Fall 2020 - Volume 1, Issue 4
Hello Gardeners,
Not only did Covid-19 bring the whole world pretty much to a halt, the current devastating wildfires and extremely unhealthy air in our western states are causing devastating losses and preventing us often from enjoying the outdoors, one of the only escapes we have left! At the same time, I am also grateful, deeply grateful, for our first responders, community leaders and volunteers for stepping up to meet these incredible challenges.
Like all of us, Master Gardeners had to adapt quickly, with virtual meetings, streaming-webinars, Zoom classes, library talks, and much more. Some sessions have been recorded and are available on our new youtube "CoCoMGUC" channel, with more planned in the future.
As promised in our spring newsletter, we are featuring California native plants in this Fall issue. We briefly revisit firewise gardening practices when selecting and maintaining plants. Fall is also a good time to take good care of our soil and make sure it stays healthy, so we can stay healthy.
Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.
John Updike
Hedwig Van Den Broeck, Editor
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2020 Gardeners with Heart |
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Contra Costa Master Gardener Darlene DeRose (project lead for the Community Gardens project) and Judy Clayton (instrumental in implementing this special component of the Community Gardens project) have been awarded second place in the Statewide Master Gardener Program's 2020 Search for Excellence for their submission, "Essentials of Vegetable Gardening: Lessons for Underserved Communities." The recognition video
describes this very special program. ( You may want to advance to the 2-minute mark to watch.)
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In addition, three more Contra Costa Master Gardeners received “2020 Gardeners with Heart” awards: Darlene DeRose, Robyn Barker, and Terri Takusagawa. This is in recognition of their creativity, strategic thinking, passion for our mission, and commitment to overreach. We are fortunate to have such exceptional volunteers. |
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Fall is the best time to plant native plants |
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Our cooler weather and winter rains give plants time to develop the healthy root systems they need to survive our warm, dry summers.
To make the best choices for your garden it is important to know your garden conditions, learn which plants grow in those conditions, and know how to care for your plants throughout the year.
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All native plants grow best in soils and climate conditions similar to those where they evolved. For Contra Costa County that may be the oak woodlands and chaparral of the inner valleys, coastal scrub and prairie grasslands along the Bay, riparian woodlands along creeks, or sand dunes near Antioch.
Before you start purchasing and planting natives this fall, think about your garden area, learn about local plants, and decide how you want to garden.
And remember, unlike common hybridized plants found in big box stores and local nurseries, California's flora is dormant in the summer and grows during colder wet winter and spring months. Overwatering California natives during our hot summer months can kill the plant.
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KNOW ABOUT YOUR GARDEN CONDITIONS
Once you've decided you'd like to plant some native plants, carefully examine your garden site.
Will you be planting ...
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KNOW YOUR PLANTS
It is easy to be seduced by glowing descriptions and professional glamor shots of native plants in online or print catalogs, and later to be disappointed how those same plants ...
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KNOW YOUR GARDENING STYLE
After you know your garden's horticultural conditions and have chosen plants you like that can thrive in your garden, think about your gardening style.
Are you a gardener who ...
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SOWING NATIVE WILDFLOWERS
Spring blooming wildflowers offer a rewarding introduction to growing California natives. The color and beauty of wildflowers bring insects, birds and life into ...
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Pictures are courtesy of Sandy Steinman
Useful links and resources related to this article:
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Not all California native plants are fire smart
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In our summer issue, featuring Firescaping, we emphasized how ALL plants can burn under the right conditions. California natives are no exception. As a matter of fact some of them are quite flammable. Proper selection and maintenance are key!
Considering the current devastating wildfires and extremely unhealthy air stretching over our western states, we'd like to revisit some important features of fire-resistant plants.
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Look for the following characteristics:
- store water in leaves or stems
- produce very little dead or fine material
- possess extensive, deep root systems for controlling erosion
- maintain high moisture content with limited watering
- grow slowly and need little maintenance
- low growing in form
- contain low levels of volatile oils or resins
- open & loose branching habit with a low volume of total vegetation
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Firesafe gardening practices |
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by David George
Did you wake up at 5 am, Sunday, August 16, like my wife and I, to sounds of fierce wind, thunder, and lightning flashes? Yikes! One thunder clap crashed right over heads causing us to jump and our dogs to scurry for cover. We were safe, but our Northern California wildlands were vulnerable to hundreds of dry lightning strikes and fire starts. The 2020 fire season started early, and with a bang, and has now turned into the worst ever, measured by acreage burned. Who knows what next year will bring.
Whether started by nature or man, we live in a wildfire-prone state. Many of us in Contra Costa live in or near woodlands, chaparral and grassy ridges. This is risky ...
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Healthy soil, happy gardener! |
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What to do during Fall in the garden |
While most people think of spring as planting time, avid gardeners know fall is actually the best season to plant many trees, shrubs and hardy perennials. Cooler soil puts less stress on plants and with the help of much needed rain many plants will put their energy towards setting more roots.
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Healthy soil for a healthy California! |
Healthy soil improves water infiltration and nutrients cycling.
Healthy soils for a healthy California not only provides practical information on how to build your soil, it also summarizes some of the real benefits and challenges of building and managing your soil.
Soil Matters - Presented by the Berry Good Food Foundation and Kiss the Ground is worthwhile watching (video).
The United Nations' FAO Soil Portal is designed as a source of soil information and knowledge on the different components and aspects of soils and the value and importance of this vital and finite resource.
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Considering a cover crop? |
Cover cropping is an ancient practice that makes great sense in the modern garden. Cover crops help improve soil quality and water penetration, as well as suppress weed growth and prevent erosion. A bit of extra work reaps big rewards.
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Photos are courtesy of UCANR.edu and UC Statewide IPM Program |
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Covid-19 did not slow us down! |
As this pandemic continues to severely affect our communities, all forms of engagement are more important than ever. We are dedicated to support continued community engagement in light of rapidly changing protocols regarding shelter-in-place and physical distancing. Due to these protocols and safety recommendations we looked for ways to facilitate virtual/remote opportunities and help our community. |
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You can attend our webinars virtually. Just in case you missed one, we are also recording and posting these sessions on our Youtube channel, which enables you to watch any time that is convenient to you.
Here are upcoming events:
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Oct 19 - How to Grow a Successful Winter Garden, speaker Terry Lippert
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Nov 16 - Firewise Landscaping: Strategies to Protect your Home and Property, speakers Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Steve Danzinger
Our October Growing Gardeners Vegetable Gardening for Beginners filled up quickly. Meanwhile you can download the Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Handbook. The next Growing Gardeners course will be offered early in 2021.
Note: No December programs due to the holidays
Webinars and events available online:
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Our Demonstration Gardens |
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Got a Gardening Question? Our Help Desk is staffed 50 weeks of the year,
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-Noon.
Currently, we are communicating through email ONLY
In your email request:
- Include your name and city (plant advice depends on local conditions!).
- Describe the problem in detail. Include the name of the plant if known, when the problem began, and cultivation history such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, pesticides, etc.
- Send photographs, if appropriate.
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Some extra Resources and a Quiz |
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Bonus: Some more interesting reads & videos for you to enjoy
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Quiz: I am the earliest fossil record dating from 15.2 million years ago in Nevada. My early blooming flowers are protected from winter and spring rains by downward hanging fused petals coated with a waxy waterproof covering. And last but not least, my pollen and nectar is favored by bees and hummingbirds; my small red berries are eaten by birds, bears and humans; and indigenous people have used my leaves and berries to treat headaches, intestinal cramping, respiratory and kidney problems, skin infections and poison oak rashes.
Who am I?
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The answer to our Summer issue quiz:
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I do not sting and generally do not bite people either. I have been around for 300 million years. When first hatched, our larva or nymphs live in the water for around a year. We do not like Indonesia because people there like to eat us for a snack. When I land on your head, it is considered good luck.
Who am I?
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Final quote:
"It can be difficult to re-root, establish new relationships, grow beyond the old form, but it can also be what's needed to create new and healthier roots in our future"
Garden Marcus (via Tik-Tok)
Together we've got this. We've all got this!
Stay Safe, Healthy and Happy!
Keep Others Safe, Healthy and Happy.
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