By Susanne von Rosenberg, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Most gardeners appreciate wildlife, even if we don't always appreciate what wildlife may do to cherished parts of our garden. There are many ways to support wildlife in our gardens, including planting pollinator plants for insects (especially plants that flower in the late fall, winter and early spring), planting seed or berry-bearing plants for birds, and allowing squirrels and other critters a share of your fruit and nut harvest.
The most important thing you can do for wildlife, however, is to provide consistent access to water. The best way depends on the types of wildlife you'd like to support.
We gardeners spend a good bit of time trying to protect plants from wildlife depredation, so it may seem contrary to invite wildlife into the garden. But I feel strongly that your garden and the planet will be enriched by encouraging wildlife to visit your garden.
Many insects get all of the water they need from their food sources, but it may surprise you to learn that some, including bees and butterflies, need water. You can actually train bees to prefer a certain water source by setting it up early in the year. By the time they really need the water, they are accustomed to coming to the location you selected.
The best options are shallow containers, such as a plant drainage saucer or a shallow bird bath, filled with rocks or other landing places. Bees prefer water with minerals in it (some sources refer to it as “dirty water”), so it's helpful to let some of the algae or leaves that fall into the water stay there.
Drain the water every few days to avoid mosquito breeding. (Mosquito eggs can hatch in 72 to 96 hours.) If you see what appear to be tiny tadpoles in your water, those are most likely mosquito larvae. Just drain the water to kill them. Bees find their preferred water source by scent, so it's best to keep the water source away from strongly scented flowers.
Butterflies can also use the bee water station but prefer to drink muddy water. The easiest way to create a puddling station is to fill a shallow container with a mixture of half sand and half garden soil or compost. Keep the mixture moist but avoid standing water, or drain water off regularly to avoid mosquitos.
You can also create a puddling area directly in the ground by creating a shallow depression, lining it with an impermeable liner and then filling it with equal parts sand and soil. Keep the area damp with a hose or by adding a drip emitter. The damp soil leaches minerals into the water, and the butterflies obtain the minerals as they drink. Like bees, butterflies need these minerals. Male Monarchs need the minerals to make pheromones, and females need them to support egg laying.
Birds need water for drinking and bathing. One of my favorite sights is watching small birds splash around in the shallow birdbath on my front porch. Keeping your bird bath in the shade keeps the water cooler and fresher. Birds appreciate nearby trees or bushes so they can preen after they bathe.
The ideal bird bath slopes from a depth of no more than 1 inch to a depth of no more than 2 inches. Small birds use the shallower edges, and larger birds such as jays like the deeper areas. Add a few rocks or pebbles for birds to land on, which also helps them judge the depth of the water. Birds will not enter water when they cannot tell how deep it is. Rocks or sticks that extend above the water surface will also allow insects to escape.
Change the water every one to two days. Birds leave debris and possibly droppings, so the water becomes unsanitary. You can use the birdbath water on your plants as long as you keep it away from any edible plant parts.
Small mammals, including squirrels, possums, raccoons, foxes and rabbits, are part of a balanced garden ecosystem. Although we frequently think of them as nuisances, they help keep insect populations under control. Also, if you like to watch birds of prey, you need small mammals in your garden to attract them.
Providing a water source encourages small mammals. A birdbath that is too deep for birds, a small pond or even a water dish can benefit these animals. Change the water frequently to avoid mosquito breeding. For ponds, use mosquito fish or an environmentally-friendly Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based larvicide. Never release mosquito fish into natural water bodies. These fish aren't native to California and can disrupt ecosystems.
Got Garden Questions? Contact our Help Desk. The team is working remotely so please submit your questions through our diagnosis form, sending any photos to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org or leave a detailed message at 707- 253-4143. A Master Gardener will get back to you by phone or email.
For more information visit https://napamg.ucanr.edu or find us on Facebook or Instagram, UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
By Denise Seghesio Levine, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County
It seems like just yesterday was Thanksgiving and tomorrow is practically Christmas. We have only a few days left to gather the perfect gifts for friends, families and associates so the pressure is on for those of us who have yet to begin. But if the object of your affection is a gardener, aspiring or experienced, there is a wonderful gift for that.
For outside gardeners, among my favorite garden extras are nice cushy knee pads or kneelers. The older I get, the more my knees appreciate something soft between them and the rocky ground. Knee pads are handy because you can strap them on, usually with some kind of Velcro fastener, and simply wear them as you garden. But the beauty of the bench-type kneeler is that it makes hand weeding and planting seeds or seedlings easier. Flipped over, it is the right height for a little bench. The height is just right for parking in front of a large bush to prune or deadhead, or simply to take a break, sit and look at all the work you did when your kneeler was flipped the other way.
Starting seeds is fun and economical. And since January is a good month to set up a seedling area and start warm-weather crops such as hot peppers and eggplant, consider giving your favorite gardener everything they need to get a head start on their summer garden.
Nurseries and garden centers carry a variety of mini-greenhouse trays, with individual cells to plant individual seeds and a clear plastic top to retain moisture. Potting soil specifically blended for starting seeds is recommended for successful germination. The fine texture is better for seeds than heavier potting soil; never use soil from your garden. Electric mats made for seed starting can speed up germination. Include a seed-starting book and you may have just grown a new gardener.
You will find a multitude of choices when it comes to seeds. In my experience, many seed packets contain daunting amounts. One of my favorite seed sources for home gardeners is Renee's Garden Seeds, with its curated collections. There are two things I especially like about these seeds. First, while Renee's offers many single-variety seed choices, I like being able to choose an heirloom eggplant mix with purple, white and light green eggplant, a mix of winter lettuce in three colors or the specialty Italian eggplant trio which I have started from seed for the last three years. A single packet yields a variety of compatible plants and minimizes the number of aging seed packets in my drawer.
In one envelope, you can find seeds for carrots in a rainbow of colors, including yellow, red, orange, purple and white, or a melange of beets in five different colors. These seed mixes are color coded with edible food colors so you actually know what you are planting. For gardeners with little space, Renee's Garden also has one of the best selections of diminutive varieties that do well in pots on a balcony or porch.
A decorative ceramic pot with a bag of organic potting soil and a packet of sweet-pea seeds could be a nice gift to brighten someone's winter and bring new joy in the spring. Or a pot brimming with blooming violas or pansies, or red and white cyclamen, brightens winter days with color and is a thoughtful, non-wine choice for a house gift.
Is there anything more fun than watching hummingbirds feed at a hanging feeder or little birds delight and splash in a full bird bath? Hummingbird feeders, bird houses, bird baths, garden sculptures and globes all can make a garden or even a corner of the garden magical.
Wind chimes are another thoughtful gift. Be sure to listen to different tones and qualities of the sound. These can be very personal.
And, of course, at this time of year, little Christmas trees in pots to be planted out in January, fragrant wreaths and other holiday-themed plants and gifts surround us.
But consider one more possible gift for gardeners, or even just someone with indoor or outdoor space to care for. Consider gifting your time.
Someone you love might prefer a few hours in the garden or kitchen with you. Consider a gift certificate for a few hours of weeding or pruning, or an afternoon doing chores at the recipient's direction. Your time might be the most wonderful gift of all.
Next events: “An Apple a Day: Choose the Right Apple for You and Your Garden” on Thursday, January 2, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Napa Library, 580 Coombs Street, Napa. The talk is free.
UC Master Gardeners of Napa County will conduct a workshop on “Rose Pruning” on Saturday, January 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Napa. For more details and online registration visit http://ucanr.edu/2020rosepruning or call 707-253-4221.
The UC Master Gardeners of Napa County are volunteers who provide UC research-based information on home gardening and answer your questions. To find out more about upcoming programs or to ask a garden question, visit the Master Gardener website (http://napamg.ucanr.edu) or call (707) 253-4221 between 9 a.m. and noon on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.