- Author: Christina Muller
- Editor: Noni Todd
Becoming a Master Gardener
By Christina Muller UC Master Gardener
What do Master Gardeners do? How can I become one? Richard in Templeton
Do you enjoy gardening and have a desire to volunteer in the community? If you have time and energy to share, you might consider becoming a Master Gardener. The primary mission of the UC Master Gardener program is to educate the public about home gardening an d pest management. This program is the link between home gardeners and the University of California’s research based information.
There are many opportunities for San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners to help with the mission of education. One is the monthly ‘Advice to Grow By’ event held in the demonstration garden. Recent topics include summer fruit tree pruning, pest management, and sustainable landscaping. There are three Helpline offices in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, and Templeton to assist gardeners with their questions. Master Gardeners also have booths at various farmers’ markets and special events around the county. They are frequently requested to speak at service organization and garden club meetings. Finally, a docent program will be initiated next year for The Garden of the Seven Sisters to make this demonstration garden more available to the public. We are especially interested in bilingual applicants who can help us reach more of our gardening community.
Prior to volunteering, Master Gardener trainees attend classes taught by farm advisors and university professors. Afterwards, the new Master Gardener interns are required to perform at least 50 hours of volunteer service and 12 hours of continuing education within a year. In following years, 25 volunteer hours are required to remain certified, but some people volunteer many more hours.
Please join us on Thursday, Oct 31 at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. and learn about all of the volunteer opportunities. If you wish to apply to the program, applications (due Friday, Nov 15) are available online at http://ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/Master_Gardener_Training_Program/ or by calling the SLO Helpline at 781-5939. Group interviews will be conducted in early December and training classes will be held on Thursday afternoons from mid-February until mid-June, 2014.
- Author: Andrea Peck
- Editor: Noni Todd
Rainwater Catchment Systems
By Andrea Peck Master Gardener
Q. What is a rainwater catchment system?
We all talk about it. We all wait for it. Maybe your crazy neighbors do a dance for it. One thing we don’t do is conserve it. We’re talking about rainwater and considering that only 1% of the world’s water is drinkable, it’s pretty amazing that we wantonly turn on our spigot to water our prized roses while allowing “runoff” to pollute waterways. A water catchment system works with our natural infrastructure by collecting rainwater from a large, hard surface, such as a roof. Water travels down the roof, into the downspouts which are connected to some type of container, such as an enclosed barrel or cistern. The water is then saved for future use. It is important to remember that the collected water is considered non-potable and should only be used for purposed that do not require potable water, such as watering non-edible plants or washing your vehicle.
Rainwater catchment systems range from simple to complex. A plain barrel or container serves a small area. More complicated versions incorporate filters that clean the water, connections to irrigation equipment and even pumps. Most barrel-type systems incorporate a hose connection to allow for easy watering.
Over time, water catchment systems make an impact. The average 1000 square-foot roof collects approximately 600 gallons of water during a 1-inch rain.
Building your own system need not be complicated. A motivated do-it-yourselfer can create a system that will collect significant amounts of water, save money and prevent runoff pollution.
On September 14, the Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County held their annual “Tomato Extravaganza and Plant Sale”. It was a beautiful day in the Garden of the Seven Sisters and everyone had a great time. The favorite varieties for the tomato tasting were: Sungold tomatoes followed by Pineapple tomatoes and Persimmon tomatoes. For the basil tasting, there was a tie for the favorite of Cinnamon and Lime varieties. The third favorite was Italian Genovese. We hope to see you at our next Tomato Extravaganza in September 2014!
- Author: Terri Sonleitner Law
- Editor: Noni Todd
October Days In The Garden
by Terri Sonleitner Law UC Master Gardener
Q: It’s been a tough summer for my yard. What things should I be doing in my garden in October? Elaine, Templeton
In October the temperature is cooler, the soil remains warm, and if we are lucky, much needed rains will soon follow. October brings beautiful fall colors, along with those milder temperatures, so these can be our best days to work in the garden.
Your garden activities now will center on three areas: garden cleanup, fertilization and planting new plant material. This is the time to clean out beds and vegetable gardens, tidy up or divide and replant perennials, remove dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs, pull cool season weeds, and then apply a thick layer of mulch. Leaves will begin to fall, so they can be raked up and added to the compost pile, along with any other non-diseased plant debris from your clean up efforts.
Many plants will need a good feeding at this time, including fruit trees and turf grasses. Acid-loving camellias and azaleas are setting buds now and should be fed with an acid-based fertilizer. After the fall bloom on roses, cut them back and feed them again for blooms before Christmas, or let them form hips and take a natural approach to dormancy. While you are fertilizing, be sure to check and re-program your irrigation systems and timers.
This is the best time to plant California native plants and shrubs, and to sow wildflower seeds. Native or well-adapted trees love being planted in the fall, as their roots grow over the winter and they will be well established by next summer. Garden centers have a good selection of bulbs that can be planted now for a riot of color next spring. Be sure to pre-chill bulbs of tulips, crocus and hyacinth in the refrigerator before planting. If you want to have a winter vegetable garden, this is the time to plant greens, herbs and all cool season vegetables.
Enjoy your time in the October garden!
- Author: Kim McCue
- Editor: Noni Todd
Sustainable Gardening
by Kim McCue Master Gardener
Q. “Sustainable Gardening” is a term I hear all the time, but what is it exactly?
Jean, Paso Robles
“Sustainable” or “smart” gardening refers to an approach that embraces the principals of the sustainability movement -basically, meeting present needs without compromising the ability to meet the eventual needs of future generations. As far as your garden is concerned, it’s the practice of utilizing your landscape in such a way that protects and enhances the natural resources there and globally.
There are many ways to incorporate sustainable gardening principles in the home garden. By focusing on the issues that are prominent in our area, such as water use, waste disposal and pollution, you can implement strategies that are in keeping with sustainability.
Reducing water use in the home garden can be tricky in our dry climate, but it is doable. Reducing or replacing non-native lawn grasses, selecting native landscape plants, using drip irrigation and mulching are all ways in which the home gardener can help conserve water.
To lessen waste sent to the landfill, use a mulching lawn mower if you choose to have a lawn. Try composting to minimize yard and kitchen waste. Plant just what you need and can maintain. Keep food plants to a size and quantity that ensures most of the produce will be consumed or shared instead of discarded. Make an effort to use recycled materials for pots, boarders or other garden structures as well.
Make a plan to reduce your use of chemicals to manage pests and disease. Overuse of pesticides and fertilizers can accumulate in the soil and seep into the water supply, thereby coming into contact with various living organisms. Not sure how to start? Master Gardeners can help!
To learn more about sustainable gardening come to The Advice to Grow By workshop this Saturday, September 21. 10:00 a.m. until noon. We will begin in the auditorium at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, with a presentation on Sustainable Landscaping given by Master Gardener Nancy Hartwick. Following the indoor presentation we’ll proceed to the Garden of the Seven Sisters demonstration garden where you’ll see firsthand how sustainable gardening practices are put to use. Please wear appropriate footwear and outdoor apparel for the outdoor portion of the workshop.
- Author: Jutta Thoerner
- Editor: Noni Todd
Walnut Trees
by Jutta Thoerner UCCE Master Gardener
I have a large Walnut tree in my yard, how should I take care of it? Fred from Paso Robles.
The California climate is ideal for growing walnut trees. In 1867, Joseph Sexton planted the first known walnut orchard in California. Today’s acreage exceeds 222,400,000. Demand has outperformed production since the health benefit of the walnut has been discovered. Originally, walnut trees have been dry farmed in California; its long tap root is an ideal tool for summer survival. The walnut tree does not like “wet feet”. Over- irrigation often causes oak root fungus and a wet trunk promotes gall diseases. If you have a good loamy soil, no additional water is needed if you keep the root zone under its canopy weed free.
Here are some tips to Identify your tree: A black walnut is identified by its deep furrowed bark. Leaves have 15-23 leaflets. The English walnut tree has a smooth bark and has leaves with 5-7 leaflets. Combinations of a black walnut trunk and root stock with an English grafted on top are common in Paso Robles. If you have a Black walnut tree, you need to consider that it hinders the growth of other plants by root competition and by secreting a growth inhibiting substance.
Regarding insect pests, the walnut husk fly is a small fly that deposits its eggs inside the nut by piercing the green husk. The emerging larvae feed on the nut and will ruin the nut meat. A good option for monitoring and catching the fly are yellow sticky traps, which, by the addition of an added pheromone, attract the female fly. Putting these traps out by June and monitoring them weekly will help avoid serious infestations. Other less common insect pests are scales, spider mites, aphids and codling moth. Ask your local Master Gardener office to help you identify these insects. And unless you like to share your harvest with rodents, consider trapping ground squirrels and tree squirrels. Apparently they also know about the health benefits of the Walnut; a tree squirrel can squirrel away 104 lbs. of nuts a year!