seeds
Why not create a beautiful wildflower garden this month? Wait until temperatures are consistently cool late in the month, then choose a sunny spot and prepare the soil by removing weeds and grasses. To complete site prep, mix organic compost into the soil to help retain moisture. Scatter your wildflower seeds evenly, lightly rake them in, and add a thin layer of compost on top. Water well and watch your garden bloom next spring!
3. Plant Cool-Season Crops
Cooler temperatures are ideal for many vegetable crops. Consider planting transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, and kohlrabi, which will be ready by February. Leafy greens like Swiss chard, spinach, and kale grow quickly and can be harvested by December. You can also direct-seed peas, turnips, carrots, radishes, and beets now for an early winter harvest.
4. Plant Garlic
Garlic lovers, rejoice! October is the perfect time to plant your garlic bulbs. Choose a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil, and protect them from gophers if needed. Garlic takes about 6 to 8 months from planting to harvest, so plan accordingly.
5. Maintain Winter Soil Health
Even areas of your garden that aren't actively planted can benefit from some attention this month. Consider using cover crops, like fava beans, which enrich the soil with nitrogen. Adding organic mulches such as grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, or straw will help retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and prevent weeds from sprouting.
6. Enjoy Persimmon Season
October brings delicious Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons! Fuyu persimmons can be eaten raw when firm, while Hachiya ones are best enjoyed when soft and jelly-like. Protect your trees from birds by using bird netting. Use pruners when harvesting fruit, and always avoid ripping or pulling persimmon from branches.
7. Keep Watering
Despite cooler temperatures, warm days may still occur. Continue to water your garden until the rains begin. Check your soil moisture by digging down a bit—if it holds shape when squeezed, it's just right!
8. Inspect Your Watering System
If you have an automatic watering system, now is a great time to check for leaks and blockages. Ensure your timer is working correctly and reprogram it for the cooler weather. If you don't have a system, consider installing one—it can save you time and water!
9. Harvest Pomegranates Wisely
When it comes to harvesting pomegranates, timing is crucial. Look for a deepening color and a metallic sound when tapped. Clip the stem close to the fruit instead of pulling to avoid damage. Remember, pomegranates don't ripen further after harvest, so pick them at the right time!
10. Plant Shrubs for the Future
Fall is a great time to plant shrubs. California natives are especially low-maintenance and can establish strong root systems before summer stress hits. Consider the conditions of your site and the purpose of the plant when selecting new additions to your garden.
October is a busy and exciting time in the garden! By following these tips, you'll not only keep your garden thriving through the cooler months but also set yourself up for a successful spring. Embrace the changes of the season and enjoy all the beauty and bounty your garden has to offer! Happy gardening!
Ask your local UC Master Gardener Program.
Have a gardening question? UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help. Click here to Find a Program and connect with your local UC Master Gardener Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE. Happy gardening!
- Author: Saoimanu Sope
National 4-H Week is Oct. 7-12, 2024. To celebrate, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will be recognizing the significant benefits to local youth provided by the UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in San Diego County with a proclamation on Tuesday, Oct. 8. This recognition will take place at 9 a.m. during the board's meeting at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101.
In California, 4-H is administered through county-based UC Cooperative Extension advisors and educators who provide practical knowledge to people, businesses and communities via science-based research and educational programs. The proclamation not only celebrates 4-H's impact in San Diego County, but also acknowledges the successful partnership between UCCE and the County of San Diego.
As a leading youth-serving organization nationwide, 4-H offers research-based programs that equip young people with life skills, leadership training and community engagement opportunities. It also provides professional development and resources for other youth-serving organizations throughout participating counties, including San Diego.
Liliana Vega, UCCE 4-H youth development advisor for San Diego and Orange counties, envisions her expertise in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion enhancing positive youth development for all, especially Black, indigenous and people of color. Eager to create culturally relevant experiences that resonate with young people, Vega believes that doing so starts with empowering youth-serving professionals with growth opportunities, equipping staff to engage with the community meaningfully and prioritizing diversity.
“By partnering with local organizations, schools and diverse community groups in San Diego, we can elevate the quality and reach of youth programs throughout the county. Together, we can enhance opportunities in STEM, environmental justice, the arts and workforce development for the next generation,” said Vega, while describing the program's collaboration with the YMCA and Girls Inc. in San Diego as excellent examples.
At sunset on Oct. 8, attendees and passersby will witness the County Administration Center lit in the program's iconic green color, symbolizing the organization's century-long commitment to youth development in San Diego County. The proclamation and lighting ceremony are open to the public, and individuals whose lives have been enhanced by 4-H are encouraged to attend.
For more information about UCCE's 4-H program in San Diego County and details on how to get involved, please visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/4HSanDiegoCounty/. You can also contact Rebeca Manzo at remanzo@ucanr.edu or Liliana Vega at live@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Mark P Bolda
- Plants per acreage: potentially up to 2,500 plants per ¼ acre
- Yield per plant: an estimated 250 flowers per plant every 3 months
- Approximately 600 fresh flowers = 1 pound
- Harvest method: Hand-picked individual flower tops (on approximately half-inch stem), or because of the growth pattern in which the flowers are on a stem above the foliage, mechanical harvesting might be possible
- Handling and shipping: Because we crush and macerate the flowers in high-proof alcohol to extract flavor, they do not require delicate handling such as with flowers used decoratively. Shipping can be done by vacuum bagging, boxing, and sending overnight via FedEx or UPS to Colorado.
Bob Tews
Tews Pro Services LLC
C 303 808-4072