The Drought Tolerant Garden - Monterey, California

GARDENING ON THE EDG E
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS Î August - September 2008 1

NEWSLETTER OF THE MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS
Number 131 — August / September 2008

The Drought Tolerant Garden —Kari Olsen, MG06
Part One: Design
Why Create a Drought Tolerant Garden? Creating the Design
The number one reason to plant a drought tolerant (DT) Designing can be a fun part of renovating or creating a new
garden is, of course, water. Or more importantly, the lack of garden but many people find this phase intimidating. The
it. Water is always a precious resource in California but many important thing to remember when thinking about design is
homeowners don’t think about water conservation until we that it’s all about what you want so you can’t do it ‘wrong.’ A
hit a drought year. Or two. Or more. Regulations and water landscape design brings all your ideas onto paper where you
rationing begin and then we become conscious of how and can move them around and play with them as long as you
where we use our water, when in fact we should be water-wise like. A design merges our wants and desires with what is
regardless of the current year’s rainfall. The first regulations actually there, often an important reality check. An accurate
put in place during drought years regulate outdoor water design informs us what size and types of spaces we are
use—and irrigation is always on the list. DT gardens make working with and which plant communities are best suited to
outdoor water conservation easy because DT plants get the those spaces. Even if you are working with a professional
majority of their water requirements through winter designer, putting your own ideas down on paper helps clarify
precipitation with very little (or no) supplemental water. your wishes, enabling you to better communicate them to the
Plants are adapted to the ‘winter-wet’ and ‘summer-dry’ designer. As you learn about your site, plant communities,
conditions of our regional climate . When they do need and the individual plants themselves you may find your ideal
occasional summer water, the preferred method is a slow, garden evolving. And the time for making design changes is
deep watering that soaks into the ground without wasteful while you are still on paper rather than during installation.
runoff, which flows from our streets and drains into the Bay.
Less urban runoff also means fewer chemical fertilizers The basic landscape design assessment and planning steps are
polluting our waterways and, ultimately, the ocean. DT essentially the same regardless of the type or style of garden.
gardens are water savers but each one also protects our The list can be long but not complicated and thinking through
beautiful Central Coast and Monterey Bay. the questions will help generate additional ideas and refine

‚The Drought Tolerant Garden— The Sussex Trug‚
Part One: Design Confessions: Ultimate Drought Tolerance‚
‚Fire-safe Landscapes Event Review: Sculpture Within 2008‚
‚Wildfire Prevention Publications 2008 Class Gift‚
‚The Edible Garden 10 Best Natives‚
‚3rd Annual Smart Gardening Faire Try It, You’ll Like It‚
‚Featured Plant: Melianthus Relevant Internet Miscellany‚
‚Epolls Advanced Training & Volunteer Opps‚

2 August - September 2008 Î MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS

your sense of the space. Your list might include such factors any existing structures. Which direction does the prevailing
as: a definition of the area’s function (what will the space be wind blow and how strongly? A ridge top can experience
used for?); preservation of an existing view; or creation of a blasting winds both summer and winter. Higher elevations in
screen for privacy or noise reduction. There are many the coastal mountains often have heavy winter precipitation
resources available to help the ‘non-designer’; Sunset Western (rain and/or snow) and extreme summer temperatures with
Landscaping Book presents these steps with a simple and little summer fog. Some sites include all of these conditions
clear approach (see Resources). resulting in hot, bone-dry summers and freezing wet winters.
Other microclimate modifiers are created by structures and
While all aspects of the design process contribute to the final topography. Plants against south- or west-facing walls will be
product, the following section focuses on one of the two steps less likely to be subjected to winter frosts and more likely to
most critical to DT landscaping: Site Analysis. Part Two, heat up in the summer. Most properties also have ‘cold sinks’
featured in the next issue of Gardening on the Edge, October/ where cold air gathers during winter nights making plants in
November, will focus on Plant Selection. those areas more subject to frost. A single site, even small
sites, can have multiple microclimates; it becomes important
to consider this during the plant selection phase.

Soil
Knowing the type of soil you have is essential to plant
selection. Soils made up primarily of clay retain water longer,
but are slow draining. Sandier soils are faster draining but this
generally means less water and nutrient retention. Plants will
thrive best in the type of soil to which they are adapted. Soil
types can vary within a single site and when you are working
with disturbed soil brought in as “fill” after housing
construction, who knows what mixture you may find. For
information on determining your soil type, refer to the Sunset
Western Garden Book.

Site Analysis
Thorough site assessment is a critical factor in any landscape
design but especially so with DT landscaping. Ideally your
plants will ultimately depend only on winter rainfall and/or
minimal supplemental summer water so matching the plant to
the place becomes essential. Here are the primary site-specific
conditions to consider.

Regional climate and microclimates
What are the regional weather patterns? In the West we are
fortunate to have Sunset’s climate zones to work with. Rather
than just considering the average minimum temperature
(USDA zones) the Sunset zones consider a range of factors
including elevation, coastal influences, rainfall and
temperature. Determining your Sunset climate zone makes Topography of the land
the first step much easier. Then it’s important to realize that Are there areas where the land slopes or where water pools
other factors contribute to areas within most sites: these are during heavy rain? Are there potential drainage or erosion
microclimates. Exposure is a major modifier within a site; is it problems that need to be addressed? Erosion problems could
oriented north/south/east/west facing? Where are the sun/ be mitigated by choosing plants with extensive root systems,
shade areas? Shade can be cast by the site’s dominant trees or though many mountain sites have extreme slopes which may

But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness.
The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ...
The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense
midsummer relationship that brought it on.
~ Robert Finch, Poet


require professional attention and/or engineering in addition
to the design work. Determine which direction water drains
naturally on the site. Generally, lower elevation areas – even
slight dips – can sustain plants which prefer moderately higher
water requirements because rain and irrigation runoff will
flow toward the lower areas.
Lastly, note any existing plants to be retained in the new
landscape. Most often these are the dominant trees; their
location can create microclimates and will also impact plant
selection. And remember to identify any utility locations (to
be avoided).

Essential Resources for Designing and Planting a Drought
Tolerant Garden…
California Native Plants for the Garden. Carol Bornstein,
David Fross, Bart O’Brien. Cachuma Press, 2005.
Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community
Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens. Glen Keator and
Alrie Middlebrook. University of California Press, 2007.
Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San
Francisco Bay Area Region. Nora Harlow. East Bay
Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), 2004.
Sunset Western Garden Book. Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.
Sunset Publishing Corporation, multiple editions.
Putting it all together Sunset Western Landscaping Book. Kathleen Norris Brenzel,
Thoughtful and comprehensive site analysis, including
ed. Sunset Publishing Corporation, multiple editions. Ï
identification of potential problems and their solutions, will
certainly mitigate future headaches and save water, time and
money. An accurate assessment of microclimates, including
exposure to sun, shade and wind, becomes the basis for plant
selection; plants naturally adapted to your particular
conditions have a better chance of becoming established. The
October/November issue of Gardening on the Edge, ‘The
Drought Tolerant Garden, Part Two: Planting,’ will focus on
selecting and planting drought tolerant plants that will thrive
in your garden. Also see many beautiful examples (some
pictured on these pages) of drought tolerant gardens on the
Water-Smart Garden Tour, August 9 & 10—
www.montereybaymastergardeners.org.

Photos
Page one, left: home of Ed Rutter, landscape designed by Brett
Graf of Habitat Gardens; right: Susan McDonald, Designer.
Page two, photos by Kari Olsen.
This page, top left: Weiss garden designed by Susan Wyche and
Barbara Olsen; left: Wellstone garden designed by Wade Petrini
of Artificial Lawns Direct; top right: the garden of Karen Grobe,
the Worm Doctor; above: garden designed by Love’s Gardens.
See the gardens pictured on pages 1 and 3 on the Water-Smart
Garden Tour; www.montereybaymastergardeners.org for details.


Fire-safe Landscapes UCSC Fire Department
—Sue Tarjan, MG06 ‘Living with Fire in Santa Cruz County: A Guide for
Homeowners’ www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/fd/PDF/
You’ve probably been hearing the term ‘defensible space’ a lot LivingwithFireinSantaCruzCounty_6-2004.pdf
recently as wildfires have raged across our state. To reduce UC Agriculture & Natural Resources
the risk of buildings igniting during a wildfire and to ensure ‘Sustainable and Fire-safe Landscapes in the Wildland
that firefighters and homeowners can safely defend them, –Urban Interface’
landscapes should be maintained properly. ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1359/41665.pdf
Plants should be healthy, green, and well irrigated. Trees and City of Oakland
shrubs should be trimmed away from dwellings and spaced ‘Recommendations for Ecologically Sensitive Fire Abatement
and pruned to prevent flames spreading. Dry, dead plants and Vegetation Management Practices‘
plant litter should be removed to reduce fuel load. www.oaklandnet.comwildfirePreventionRecommendationsforEcologi
callySensitiveFireAbatement.pdf
Firefighters won’t risk their lives to defend homes that are Mattole Restoration Council (contains great plant list)
indefensible. The following are resources to help you learn ‘North Coastal California Fire-Smart Landscaping’
how to do your part. www.mattole.org/pdf/UMFP_fire_safe_plants.pdf

Wildfire Prevention Publications—Steve Tjosvold, UCCE
Master Gardeners can help to provide have ‘Living with Fire in Santa Cruz County, a Guide for
information on wildfire prevention and Homeowners,’ a Resource Conservation District publication
dealing with the aftermath of fire dam- that includes information about a local ‘chipper’ program to
age. There are many educational re- help neighborhood associations with brush clearing.
sources available in our Watsonville We have organized a resource list that is available online at
UCCE office or online. the UCCE Santa Cruz or Monterey Bay Master Gardener
Included in those publications are websites, and compiled and made available many of the listed
‘Landscaping Tips to Help Defend publications in the hotline office. Hotline personnel should try
Your Home from Wildfire.’ This resource might be the first to familiarize themselves with this information when they
publication to read, as it organizes and describes many of the come into the hotline. Our local community is in need, and we
other publications from UCCE and other agencies. We also can be helpful.

Free Publications Available at UCCE, Websites and Resources on Wildfires
Santa Cruz County Office • http://www.wildfirezone.org/
(date; publication number)
‘Living with Fire In Santa Cruz County – A Guide for
• http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/fd/index.html
Homeowners’ (05/04) • http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/fd/index.html
‘A Property Owner’s Guide to Reducing the Wildfire Threat’ • http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?
(01/91; 21539) story=524
‘Landscaping Tips to Help Defend Your Home from Wildfire’ • http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents.php
(04/08; 8322) http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8322.pdf
‘Home Landscaping for Fire’ (07/07; 8228)
• http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu/
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8228.pdf • http://firecenter.berkeley.edu/
• http://ceeldorado.ucdavis.edu/
Free Publications in Spanish Available at UCCE,
Master_GardenerFiresafe_Landscaping.htm
Santa Cruz County Office
‘Una Guia Para Propietarios Proteja su propiedad • http://groups.ucanr.org/HWMG/
de los incendios de maleza’ (01/91) • http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/
Natural_Resources/Wildland_Fire.htm
Websites on Wildfires in Spanish
• http://nature.berkeley.edu/~fbeall/
http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_
HODefSpaceGuide.pdf
firesafety_spanish.php
• http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/pdfs/
Publications for Sale Available at UCCE, Copyof4291finalguidelines9_29_06.pdf
Santa Cruz County Office • http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu
‘How Can We Live With Wild Land Fire?’ $10.00 (06/05; 21582)
‘Recovering From Wildfire’ $5.00 (2001; 21603) Questions? Please contact the Monterey Bay
DVD & VHS available at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu Master Gardeners at
‘Wildland Fire: How Can We Live With It?’ DVD $20.00 (1997; 6574D) UC Cooperative Extension Santa Cruz County
‘Wildland Fire: How Can We Live With It?’ VHS $20.00 (1997; V97-I) (831)763-8007 Ï


THE EDIBLE GARDEN
Good Eats and Gardening Tips clip together with a clothespin or rubber band. Harvest cauli-
flower before the curds start to separate by cutting it off the
—Tammy Tahara, MG06 stalk just below the head.
Cauliflower with Cranberries Oh, and about those pesky aphids. Cauliflower is subject to
OK, so I've never written a several diseases and pests, aphids being one of them. Insecti-
column in my life and here I am, cidal soaps or a strong stream of water may have dislodged
going down this garden path mine. Another preventative measure my research dug up is to
which is both scary and exciting. layer a piece of aluminum foil under the plants. This reflects
And your mission, should you light on the undersides of the leaves which makes it inhospita-
choose to accept it, is to head ble to aphids.
down this path with me. Let's You may choose to enjoy your cauliflower in this recipe
learn a little and enjoy the demonstrated at one of the quarterly meetings in 2007.
products of our edible gardens
together!
I grew cauliflower for the first time the winter of 2006 when
a friend gave me a few plants to try out. I took them home,
stuck them in a big pot and watched as they struggled to
survive. I knew nothing about growing cauliflower and the
sorry state of my plants proved it. I would check on them
every few days to make sure the soil wasn't drying out and
that any insects or diseases didn't get the upper hand. In due
time, I was rewarded with tiny little cauliflower heads (called
curds). It was about this time that I decided to do some
research on how to grow cauliflower – better late than never,
right? I discovered that in order to keep the curds white, I
needed to “blanch” them by tying the leaves from the base of
the plant around the heads to keep them protected from the
sun and to keep the curds white. Perhaps I didn’t tie the Shades of cauliflower (Wikipedia)
leaves up enough because when I next checked, a herd of Cauliflower with Cranberries
aphids had made a home out of my cauliflower and I ended
up chucking the lot into the garbage. Better luck next time – 1 head cauliflower
especially after putting my research into practice! 2 Tablespoons olive oil (or cooking spray)
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
Some cauliflower growing facts and hints: 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
Cauliflower is a member of the family Brassicaceae which 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
also includes broccoli, mustard, turnips and radish. It is a cool 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
season crop so is best grown in the fall. You may start from 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or to taste)
seed in mid-summer but be sure to protect the seedlings from Salt and pepper to taste
heat and keep them well-watered until you transplant them
into your garden. If you choose to transplant starters, be sure Rinse cauliflower under cold water and break into small
to plant them out as soon as you buy them. Transplants kept pieces. Place cauliflower in blender (or use hand chopper) and
too long in flats produce smaller heads. pulse or chop until cauliflower looks like grains of rice.
Set aside.
Cauliflower will grow in most soils but will produce best in Spray a large sauté pan with cooking spray or use 1 Table-
fertile, well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter. Give spoon olive oil. Add onion and cook until translucent or very
the seedlings room to grow by spacing them 18” apart with at lightly browned. Add red bell pepper and sauté lightly. Add
least 2 feet between rows. Be sure to mulch around the plants garlic and ginger and continue sautéing. Add 1 Tablespoon
to keep the soil moist and cool and once a month enrich your olive oil and cauliflower all at once and continue to cook,
plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as compost tea. stirring frequently until cauliflower is tender. Add cranberries
Avoid having your plants produce premature heads or buttons and cook until plumped up. Add salt and pepper to taste.
by keeping the soil evenly moist throughout the growing Serve immediately. Ï
season.
Sources:
To keep the growing curds white and to protect them from the www.essentialgardenguide.com
sun and retain their flavor, blanch them by either breaking off www.farm-garden.com
a few of the outer leaves and placing them over the top of the www.howtodothings.com
head, or gather a few leaves from the base of the plant and


Third Annual City of Watsonville, Public Works Department
Smart Gardening Faire County of Santa Cruz, Environmental Health Department
San Lorenzo Valley Water District
—Tom Karwin, MG99 Scotts Valley Water District
Shea-Campbell & Associates
It’s no secret that this year’s Soquel Creek Water District
Smart Gardening Faire was Thomas Karwin & Associates
scaled down from last year.
The summer’s first heat wave Speakers
and highway closures caused We had excellent speakers, who added greatly to the Faire’s
by lightning-sparked fires educational purpose. We were particularly pleased to have
limited attendance, and the Assembly Member John Laird present, speaking on California
launch of a major new event, legislation related to water conservation.
the Water-Smart Garden Brian Barth, Live Earth Farm
Contest and Tour, occupied the Sherry Lee Bryan, Ecology Action/Santa Cruz County
time and attention of many key Home Composting Program
MGs. Roxanne Evans, Ecocentric Design
Brett Graf, Habitat Gardens
Still, the third annual Faire was successful in many respects: Dan Harder, UCSC Arboretum
we had a good turnout by exhibitors, with several noting the John Laird, California Assembly
value of participation; everyone we heard from enjoyed the Monique Smith Lee, California Bat Conservation Fund
Faire and the many exhibitors; and the food by Mint and Bobby Markowitz, Earthcraft Design
India Gourmet and music by Bluegrass Stomp and the Cynthia Sandberg, Love Apple Farm
Cabrillo Farmer’s Market String Band were excellent. Christy Schulman, LifeLab Elementary Science Program
Volunteers Roy Sikes, Soquel Creek Water District
The day’s activities proceeded very smoothly because of the Robin Stockwell, Succulent Gardens
experience gained from two previous Faires and the many Thomas Wittman, Gophers Limited
contributions of volunteers. MG Simon Stapleton, Faire A highlight of the day’s presentations was the announcement
Manager, provided leadership and coordination and kept all of winners of the Water-Smart Garden Contest (see
aspects of the Faire in focus and on schedule. Anyone who smartgardening.org). Chris Perri, board member of the Scotts
expressed a need or raised a question was immediately Valley Water District, conducted the ceremony with Contest
advised to “ask Simon.” Chairperson Candice McLaren, Cynthia Jordan and Vai
In addition to Simon, the Faire Committee included Co- Campbell.
chairs Tom Karwin and Sheryl McEwan, Publicity Finances
Coordinator Betsy Shea, MBMG Booth Coordinator Patty Because of the links between the Water-Smart Garden
Nicely, Treasurer Gigi Tacheny, Webmaster Christina Kriedt, Contest & Tour, and the Smart Gardening Faire, the financial
and President Cynthia Jordan. We also welcomed and picture is a little more complicated than usual and —with the
appreciated the participation of Vai Campbell of the Soquel Tour yet to come—still emerging. With the help of Treasurer
Creek Water District, representing the Santa Cruz Country Gigi Tacheny, we’ll figure it all out in time. The good news is
Water Awareness Committee. that it all looks positive at this point.
Additional volunteers who made it all happen—and had a Feedback and Planning for 2009
good time in the process—included: Paula Anthony, Claudia We’ve received numerous good ideas about improving the
Boulton, Elizabeth Burns, Marcia Charland, Karen Cozza, Faire for 2009, with some coming through e-mail, some
Lin Eucalyptus, Sue Forson, Joann Godoy, Tina Heitzman, through personal communications and some during the After
Darcy Horton, Melita Israel, Sue Kirkpatrick, Darby the Faire Luncheon. Cynthia Jordan has provided a summary
Kremers, Nancy Martella, Dennis O'Hara, Peter Quintella, of recommendations to the MBMG Board and will make it
Jean Schaaf, Randa Solick, Tammy Tahara, Debra Van available to all interested MGs. Your ideas are always
Bruggen, Richard Wallstrom, Denise Weatherwax, and welcome.
Rina Weingold.
Several important refinements are already in the early
Sponsors planning stages, as is a strong interest in adopting the theme,
Our sponsors made generous contributions to cover the out-of ‘Edible Gardening’ for the 4 th Annual Smart Gardening Faire.
-pocket expenses of both the Faire and the Water-Smart We might even have an outdoor, sit-down gourmet luncheon
Garden Contest and Tour. This is developing into a beautiful for that occasion!
friendship!
California Landscape Contractors Association We’ll probably avoid the Summer Solstice weekend next year,
City of Santa Cruz, Water Department and schedule the Faire a week earlier or later. We’ll announce
City of Scotts Valley, Parks & Recreation Department a firm date soon, so be ready to mark your calendar! Ï


Featured Plant:
Melianthus major, Honey Bush
—Bonnie Pond, MG00
The translation of Melianthus is ‘herb-touch-me-not’ and the
unpleasant aroma is a warning of its high toxicity. The plant
is from South Africa where it is used externally as a poultice
for wounds and arthritis.
I don’t know what fascinates me most about Melianthus major.
Is it the large, arresting, 12-inch blue-green, saw-toothed
leaves which fold to create a ‘V’? Or is it the tall red-bronze
spikes that produce an interesting bud, which in turn becomes
a nectar-filled flower that can be 2 feet in height? Of course, it
could also be the wonderful silhouette formed by the leaves,
which radiate on short stems and give a palm-like appearance.
You decide.
The honey bush is considered a half-hardy plant. It prefers a
warm, sunny location with good drainage but is frost tolerant
to 20 degrees. Although it does better in deep, rich soil with
lots of water, I have found that it grows well with little water
if kept warm and out of the wind. It is a low maintenance and
water-smart plant for all gardens. It grows from 6 to 12 feet
tall and can be trained tall, sprawling or bushy. With more
water, it could become invasive. When the plants get leggy or
scraggly, they should be cut back to encourage new growth.
There are birds that come to the honey bush that don’t go to
any other plants in my garden. Hummingbirds love it as do
finches, orioles and grosbeaks. The flowers also drip nectar
that attracts bees and butterflies.
Knowledgeable gardeners use this plant for its foliage in the
background or as a stand-alone specimen. It can be combined
with grasses for a savannah look or with flowers for a lusher
tropical feel.
Melianthus major is easily grown from seeds sown in autumn
or cuttings made from new shoots sprouting from the base. I
will be collecting seed for anyone who wants to try this
method of propagation. Ï

Photos by Bonnie Pond


Epolls—compiled by Sharon Ettinger, MG00
What steps did you take to design your to garden with a grandparent knows gardening isn't about
money at all but rather about relationships.
drought tolerant landscape?
Melita Israel, MG95 What resources did you use to help you
I put in artificial turf where my gophered grass lawn once design your drought tolerant landscape:
was. Expensive but looks so neat.
classes, books, professionals, etc?
Barbara Gordon, MG98
I took classes at Cabrillo Community College Chris Carrier, MG06
and consulted with Lisa McAndrews. I also read books and 1. Model gardens. Life Lab, Gateway, some native gardens in
shopped at native nurseries. So, I've planted lots of native the South Bay Native Garden Tour.
plants requiring little water. Then I've installed, with 2. RON program at CSUMB. Invaluable as friends,
the help of MGs, a drip irrigation system on a hillside to knowledge source, free plants. Numerous workshops
water natives rarely. throughout the years.
Chris Carrier, MG06 3. Internet sites. Las Pilitas is a critically important stop.
1. Start planning with the users in mind. Who do I want to
share the garden with? How can I make it attractive to 4. Books. Too many to remember. Bornstein's book on
them? Rewarding? A point of curiosity? How can I hook natives was great to have while shopping local nurseries and
them into helping build and/or keep the garden up? on the net. If I had $180 to spend, it would go into books
before a Master Gardener Convention, but then I hold
2. Plan for diversity. Some people really like the smell of grudges a long time.
dirt. Some are happy to sit and read. Some may enjoy a
chessboard built into a bench. Some really need to change
their eating habits and a veggie patch (typically non-native) What was the biggest obstacle to
has its place. designing your drought tolerant
3. If it is a public place, know who your sugar daddy is and landscape?
what would make him/her look good while also serving those
Chris Carrier, MG06
with more pressing needs. Lose your ego. This is about
1. My imagination. My orientation. I need to study more
serving others.
where native plants do well — why they are called natives —
4. Plan for beauty. All business and no play makes for a real and ask myself how much of that native environment would
bore. And if you are already a bore, plan for something on look super cool in my garden area. It is wrong to start with a
the wild side — put a wiggle in an otherwise straight path. mental image of a European castle garden and then ask what
native plants will fill it out.
5. I'm for accommodating animal life with the garden. My
first response to hungry gophers is to feed them in a spot 2. In the same spirit, I brought in a lot of fancy soil because
where they won't bug me. They are kind of fun to tease. Put we got a nifty grant from Uncle Arnie. Two years ago we
out a 6" pipe and you can listen to them scramble when you were poor. We built our garden from teacher donations,
and a friend alternate lifting an end of the pipe. If a sudden, workdays and garage sales. The construction companies left
conclusive, even violent death of a rodent crosses your us the impossible Salinas clay which we mounded up, said a
mind, build a hawk platform and hire out the dirty work. If few Hail Marys over and seeded in some free plants from
you are lucky enough to have deer, put out a salt lick and hay RON. There seems to be a real danger of loving and fussing
in a place handier to them than your garden. Butterflies and over native plants too much. Our old garden with the worst
hummingbirds are like poppies — they can't happen enough. of the worst soil is thriving. Time will tell how the natives do
in the new mortgage hill area.
6. Garden entirely without pesticides if possible. A good self-
respecting chemical pesticide will kill so many things you
3. My imagination to create a garden as pleasant to sit in as
never realized were there. Really, really, really think how
to do educational projects. It's not as easy as one might think
much of an emergency the aphids are or a little scale or any
to resist building a school garden out of rows of raised beds
number of nickel-and-dime worries. Zap the aphids with a
and a chain link fence. Planning for the garden to be pretty
hose, scrape the scale with your thumb. The new rule for
and inviting is to plan for some sculpture, some benches,
artificial chemical use: if you can sit on the ground anywhere
some diversity. A too tiny an imagination can be an
in your garden (clothing optional) and have breakfast any
obstacle. This applies to one's love life and salad-making
morning, then you are likely striking the right IPM balance.
ability as well.
7. Don't get into the money thing. Gardening is not about
money — neither saving it nor out-shining your neighbor. If Barbara Gordon, MG98
you have never visited the Last Chance Mercantile and the Getting deer resistant and matching plants.
Marina landfill, do so. Anyone who has been lucky enough


MG Chris Carrier’s Harden Middle School
If you had it to do over, what would you
change about the design of your drought
tolerant landscape?
Chris Carrier, MG06
1. Put in the drip system before the plants.

2. Plan five (or even three) years ahead. Even if it adds a
year to getting your native/drought tolerant garden going, try
to find mature plants so you can plan better in your head what
gets big in the full sun, what gets medium in the full sun, what
ground cover will work in the shaded undergrowth you have
created. Repeat for partial sun areas.
3. The only reason God put walls in this world is to facilitate
growing vines. Another prop I'd use better are our trees. It is
true that a yard without a tree isn't fit for a dog (thank
you BoKay Nursery), but a tree needs a vine [as] much as a
Are there any drought tolerant plants that
Vogue model needs substance. Abandoned cars and children you would avoid using?
in their tenth year of grad school may also qualify. So what
Robin Sanders, MG95
I'd do differently is plan for compatibility for tree-vine, wall-
1.Gaura lindheimeri - beautiful plant - but reseeds everywhere
vine, lamp post-vine, and mortgage collector-vine combos.
without water. The only way to contain it is ‘shovel
4. I really didn't think about ground cover and smaller plants pruning.’ So far it has not escaped into the wild parts of my
that would do well under the native plants. I noticed the garden.
native gardens in the San Jose tour almost always use wood 2.Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight' - again a beautiful plant. I
chips to separate their prized specimens. So they had native first had it in a pot on the deck - it outgrew that so I planted it
plants set out in contrast by dead parts all around them. off the deck in a no-water zone - I water in the general area
That's checkbook gardening. Give me an English mess any once a month or so. It has taken over - probably 20 feet across
day even if I know it's contrived. Now I'm crawling under and spreading downhill. It's beautiful but I now worry about it
mallow, coyote bush, black sage, Manzanita, and a bunch I becoming a pest in the wild.
can't name trying to get a sedum or a ginger or a sword fern to 3.Geranium maderense - Sunset says ‘likes moist conditions’ -
take root. I think I got the process backwards. not in my garden! It's truly beautiful but every one of those
thousands of flowers will reseed! And it is now growing down
5. I also have to plan for middle school kids. Zero should get the hillside where there is no water. It flowers in spring and
in there that at any stage of its life has thorns, berries or then dies off, but comes back again in the winter/spring. It’s
anything fuzzy on the end of a stem (asparagus, artichokes, truly beautiful but I planted it at least 5 years ago and not
etc.) and of course no grenades (excuse me, tomatoes). We since then - I have far more of the plants now than 3
have kids who will weave bougainvillea thorns into their years ago.
fingertip skin just to gross out a girlfriend.
Chris Carrier, MG06
Barbara Gordon, MG98 Buckwheat is spreading quickly and is hard to tolerate since
I'd take more time planning and learn more about hillside it’s ugly. California sage and fuchsia have to be policed, but at
planting. I've chosen some wonderful salvias, which have least they're fit for the eye…the sage needs a haircut a couple
grown so large that they droop down and cover some soil of times a year. I would plant it again but in a full sun corner
allowing it to dry out and not allow light through with smaller plants in front.
so nothing grows under them. I worry about erosion because Darby Kremers, MG97
I'm dealing with a hillside in that part of my garden. With my limited experience, it seems that most of the natives
only look good for a relatively short time in spring. Trying to
Maryanne McCormick, MG04 maintain seasonal interest and color seems to be a challenge
Plant things farther apart, a rookie move I made! Make sure with natives/drought tolerant plants.
plants are taken off the auto drip system as soon as they are
established. Marti bd
Feverfew!!! And also that tall yellow primrose...I don't know
Keep my eyes open for the spectacular species before I plant the name. It just appeared in my garden and it is so pretty!
(i.e. don't be in such a hurry to just get it done and just plant
BUT it is now taking over the world....as is feverfew...and for
ordinary plants.)
that matter Salvia gesneriiflora ‘Tequila’! Ï

I have a rock garden. Last week three of them died.
Richard Diran


The Sussex Trug Back to my trug. Any respectable English gardener has a true
—Cindy Lloyd, MG08 Sussex trug, along with a wax jacket and Wellies. I bought my
June 1, 2008 wax jacket and Wellies at the South of England Show. Both
Yesterday was Master Gardener graduation, luncheon, raffle, served me well for years of rambling and gardening. Both
plant exchange, photo display and floral competition. The returned with me to Carmel six years ago. Neither has been
party planners truly outshone themselves. After receiving our used as much since coming home. However, at the Kent
certificates of completion (and our graded final exams), each County Show, after seeing the prize cow be-ribboned from
of us was formally designated an Intern. Hours of volunteer neck to heart girth, I met a Sussex trug maker. After watching
him demonstrate how he crafted trugs from willow and chest-
service and higher education await us in order to become fully
nut, fastening them with copper tacks, I chose my first, my
qualified to wear a solid, rather than paper, name tag.
very own, my prized trug. I use it everyday. In it I keep my
The weekly trips to Watsonville are over. Each time I passed secateurs (English for pruning shears), hand fork, trowel,
Moss Landing and the signs to the antique shops, I resisted, weeding implements and other small tools brought from
for I was ready to get home, drop my binder and books, be England, along with garden gloves of varying degrees of
greeted by the dogs (Abbey and Lacey, two female mini- acceptability.
dachshunds) and head for the garden.
Each profession has its subtle badges of identification. As a
However, yesterday was special. Nearing Elkhorn Slough and nurse, I wear my stethoscope around my neck. A lawyer
Little Baja, I decided to reward myself, to celebrate the com- carries a briefcase. Doctors used to have their black bags for
pletion of the MG program, to find a treasure to remind me of house calls. Teachers are laden with books. An English
the day. Sleuthing among potential treasures for just the right gardener has a Sussex trug.
thing to take home with me, I found it! A genuine Sussex
Trug! Imagine my internal excitement when I turned For more information, Google ‘Sussex trug’ and learn what
it over to discover it was a Thomas Smith and Sons of Queen Victoria did for the modest wooden basket. You can
Herstmonceux Sussex trug! A number 5. Perfect for my new even order one online. But it won’t compare with finding one
garden cottage, my summerhouse, my hut, my retreat. in a Moss Landing antique shop after Master Gardener
graduation. Ï
Before you label me barmy, I must tell you that I lived in
England for seven years. The first two were in London, then
in Tonbridge and finally in Weald village near Sevenoaks,
Kent. The day I received my nursing license from the UK, I
also met a garden designer who needed an assistant. Guess
which job won out? Aside from better pay, hours, working
environment and status, I also made a wonderful friend.
Marin is American, but had lived in London for over 20
years, was the first volunteer at the Chelsea Physic Garden
and received her horticultural and design education while
raising her three children.
The ensuing years of our friendship and collaboration, the
further experiences I had with two designers in Kent, my
schooling at Hadlow College, visits to gardens large and
small, membership on Weald Horticultural Society’s commit- You can purchase an authentic Sussex trug from
tee, summer supper in the garden of Long Barn…all are The Gardeners Shop in the UK —
subjects for further stories. http://www.thegardenersshop.co.uk/

“A Sussex Trug is a wooden basket mainly used for gardening. Construction is a framework comprising a handle
and rim of coppiced sweet chestnut which is hand cleft and shaved using a drawknife. The body of the trug is
made of five or seven boards of cricket bat willow, also hand shaved with a drawknife. Rough forms of trugs have
been made for hundreds of years, often by farmers for their own use or by woodsman or 'bodgers.' They are
probably made in Sussex because of the abundance of chestnut coppice and willows found on the marshes. In
the early nineteenth century the Sussex Trug developed into quite an important industry, most of this happening in
the village of Herstmonceux where there is still one producer. Shapes and sizes became standardised, the most
well known shape being the 'common or garden' trug ranging in volume from one pint to a bushel. Sussex Trugs
were shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851 where they were admired by Queen Victoria who
purchased several for members of the Royal family. Since then they have always been sought after as the quin-
tessential garden basket. They are renowned for their strength and durability.”
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_trug)


Confessions of a
Reluctant Gardener: Just a smidge of special advice:
Ultimate Drought Tolerance try not to use the leaves, stems,
berries, flowers, or roots in your
—Christina Kriedt, MG06 garden-surprise salads because any
part of the plant is poisonous; if
We have all seen them, those oceans of ivy, expanses of
you eat a lot, you could begin to
Juniperus evergreens, forests of fortnight lily. They are among
have some trouble breathing and
the pièce de résistance for those who desire the ultimate in low-
maybe even lapse into a little bitty
maintenance, low-water, low-everything landscapes. These
coma. And since the sap has
plants require no real attention and appear to manage quite
‘polyacetylene’ compounds
nicely with whatever water innocently comes their way.
(whatever), don’t use it as a poul-
Ivy in particular is very drought tolerant. Just try to kill it or tice for the rat bite. You could develop a nasty rash. (You
remove it from your landscape. (Flame-throwers? could blame the rash on ‘poison ivy,’ except that everyone
Grenades? Bulldozers?) Hedera is a genus comprising fifteen knows it doesn’t grow around here.) Also try to avoid breath-
species. It is a native plant—but not to California; Europe, ing near ivy flowers – you might be allergic to the pollen.
North Africa, and Asia are motherlands to this vigorous Wear a face mask and keep your inhaler with you at all times.
scrambler-slash-climber. Clearly, Hedera has found a happy Aside from these few minor nuisances, it’s a really nice land-
new home in our temperate climate. Provide a tree, wall, or scape plant. Very, very green. All this and no-extra-water too!
Mount Diablo and ivy can climb it to a height of 25-30 meters Ever. Oh, I forgot to mention the snails. Escargot!
(yes, that’s almost 100 feet). And if attracting wildlife is your The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), picky
thing, birds eat the berries (and generously spread ivy seeds all people that they are, consider Hedera helix (H. canariensis) to be
over our forests and wild lands); and the flowers attract holly problematic. According to them, the plants can “smother
blue butterflies and swallow-tail moth caterpillars. A few understory vegetation, kill trees, and harbor non-native rats
other cuddly critters find refuge in ivy—rodents among them. and snails.” I told you they’re picky.
If you’re a fan of rats, you’ll love your English ivy. They’re
very long-lived (not the rats; they live 2-3 years and a female There is an American Ivy Society (http://www.ivy.org/) that
can only birth 64 rat-kins a year); I read that one ivy plant can provides information about lots of Hedera cultivars that are
live up to 400 years. Aren’t you excited to learn this? NOT invasive. But what fun is that? Ï

Ivy on a University of Chicago campus building Lovely juniper landscape with fortnight lily, aka gas station lily,
(Wikipedia) Dietes, in background (Photos above and below by C. Kriedt)

Sources and further reading:
California Invasive Plant Council, Cal-IPC http://www.cal-
ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/plantpage.php?
region=centcoast&type=Ground%20covers
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/comm001/comm001.htm
http://www.paghat.com/ivy.html
http://www.juniperus.org/
Right: Juniper, juniper, http://www.poison-ivy.org/
juniper, juniper, juniper, ivy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy


Event Review
Sculpture Within 2008:
Garden and Community multi-colored Tilt-o-Whirl, the ceramic totems by Carole
—Denise Weatherwax, MG08 dePalma, and the Painted Sticks by Jeff Rosendale (owner of
For an avid gardener, it’s difficult to imagine any more Sierra Azul) and his wife Erika.
delightful way to spend an hour or two than strolling through The demonstration garden provides the added benefit of
a beautiful Mediterranean garden. Add to it the opportunity seeing xerophytic (water conserving) plants in Mediterranean
to view an outdoor sculpture exhibit and the experience mounds, complete with companion plantings such as grasses,
expands to new levels of enjoyment. boulders, mulch, and an irrigation system. The mounds
Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens in Watsonville recently provide the added benefit of requiring water only once a
unveiled its third annual exhibit of contemporary sculpture, in month in the summer, according to Rosendale.
conjunction with Pajaro Valley Arts Council. This year, the As a side benefit, if you visit, you may find some plants that
exhibit showcases 82 sculptures by 46 artists from Santa Cruz you just can’t live without. Many plants are available through
and Santa Clara counties. The sculptures, created using a the retail kiosk, so bring your checkbook. Depending on your
variety of media, are installed throughout Sierra Azul’s checkbook, you also might decide to find a place in your
beautiful two-acre demonstration garden. Each sculpture is garden for one (or more) of the sculptures, most of which are
nestled among plantings, and is identified by a small sign offered for sale. There are pieces of many different sizes (and
containing the title of the work, the artist, and medium in a wide price range) that would fit nicely in an intimate
employed. corner or stand out in an expansive area. A complete list of
I was impressed by both the variety and quality of the works. the sculptures with prices is available either at the kiosk, or
Among my personal favorites were the large wrought iron elsewhere in holders along the paths.
Schooling Hammerheads and Mooring Buoy #30 by Kirk Sierra Azul, 2660 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, is a retail
McNeill. These and several other ocean-themed sculptures nursery that specializes in Mediterranean plants for our local
present an interesting counterbalance to the surrounding climate. For directions to the nursery and some additional
drought-tolerant landscape. Pieces rendered in vivid colors information, including links to web sites of some of the
popped out of their backgrounds -- specifically Carol Gaab’s featured artists, check the Sierra Azul web site at
glass-clad standing woman, Marilyn Kuksht’s http://www.sierraazul.com/index.html. Ï

Photos by Denise Weatherwax


2008 Class Gift: Elizabeth Hill the courtyard. I have done a few mosaics before, so I sug-
gested the idea. It wasn't an immediate hit, because we all
Interview —Denise Weatherwax, MG08
knew how much work would be involved. It grew on us,
On Saturday, May 31, the graduating Master Gardener Class however, and after I drew a sketch of a possible design, we
of 2008 presented its class gift to the Monterey Bay Master were all excited about the idea. The inspiration came from
Gardeners. looking at the site where we wanted to hang the mosaic. It is
on a wall, next to a vine, so I thought doing a mosaic of a
The gift, a handmade mosaic, was the brainchild of the flowering vine would work well for that spot. I was also
graduation committee: Elizabeth Hill, Bonnie Lindquist, influenced by a vine motif that Bonnie brought in when we
Tanja Roos, and Amy Thistle Tackett. The committee raised were brainstorming for the invitation design.
funds to cover the cost of the gift and the graduation party by
holding a raffle during the lunch break of each class session. Q: Several people expressed interest in the supplies required,
Items for the raffles were donated by MG class members. especially the scrap tile used for the mosaic. Tell me a little
about shopping for, finding, and selecting the supplies.
The garden-themed (what else?) artwork was designed and A. I purchased the HardieBacker Board, tile adhesive, grout,
crafted entirely by members of the MG class of '08. Each class grout float, grout sponge, sealant, masonry drill bits, screws,
member was given the opportunity to create his or her own copper wire, and lumber at Home Depot. I had never done a
three-inch tile by signing or drawing a picture with an mosaic that was going to be outside or hung vertically, so I
indelible marker. These personalized tiles were then used to talked to the employees at both Home Depot and Lumber-
create a border for a large (three feet by three feet) design of man’s for a few hours to determine the best products and
flowers and leaves composed of bits of broken tile. The final methods to use. In addition, Amy has a friend who is a pro-
product was assembled the week before at a potluck dinner fessional mosaic artist in San Francisco. She contacted her
open to class members. Creatively inspired by a glass of wine and got recommendations for the best tile adhesive, grout,
(or two), participants set about happily breaking up the and sealant to use. I purchased the tiles at Capitola Salvage on
colored tile with hammers, then placing the pieces on a 38th Avenue, which is behind the Orchard Supply on 41st
cement backer board following a design drawn by Liz Hill. Avenue. They have an incredible selection of tile for a very
Later, Liz completed the mosaic by fastening the tiles to the fair price. I purchased the porcelain pens that were used for
board using tile adhesive then applying grout. the signatures at Michael's in San Jose. I had never used these
before in a mosaic and even though I baked the pen marks
The completed mosaic, weighing about 50 pounds, was trans- onto the tiles, it was no match for the sanded grout, which
ported to the University of California County Extension scrubbed some of the names off. On the day of the gradua-
(UCCE) office and mounted on the wall in the courtyard, tion, I asked people to touch up their tiles. Then we applied
with assistance (and muscle) provided by Liz’s and Amy's a sealer.
significant others.
Q: Would you like to give an estimate of how much time you
I recently interviewed Liz about this unique project. spent to design and complete this project?
A: Now that I’ve counted it up, the grand total was about 22
Q: I understand you are an art teacher. Please tell me a little hours! There was the design and discussion, then the shop-
about your background and your current job. ping for all the supplies, including selecting the scrap tile.
A. I studied art at Stanford University. During my senior Other tasks were preparation of the board (cutting, mounting
year, I volunteered as an art teacher in several schools in the lumber, sketching the design), preparation of the wall (drilling
San Jose area and fell in love with teaching. A few years into the masonry and mounting the lumber, and baking the
later, after starting and then selling my own baking business, tiles. At the group potluck, we broke the tiles and pieced them
‘Lizzie's Cookies,’ I returned to school for my Elementary into the design. Then there was fitting and gluing the broken
Teaching Credential and Masters of Education. I am tile pieces, grouting, and finally ‘touching up’ the designs and
currently working for the County of Santa Cruz. During the signatures and sealing.
school year I am the director of an art and science after-school
program and during the summer I teach art at an art and Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
science summer camp. A. I would just like to say what a pleasure it was to be a part
of the Master Gardeners Class of 2008 and to work with the
Q: How did you and the other committee members think of graduation committee to plan the celebration. It has been an
crating an art project for the class gift? What was your incredible experience and I look forward to continuing my
inspiration? involvement with many Master Gardener events to come.
A.We had been trying to think of a suitable class gift for a
couple of months. At first, we wanted to install a worm bin This unique piece of art now hangs in the courtyard of the
for the courtyard, so we could compost our food scraps from UCCE office at 1432 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville.
our class meetings. Maintenance would have been an issue, so Please take a moment to see the MG08 mosaic the next time
we thought it would be nice to add some sort of garden art to you visit the UCCE office. Ï


MG '2008 class members Tanja Roos, Denise Weatherwax, The finished mosaic on the courtyard wall.
Susan Proctor, and Page Fox work on the project in the back
yard of Liz Hill's home.

Photos by Denise Weatherwax


10 Best Native Plants for the Relevant Internet
Central Coast Garden Miscellany—Christina Kriedt, MG06
—Claudia Boulton, MG99
‚Fascinating: “Although far less toxic than poison ivy, which
1. Arctostaphylos species (Manzanita) is unrelated to this genus, ivy [Hedera] contains triterpenoid
2. Ceanothus species (California Lilac) saponins and falcarinol, a polyyne. Falcarinol [a natural
3. Heuchera species (Coral Bells)* pesticide and fatty alcohol found in carrots and red ginseng*]
4. Mimulus species (Shrubby Monkey Flower)* is capable of inducing an allergic reaction (contact
5. Woodwardia fimbriata (Giant Chain Fern)* dermatitis), although it has been shown to kill breast cancer
6. Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern Maidenhair Fern)* cells as well.”
7. Salvia species http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy
8. Eriogonum species (Buckwheat) *http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcarinol
9. Carpenteria californica (Bush Anemone) ‚Red is okay, but green fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum,
10. Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' “spreads aggressively by seed into natural areas by wind,
* #3,4,5,6 have the added advantage of growing in part shade water, or vehicles. Fast grower; impedes the growth of locally
native plant species and eventually takes over natural areas.
Try It, You’ll Like It Also raises fuel loads and fire frequency in natural areas. Is
spreading rapidly in California. Existing research indicates
—Tammy Tahara, MG06 that red varieties of fountain grass (P. setaceum 'Rubrum') are
not invasive.” To learn more about invasive species and
alternative plants go to: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/index.php
‚Some junipers are susceptible to Gymnosporangium rust
disease, and can be a serious problem for those people
growing apple trees, the alternate host of the disease.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper.
‚Calandrinia grandiflora, a Chilean native, is also know as rock
purslane and is sometimes available at Annie’s Annuals and
Perennials. http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/
plant_display.asp?prodid=166
‚English ivy is reported to be invasive in natural areas of 18
states and the District of Columbia.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm
“English ivy blankets large portions of Portland's 5,000-acre
Forest Park, the largest urban park in the country. In 1992 the
city began the Ivy Removal Project to restore the native
habitat of Forest Park by removing invasive plants, especially
I love this plant! I grew it from a cutting given to me by Alicia
English ivy. In a similar project for Stanley Park in
Molina and it just took off! Alicia called it Calandrinia
Vancouver, B.C., the Ivy Busters estimate that in their first 39
spectabilis but Dave's Garden names it Calandrinia grandiflora. ‘Ivy Pulls’ more than 700 volunteers removed more than
It's a member of the family Portulacacea. Whatever it's name, 20,000 square meters of ivy. They say it will take 50 years to
it has amazingly fragrant flowers that bloom on and on all rid Stanley Park of this invasive pest.”
spring and into the fall. I understand that it grows just as well http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/story.php?
in the ground as in a pot. (Photos by Tammy Tahara) Ï S_No=969&storyType=garde

‚Melianthus minor: “Similar to Melianthus major but grows
only half the size to 4 feet. Leaves are greener with dull red
flowers held within the plant. Tropical looking foliage for
effect in containers or in the ground. Best in a sheltered
location with rich soil and moisture, sun or light shade. Can
withstand short period of light frost. South Africa.”
http://www.kartuz.com/p/80078/Melianthus+minor.html

‚“The cauliflower originally came from Cyprus. It is thought
to have been used since the 6th century B.C. and grown in
Turkey and Egypt since 400 B.C.”
http://www.bitten- u - designs.com/JoesFruit/fruit_veg/
cauliflower.htm Ï


Advanced Training Opportunities
organization/
date day time class
website
Aug 2 Sat 11:00am First Saturday Tour of the Arboretum UCSC Arboretum

2 Sat 5:30—9:30 Eating California Native Revival Nursery

9 Sat 10:00 - 2:00 Tending A Winter Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm

23 Sat 10:00 - 12:00 Tomato Masters Class Love Apple Farm

23 Sat 10:30 - 12:30 Starting Your Fall Garden Common Ground
24 Sat 10:00 - 1:00 Planting the Thanksgiving Feast UCSC Farm &
Garden
27 Sat 10:00 - 2:00 Tending A Winter Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm

Sept 6 Sat 11:00am First Saturday Tour of the Arboretum UCSC Arboretum

6 Sat 10:30 - 12:30 Growing Cut Flowers Common Ground

10 Wed 7:00 pm The Landscaping Ideas of Jays: Western Hort
The interface between ecology and art in the restoration garden Society
13 Sat 10:30 - 12:00 Introduction to Grow Biointensive Common Ground

13 Sat 10:00 - 2:00 Tending a Winter Vegetable Garden Love Apple Farm

13 Sat 2:00 - 4:00 Double-Digging and Bed Preparation Common Ground

20 Sat 10:30 - 12:30 Plant a Fall Herb Garden Common Ground

24-26 Wed-Fri Statewide MG Conference Monterey Bay MGs

27 Sat 10:30 - 12:30 Winter Compost Crops and Diet Common Ground

27 Sat 2:00 - 4:00 Economic Mini-Farming Common Ground

Mar 22-26 Sun- International MG Conference, Las Vegas Nevada MGs of Southern
2009 Thurs Nevada

Websites:
Native Revival Nursery http://www.nativerevival.com/about_us.html Cooper Adobe Garden: workdays 10:00-noon on 1st and 3rd
UC Davis http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/calendar/eventdisplay.cfm? Wednesdays of month. Contact Marcia Smullen, 626-3519. Other
caleventnum=28913 workdays can be arranged.
Southern Nevada MGs http://www.extension.iastate.edu/story/news/
09mgconf.htm Seaside Green Team Project: workdays every 3rd Saturday 1:00 -
Love Apple Farm http://loveapplefarm.typepad.com/growbetter 3:00 PM. Contact Mary Wilson, 393-0193 bluespud@pacbell.net,
veggies/upcoming-eventsclasses.html and ask to be placed on email reminder list.
CNPS http://www.cruzcnps.org/events2.html Carmel Orchid Society: meets at 8:00 PM on the first Monday of
Common Ground http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org/ each month, except May, September and December at: First
upcomingclasses.htm Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado Street, Monterey.
Western Horticultural Society http://www.westernhort.org/
UCSC Arboretum http://www2.ucsc.edu/arboretum/calendar.html Santa Cruz Orchid Society: monthly meeting at Live Oak Grange,
UC Farm and Garden http://casfs.ucsc.edu/community/calendar.html 1900 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz at 8:00 PM on the first Friday of each
month. Orchid show and sale is in early February each year.
Volunteer Opportunities
Monterey Bay Dahlia Society: meets second Friday of every month;
Quail Hollow Ranch: Felton, Wednesdays 9:30-11:30, or as 7:00 PM potluck dinner, 7:30 PM meeting. Simpkins Swim Center,
arranged. Contact Simon @ sistapleto@comcast.net Community Room 979 - 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz
Homeless Garden Project: Natural Bridges Farm; 10-2 Thursday Monterey Bay Rose Society: meets the last Friday of the month at
and Fridays at Natural Bridges Farm. Saturdays are available upon the Grange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Check the web site
request by contacting Paul 423-1020 or e-mail at (http://www.montereybayrosesociety.org/) for guest speaker
paulg@homelessgardenproject.org information. Ï


Don’t miss the

Water-Smart
Masters Garden Tour
August 9 - 10
www.montereybaymastergardeners.org

See these
gardens and
many more
on the
Water-Smart
Garden Tour!

Photos submitted by Tour
garden-owners or
professional landscapers.

G A R D E N I N G ON T H E ED G E
Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners
EDITOR Christina Kriedt
ASSISTANT EDITORS Sharon Ettinger & Kathleen Sonntag
DESIGN/LAYOUT Christina Kriedt

CONTRIBUTORS
Bonnie Pond Denise Weatherwax Sue Tarjan
Christina Kriedt Kari Olsen Tammy Tahara
Cindy Lloyd Sharon Ettinger Tom Karwin
Claudia Boulton Steve Tjosvold

STAFF
Bonnie Pond
Cynthia Jordan
Denise Weatherwax
Kari Olsen
Many thanks to all the dedicated Paul McCollum
Monterey Bay Master Gardeners who Simon Stapleton
share their knowledge and advice in Tom Karwin Hotline: 831-763-8007
our epolls and articles
Copyright © 2008 MBMG. All rights reserved


Visit Our Super Sponsors !

Sierra Azul Nursery, Watsonville, http://www.sierraazul.com, 763-0939,
email: sierraazulnursery@yahoo.com
Lumbermens, Santa Cruz, http://www.lumbermens.net/store_locator/zSearch.asp?
ZipSearchSubmit=1&State=CA, 423-0223, email: gardencenter@lumbermens.net
The Garden Company, Santa Cruz, http://www.thegardenco.com/, 429-8424
FezQ, Carmel Valley, 659-1268
Bokay, Salinas, http://www.bokaynursery.com/, 659-1268, email: jeff@bokaynursery.com
Hidden Gardens, Aptos, 688-7011
Wild Rose Landscape Design, Aptos, 539-5841, claudia@wildroselandscape.com

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