November Tips & Events for Santa Clara County | | |
“Watching something grow is good for morale. It helps us believe in life.”
~Myron S. Kaufman
| | Quiz: What Can You Use to Sanitize Your Tools? | |
Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi can remain on your tools or pots if they are not properly sanitized. What should you use to disinfect your gardening tools and containers?
Choices:
- Bleach
- Household disinfectant
- Dish soap
- Alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl)
| | Photo: Household cleaning supplies, Ying Chen | | Seed packets are one place where you want to pay attention to the fine print! They contain a wealth of information that will help you be more successful with your garden. Look for details that will help you put the right plant in the right place at the right time, including how to sow the seeds, and if you’re planting vegetables, when they’ll be ready to harvest. The seed packet is truly your guide to success. To learn more about the language on seed packets, come to our talk: Unlocking the Mysteries of Seed Catalogs and Seed Packets on November 16 at Palo Alto’s Rinconada Library. | | Photo credit: Beth Basham | | Grow Food on the Balcony? | Yes! You can grow edible plants in containers. November is a good time to grow garlic and onions. You may still be able to start arugula, cilantro, kale, lettuce, radishes, and spinach. Some leafy greens tolerate part shade, so check the seed packet or seed producer’s website for specific sunlight requirements. Choose a container that is at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes. Use a good-quality potting mix. Water consistently. Give the plants nutrients with a complete fertilizer. And check out these tips on growing lettuce in containers. | | Photo: Lettuce growing in a balcony planter, Pixabay | | Plants for Shady Landscapes | Shady gardens can be just as vibrant as sunny ones, filled with flowers, lush textures, and every shade of green imaginable. Along with familiar favorites like azaleas, hydrangeas, and fuchsias, many shade-tolerant plants can create a cool, restful landscape that’s pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul. Start by noting how much sun your garden receives. Then explore reliable websites for plant ideas such as the UC Davis Arboretum All Stars and the Marin Master Gardener list of shade plants. Be sure to group varieties with similar light, soil, and water needs. | | Photo: Azaleas and ferns growing in the shade, iStock | |
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Who hasn’t watched in dismay as a plant starts to wilt, turn brown, or fall prey to mysterious pests? We can help! Start by reviewing these questions to help with diagnosis. Access the University of California’s Plant Problem Diagnostic Tool to narrow down possible issues. Use Integrated Pest Management—a process to solve pest problems caused by insects, pathogens, weeds, or vertebrates while minimizing risks to people and the environment. There’s a wealth of information and help on the UC IPM website. Still need help? Submit a question and photo online to our Help Desk.
Photo: Dark blotches and yellowing on rose leaflets infected with the Diplocarpon rosae fungus, Jack Kelly Clark
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Fall is the season of abundance for gourds. They offer a vast array of unique shapes and colors for natural decor. Examples are bottle, birdhouse, daisy, speckled swan, and caveman’s club gourds. Their tough skin and sturdy, fibrous interiors make them perfect for crafting. Once your gourds are fully dried, you can make vases, bowls, or rustic birdhouses. With proper preparation, you can also wood-burn, carve, paint, or stain them to make artistic pieces. Or simply group them with other seasonal finds for unique, long-lasting natural displays both indoors and out.
Photo: A collection of gourds, Beth Basham
| | Quiz Answer: All except the Soap | Except for dish soap, all can disinfect tools and containers. Use water and soap first to remove dirt and grease, as debris can interfere with disinfection. Choose a disinfectant based on the material to be sanitized, as they vary in how much they damage tools. Bleach is highly corrosive to metal and requires thorough rinsing and drying to prevent rust. Depending on the active ingredients, household disinfectants can be non-corrosive and effective but must be used at full strength. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are less corrosive but can dry out rubber and plastic handles. Read the product labels before use. | | Photo: Pruners can be dipped in or sprayed with disinfectant after cleaning, University of Minnesota Extension | | More November Tips and To-Dos | | For more gardening tips and to-dos, visit the monthly tips archive on our website. It is perfect for browsing, and while you may recognize some of the content, you’re sure to find something new. It starts with to-dos for the month, just the thing to review before heading out to your garden. | |
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PADG The Power of Compost, Saturday, November 1, 10:00–11:15 am, Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, 851 Center Drive, Palo Alto
Roses: Fall and Winter Care and Pruning, Saturday, November 1, 10:30 am–noon, Rose Garden Branch Library, 1580 Naglee Avenue, San Jose
Successfully Growing Wildflowers from Seed, Saturday, November 1, 10:30–11:30 am, Gilroy Library, 350 W 6th Street, Gilroy
Weeds, Wildlands, & Wildfires, Wednesday, November 5, 11:00 am–noon, Online
Last Call for Fall: A Garden Winterization Workshop, Saturday, November 8, 10:30–11:45 am, Willow Glen Branch Library, 1157 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose
Landscaping Basics, Saturday, November 8, 11:00 am–noon, Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin Street, Mountain View
Roses: Fall and Winter Care and Pruning, Saturday, November 8, 11:00 am–12:30 pm, Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Avenue, San Jose
California Native Plant Sale, Saturday, November 15, 9:00 am–noon, Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose
SCTDG Methods to Improve Your Soil and Suppress Winter Weeds, Saturday, November 15, 10:00–11:30 am, South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden, 80 Highland Avenue, San Martin
Unlocking the Mysteries of Seed Catalogs and Seed Packets, Sunday, November 16, 1:30–2:30 pm, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto
MCP Succulent Holiday Sale, Wednesday, November 19, 9:00 am–noon, Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose
Autumnal Antagonists: Pests During Fall in California, Thursday, November 20, 12:00–1:00 pm, Online
How Invasive Pests Are Managed in California, Wednesday, December 3, 11:00 am–noon, Online
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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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