June Tips & Events for Santa Clara County |
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“A garden is not a place. It’s a journey.” ~Monty Don
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Quiz: How Are These Issues Related? |
What could fuzzy, waxy filaments covering a plant possibly have in common with a spiral-shaped pattern on a leaf? Plenty. Scroll down to find out what pest causes both. |
Photo credits: Help Desk submissions
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Photo credits, clockwise from top left: Leafcutter bee (Jim McCulloch), carpenter bee (Kathy Keatley Garvey), long-horned bee (Kathy Keatley Garvey), sweat bee (Missouri Department of Conservation Staff) |
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You probably see non-native honeybees in your garden, but do you know there are over 1600 species of native bees in California? These bees don’t make honey, don’t live in hives (most live right in the ground), and are much less likely to sting since they have no colonies to defend. Research shows some species pollinate crops twice as effectively as honeybees, plus they’re best suited to pollinate native plants. But like honeybees, they’re threatened by pesticides and loss of habitat. Help preserve these species by growing a variety of plants that flower at different times of the year and by keeping areas of open ground in your yard. |
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The Challenge of Bindweed |
Have you seen a pretty, morning glory-like flower on a vine that winds through any plant within reach? Field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, is one of the most challenging weeds to control because its roots can reach depths of 20 feet or more and it readily regrows from root fragments as short as 2 inches. It produces many seeds which remain viable for years. Making things even worse, it’s drought tolerant. Controlling it isn’t easy, but the UC pest note below discusses options. Chemicals aren’t needed if you’re persistent in removing new growth to prevent seed production and to limit the plant’s ability to store new energy in the roots.
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Photo credit: J. Brew, Oregon State
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Today’s Grubs Are Tomorrow’s Beetles |
The white grubs commonly found in lawns and gardens hatch into masked chafers and green fruit beetles. Masked chafer grubs are about 1 inch long and are mostly found in lawns. They feed on roots, so a large population can cause dead patches. You may also see lawn damage from animals digging for these tasty treats. The green fruit beetle grub is much larger, about 2 inches long, and is found in compost or garden beds high in organic matter. The grubs don’ t damage plants, but the iridescent beetles feed on fruits. Finding an occasional grub is no cause for worry. Just leave them out for birds to feast on.
Photos: Left — masked chafer larva, David Cappaert. Right — green fruit beetle larva, Bugwood.orgz
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Celebrate PADG’s 20th Anniversary!
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Join us at our Palo Alto Demonstration Garden (PADG) to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sunday, June 25, 1–3 pm. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the Edible and Waterwise Gardens. The Edible Garden demonstrates growing fruits and vegetables year-round, producing 700–800 pounds of food annually that is donated to a local food pantry. The Waterwise Garden showcases beautiful landscaping with native and low-water plants.
Address: 851 Center Drive, Palo Alto (at Eleanor Pardee Community Gardens, on Center Drive near Martin Street)
Photo credit: Candace Simpson
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When “Regular” Stone Fruits Aren’t Enough |
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Plant hybridization is the crossbreeding of different plant varieties. It can happen naturally but more often comes from deliberate work. A goal of hybridization is creating a new plant with the most desirable traits of its parents, such as the sweetness of a peach and the tartness of a plum. There are many different types of stone fruit hybrids. Here are some examples:
- Pluot and aprium: hybrids of a plum and an apricot, named for which fruit dominates.
- Plumcot: a 50–50 hybrid of a plum and an apricot.
- Peacotum: a hybrid of peach, apricot, and plum.
- Nectaplum: a hybrid of a nectarine and a plum.
- Cherum: a hybrid of a cherry and a plum.
- Peacherine and pectarine: hybrids of a peach and a nectarine.
- Nectarcot: a hybrid of a nectarine and an apricot.
These hybrids have had varying degrees of commercial success, and availability may be limited. But development continues, so you may hear of others in the future.
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Quiz Answer: Giant Whiteflies Cause Both
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Photo credit: Kenneth Fuller
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Giant whiteflies were only discovered in California in 1992, but the infestation is now widespread in the San Francisco Bay Area. Plants most affected are ornamentals, such as begonia, hibiscus, bird of paradise, mulberry, and others. Adults produce spirals of wax primarily on the underside of leaves and lay their eggs in waxy bands which grow heavier as the population increases. Wax filaments grow to lengths of up to 2 inches, but in shielded areas, they can reach ten inches long! Even though affected plants weaken, they rarely die. Manage giant whiteflies by removing infected leaves, washing the undersides of leaves with strong streams of water, and encouraging beneficial insects to control populations.
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Our monthly Plant Clinic Online is an opportunity to chat with a Master Gardener via Zoom to diagnose a plant problem. You can also listen and learn while other people ask questions. It takes place on the second Saturday of the month (June 10), from 10–noon. Priority will be given to questions that are emailed in advance; instructions are in the Zoom registration confirmation. Registration required.
Creating a Garden with Your Kids, Saturday, June 3, 10–11:30 am, South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden, 80 Highland Ave (Corner of Monterey Rd & Highland Ave), San Martin
Container Gardening, Saturday, June 17, 10:30 am–noon, Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose
DIY Drip Irrigation, Thursday, June 22, 6:30–7:30 pm, Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin Street, Mountain View
Garden Smart for Seniors!, Saturday, June 24, 1–3 pm, Sunnyvale Teaching and Demonstration Garden, Charles Street Gardens Blvd NW, 433 Charles Street, Sunnyvale
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Check our calendar for the latest schedule of events. Videos of many past presentations are also available.
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University of California Master Gardener volunteers promote sustainable gardening practices and provide research-based horticultural information to home gardeners. Visit our website for more information including:
Have a gardening question? Ask us. We’re here to help!
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