May Tips & Events for Santa Clara County |
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“If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.” ~Robert Brault
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Quiz: What Made These Mounds? |
Do you know what critter made each of these mounds? Differences in the shapes will give you some clues. Scroll down for the answer. |
Photo credits: A: Larry A. Strand, UC ANR. B: Jack Kelly Clark, UC ANR
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Photo: Saxon wasp on patrol, Nature-Pix, Pixabay
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Identifying Beneficial Insects |
A whole army of insects is in your garden ready to help your plants thrive. Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, help plants produce fruit. Lady beetles and lacewings are predators that hunt, kill, and eat insects. And parasites, like certain wasps, develop within a pest’s body and then kill them. Such violence! The trick is knowing which insects are friends or foes. One way to learn which insects are friends is to attend this talk on May 9. To identify the insects on your own, take pictures of them, plus of any eggs or larvae (check the undersides of leaves). Then zoom in for a closer view and use this site to help you identify beneficial insects.
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Don’t Let That Root Ball Dry Out |
When you first add new plants to your garden, the surrounding soil acts like a container until the plant roots grow into it. The potting mix can dry out faster than the soil, so it’s critical to keep that root ball moist. How much water is needed depends on factors such as plant type, weather conditions, and how well your soil drains. Your new plants will need more frequent watering until their roots become established. When your plant is young, water directly over its root ball to keep it moist. Check the soil to make sure it’s moist but not soggy. Remember to move the irrigation away from the stem as the roots grow outward.
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Image credit: University of Florida
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If you grow apple or pear trees, you may have noticed small holes in the maturing fruit and then discovered a worm inside. Codling moth larvae are one of the few caterpillars found inside pear or apple fruit, and unfortunately, they’re difficult to control. As a start, UC recommends checking developing fruits every week or two for holes starting 6–8 weeks after bloom. Remove and destroy all infested fruit. This will not only reduce the future codling moth population but also help the remaining fruits to grow larger. For more information, read the linked pest note.
Photo: Codling moth larvae bore into the center of fruit to feed. Note the excrement, including the frass pushed out of the entry hole, Jack Kelly Clark, UC. Inset: Codling moth larva “sting” on apple, Peter J. Jentsch, Cornell University Extension
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Pinching your flowers and herbs is a way of pruning them with nothing more than your fingertips. By removing the new tender growth at the end of a stem, you are stimulating branching, encouraging more flowers, and keeping your garden blooming longer. Follow a stem tip down to the first or second leaf node (where leaves join the stem) and pinch it off just above that node. Two new stems will grow beneath the pinch, resulting in a bushier plant. Early spring is the ideal time to pinch, before the plant buds. But not all plants should be pinched. In particular, don’t pinch flowers that produce only one flower per stem.
Photo: Zinnias flourish with pinching, North Carolina Cooperative Extension
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Save garden space by providing good support systems for climbing or vining vegetables like tomatoes, pole beans, and cucumbers. Growing vertically also keeps plants healthier by improving air circulation, increasing sun exposure, and keeping produce off the ground. Even shorter plants like peppers and eggplants benefit from supports since heavy fruits can cause unsupported branches to break. There are many possible choices, from commercial cages and stakes to creative reuse solutions. It’s best to install the supports at planting time to avoid damaging the roots or breaking the stems of your new plants.
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Photo credit: Kris Snibbe, Harvard University
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Quiz Answer: What Made These Mounds?
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Gopher mounds (quiz picture B) are typically fan-shaped and often have a plug at the exit, while mole mounds (quiz picture A) are more circular and usually conical in shape. Gophers are herbivores that damage gardens and landscapes by feeding on plants and plant roots. Moles are insectivores that feed mainly on worms, insects, and other invertebrates, but they can damage plants while tunneling in search of food.
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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 (May 13), from 10–noon. Priority will be given to questions that are emailed in advance; instructions are in the Zoom registration confirmation. Registration required.
Growing Cucumbers, Squash and Melons, Saturday, May 6, 10–11:30 am, South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden, 80 Highland Avenue (Corner of Montery Road & Highland Avenue), San Martin
Spring Seed Swap, Saturday, May 13, 10–11:30 am, Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose
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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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