Newsletter - UC Cooperative Extension Solano County

University of California Cooperative Extension
Solano County Master Gardeners
INVITING BUTTERFLIES
TO
Fall 2010 Vol. 5, Issue 3
YOUR GARDEN
Darrell g.h. Schramm, U.C. Master Gardener, Solano County
I’m really quite glad I have butterflies in my garden rather than a unicorn. Imagine how hard it would be to convince
people that a mythical beast was browsing among my flowers—and probably eating them too, more than cucumber
beetles or a host of aphids would. The fact is that butterfly counts are down in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and
other areas of the country.
Fortunately, Solano County is aflutter with these colorful Lepidoptera. And my garden is home to or rest stop for at least
seven different kinds. My favorite two are somewhat similar: the Anise Swallowtail and the Western Tiger Swallowtail,
both yellow and black, but the Anise is more reticulated than striped. I also see the Painted Lady, the Red Admiral, the
Checkered Skipper, and of course the more common Monarch and the White Cabbage butterfly.
I’ve probably seen the Buckeye butterfly but mistook it for a moth, given its brown tones. It’s fairly common in the
county, and it feeds on snapdragons, foxgloves, and plantain, all of which I grow. Though I’ve not seen it in my garden,
probably because it prefers wooded areas, the Field Skipper is supposedly also common in the county. Nor have I seen
Lorquins Admiral, sometimes called the “Banded Butterfly” because of its white band—like a pearl necklace—swooping
across its wings. It’s a beauty I’m eager to spot, but then as a
caterpillar it favors trees that I don’t grow: cottonwood, other
poplars, and willows, which suggests that it likes waterside areas.
Not just any plant attracts butterflies. Daylilies, for example, do
not attract them in our area. On the other hand, different
butterflies have their favorite trees, flowers, and other plants. The
flower whose nectar lures the greatest number and variety of all
our region’s butterflies is lantana (Lantana camara, L. hirta, and L.
montevidensis). A close second is Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus
ruber). The favorite tree of many butterflies in our locale is the
California Buckeye (Aesculus californica).
Butterflies grow in stages: egg, larva or caterpillar, chrysalis or
Photo by Sharon Leos
pupa, and adult. It is important to recognize these life stages so as
not to destroy one of them or its food resource. While some feed on a great variety of plant species (or hosts), others are
more specialized. Aside from the long distance migrants like Painted Lady and Monarch, most butterflies are resident
creatures, rarely traveling farther than a mile or two, and thus their habitat requirements can be a matter of life or death.
(Continued on page 8)
Inviting Butterflies to Your Garden ................ 1
Preservation Pointers: Flavored Oils and Vinegars
................................................................................. 2
Ask Hottie!............................................................ 3
Grotesque Rose................................................... 4
Becoming a Master Gardener .......................... 5
Twenty New Master Gardeners...................... 6-7
Fall Gardening Guide .......................................... 10
MGs in Your Community .................................. 11
FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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FLAVORED OILS AND VINEGARS
Pearl Eddy, U.C. Master Gardener and U.C. Master Food Preserver, Solano County
Adding herbs, spices, nuts or garlic to oils and
vinegars can make delightful seasonings for food
preparation or for gifts. First, however, I need to
warn you about using older, unsafe recipes for
flavoring oils.
strong flavored herbs such as tarragon or hot
peppers and shows off the pretty colors from opal
basil or chives blossoms. Apple cider vinegar has a
smoother texture and pleasant flavor and is good
with strong herbs such as rosemary, thyme or
oregano. Red or white wine vinegars have very nice
When we add non-acid products such as nuts, garlic flavors. White wine vinegar is great with fresh fruit
or dried tomatoes to oils, we are creating an
such as raspberries. Champagne and rice-wine
anaerobic (airless) environment in which botulinum vinegars are pleasant, but be sure the rice-wine
spores can hatch and cause serious illness. If you
variety is “unseasoned,” with no sugar added.
should create such a mixture, it
must be stored immediately in
When making fresh-herb vinegars, pick
the refrigerator, and for no
herbs when they are just starting to bloom.
longer than a week or two. One
The usual proportions are 1 cup of fresh
problem is that most of us will
herbs to 1 quart of vinegar. After cleaning
want to use olive oil, which
and drying the herbs, put them in a glass
thickens in the cold
jar and bruise the leaves with a wooden
environment and doesn’t pour
spoon to release the oils. Cover the herbs
easily. Canola or corn oils work
with the vinegar that has been heated, but
better. Ten years ago, Reader’s
not boiled in a non-aluminum pan. Cover
Digest recalled 600,000 copies of
the jars with plastic wrap to keep metal
a special holiday entertaining
rings or caps from rusting. Plastic caps are
book because of four recipes for
excellent. Set the jars in a cool, dark, place,
oils flavored with garlic and
checking daily to make sure that the herbs
herbs. The recipes called for
are covered with the vinegar and shake
storage in a cool, dark place, but
gently. After a week, taste it to see if it is
that was not sufficient as the oil
strong enough. If not, leave for another
needed refrigeration
week. Repeat for several more weeks if
immediately to cut the possible
necessary until it tastes right to you.
risk of botulism. Such unsafe
recipes are still being published,
When the vinegar seems just right to you,
so you need to be alert to the dangers. When we
strain and bottle it. Coffee filters make very good
purchase commercial jars of dried tomatoes or other strainers. It looks pretty to place some fresh leaves
similar items preserved in oil, the commercial
or other flavoring ingredients in the bottles before
processors have acidified the product and have
adding the strained vinegar. Bottles can be any type
canned them in a safe method. If you give a gift of
of food-grade containers, new or used, which have
homemade flavored oils be sure to caution the
been cleaned and sterilized. Have corks or caps
recipient about safe storage in the refrigerator.
ready to use. Corks can be given a final seal with
paraffin wax that has been melted in a small can
Making flavored vinegars is easy and fun. To begin placed in a pan of heated water. Be very careful
with, there are dozens of types of vinegars (be sure when handling this hot wax. Finished bottles
they have 5 percent acetic acid), but one of the most should be labeled and stored in a cool, dark place
commonly used is distilled white vinegar which I
for up to a year.
think has a rather harsh flavor but is good with
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FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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ASK HOTTIE!
Lauren Peters, U.C. Master Gardener, Solano County
Dear Solano Master Gardeners,
I have seen old tires suggested as containers for plants and
found a small, cute ATV tire I dragged home. Is it safe to
eat root or other vegetables planted in an old tire?
eating your vegetables. Wash your food before eating.
Discard outer leaves of leafy greens. Wash your hands or
use gloves in the garden. Use good potting soil and mulch.
Thank you for your help.
Irma
I personally have used old tires in my garden. I find that
heat-loving plants such as cucumbers and peppers thrive in
them. If for any reason you are hesitant to use your planter
for vegetables, you can always use it for non- edible plants.
Either way, enjoy your new planter!
Sincerely,
Hello Irma,
Lauren
Much controversy exists regarding planting vegetables in
tires. Popular gardener Charles Sanders promotes the idea.
(http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/
sanders98.html) He enjoys the instant raised bed that
warms the soil and prolongs the growing season. Mother
Earth magazine is against the idea. They fear toxins from
the tires will be released into the soil as the tire
biodegrades. (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Ask-Our
-Experts/Organic-Gardening/Tire-Planters-And-GardenSoil.aspx). Others are concerned that gasses will be
released into the soil, contaminating the plant. In Haiti,
world food charities are encouraging residents to grow their
food in abandoned tires.
So whom do we believe?
I found the study below from UCLA Cooperative
Extension. In summary, it states that trace minerals from
tires and other manufactured items do leach into the soil.
However, they are in such small amounts that they are
most likely harmless. The study states that root vegetables
such as carrots are more likely to have the toxins on them,
but they can be washed off. Further, while the toxins may
be on the plants, the plants did not take up toxins into the
leaf matter in any significant amounts. That said, the
authors suggest in order to minimize exposure to these trace
toxins, that we should remove tires from the growing area.
To view the study on the Los Angeles County Cooperative
Extension website, “Trace Elements and Urban Gardens”
by Donald R. Hodel and Andrew C. Chang, go to: http://
celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Environmental_Horticulture/
Trace_Elements_and_Urban_Gardens.htm
Editor's Note: We are please to introduced our newest
feature, "Ask Hottie" by Lauren Peters, which will appear
regularly. "Ask Hottie" will provide answers to some of
the intriguing questions posed to our Master Gardener
Hotline. If you have any questions for the hotline
[email protected]
So who is right? Do toxins leach from tires into the soil?
Yes. Do they become systemic in the plant? No. Common
sense precautions should be used in the garden before
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FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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GROTESQUE ROSE
Darrell g.h. Schramm, U.C. Master Gardener, Solano County
Don’t panic! If in your garden you see a rosebud and
perhaps also its stem, or even a whole smaller flower with
leaves, poking through the middle of a rose blossom, don’t
panic. While such an occurrence is an abnormality, recent
research shows it is rarely a disease.
leaves, creating a startling mix of green foliage and petals
as a flower.
A fairly recent study by Foundation Plant Services at UC
Davis, from a collection of more than 400 rose varieties,
observed phyllody regularly over a period of years. The
This morphology (it was the famous German writer Goethe team of plant pathologists noted that floribunda roses seem
who coined that last word as the first person known to
the most susceptible to the abnormality. Ten specific roses
describe the phenomenon on paper) was first called
received particular attention: ‘Centennial Star,’ a hybrid tea
perfoliation (still my favorite term for it), then proliferation, (so much for star quality); ‘Earth Song,’ a grandiflora;
and now usually called phyllody (fil-o-dee). Essentially, a
‘Kordes Perfecta,’ a hybrid tea (so much for perfection);
disruption of the plant’s hormonal balance causes a leaf‘Michelangelo’ (McGredy’s floribunda or Meilland’s hybrid
like structure to replace
tea?); ‘Perfume Delight,’ a hybrid
petals, usually the result of
tea; ‘Pink Dreams,’ (the hybrid tea
stress in hot weather
of 1951? the mini of 2001? or the
during bud formation.
shrub of 2003?—I think it’s time
to reprint my article on giving
As Goethe described it in
different roses the same name);
1790, through the center of
‘Pink Grootendorst,’ a hybrid
the flower “the stem goes
rugosa; ‘Rouge Royale,’ a hybrid
on growing, prickles
tea; ‘Singin in the Rain,’ a
appear on it, the alternate
floribunda; and ‘Toulouse
petals continue to diminish
Lautrec,’ a hybrid tea-like shrub.
in size, and change at last
In this study the bushes looked
into stem-leaves.” Goethe
healthy, they grew well, and with
observed this grotesque
the exception of the perfoliation,
condition in several classes
the flowers grew normally.
of roses, though never in
Repeated tests showed no virus
the centifolias. However, in
or phytoplasma disease.
Photo by Darrell g.h. Schramm
the early 1800s, the
renowned Redouté painted three proliferous roses (as he
When phyllody occurs in crop plants, it is often caused by
named them), one of them a centifolia. Redouté also
phytoplasmic disease; phytoplasmas apparently inhabit the
painted a gallica agatha and the damask ‘Celsiana’ as
phloem tissue of infected plants. Leafhoppers are the most
exhibiting phyllody.
common insects to spread the disease. Two studies (1989
and 2003) suggest only a few cases in which phytoplasmas
That strange green rose ‘Viridiflora,’ a china rose
may have caused rose phyllody, but, again, the results are
discovered about 1833 in China, is the product of stable
not conclusive. Indeed, the UC Davis study states that
phyllody. Though some gardeners grow it because it is a
phytoplasma infection of roses seems rare. So don’t panic.
strange specimen, still others grow it because they like it,
but not many appear to be aware that it is a .
This spring I observed phyllody on two of my rose plants.
‘Bonica,’ a lovely, dependably floriferous shrub produced
Maxwell T. Masters, who coined the word phyllody, wrote
one such odd rose, but ‘Duc de Cambridge,’ a dark crimson
an entire book on plant monstrosities—or mutations, if you damask, circa 1815, gave me three! While evidence points
will. One such rose he described in 1869 as “Calyx leafy;
to a heat-related problem here, ‘Duc de Cambridge’
petals normal, some reflexed; stamens and pistil absent; in historically appears more prone to perfoliation than most
their places a branch with leaves and flowers.” Another
roses. Such repeated occurrences on a given rose, like those
rose he described on which “the carpals were more or less of the floribunda class itself, suggest genetic susceptibility.
(Continued on page 9)
replaced by leaves.” Sometimes some of the petals become
PAGE 4
FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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BECOMING
A
MASTER GARDENER
Jennifer Baumbach, U.C. Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Solano County
Is gardening your passion? Do you like to share your
gardening knowledge with others? Then signing up to
take the Master Gardener Training is for you!
Upon successful completion of the classroom training and
passing the final exam, you will become a certified Master
Gardener. From there, you will embark on the adventure
of attaining volunteer hours. The volunteer hours can be
The Master Gardener Program of Solano is recruiting
accumulated through a variety of projects and activities,
potential Master Gardeners for the 2011 Training Class.
such as presentations, workshops, Farmer's Markets, and
The requirements to become a Master Gardener are
the Master Gardener Hotline. An active Master Gardener
simple:
must remain current in annual educational updates and
volunteer service hours required by the Solano County
t You have some knowledge or experience in gardening Master Gardener program. For Solano, new Master
Gardener graduates are required to complete 50 hours of
or landscape.
t You are willing to learn about horticulture and share volunteer time within one year after training. Veteran
Master Gardeners are required to complete 25 volunteer
this knowledge with others.
t You are accepted into the local training program and hours and 12 continuing education hours per year to
remain certified.
can volunteer your time conducting horticultural
educational programming coordinated through the U.C.
Most of the volunteer work is conducted through the UC
Cooperative Extension office in Fairfield.
Cooperative Extension Office; some projects involve
To become a Master Gardener, you must first fill out and interagency interaction with school gardening projects or,
parks and recreation departments. However, the list
submit an application to the UC Cooperative Extension
doesn't stop there. Master Gardeners are out working in
office. After reviewing the applications, you may be
many venues throughout Solano County.
invited for a short interview. Following acceptance into
the program, the trainee begins the core training in
January 2011.
To receive an application for the 2011 Master Gardener
Training Class you can:
The training includes daytime classes held on Fridays for
approximately 15 weeks. The class begins in mid-January
and goes through May, ending with a fun graduation
lunch. Attendance for the classes is mandatory. Each class
is a separate topic and the instructors are only on site for
the training. Class hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
University of California specialists, alumni, and veteran
Master Gardeners teach the training classes. Class topics
include Botany, Soils, Vegetables, Fruit Trees, Trees and
Shrubs, Plant Pathology, Insects, and Turf. These are only
a few of the class topics covered. There is also one field
trip and several hands-on opportunities within the
training.
tTalk to the Master Gardeners at the Vacaville, Benicia
or Vallejo Farmer's Markets.
tStop by the University of California Cooperative
Extension Office, 501 Texas Street, 1st Floor, Fairfield.
tCall the Master Gardener Hotline, 707-784-1322 or
email them at [email protected].
tSend an email to me at [email protected] or
call me and chat about the application process, 707-7841321.
tStop by the http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu website and
visit the Master Gardener page there.
A fee of $125.00 is charged for the training and includes a
training manual, resource book, badge, fingerprinting,
and other class materials.
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FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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TWENTY NEW MASTER GARDENERS
Jennifer Baumbach, U.C. Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Solano County
The Master Gardener Program recently graduated 20 new volunteers. Their graduation was in May at the historic Buck Mansion.
The graduation is a celebration at the end of their training with a luncheon and a roast of sorts for the graduates. The pictures
below and on the following page show the progression of the fun event.
Photos by Sharon Leos
Regina Benson
Mija Berg
Joyce Bever
Michael Bobell
Susan Christiansen
Ralph Cotton
Jacki Curtis
Kathy Gunther
Mike Gunther
Betty Homer
Jane Keene
Carol Kumpu
Heidi Lindsay
Phyllis Manzella
Teresa Parsons
Sandy Reid
Trudy Robles
Trisha Rose
Gerry Smith
Shelli Vasquez
The potluck luncheon-now what to pick?!
I begin my roast of the graduates. Note the smirk.
Mike & Kathy G received the “King & Queen of Helping Hands” honor.
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FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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Left: Michael had to drive from Davis to the training
class, and was frequently tardy. In „honor‟ of that, we
decided he would be given the “Bee-onTime”award...He looks like Flavor Flav huh?
Below rt: MG family members celebrate.
Ralph is happy he was „chosen‟ as the floradictorian.
Phyllis receiving the “Late Bloomer” distinction.
Two happy graduates: Joyce and Trudy receive their certificates of completion.
PAGE 7
FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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(deadhead it to keep it blooming), the butterfly bush
After all, the adult butterfly usually lives only from two to Buddleia davidii (cut it back severely in winter), coreopsis,
four weeks.
cosmos, Echinacea, hollyhock (Althaea rosea), the common
heliotrope (Heliotropium—it needs partial shade in our
For instance, I know that my garden is home to Anise
area), parsley (especially when it’s gone to seed),
Swallowtails. Because I know that the caterpillar stage
penstemon, pincushion flower (Sabiosa), Plumbago capensis,
requires fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), I have retained a
sage (Salvia—most types), sedum, Mexican sunflower
huge fennel plant in my backyard. Though I cut it back
(Tithonia rotundifolia), Verbena bonariensis, and the single
twice a year, I do not touch it in the winter months,
types of zinnia.
especially in January, when it becomes the necessary food
for the pupa.
Of course there are other plants, some of which are
particularly alluring to particular species: fennel to Anise
To keep butterflies as residents or regular en route
Swallowtails, ceanothus to Tortoise Shell butterflies and
visitors, we must make sure that their resources and
the various Blues, milkweed to Monarchs, pipevines
conditions are consistent, season to season and year to
(Aristolochia californica) to Pipevine Swallowtails, nettles
year. Seasonally or annually removing certain plants that and baby’s tears to the Red Admiral. Trees, too, serve as
might attract butterflies only to replace those plants with
hosts, especially for the larval stage. I’ve already
something different disrupts their lives. Keep in mind,
addressed the popular Buckeye. But Mourning Cloaks
however, that the plant food is not synonymous with the prefer willows, poplars, and elms; the Western Tiger
butterfly. Other vegetation is also important for basking
Swallowtail as a caterpillar too looks for willow and
sites, territorial sites, protective sites, and hibernation
poplar trees but also for cherry, sycamore, and ash.
sites. In hot, dry regions, butterflies may concentrate in
areas where seepage occurs or where streams or other
To further ensure a place for these fluttering insects, the
water runs. Thus, microclimate, vegetation structure,
North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
moisture, and consistency are all important to retain
recommends mulching all possible host plants, which will
butterflies in the garden.
provide shelter for the caterpillars of some species;
growing a variety of plants that appeal to butterflies;
However, butterfly authorities assert that butterfly
using rocks and gravel for basking areas; and avoiding
populations disappear not only because the habitat
use of pesticides and herbicides.
changes or deteriorates, but also because of “persistent
climate change” and because the competition or predation For more information, visit www.naba.org,
may have increased. So you may have done all things well www.butterflywebsite.com, www.kidsbutterfly.org.
to attract and keep these flighty creatures on your
Butterfly Gardeners Quarterly is a publication that might
property, including no pesticide or herbicide use, but
interest you (P.O. Box 3093, Seattle, WA 98103), as is
sometimes factors beyond your control may intrude.
American Butterflies (4 Delaware Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
or email [email protected]).
Nonetheless, a healthy garden with certain kinds of plants
can lure the butterfly. Some of those plants we may
And should you wish to visit places particularly
consider weeds; however, butterflies have evolved to use conducive to butterflies, the Butterfly Habitat of Strybing
such plants as food, plants like milkweed, plantain,
Arboretum in San Francisco and the Hallberg Ranch’s
mallows, and gnaphalium. The leaves of this last plant
Butterfly Preserve in Sebastopol are two northern
have a balsamic scent. Its brownish flowers are not
California locales to do so. Natural Bridges State Park in
outstanding to us, but we are not butterflies. Gnaphalium Santa Cruz and Ardenwood State Park in Fremont both
looks good in rock gardens and borders. It’s worth a
contain Monarch sites where the butterflies rest by the
consideration.
thousands on migration. But the most rewarding place to
see butterflies is in your own garden or yard, the place
I’ve already mentioned lantana and Jupiter’s beard as
where you live.
(Continued on page 9)
flowers to draw butterflies. Others are Aster x frikartii
(Continued from page 1-Inviting Butterflies to Your Garden)
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FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
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(Continued from page 8-Inviting Butterflies to Your Garden)
Sources
Deutch, Barbara and Sally Levinson. “Butterflies: Bay
Area, California.” North American Butterfly Association.
Web. 1996.
Liu, Andy and Sally Levinson. “Gardening for
Butterflies.” Brochure. Aug. 2009.
Sedenko, Jerry. The Butterfly Garden. NY: Villard Books.
1991.
Swengel, Ann. “Straight Talk about Butterfly Habitat
Management.” North American Butterfly Association.
Web. 2003.
(Continued from page 4-Grotesque Rose)
According to the UC Davis researchers, “When rose phyllody is due to genetic and environmental factors, the
abnormality is limited to the blossom, and normal blossoms appear at others times in the season.”
Isn’t that a relief to know? And didn’t I advise you not to panic? After all, a grotesque rose is still a rose. Hm-m. I
wonder if that’s what Gertrude Stein meant.
Sources
Foundation Plant Services. College of Agricultural and Environmental Services, UC Davis. http://fpms.ucdavis.edu/
Masters, Maxwell T. Vegetable Teratology: An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants.
London: Robert Hardwick. 1869. Quest-Ritson, Charles and Brigid. Encyclopedia of Roses. American Rose Society. NY:
DK Publishing. 2003. Redouté, Pierre-Joseph. The Roses: The Complete Plates. Ed. Petra Lamers-Schutze. Koln: Taschen.
(1812-1817) /2007. Sim, Sue, Adib Rowhani, and Deborah Golino. “Phyllody in Roses.” American Rose. June 2006. 32-34.
are trained volunteers who provide University research
based answers to gardening questions and pest management information to the
residents of Solano County. Ask your question in person at a local event, at our
office, by telephone on the Hotline, or e-mail.
TELEPHONE HOTLINE (707)784-1322
E-MAIL [email protected]
INQUIRE IN PERSON 501 Texas Street, Fairfield
Tuesday - Thursday (707) 784-1317
9-5 (closed for lunch)
PAGE 9
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FALL GARDENING GUIDE
By Nancy Duval, UC Master Gardener
"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Edibles: Plant bare-root berries and
Edibles: Plant cool weather
grapes, and dormant roots of
vegetable transplants such as
asparagus and artichokes. Seeds of
broccoli, kale, chard and cauliflower.
broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and
Plant radishes and peas from seed.
lettuce can be planted indoors.
Put in biennial and perennial herbs,
Ornamentals: Anything that‟s not
Plant for early spring color, with
such as chives, Greek oregano,
frost-tender, including groundcovers,
flowering quince, acacias, camellias,
parsley, marjoram, winter savory,
vines and perennials.
primroses and cyclamen.
lemon or common thyme.
Decoratively pot living holiday gifts,
Annuals: Sow wildflower seeds in a Plant spring-blooming bulbs and
including herbs, which grow well
sunny spot for the best show next
tubers.
indoors in a sunny window.
spring.
Winter and spring-blooming annuals
Buy and pot amaryllis or „Paper
available now include sweet peas,
White‟ narcissus bulbs for Christmas
Iceland poppies, primroses,
blooms.
snapdragons, cyclamen, pansies and
violas.
Deciduous trees, shrubs and vines are
often ablaze now, so shop nurseries
for favorite color choices. Plant right
away.
Edibles: Plant loose leaf lettuce and
spinach, set out seedlings such as
onion and garlic for next year‟s
harvest.
PLANTING
MAINTENANCE
Keep deadheading shrubs and
Adjust watering schedule once rain
Adjust watering schedule once rain
annuals. It will encourage annuals to
begins. If no rain yet, keep
begins. If no rain yet, keep
bloom a bit longer and keep shrubs
vegetables irrigated.
vegetables irrigated.
looking tidy.
Apply dormant fruit spray to fruit
Apply dormant fruit spray to fruit
Fertilize roses for the last time this
trees after leaves drop. Use 50
trees after leaves drop. Use 50
fall.
percent copper or lime sulfur product
percent copper or lime sulfur product
for
peach
leaf
curl
on
peaches
and
for peach leaf curl on peaches and
Renovate a tired lawn by
nectarines. On apricots, use fixed
nectarines. On apricots, use fixed
dethatching, aerating, fertilizing and
copper
spray
rather
than
lime
sulfur.
copper spray rather than lime sulfur.
over-seeding. Lower the blades of
your mower to 1 inch after summer‟s Fertilize fall-planted annuals and
Fertilize fall-planted annuals and
heat.
vegetables with a high nitrogen
vegetables with a high nitrogen
Add organic matter/compost to
fertilizer. Cut back mums to six
fertilizer. Cut back mums to six
vegetable beds after double-digging
inches above ground when they are
inches above ground when they are
and loosening soil to a depth of 24
finished blooming.
finished blooming.
inches.
PREVENTION
Remove fallen fruits, vegetables,
diseased leaves and weeds from
garden beds to reduce next year‟s
garden pest and disease problems.
If no rain yet, continue to irrigate.
Once rain begins, check for areas of
standing water, the breeding ground
for mosquitoes.
Apply copper or other recommended
controls if you see brown rot or
citrus blast on your citrus trees.
Bait for snails and slugs with an iron Hoe and pull weeds diligently.
Mulch to keep weeds down.
phosphate-based bait.
Apply a dormant spray to kill insect
Fight cabbage loopers by using
eggs and pests such as aphids, mites
floating row covers to keep the adult
and scale, as well as fungi and
white butterflies from laying eggs on
bacteria.
leaves.
If a freeze warning is in effect, turn
Apply pre-emergent weed control
off drip irrigation and remove the
among plantings and on your lawn.
end plug for drainage.
PAGE 10
FALL 2010 V VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
S EEDS F OR T HOUGHT
Fall Decision Making
with
Solano Resource Conservation District
6390 Lewis Road, Vacaville
October 23
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Vacaville Library Presentation
1020 Ulatis Drive
October 21 at 7:00 pm
Free talk
Crafting around with Pumpkins
Master Gardeners will present some fun ways to craft
with pumpkins and plants.
FREE Public Plant Exchange
There is also a Plant Sale held by the
SRCD from 8:00 am until noon at this
location.
501 Texas Street, 1st Floor conference room.
October 30
10:00 am until 2:00 pm
Bring your home-grown plants, seeds, pots,
cuttings, and anything gardening can be shared.
Master Gardeners will have their own plants
too!
Wreath Workshop
Buck Mansion, 225 Buck Avenue, Vacaville
December 4
1:00-4:00 pm
Benicia Community Garden
E. 2nd streets and Military East (on the corner)
November 13
10:00 am
Learn how to make a wreath from the Master Gardeners. Create
one beautiful wreath for your home.
Cost: $40.00 per person
RSVP to Jennifer Baumbach
[email protected] or 707-784-1321
Join the Master Gardeners as they demonstrate the
basics of home composting and worm composting.
RSVP to Jennifer Baumbach
[email protected] or 707-784-1321
Please let Jennifer know if you have never attended the workshop before.
PAGE 11
Seeds For Thought is produced by
the Solano County Master Gardeners
E DI T OR
Erin Mahaney
F EATURE W RITERS
D ARRELL G . H . S CHRAMM ,
P EARL E DDY ,L AUREN P ETERS ,
J ENNIFER B AUMBACH , AND N ANCY D UVAL
Have a comment or question about Seeds For Thought?
Contact us!
By email: [email protected]
Please put ‘Seeds For Thought’ in the email Subject line.
U.S. mail:
Solano County UCCE
501 Texas Street, 1st Floor
Fairfield, CA 94533
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(including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic
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References in Seeds For Thought to trademarked products, commercial websites, and businesses are provided as a courtesy for
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Seeds For Thought is a quarterly publication of the University of California Master
Gardener Program of Solano County and is freely distributed to County residents.
It is available through the internet for free download:
http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/newsletterfiles/newsletter130.htm
U.C. Cooperative Extension
Solano County Master Gardeners
501 Texas Street, 1st Floor
Fairfield, CA 94533
_________________________
Jennifer M. Baumbach
Master Gardener Program Coordinator