- Author: Andrea Giacoletti
- Editor: Noni Todd
Tiptoeing Through the Tunnels
By Andrea Peck Master Gardener
Cohabitation can be difficult at best.
Someone leaves a mess; you have to clean it up. There are limited resources. The peanut butter disappears – and the ice cream. Forget about the toilet paper.
The garden is no different.
Some thing digs trench configurations in your garden that create horseshoe-shaped dirt mounds. Your plants begin to mysteriously “lack vigor.” Some even disappear.
You get the picture.
If I were Bill Murray in the movie Caddyshack, the culprit would be in the range finder of a tool of mass destruction.
But, Bill Murray I am not.
I must confess - the pocket gopher that has invaded my yard is quite a handsome ball of fur. How can you not admire him? He is just so vital. With that shiny brown coat that doesn’t cake in wet soils and those alert, industrious eyes. Even his whiskers are ultra-sensitive as he navigates the dark tunnels in which he lives. He is small, about 6-10 inches, but he is powerful. Just look at those meaty forequarters with long, sharp-clawed paws and you know you are witnessing a mighty dynamo. In fact, he is so powerful that he can create a tunnel system that spans 200-2,000 feet. In my case, it is very likely that his house is bigger than mine.
The first advice you will get is to eradicate the bugger. The two most effective methods for this are poison baits and traps. If you are old school, you may want to flush him out with water and let your dog have at him when he breaks free to breathe. But beware, with this method, the little gopher is pretty savvy and you may waste a lot of water and a lot of time. Natural controls, such as owls, cats, dogs and coyotes may be the least invasive solution, but may not control gopher populations to acceptable levels.
Exclusion is probably the best method for those of you who hesitate to kill a fly. This involves a bit of planning, but is inexpensive and non-violent. If you are building a new raised bed, then this is a good time. Simply cover the lower exposed portion of the bed with 3/4-inch mesh poultry wire. This will prevent the critter from entering the bed. In the garden, it is possible to surround plants and trees with the same type of wire mesh at a 2-foot depth as a preventative. When using this method, add a 6” bend in the wire (like an “L” shape) and place the bottom bend into the soil, to discourage digging near the fence. You can further repel your Houdini by using enough wire to make an above ground barrier to about 1-foot in height.
In my own garden, I do have a number of wired-off areas. I will definitely take this method seriously whenever I make adjustments in the yard. As far as my handsome partner, we’ll see how long we can keep relations friendly.
For more information on pocket gofers visit http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7433.html
- Author: Kim McCue
- Editor: Noni Todd
November Chores
By Kim McCue Master Gardener
What garden chores are appropriate in November? Connie W., Paso Robles
By November we are well into our rainy season which means there are things to do in anticipation of wet weather. If you haven’t already done so, adjust your watering cycle. Even if rain is scarce, plants require less water due to the sun’s lower angle and the shorter daylight hours of fall. Also, be sure to clean out street and rain gutters, downspouts and storm drain areas in advance of winter storms.
Get plants in place so they can take advantage of winter rain. Divide perennials, transplant trees and shrubs, and get native plants in the ground now so they are well established by spring. You can plant cool season vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, peas, potatoes, radishes, greens and lettuces, plus ornamentals such as snapdragons, pansies, sweet alyssum, and foxglove.
Some lawn care is in order at this time of year as well. Rake built-up thatch and fertilize cool weather grasses such as tall fescue, or spread some compost on the lawn to condition the soil. Take a little time to remove weeds from the lawn and other planting areas. You don’t want weeds to take advantage of the rainy season!
Leaf clutter certainly needs attention this time of year. Leaves from trees,such as peach or nectarine, or shrubs with disease issues should be raked frequently and put into your green waste receptacle to help control further spread of the disease. Leaves that are pest free, however, can be composted for use in the garden down the road.
There is definitely plenty to do in November!
Calling all school gardeners! If you work in a school garden as a volunteer or teacher, please join the Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County’s Garden-Based Learning Committee on Nov. 9 from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free workshop, "Harvest Lessons Learned." On the agenda: how to sustain gardening programs, volunteer teams, facilities, budgets and curriculum. The workshop will be at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo in the auditorium. For more information contact Teresa Lees at treelees@charter.net
/span>
- Author: Andrea Giacoletti
- Editor: Noni Todd
To Bee or Not to Bee
By Andrea Giacoletti Master Gardener
According to Questions and Answers About Bees, a children’s book penned in 1983 by Betty Polisar Reigot, bees are “hairy insects with wings.”
Elegant in its simplicity, this is an appropriate description for children in 1983.
In those days, bees were viewed as curious creatures that dabbled from flower to flower in a busy sort of way. Their yellow and black striped uniform made them a pleasing sight despite their notorious stinger. The bee goes beyond cute, however. It is a vital contributor as a pollinator for many fruits, vegetables and nuts.
The last decade has seen one of our favorites of the species, the honey bee, fall subject to a changing environment that includes colony pests and disease. It’s unlikely that there is a singular cause of Colony Collapse Disorder, as it called. Experts have identified parasitic mites, pesticide exposure, changing habitats and food supply and a virus that targets the bees’ immune system as possible contributors to this decline.
In this age of technology, however, things are ever-changing.
Fast forward to 2013 and bees become a little less insecty and a lot less fuzzy.
Now we have Robobee, the brain ”insect” of Robert Wood, founder of Harvard’s Microrobotics Lab. Inspired by the biology, physiology and culture of the bee, Robobee is a fly-sized, flapping-winged robot complete with a brain. Dr. Wood had the initial pleasure of getting the creature to fly. Since that momentous occasion in 2007, a team of experts in disciplines that range from engineering to biology have come together to refine the Robobee. The team has high aspirations for this futuristic bee. Tracking forest fires, oil spills and pollinating crops are just a few of their possible applications.
Robobee speaks to modern curiosity. Will it replace our delightful garden guest? Not likely. The hope is that the research that can produce such a creature will deepen our understanding of natural bees and perhaps prevent their demise.
Only the future will tell.
- Author: Andrea Giacoletti
- Editor: Noni Todd
By Andrea Giacoletti
October 21, 2013
The Monarch’s are coming! The Monarch’s are coming!
Yes, it’s that time again. October marks the descent of the Monarch butterfly to the treetops of the Central Coast. The Rita Hayworth of butterflies, the Monarch is neither wallflower nor homebody. Traveling from as far north as Canada and as far south as South America, the monarch graces the coast with a dramatic display, staying for a good portion of the year as it overwinters in great colonies that defy gravity and personal space.
The quickest of the “flight” flutter in during October in search of an overwintering site. No vacancy signs appear by mid-November as the Monarch begins the official hibernation period. The advent of spring encourages mating behavior. The female is first to leave in search of the precious milkweed plant (Asciepias species) where she lays her eggs.
The Monarch caterpillar is a picky eater dining solely on the milkweed plant. Some may call him a snob, but it is his discerning palate that serves as a defense for the entire species. Milkweed contains a chemical that is poisonous to predators. And we all know how caterpillars are – voracious. Camouflage is not the Monarch’s cup of tea. Instead, this species employs aposematism, which is a perceivable defense mechanism, such as color, smell or odor that benefits both predator and prey by getting straight to the point. The Monarch butterfly’s orange color warns predators that they are far from a tasty snack. This strategy is the opposite of crypsis, which is a form of camouflage cleverly seen in insects such as stick bugs, which not only alter their color, but are capable of mimicking a stick, even swaying in the wind as a small branch would.
It is a disheartening state of affairs that the number of Monarch butterflies has significantly dropped over the years. Reductions of habitat and food sources are among the causes of decreased numbers. You can do your part by adopting IPM strategies and limiting the use of pesticides in your garden.
Various locations in the central coast attract the Monarch butterfly, but the premier spot for viewing is at the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. Located in Oceano, the eucalyptus grove at the Pismo State Beach North Campground is one of the largest single sites in California.
A mobile trailer has information, gifts, educational material, and docents to answer questions. There is no fee. Visit http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/ for more info.
Upcoming Events
Public Welcome!
Now Accepting New Applicants!
Join us for the UCCE Master Gardeners Information OPEN HOUSE to learn how to become a Certified Master Gardener.
October 31, 2013
1:00-2:30 - Master Gardeners will explain the training and certification process and answer all your questions.
2:30-4:00 - Master Gardeners will lead a walk through the demonstration garden and answer any additional questions you have.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers that extend science-based gardening information from the University of California to the public. The Master Gardener’s role is that of an educator.
- Author: Lee Oliphant
- Editor: Noni Todd
Keep Those Vegetable Coming
By Lee Oliphant Master Gardener
My vegetables are going to seed. I’d like to use the space to grow some edibles during the winter. Any suggestions? Beverly D., Cambria.
When you’ve harvested summer vegetables, cleaned up your bed, and replenished your soil with lots of compost, it’s time to plant “cool-season” vegetables. Cool-season vegetables grow during the shorter days of autumn. Planted now, you’ll have produce to eat in late fall, winter, and early spring.
Onions and garlic are easiest to grow in beds or among ornamentals. Clip a few of the green tops in the winter to use whenever green onions, or scallions, are called for in recipes. In the spring, you’ll have tender, sweet spring onions. In summer you’ll enjoy mature onions and garlic.
Easy-to-grow vegetables to plant now include beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chard, kale, lettuces, leeks, peas, radishes and spinach. But that’s not all. Arugula, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive, fennel, parsnips, salad greens and turnips also grow in cooler months. Asparagus and rhubarb love our cool climate and potatoes are a fun project for children to grow and harvest.
The popular kale takes time to mature but will last through winter from a single sowing in the fall. Tendergreen mustard spinach can also be harvested throughout the winter with some successive plantings between now and December.
Peas are easy to grow. Just a handful adds so much to fall salads and cooked dishes. If you have vertical space, try Oregon Sugar Pod for large edible pods.
In the cooler areas of the county, think about setting up coldframes or hoop houses to protect tender winter-growing vegetables.
Calling all school gardeners to come together to harvest lessons and ideas from one another about how to sustain gardening programs, volunteer teams, facilities, budgets and curriculum. If you work in a school garden, volunteer or teacher, please join the Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County’s Garden Based Learning Committee on Saturday November 9, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a free workshop "Harvest Lessons Learned". It will be at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo in the auditorium. For more in formation please contact Teresa Lees at treelees@charter.net
/span>