By Helen Dake, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Many of you know that Master Gardeners share university-based research with Napa County home gardeners through our help desk, public workshops and website. But I bet you didn't know that we also do our own field-testing research. We try out vegetables in our gardens with the goal of understanding which varieties do well in Napa Valley.
Last January nine Master Gardeners planted two varieties of onion seedlings in their gardens. Both varieties, Red Bull and Walla Walla, did well, and most of us harvested beautiful, big, fat onions with good flavor in July and August.
Almost all of us truly enjoyed growing onions this way and definitely would do it again. The onions required little space in the garden, took care of themselves once planted, and were generally easy to grow and pest free.
One big reason for our success was planting the right onion variety for Napa Valley at the right time. The onion's bulbing process, when it transforms from skinny onion to fat globe, is triggered by day length (the number of daylight hours in a day) and not the size or age of the plants. Short-day onion varieties develop a bulb when there are 11 to 13 hours of daylight; intermediate-day varieties require 12 to 14 daylight hours to bulb; and long-day types need 14 to 16 daylight hours.
Since summer daylight hours depend on latitude, Southerners tend to grow short-day onions, Northerners do better with long-day varieties, and intermediate-day varieties perform best in Napa Valley.
The onion variety you choose and the planting date will determine whether you get a good bulb onion crop. Our success with planting onions last January confirms that Napa Valley gardeners can still plant now for a fruitful harvest in July.
To ensure success, you should plant onion starts, also called “plants” or “transplants,” rather than seeds or onion sets (very small onions). Transplants are young onion plants started from seeds six to eight weeks before. They look like very skinny green onions. Occasionally you can find them in your local nursery in bundles, or they may be in six-packs. You can also order onion transplants online and receive them in time to put them in the ground this month.
If you are ordering online, look for varieties labeled intermediate-day. Some intermediate varieties include Candy; Red Candy Apple; Super Star (also known as Sierra Bianca); Scout; Stockton Red, White or Yellow; and Early Red Burger. Online retailers that still have some of these varieties in stock include Dixondale Farms, Henry Field's and Brown's Omaha Plant Farms.
Since Napa Valley is close to the southernmost border of the northern zone, we can also grow some long-day types such as Walla Walla and Red Bull, the varieties that we planted in our field trials.
Your local nursery should stock varieties that will work in Napa Valley. I have had huge success planting Candy, Candy Apple and Super Star in mid-January and harvesting lots of giant onions in July and August.
Plant your starts in a location that gets plenty of direct sun. Dig in compost to improve aeration and drainage and add a balanced fertilizer (follow package directions) because onions are heavy feeders. Remove all weeds before you plant.
Onions are slow-growing, shallow-rooted crops that can suffer severe yield loss from weed competition. Plant the onions four inches apart and one inch deep (no deeper as this will inhibit their ability to bulb).
Onions grow best in raised beds or raised rows at least 4 inches high and 20 inches wide. The soil should be loose and crumbly to ensure maximum bulbing. Keep the soil moist if rains are not regular. You don't want to limit the steady growth of your onions in any way.
Onions are among the few crops we can plant successfully in the cold, short days of January. They are essential in the kitchen, and there is a deep pleasure in cooking with onions from your own garden. I encourage you to plant onion transplants this month for a successful harvest of fat, flavorful bulbs this summer.
Workshop: The U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will present a workshop on “Growing Spring and Summer Vegetables” on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Napa.Do you want nutritious, easy-to grow and utterly fresh food from your garden this spring and summer? Learn what the garden needs to successfully produce spring and summer vegetables from seeds and plant starts. In addition to growing basics and hands-on activities, this program includes watering, fertilizing and harvesting tips, with a dash of Integrated Pest Management for pest and disease control. The delight of growing your own groceries is matched only by savoring them at harvest. Online registration (credit card only); Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
Workshop: The U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will present a workshop on “Summer Vegetables” on Sunday, March 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street, Yountville. Get tips for growing your own summer vegetables. Learn some basics, get keys to success, and do hands-on activities to learn about new varieties and review old favorites. Enjoy healthy vegetables taken straight from your garden to your table. The delight of growing your own vegetables is matched by savoring them at harvest. Online registration or telephone the Parks & Recreation Department at 707-944-8712.
Master Gardeners are volunteers who help the University of California reach the gardening public with home gardening information. U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County (http:/napamg.ucanr.edu) are available to answer gardening questions in person or by phone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the U. C. Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa, 707-253-4143, or from outside City of Napa toll-free at 877-279-3065. Or e-mail your garden questions by following the guidelines on our web site. Click on Napa, then on Have Garden Questions? Find us on Facebook under UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
By Susanne von Rosenberg, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Many of us set goals at the start of a new year, and most of us give up on them fairly quickly. How about focusing on your garden this year instead? That will probably be a lot more fun than any resolution you were going to make.
Your garden intention can be an enjoyable way to improve your health and well-being and help the planet, too. Win-win-win! Set an intention rather than a goal. An intention creates a path you follow and avoids the stress of having to meet a specific expectation. After all, gardening should be enjoyable.
So what will your win-win-win garden intention be this year? Here are some ideas:
Consider making your garden more environmentally friendly:
Reduce your water use. Install drip irrigation (it's really not that hard) or focus on rainwater harvesting. Alternatively, replace some particular thirsty plants with drought-tolerant choices.
Improve your soil. Keep mulching and use organic fertilizers. Your plants and the planet will thank you.
Plant more native plants. They're beautiful and,once established, need little care.
Choose plants that support native pollinators. We need to support diversity in the pollinator population.
How about planting some plants that will help reduce your energy consumption by shading your home or its south- and west-facing windows?
Learn more about climate-friendly gardening. For example, did you know that you can help trap carbon in the soil through the right kinds of gardening practices? And these practices improve your soil, too.
Create habitat for wildlife. In addition to planting native plants and other plants to provide food for wildlife, provide water and shelter. Leave your garden a little messy; it's better for wildlife.
Replace your lawn with drought-tolerant plantings. All of the cities in Napa County have cash-for-grass programs that pay you to remove your lawn and replace it with a drought-tolerant garden.
Learn to make compost. It's the best way to recycle your yard waste and some food scraps. And if you can't make enough compos to mulch your garden, buy it from the municipal waste company.It's inexpensive and certified as a soil amendment for organic agriculture.
Learn more about your garden:
Spend more time observing it. How does the light and shade change throughout the year? Where does the rainwater flow? How does the wind affect your garden? Which critters call it home?
Track the daily high and low temperature and the rainfall in your location. You can find inexpensive gauges in most garden centers and nurseries and online. Keep a notebook or other journal to record what you observe.
Experiment with something new: new plants, new tools or new ways of taking care of your garden. Did you know that no-till gardens are the wave of the future?
Make your garden work better for you:
What are the big challenges in your garden, and what one action could you take to make the biggest dent in dealing with that challenge?
What can you do to make your garden more enjoyable? Do you need more seating? Or perhaps more shade or sun? Do you want to create a peaceful nook for meditation?
Simply spend a bit more time gardening. Fifteen minutes a day can have a big effect and will make for a relaxing break, no matter what time of day you go out.
Consider contributing fresh produce to the local Food Bank (check first to find out what is needed). This is a wonderful activity to share with kids.
Do you have grandkids or nieces and nephews? How about introducing them to the joys of gardening?
Knowledge makes you a better and more confident gardener. Check out the Master Gardener website (http://napamg.ucanr.edu/) for useful information as well as upcoming workshops and events.
Or you could simply decide to spend more time in the garden. Fresh air and being in nature are wonderful for your heart and soul. Being more at peace is a wonderful intention for the new year.
Workshop: The U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will present a workshop on “Growing Spring and Summer Vegetables” on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Napa. Do you want nutritious, easy-to grow and utterly fresh food from your garden this spring and summer? Learn what the garden needs to successfully produce spring and summer vegetables from seeds and plant starts. In addition to growing basics and hands-on activities, this program includes watering, fertilizing and harvesting tips, with a dash of Integrated Pest Management for pest and disease control. The delight of growing your own groceries is matched only by savoring them at harvest. Online registration (credit card only); Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
Workshop: The U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will present a workshop on “Summer Vegetables” on Sunday, March 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street, Yountville. Get tips for growing your own summer vegetables. Learn some basics, get keys to success, and do hands-on activities to learn about new varieties and review old favorites. Enjoy healthy vegetables taken straight from your garden to your table. The delight of growing your own vegetables is matched by savoring them at harvest. Online registration or telephone the Parks & Recreation Department at 707-944-8712.
Master Gardeners are volunteers who help the University of California reach the gardening public with home gardening information. U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County (http:/napamg.ucanr.edu) are available to answer gardening questions in person or by phone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the U. C. Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa, 707-253-4143, or from outside City of Napa toll-free at 877-279-3065. Or e-mail your garden questions by following the guidelines on our web site. Click on Napa, then on Have Garden Questions? Find us on Facebook under UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
By T. Eric Nightingale, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Your garden soil has the ability to absorb and store atmospheric carbon. This process, called carbon sequestration, has been in effect since the early days of Earth's history.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air. As they process the gas, they break it apart, depositing carbon in the soil and releasing oxygen into the air. This process has helped create a livable atmosphere for humanity.
We know that carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and industry contribute to climate change. Now we realize that there is another culprit, one we never saw coming: farming.
Modern agricultural practices involve an enormous amount of tillage. This frequent distribution of soil releases carbon that would otherwise remain trapped. Worse, clear-cutting and development disrupt the soil without replacing plant life. Concrete-covered land can't absorb carbon, and bare earth is believed to actually slowly leech carbon back into the atmosphere.
In response, many farmers are changing their methods. Using cover crops and keeping tillage to a minimum, they are working to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases. Farming is a necessity but approaching it conscientiously can make a difference.
Though your home garden is likely smaller than a farm, you can also help support the environment. Using the same principles, your plants and soil can help sequester carbon. Growing cover crops, then leaving them as a mulch is the most accessible method. Mulch and compost will also help improve your soil texture, reducing the need for tillage.
Of course, growing plants of any kind is good for the environment as they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. But choosing California native plants for your landscape can provide added benefits as habitat and food for wildlife. Many native plants also use less water than traditional landscape plants.
If native plants are not your style, consider the many non-native drought-tolerant plants. As drought-tolerant gardening becomes more popular, even a necessity, more nurseries are carrying these plants.
Using landscaping techniques such as berms and swales, you can create a garden that incorporates plants with a range of water needs. Siting drought-tolerant plants on a berm—a low mound of well-draining soil—is the best way to assure they do not become overwatered. Building a swale next to the berm will create a space for thirstier plants. A swale is a ditch dug into the native soil which is then filled with looser soil. Water will run off the adjacent berm and settle in the swale, providing additional hydration to the plants there.
Garden design can also help reduce your energy consumption. A leafy tree or shrub on the sunniest side of your house can reduce the need for air conditioning on hot days. Some people cover the exterior of their homes in vines for extra insulation.
Another, perhaps less obvious, way you can aid the planet is to grow your own food. The plants themselves will improve the soil and air, but there's another benefit. Unless you shop entirely at a local farm stand, some of your produce was harvested by machine and transported by truck, both of which requiring fuel that contributes to global warming.
With so many people on the planet, and so much that seems beyond our control, it is easy to think that our actions don't matter. Yet small changes can produce big results, especially when we work together. Many people using a little less water adds up to a lot of water saved, and just imagine how much healthier and more self-sufficient our community would be if everyone had a vegetable garden.
Workshop: U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will conduct a workshop on “How to Plan and Plant a Home Vineyard” on Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Yountville. Location provided upon registration. Join our Integrated Grape Team members to learn techniques for planning and planting a home vineyard. The workshop will be held at a new home vineyard planted last year. Learn the necessary planning steps, become familiar with the checklist of activities, methods of determining the proper rootstock, selection of wine grape varietals for specific locations and estimated yield calculations. Review our calendar timeline for planning, site preparation, initial planting and timing of the first harvest for a new home vineyard. Online registration (credit card only); Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
Master Gardeners are volunteers who help the University of California reach the gardening public with home gardening information. U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County (http:/napamg.ucanr.edu) are available to answer gardening questions in person or by phone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the U. C. Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa, 707-253-4143, or from outside City of Napa toll-free at 877-279-3065. Or e-mail your garden questions by following the guidelines on our web site. Click on Napa, then on Have Garden Questions? Find us on Facebook under UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
By Denise Levine, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Purple plants do well in my garden. Animals seem to leave them alone, and birds that seem to know which little green things are weeds and which are my seedlings hop by my baby purple plants without assaulting them. Insects also tend to ignore my purple plants in favor of their green-leaved neighbors.
Purple plants owe their remarkable qualities to a flavonoid pigment called anthocyanin. Found in blueberries and other dark red and purple foods, anthocyanins have been deemed by nutritionists to be healthful. These pigments also protect plants from extreme temperatures, plant viruses, fungus and animal attacks.
But even putting those benefits aside, I find purple plants beautiful. My winter purple cauliflowers—the variety is Di Sicilia Violetto (Purple of Sicily)—are deeply colored, with velvety heads that delight me each time I tend them.
As beautiful as they are and as much as I enjoy watching them grow, I also visualize gorgeous purple florets for vegetable dips on Christmas Day. I also plan to steam a whole cauliflower to serve with Cheddar sauce. The cauliflower's color will change when cooked but with no loss of the extraordinary phytonutrients.
Nearby in my garden are the aptly named Tête Noir (Black Head) cabbages. Deeply and beautifully pigmented, these traditional French cabbages are delicious when stuffed, pickled for sauerkraut, or shredded and simmered with honey and lemon for sweet and sour cabbage. I love growing this variety through every season, but especially in winter.
Many Asian greens are easy to sow and grow quickly through the cold months in Napa County. Bok choy, mustards and mizunas all do well. They are abundant producers and wonderful sources of greens for cooking. Here, too, there are purple options.
If a stroll through your favorite nursery doesn't yield the seedlings you are looking for, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers Japanese Giant red mustard, Beni Houshi mizuna and Purple Lady bok choy among other purple options.
Beni Houshi mizuna is a new offering with mild, tender, lime-green leaves atop succulent, bright purple stems. These stems have the same protective phytonutrients found in blueberries.
The greens can be shredded for salad or used as a substitute for spinach or other greens.
Japanese Giant red mustard hits the other end of the flavor spectrum. Its strong-tasting purplish leaves have an almost garlicky flavor that perks up winter stir-fries and steamed vegetable plates.
Purple Lady bok choy is a striking plant with strong purple leaves and bright green stems. It is uniformly sized, growing six to seven inches tall. Described as “crunchy, juicy and flavorful,” this bok choy can be grilled, stir-fried or used in salads.
Carrots are another edible you can grow through the winter months. Purple varieties pack an even bigger nutritional punch than the already nutrient-dense orange type. Purple Sun from Renee's Garden Seeds is a beautiful deep-purple carrot with a bright yellow core.
Black Spanish Carrot and Black Nebula from Baker Seeds are two other options. The Black Spanish variety is a reddish-purple carrot thought to have been brought to Spain in the 14th century from North Africa. Described as earthy and spicy, this carrot has a deep-purple exterior with a cream-colored interior. It is especially happy planted in winter or early spring as it thrives with constant moisture, so if you are feeling a little cabin crazy, this carrot seed might be for you.
Black Nebula is the darkest, purplest carrot I have ever seen. This carrot is worthy of a little kitchen magic with the kids. When juiced, Black Nebula is a deep, rich purple, but if seed catalogs are to be believed, a healthy squeeze of lemon turns the carrot juice bright pink. Promises like these make Black Nebula a must-grow in my winter garden.
Maroon and purply-red lettuces, purple plum radishes and purple-podded peas and snap pea seeds are all available and can be planted now and in the coming months to provide fresh salad ingredients nightly.
If winter gardening isn't for you, summer crops offer purple options as well. Purple-podded string beans, purple peppers, purple tomatillos, purple basils and black and purple tomatoes are all healthful additions to the diet and striking additions to an edible or ornamental garden.
The Whole Seed Catalog from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has a fascinating article by Jamie Jackson on the health benefits and latest research on anthocyanins. I recommend it highly to those who want to know more.
Workshops: U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will conduct 2 January workshops:
"Rose Pruning" on Saturday, January 5 from 10-12 noon at the UCCE Meeting room, 1710 Soscol Ave, Napa. Get all your Rose pruning questions answered at this interactive workshop. Topics include rose types, how and when to prune, what tools to use along with tool care, safety, and sanitation. For registration Online Registration (credit card only) or Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
“How to Plan and Plant a Home Vineyard” on Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Yountville. Join our Integrated Grape Team members to learn techniques for planning and planting a home vineyard. The workshop will be held at a new home vineyard planted last year. Learn the necessary planning steps, become familiar with the checklist of activities, methods of determining the proper rootstock, selection of wine grape varietals for specific locations and estimated yield calculations. Review our calendar timeline for planning, site preparation, initial planting and timing of the first harvest for a new home vineyard. Online registration (credit card only); Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
Master Gardeners are volunteers who help the University of California reach the gardening public with home gardening information. U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County (http:/napamg.ucanr.edu) ) are available to answer gardening questions in person or by phone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the U. C. Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa, 707-253-4143, or from outside City of Napa toll-free at 877-279-3065. Or e-mail your garden questions by following the guidelines on our web site. Click on Napa, then on Have Garden Questions? Find us on Facebook under UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
By Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
This past November, I went to Oaxaca to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The experience was unique in many ways and I enjoyed it very much. The parades, the music, the food and especially the flowers really delighted me. Most of the flowers used were marigolds. Until this trip, I was not aware how many different varieties there are of this New World flower species (Tagetes).
Another flower used in the Day of the Dead festivities was cockscomb (Celosia cristata). Many other blooming flowers were used in the decorations, adding to the feeling of rebirth.
My fellow travelers and I helped to build alters and decorate graves which was a wonderful experience. We visited pottery makers who practice traditional methods and went to ancient ruins in the area. There were several festive parades, and everyone took part even if they were not dressed for the occasion.
Day of the Dead celebrants believe that marigolds, with their bright golden colors, guide the spirits to the altars and places where relatives await. Varieties have been bred to be bigger and grander for this journey. After dark in the graveyard, candles were lit around each grave. The candlelight with the golden flowers was beautiful.
We used several varieties of marigolds when decorating the altar and arch. The plants still had roots attached as they had been pulled from the ground rather than cut to keep them fresh longer. We used both whole flowers and petals. For the arch, the marigolds were tied in place, and for the rest of the decoration, the flowers were laid on the altar.
Fruits, vegetables, sugar cane and decorated breads were added to the altars. Beautiful candles were also part of the decorations. Small burners were lit to lead the way.
As we moved around the countryside, we saw fields of wild marigolds everywhere. We also saw truckloads of flowers in route to the city for use in the celebrations.
While marigolds originate in the New World, explorers took them back to Europe so now there are French marigolds and African marigolds developed from the originals. Marigolds have also been used in folk medicine from ancient times. They have been used in tea and in skin treatments. I even noticed that they were fried and added to salads. Marigolds are also said to repel mosquitoes.
The French marigold varieties are relatively short and usually bloom in about eight weeks. African marigolds are taller and take longer to bloom. Plant a few of each for variety in flower color and size.
Perusing a garden catalog, I was amazed by the all the colors that marigolds come in. They vary from creamy white to very deep orange, with many combinations in between.
I have been reading a great deal about the marigold family and don't know how much of what I read is folklore and how much is fact. Some garden catalogs say that marigolds combat nematodes, and others say they repel most harmful insects. I plan to include them in my vegetable garden and flower beds to see how successful these plants are.
The seeds usually germinate within a week. You can sow them as soon as the ground warms in spring or start them indoors and pot up the seedlings. Move them to larger containers as they grow to give the roots plenty of room and insure that will be big when you are ready to plant them in the garden.
At planting time, dig a hole, add a tablespoon or so of worm compost and place the marigold into the hole. Press the soil into place and water well. Keep the soil moist until the plants are established. With care you will have flowers from summer to fall. Remove spent flowers to encourage new ones to grow.
Workshops: U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County will conduct 2 January workshops:
"Rose Pruning" on Saturday, January 5 from 10-12 noon at the UCCE Meeting room, 1710 Soscol Ave, Napa. Get all your Rose pruning questions answered at this interactive workshop. Topics include rose types, how and when to prune, what tools to use along with tool care, safety, and sanitation. For registration Online Registration (credit card only) or Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
“How to Plan and Plant a Home Vineyard” on Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Yountville. Join our Integrated Grape Team members to learn techniques for planning and planting a home vineyard. The workshop will be held at a new home vineyard planted last year. Learn the necessary planning steps, become familiar with the checklist of activities, methods of determining the proper rootstock, selection of wine grape varietals for specific locations and estimated yield calculations. Review our calendar timeline for planning, site preparation, initial planting and timing of the first harvest for a new home vineyard. Online registration (credit card only); Mail-in/Walk-in registration (check only or drop off cash payment).
Master Gardeners are volunteers who help the University of California reach the gardening public with home gardening information. U. C. Master Gardeners of Napa County (http:/napamg.ucanr.edu) ) are available to answer gardening questions in person or by phone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the U. C. Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa, 707-253-4143, or from outside City of Napa toll-free at 877-279-3065. Or e-mail your garden questions by following the guidelines on our web site. Click on Napa, then on Have Garden Questions? Find us on Facebook under UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.