By T. Eric Nightingale, U.C. Master Gardener of Napa County
Spring is around the corner, ready to bring new opportunities to spend time in our gardens. While many of us find this thought exhilarating, some prefer to spend their time in other ways.
A large proportion of these garden avoiders are young people who view gardening as little more than a chore. Engaging children in activities that do not involve a video screen can be challenging, and no doubt many parents ask themselves whether it is worth the effort.
The benefits of gardening have been well espoused in relation to adults; the benefits to children may seem less straightforward. Perhaps the most obvious is exercise, an undeniable requirement for the young. Gardening is also a way to connect children to the natural world, a connection that brings with it a respect for the environment and our dependence on it.
Children are also naturally curious. he limitless avenues of investigation into the biology, chemistry and general function of a garden can greatly increase one's understanding of how the world works.
The act of growing food for oneself and family is an invaluable experience. Not only can this endeavor impart an appreciation for healthy food, but it can be extremely empowering. Food is one of the few true necessities in life, and children can benefit from knowing that they can be at least somewhat self-sufficient in that realm.
But how do adults make gardening fun and interesting to youngsters? As the grown-up, your first task is to find out what grows well (and quickly) in your climate and yard. A child will lose interest if plants grow too slowly or, even worse, never germinate at all.
In Napa Valley, March is a great time to plant peas and carrots, which will sprout quickly and mature in May. These vegetables are also fun to harvest and can be eaten without even cooking, adding to the excitement.
Some plants are simply more fun to grow than others. People of all ages appreciate sunflowers. The seeds are easily sown, and many varieties reach impressive heights. Birds love to eat the new seeds growing on the blooms, adding an additional chance to observe nature.
Pumpkins are another visually impressive option, growing from small seedlings to giant gourds. Some varieties are suitable for carving into jack o'lanterns; check the description on the seed packet.
Edible flowers are also sure to please young people. Pansies and violas make attractive toppings for salads or desserts, but also consider the tasty blossoms of nasturtium and borage. Just be sure that youngsters understand that only some plants, and some parts of plants, are safe to eat.
A cover crop is another option that teaches many garden lessons. Brassicas such as mustard and legumes like fava beans are inexpensive to sow and need little encouragement to grow.
Small children need help measuring to make rows and holes for sowing. They benefit from some homemade tools customized for the job. A string with knots at relevant lengths can help with spacing, and a popsicle stick with a line on it will aid in judging planting depth
The garden also holds some important lessons for older children. Pollinator decline and soil health are both important current issues that can be taught in the home garden. I have yet to meet a teenager who is uninterested in insect metamorphosis, one of the most undeniably unsettling things to witness. The interdependence of organisms within the soil ecosystem is an analog for nature as a whole, and the lessons come with an excuse to get dirty.
If you have a group of children you hope to inspire, or a classroom that needs a garden, there are resources available to you. For the past five years, a group of Napa County Master Gardeners has been dedicated to getting kids excited about plants and gardening. Known as The School Garden Task Force, this group has been helping educators around the county find the horticultural resources they need. The team was also a founding partner of the Napa Valley School Garden Network, a group of citizens who share a mission of starting a garden at every school in Napa (www.nvusd.org/nvsgn).
There are myriad resources online related to gardening with children. I have found projects of all levels of involvement and complexity.
The most important thing is, of course, to get kids into the garden. Once there, they will surely find something intriguing.
Workshop: UC Master Gardeners of Napa County will hold a workshop on “Growing Tomatoes” on Saturday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Napa. Join our experienced tomato growers for tips and tricks on cultivating perfect homegrown tomatoes. Learn the latest research on tomato cultivation and care and discover new and heritage tomato varieties. You'll get all the information you need to grow delicious and beautiful tomatoes in your own large or small garden or in containers. Growing America's favorite garden fruit is not only fun and easy, but also the best way to acquire healthy food for you and your family. 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, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County
Why do sunflowers follow the sun? This mystery has been researched and hopefully solved. Recently discoveries at U.C. Davis have explained what this movement is and what causes it. The tracking was reported in the magazine Science, and it's known that the movement follows circadian rhythms.
We humans have these internal clocks as do sunflowers and other plants. The sunflower rotates as different parts of the stem change shape during the day. Once the flower is mature, it no longer moves. This movement is called heliotropism.
Sunflowers are natives to North America. There is evidence that the Native Americans of Arizona and New Mexico knew them and used them in food and food preparation 3,000 years ago.
When the Spanish arrived around 1500 AD, they sent seeds back to Europe where they were planted in gardens. By the 18th century, sunflower oil had become popular and Russian farmers were planting thousands of acres for oil.
North American farmers initially grew sunflowers as poultry feed. In 1930, Canada spearheaded the first official government-sponsored sunflower-breeding program.
Today sunflowers are grown in many countries, with Russia and Ukraine leading the way. Sunflowers are also a major crop in the U.S. When you drive to Sacramento in summer, you will see vast fields of sunflowers along Interstate 80.
Sunflowers have been developed to thrive in home gardens. If the heads are huge, as many are, they hang down. When I grow them, the birds love perching on the edge of the flower and eating the seeds. The heads are actually composed of many small flowers that produce seeds when ripe.
It's easy to grow sunflowers at home. Often birds will plant the seeds for you. There are both annual and perennial sunflowers and both types attract bees and birds.
The plant has a long tap root so if you want the “tallest in town” variety, plant directly into the soil. Sunflowers need full sun and nutrient-rich soil. They also require deep watering, especially when first planted. Be aware that they will shade plants near them so site them where that won't create a problem.
I love the many sizes and colors of modern sunflowers. U.S. breeders have done most of the hybridizing. Some varieties reach 10 feet in height, while others are small enough to use for table décor. Breeders also have come up with sunflowers that don't produce pollen.
Sunflowers with black seed are the ones harvested for oil. The seeds are edible, either by the birds or by the grower and friends.
How you plant sunflower seed is important. Choose a site that gets several hours of sun each day. Also take into account the plant's mature size. Plant giant sunflowers in the back of the bed and smaller ones near the front.
For the best results, sow seed directly in the garden soil. Transplants don't do as well. Plant seed about ½-inch deep and, depending on the size of the mature plant, about a foot apart. Tap the soil down and water well after the seed is in place and about once a week thereafter. Irregular watering will reduce the size of the flower head.
Some gardeners fertilize sunflowers regularly. I usually put them in fertile soil well-amended with compost and don't worry for the rest of the summer.
The biggest obstacle you will face is keeping critters off the seed heads. You can tie large paper bags or burlap over the flower and keep the covering in lace until the seeds are ripe.
If you want to roast the seeds, take them off the head, soak in salt water for 24 hours, dry them and then roast for 30 to 45 minutes at 300°F. Add oil or butter to your taste.
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.
