- Author: Saoimanu Sope
The Belden Village Apartments in Clairemont Mesa East of San Diego is home to a diverse population of older adults. Shital Parikh, a UC Master Gardener of San Diego County, took the initiative to build a garden that grows food and encourages residents to spend more time outdoors, getting their hands dirty alongside neighbors.
Almost a year ago, Parikh – a UC Master Gardener since 2014 – proposed to develop a community garden within the low-income residential facility with the intention that the residents would manage it independently overtime. When the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and County of San Diego approved the proposal, Parikh moved swiftly to break ground on what is now the Belden Community Garden.
“The Belden Community Garden is a labor of love,” Parikh said. “One that has been made possible thanks to the knowledge and support gained from the UC Master Gardener Program and the invaluable support from Amy Zink from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency.”
Breaking ground for a community garden
In September 2023, interested residents at the Belden Village Apartments gathered to learn of the project and understand how they can be involved. In October, the County of San Diego received a donation from Home Depot which included garden beds, and the materials needed to build them. All of which were donated to Parikh to establish the Belden Community Garden.
“This project has received approved funding from our partners and there has not been any out-of-pocket expense,” said Parikh.
In preparation for the garden beds, residents teamed up with more than a dozen UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County to learn various gardening skills. Some taught residents how to create seed tape, making it easier to plant seeds in an organized manner, the basics of vegetable gardening and food prep classes as well.
In January 2024, 13 garden beds were installed and ready for planting. In March, residents enjoyed their first harvest of vegetables and leafy greens by hosting a salad-making luncheon where everyone could taste the fresh produce grown on-site.
“The residents are at the heart of this, and it's been a joy to see them come together across different languages and cultures, sharing in the harvest and learning alongside us,” said Parikh.
Other than English, there are four primary languages spoken in the residential community, including Spanish, Arabic, Farsi and Vietnamese. All garden signs communicate the names of crops in these primary languages – a nod to the residents who helped establish and maintain the garden, which also features crops important in the various cultures.
Residents at the ‘heart' of it all
The Belden Community Garden has two residential garden coordinators, Art Dawson and Lisa Hillman, who are responsible for watering and general maintenance of the garden. Neither Dawson nor Hillman had prior gardening experience.
In the three years that Hillman has been living at the Belden Village Apartments, this is the first time she's participated in a community effort like the garden. “I didn't come outside or interact with neighbors much – but since I started volunteering here, I see so many people and I know more people in my community,” said Hillman, who described the various colors of squash – her favorite vegetable, so far – grown and harvested in the garden.
Dawson, in contrast, isn't a big fan of squash and prefers greens instead. “I'm African American, so I'm all about the collard greens,” said Dawson. Learning as he goes, Dawson said his primary job is managing irrigation.
“I've never gardened before in my life. But I like helping out and working with my hands,” he said. “I kind of like it. It keeps me busy, and I love seeing how everything grows from a tiny seed.”
Shahnaz Roshanoi, a resident whose native language is Farsi, said she was so happy when the garden came to fruition. Roshanoi maintains a garden of her own using the limited space that surrounds her apartment with plants reaching as tall as seven feet. Since the community garden was established, Roshanoi has been an active volunteer, sharing her extensive gardening knowledge with others and inviting more residents to join the fun.
Parikh's effort inspires development of more community gardens
During her earlier days as a UC Master Gardener, Parikh taught gardening via Zoom because of COVID-19. Parikh focused on teaching low-income residents, who are often at a disadvantage in accessing affordable healthy food options. Her gardening projects have all benefitted from her 10-plus years of experience in companion planting and crop rotation, pollinator gardens and native plants.
“Watching the garden evolve has been incredibly rewarding, and I can't wait to see how it continues to thrive!” said Parikh.
With generous support from the UC Master Gardeners Program of San Diego County, County of San Diego, SDHC's Achievement Academy, and the Del Mar Mesa Garden Club, the Belden Community Garden teaches residents how to grow their own food, enjoy it, and live healthier, happier lives.
The success and impact of the Belden Village community has inspired two more community gardens in low-income resident facilities located in the Mesa Valley and Otay Mesa neighborhoods in San Diego.
“I do what I can and then leave the rest to divinity,” Parikh said. “Time and again, help has found its way, or maybe it's simply a matter of trusting the process and staying consistent.”
The UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County work to expand the love of gardening and improve food security across the county. You can support their efforts by donating at this link here: https://give.ucanr.edu/forms/SanDiego-MG
- Author: Cindy Kron
Read Spotted Lanternfly: The Need to Remain Vigilant (part one) here.
The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect pest first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, with confirmed sightings and/or infestations of SLF now reported in 20 eastern states. SLF is not currently found in California; however, accidental introductions threaten future establishment. From 2022 to the present, there have been 48 interceptions of SLF entering California, with 38 of these found on aircraft during airport inspections. Spotted lanternfly eggs have been intercepted on firewood, metal plates for construction, military equipment, and incoming nursery shipments. While the art structure is one of the most concerning detections to date, spotted lanternfly's behavior of laying eggs on non-plant items contributes to their wide dispersal ability and the likelihood of unintentional introduction into new areas. The identification and early detection of exotic pests are key to preventing their establishment in California. Everyone can play an important role in keeping exotic pests out of California by being the eyes and ears needed for early detection.
The spottedlanternfly (Fig. 2) is a sizable planthopper (about 1 inch long and about 0.5 inch wide) that originates from southeastern Asia. This planthopper has a wide host range consisting of 103+ plant species, with 56 feeding hosts identified so far in North America. SLF has caused economic damage to grapevines along with feeding on fruit trees (apple, cherry, fig, stone fruits), walnuts, blueberries, hops, oak, maple, birch, sycamore, ash, beech, hickory, poplar, willows, and woody ornamentals. Its preferred hosts are the invasive Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissma), grapevines, maple, and black walnut. SLF have piercing-sucking mouthparts and produce large quantities of honeydew that act as a substrate for the growth of sooty molds. In addition to being an invasive agricultural pest, SLF may also be a nuisance pest in urban areas due to their aggregation behavior.
In Pennsylvania, the spotted lanternfly has one generation per year. Nymphs emerge starting in May and go through four immature stages. Adults start to emerge by late July. SLF overwinter as eggs, which are laid from September to November on smooth tree surfaces and inanimate objects such as telephone poles, stones, pallets, outdoor equipment, firewood, railway cars, vehicles, etc. Each female produces one to two egg masses of 30 to 50 eggs each. Seed-like eggs are laid in multiple successive rows and covered with a yellowish-brown waxy deposit (Fig. 3).
The first three immature stages are black with white spots and lack wings. The fourth immature stage is red and black with white spots and possess small wing pads. Adults have a stout yellow abdomen with incomplete black bands and two sets of wings: the forewings and the hindwings. The forewings are a tannish-cream color with black spots changing to small black rectangles toward the tips. (Fig 4.) The hindwings are primarily black and red, with black spots appearing in the red portions. The hindwings are not noticeable when at rest.
The arrival and establishment of SLF in California would negatively impact a range of high value commodity crops by increasing production costs, lowering plant health and productivity, and the impacts of sooty mold on marketability would be devastating. The establishment of SLF could also impact the ability for growers to sell commodities, such as table grapes, for export, potentially resulting in a notable impact on international trade. Research is being conducted to identify effective IPM strategies, including biological control agents, that could be rapidly implemented if SLF were to be discovered in California.
If you suspect you have found SLF, it is important to document and report your sighting to your local county Agricultural Commissioner's office or the CDFA report a pest hotline right away. Visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/reportapest/ for more information. Nymphs cannot fly and adults do not readily fly away when approached so both can be easily collected. Early detection is key for preventing the establishment of this species. Californians need to remain vigilant and together, we can all play a role in keeping the spotted lanternfly out of California.
Adapted from an article by Dr. Cindy Kron published in CAPCA's magazine, The Advisor, in August 2024.
- Author: Melissa G Womack
It's Healthy Soils Week! Healthy soil is the secret to a successful garden. Just like you need nutritious food to grow and thrive, your plants need healthy soil to produce beautiful flowers, delicious vegetables, and strong roots. For California gardeners, understanding your soil is especially important since our state's soil types can vary dramatically – even within the same neighborhood!
Soil quality is critical to healthy plants and is a vital part of our living ecosystem. Soil is alive with organisms; their populations change depending on what is added, how the soil is used, and environmental conditions. Soil health, much like our own, is best improved gradually over time so focusing on regular or constant improvement helps achieve and sustain soil health. Do you have a soil problem in your garden? Below are some of the most common soil problems and how to fix them.
First, it is important to know what type of soil you have. According to the UC Master Gardener Handbook, good soil is 25% Air, 25% Water, 5% Organic Matter and 45% Mineral Matter. Soils are classified by the size of soil particles. Soil Particles range from large or “Sandy” to medium or “Loamy” to very fine or “Clay” with Loam being considered the best for growing plants. Get to know your soil and soil type with tips from the UC Master Gardener Program of Marin County.
Common home garden soil problems:
- Over-watering –Check your soil, is it soggy? If yes, you may be overwatering your plants. Heavy watering can drown plants when the soil becomes too saturated and forces out vital oxygen. Once you know your soil type, you can test your soil moisture to see if it is above capacity using the “Estimating soil water by feel” table.
- Over fertilizing – Plants primarily get their nutrients from soil and from added amendments (such as finished compost.) Some nutrients might also come from water. Most ornamental plants get what they need for healthy growth on their own, so gardeners should watch plants for signs they need to be fertilized instead of automatically applying based on a schedule. Food gardens on the other hand can benefit from regular application of Nitrogen.
Signs of over fertilizing:
- Crust of fertilizer on top of soil
- Brown leaf tips
- Yellow, wilting lower leaves
- Brown or black roots
- Slow or no growth
- Leaves falling off
- Poor soil tilth – Soil tilth refers to a soil's texture, structure, and organic matter content. Good soil tilth supports healthy root growth, water movement through the soil, introduction of air into the soil, and beneficial microorganisms. Poor soil tilth lacks these things and appears quite lifeless. Maintain good soil tilth by avoiding soil compaction, aerating soil, avoiding tilling, using green-waste as a garden top-dressing for your soil, and mulching.
- Nematodes and soil-borne diseases– Nematodes are microscopic, eel-like round worms. The first sign of a nematode infestation will include wilting during the hottest part of the day, even with adequate soil moisture. Infected plants might lose their vigor and have yellowing leaves, will grow more slowly, produce fewer and smaller leaves and fruit, and may die.Soil contains many other living organisms, including plant pathogens and diseases that attack plants. If you suspect a soil-borne pest or disease UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a wonderful resource to help identify and get information on next steps.
Ask your local UC Master Gardener Program
Growing and supporting soil health is something all of us can contribute to whether we have a full landscape to work in, a small patio, or a community garden plot. For gardening help and local county resources, click here to Find a Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE about your gardening zone, pests, composting, and the soil in your area.
Follow us all week on Facebook or Twitter, or by using the hashtags #HealthySoilsWeek2022 and #HSW2022. For more UC ANR information about healthy soils for a healthy California visit: ucanr.edu/sites/soils.
Resources:
- UC Master Gardeners - Garden Resources: https://mg.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Soil/
- UC Master Gardeners of Marin County, Soils Basics: https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/SOIL_813/
- UC Master Gardeners of Tulare & Kings Counties, Nematodes in the Garden: https://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/268-861.pdf
| Estimating soil water by feel | ||||
| TEXTURE | ||||
| Coarse (sand, loamy sand) | Moderately coarse (sandy or silt loam) | Medium (loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, silt, sandy clay) | Fine (clay. silty clay or light clay) | |
| At field capacity contains: (mm available moisture per meter of soil) |
60-100 | 100-150 | 150-200 | 200-250 |
| SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT | ||||
| Above field capacity | Water appears when soil is bounced in hand. | Water released when soil is kneaded. | Can squeeze out of water. | Puddles and water form on surface. |
| Field capacity | Upon squeezing no free water appears on soil but wet outline of ball is left on hand. | |||
| 75-100% available moisture | Tends to stick together slightly. Sometimes forms a weak ball under pressure. | Forms weak ball, breaks easily, will not slick. | Forms a ball and is very pliable, slicks readily if relatively high in clay. | Easily forms a ribbon between fingers, has a slicky feeling. |
| 50-75% available moisture | Appears to be dry, will not form a ball under pressure. | Tends to ball under pressure but seldom hold together. | Forms a ball, somewhat plastic, sometimes slicks slightly with pressure. | Forms a ball, ribbons out between thumb and forefinger. |
| 25-50% available moisture | Appears to be dry, will not form a ball under pressure. | Appears to be dry, will not form a ball under pressure. | Somewhat crumbly, but forms a ball. | Somewhat pliable. Will form a ball under pressure. |
| 0-25% available moisture | Dry, loose single-grained. Flows through fingers. | Dry, loose. Flows through fingers. | Powdery, dry, sometimes slightly crusted, but easily broken down into powder. | Looks moist but will not quite form a ball. |
| Source: Irrigation Practice and Water Management (1984) | ||||
- Author: Barbra Braaten
As we prepare to close the chapter on another year in our gardens, December offers us time to reflect, protect, and celebrate. This month bridges the gap between this year's achievements and next year's possibilities. Let's explore how to properly wrap up our garden year while preparing for the season ahead.
Complete the Final Garden Cleanup
December is the perfect time for the year's final cleanup sweep. Remove dead plants, fallen fruit, dead fruit on the trees, and diseased foliage from your garden beds. This thorough winter cleaning helps prevent pest and disease problems from carrying over into the new year and gives your garden a fresh start.
Review, Repair, and Adjust Irrigation
Take stock of your watering system before winter storms arrive. Clean and repair any damaged components, adjust timers for cooler weather, and protect pipes from frost. This end-of-year maintenance ensures your irrigation system will be ready when spring arrives.
Give Your Soil a Winter Boost
Protect your soil during winter rains to thank it for the year's bounty. Add a fresh layer of mulch around plants to prevent erosion and feed the soil. Fallen leaves make a great mulch! Consider planting a cover crop in empty beds—it's like giving your soil a rejuvenating winter vacation.
Organize Your Garden Space
As we organize our homes before the new year, organize your garden. Clean and sharpen tools, sort through empty pots, and arrange your garden shed. This preparation makes it easier to start fresh in spring.
Seed Inventory
Now is an excellent time to review your seed inventory, organize it, discard old seeds, and prepare your seed-starting equipment or order new supplies if necessary.
Document the Year's Garden Story
Start a garden journal to record this year's successes and learning opportunities. Include photos of your best harvests, notes about what grew well, and ideas for next year. Think of it as creating your garden's yearbook – a valuable reference for years to come.
Create Garden-Inspired Gifts
Share your garden's abundance through thoughtful gifts. Force paperwhite bulbs in decorative containers, craft herb vinegars from saved herbs, or design succulent arrangements. These presents carry your garden's story into others' homes.
Plan Next Year's Color Show
While your garden rests, force bulbs like amaryllis or paperwhites indoors. As you enjoy these blooms, use this time to plan next year's garden. Order seeds and bulbs for spring, knowing you're laying the groundwork for another beautiful year.
Make Natural Holiday Decorations
Before putting the garden to bed, gather materials for holiday decorating. Create wreaths from pruned evergreen branches, pinecones, and dried seedheads. It's a beautiful way to bring your garden's final offerings indoors.
Set Up for Winter Growing
Create a simple cold frame to bridge the seasons. Use it to protect tender plants or get an early start on spring seedlings. Think of it as creating a link between this year's garden and next year's growth.
Preserve the Last Harvests
Gather and preserve any remaining herbs, citrus, or winter vegetables. Dry herbs for winter cooking, prepare citrus for preserving, and collect seeds from favorite plants. These actions help carry your garden's abundance into the new year.
Create Your Garden's Winter Interest
Position garden art, cold-hardy container arrangements, and winter-blooming plants where they'll be visible from indoors. This creates beautiful views that will carry you through winter until spring arrives again.
As you wrap up this year's garden story, each task you complete is both an ending and a beginning. California's varied climates mean your garden's year-end needs may differ, but the satisfaction of properly putting your garden to bed remains the same. Here's to celebrating this year's successes and looking forward to another wonderful year in the garden!
Ask your local UC Master Gardener Program.
Have a gardening question? UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help. Click here to Find a Program and connect with your local UC Master Gardener Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE. Happy gardening!
- Author: Cindy Kron
On March 27th, 2024, a flatbed truck carrying a metal art structure originating in New York and headed to Petaluma, California was stopped at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Agricultural Inspection Station in Truckee, California due to live spotted lanternfly (SLF) egg masses being present on the structure (Fig. 1).
Entry of the structure was denied, and the truck reported to the Nevada Department of Agriculture for inspection and treatment for SLF eggs on April 2, 2024. Approximately 30 egg masses were removed and destroyed (Fig. 2). The structure was power washed with soap and water and cleared to enter California with instructions to not offload the structure at the destination until inspected and released by the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures.
Upon arrival for inspection, the Sonoma County agricultural inspector found the structure already offloaded from the truck and during an in-depth inspection of the structure, three more SLF egg masses were discovered. Additional inspectors were called in, and with the help of operators and equipment at the destination site, the agricultural inspectors were able to inspect all surface areas and ensure the structure was free of SLF egg masses.
To put this into perspective, spotted lanternfly egg masses contain 30 to 50 eggs each, meaning that this structure had between 990 to 1,650 live SLF eggs arriving approximately a month prior to the expected hatching time.
In July of 2021, the CDFA established a quarantine to prohibit the introduction of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) into California (Release #21-077). The quarantine prohibits the entry into California of SLF, its host plants and plant parts (including firewood), shipping containers, and a variety of articles, including outdoor household articles and conveyances (cars, boats, trailers, tractors, etc.) originating from any area where an SLF infestation exists without proper documentation.
Nymphs cannot fly and adults do not readily fly away when approached so both can be easily collected. Early detection is key for preventing the establishment of this species. Californians need to remain vigilant and together, we can all play a role in keeping the spotted lanternfly out of California.
Adapted from an article by Cindy Kron, Ph.D published in CAPCA's magazine, "The Advisor" published August 2024.
