California Garden, Vol. 99, No.4, July-August 2008

2008·7.4 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

July/August2008 7olume99No;4 $4.00
i
^
Chinese Hybrid Cypress • Touring Oescanso Garde? on
1
at Quail Bbtknical Gardens
Theatre-styleseatingonthe Lawn Garden
isthe perfectplaceto listentothe
sw$etsoundsofjazzon awarm
SolJt^ern Californiaevening.
Eartrcfoncertfeaturesan optional catered
gourmetdinnerserved in the intimate
Walled Garden at5 pm.
Theshowbeginsat5:45 pm.
GilbertCastellanos
Sunday,July 20: Rob Mullins Trio
GrammynomineeRobMullinshasinternationalacclaimasanAmeric
composer. Three ofhis CDs went Billboard Top Ten. His currentand 17th CD.
"Storyteller,"breaksnewgroundcombiningnewgenreswithhisearlysoundstotake
pianomusictoanewlevel.
Sunday, August 3: Gilbert Castellanos
Latin Jazz Quintet featuring Irving Flores bMullins
GilbertCastellanos isa majorforce onthe San Diegojazzscene and one ofthe
leadingtrumpeters in the Southern California area. Downbeat Magazine recently
votedhimoneofthetoptrumpetplayersinthecountryandoneofthetop25jazz
artiststowatch.
Sunday, August 17: Raggle Taggle
This band has ajazzand Celtic sound thatistruly unique. From Pirate musicto
—
French GypsySwingto LatinJazz,and Nuevo-Flamencoto Celtic-Irish there'sa
cliotntlceerstomweiltlhifenagtufroerseovmeeryaomnaeziwnhgeInrisyhoudanccoemrse,ttooo.see a Raggle Taggle show. This '>j*
To buytickets,call 760/436-3036x206.
QUAM| Costperconcertwithdinner,5 pm:Members$40,non-members$45
(Pleasemakeyourreservationsby I pmWednesdaybeforetheconcert.)
Costperconcertonly,5:45 pm: Members$20,non-members$22
:- .-
.
California
GARDEN
TheMagazineforHands-OnGardenersandFloralDesigners
July/August2008,Volume99,Number4
PUBLICATIONSTAFF DIG IN
EXECUTIVEEDITOR
SummertimeFlowerDesign 6
LucyWarren
AlcazarGarden 7
MANAGINGEDITOR InvasivePlantEviction 8
AmyR.Wood FriendorFoe:DiaprepesRootWeevil 8
LIBRARIAN CommonPlace:VeraHouseCommunityGarden 9
JeanC.Hughes DripIrrigation 10
CONTRIBUTINGEDITORS WaterSavingTips 10
BarbaraConrad,BarbaraForrest,SuzieHeap, SweetSuccess:PropagatingAfricanViolets 11
AlyssaHolderbein,PhyllisHouse-Cepeda,
MargeHoward-Jones,JohnNoble, FEATURES
VictoriaPhillips,KatherineRotherham,
MikeShade,JohnStrickland, DelightfulDahlias 12
KathyTaylordeMurillo,SharonTooley, GardenConversations:Dahlias 15
PhanvanLit ChineseHybridCypress 18
ARTDIRECTOR TouringDescansoGardens 20
RachelCobb HonNonBo 26
ADVERTISING DC/"*111 ADC
KayHarry
AFFILIATELISTING BookReviews 16
JeannetteDutton NowistheTime 22
RENEWALS Calendar 31
LisaRichey AffiliateList 35
[email protected] FromtheArchives 38
EDITORIALBOARD
CaliforniaGarden
DorothyCarroll,KayHarry,JohnNoble, PublishedbySanDiegoFloralAssociationfor99years
LuKcaythWyarTraeynl,orAdmeyMuRr.ilWlooo,d PresiLdiebnrt:arKyaoyfHCaornrgyre([email protected])
SPECIALTHANKS ArrangersGuildChair:SuzanneMichel
NowistheTimecontributors, Headquarters:CasadelPrado,Room105,BalboaPark,619-232-5762
DanielGebraselassie,KayHarry, Hours:Monday-Friday,10a.m.to3p.m.
PhyllisHouse-Cepeda,SharonTooley, www.sdfloral.org
MaryEllenWalker
Claimsandopinionsexpressedbyadvertisersdononecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheeditorand
Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawingsand publisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.CopiesofCaliforniaGardencanbeorderedbymailfor
ideas.Deadlinesarethe10thofJanuary,March, $4percopyplus$2shippingandhandling.SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGarden
May,July,SeptemberandNovember.Wedonot magazinecanbepurchasedforadonationof$4atthelocationslistedbelow.
payforarticlesorartwork.Wecannotguarantee LosAngelesArboretumFoundation,626-821-3222,301N.BaldwinAve.,Arcadia,CA91006
thesafereturnofmaterials.CaliforniaGarden MissionHillsNursery,619-295-2808,1525FortStocktonDr.,SanDiego,Ca92103
rmtastNeaehhtotsneotetesaerrvecitnvihoaoedemlfsoweu.trsnsthstheWeoosefmneauerititnnahghatehoCMstroikDesfc.tdroiatnothAnaeosalddrmtolisdfettoosdoapufnWinpbonyromCtioiaronadsldneuniscscfdietdoosesroansxlncsalpiiursramsibeieluseGnynbstamterereisedndmtf,delateaenierdoc.lder,t SWWWCInoaaaaallntHstteatDeerarirrlemCAAgooSnnonnaddsygFeeeel,rrrossvGHreeaaaelnntrridbANNoessuunnsrraoissGcnneeaigdrrra,yytdS,,i6epo1in68nc915,,e-98s266--,21125399621---1435629--263-842022299--270,0531067-,,316863412086,2,554711C25,V2a5o1E1sln28Datt62aae2dniCr-eir1lpuee/rlyPS2istraso.Bame,ndaaSSocCcta,to.an.,nR,SCDoPSaoitoole.nw,lgmaDeoSig,ya1ee,0nCg5DaCo,Dr,iA.S9eCa2Wg9an1eo20s,09D6t6i2C,4e1A-gE1o6l09,8C24Ca17j0Ao7n9,21C0A192019
naroerniostcrmietnitciiosnmeidm.pliedofsimilarproductsthat FLOWERSHOWS: Showchairperson,pleasecontactCaliforniaGardenifyou'dlikethe
magazinesoldatyourshow.
Sendalleditorialmaterialandchangeofaddressto: California Garden (ISSN 0008-1116) is published bimonthly for donations (which also include
CSaalnifDoirengioaFGlaorradlenAssociation m$6empbeerrysehair)p.iPnuSbalnisDhieedgboyFlSoarnalDAisesgoociFaltoiroanl)Aosfso$c2i0atpieorn,ye1a6r5o0rE$l35Prfaordotw#o10y5e,arSsa(nfoDrieeiggon,deClAive9r2y10a1d-d
S1a6n50DEilegPor,aCdoA#952101-1684 C9126A81.40.1P-©O1S62T804M08AorSStTaonEmRDei:mebgSeoernFsdlhoiraadpld®rAsesdssfsolcocirhaaaltni.ogorneg.sAtlolCrailgihtfsorrneisaerGvaerd.dePne.rio1d6i5c0alEslpPorsatdagoe#p5a,iSdaantSDainegDoi,egCoA,
Email:[email protected]
CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I3
From the President
hasbeenanhonor,achallengeandapleasuretohaveservedasourassociationpresidentthe
It
pasttwoyears.
Anhonortohelpleadadedicatedorganizationinthemissiontheychoseattheirinception,to
providehorticulturaleducationtoSanDiegocitizens.
A challenge to provide and fund Centennial activities to honor our 100 year presence; to
buildontheeffortsofotherstoenlargeandimproveCaliforniaGardenmagazine;andtoprovide
servicestoourmembersandaffiliates.
Apleasureto seeprojects webeganin 2006cometofruitionthroughincreasedpublicity,fund
raisingeffortsandmemberparticipation.
I am grateful to members and the public for the efforts made on behalfofour venerable
organization,andIwillcontinuetoassistasex-Officiomemberwhenneeded.Wearefortunateto
haveanoutstandingslateofofficersandboarddirectorstopresenttothemembershipatourJune
meeting.Sevennomineesarememberswhowillbenewtotheboardorarefillingouttermsforaretiring
member.Sevenwillbereturningboardmembers.
The year2009 will be another special event inFloral history. We will celebrate the 100th
yearofpublicationofCalifornia Garden Magazine.A volumeofSDFAhistory,asrecordedin
ourmagazine,willbepublishedaspartofourrecognitionofthelongevity andprogress ofour
organizationanditspublication.
AdditionalactivitieswillbeplannedbytheCaliforniaGardenCentennialCommittee.Your
ideasforthiscelebrationwouldbeappreciated.Pleaseemailthemtomeatshipdragon@earthhlink.
netormailthemtotheFloraloffice,attentionK.Harry.
My final request to all members who attend our events, or who just enjoy reading
CaliforniaGarden,wouldbethateachofyoubringanewmembertoanevent,encourageyour
friendswithhorticultural intereststojoin,andshareyourmagazinetoenticefriends tojoinus.
Or,bestofall,celebrateafriend'sspecialdaywithagiftmembership.Whatcanyougivethatwill
beenjoyedallthroughtheyearandremindsomeoneofyourfriendship?SDFAwillbeindebted
foryourinterestandefforts.
«s52?-^ ^~~:t£^~
MOVING?
Please letus know.
Helpuskeepmembershipcostsdownbyinformingusofyournewaddresspromptly.
Filloutthisformandfaxittousat619-232-5762ormailitto:SDFA,1650ElPrado#105,SanDiego,CA92101-1684.
[e-mail].
OLDADDRESS NEWADDRESS
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CITY/STATE/ZIP: CITY/STATE/ZIP:
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4 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008
I
HOW'D THEY DO THAT?
EVER LOOK AX A RFAI IXIEf II Ft OPAI APPAKIf*P"AAPkiT f*APncivl
ACCENT OR WELL-MAINTAINED PLANT AND WONDER HOW
IT
CAME TO BE? Well stopwonderingand startdoing! San Diego FloralAssociation
Workshops are a great place to learn new skills and meet new people. Starting in
September2008, we're launching awhole newseries ofclasses thatwill appeal to
anyone interested in learning how to create fun and interesting items.
There will be floral arranging courses for
all skill levels, including special classes
focusing on unique design concepts and
preparation for floral shows. There will
also be horticulture classes and craft
how-tos.
SDFA members receive discounts, but all
courses are open to the public. For more
information about upcoming workshops,
keep your eye trained on this space, call
the SDFAoffice at 619-232-5762 orvisitthe
website at www.sdfloral.ors. Hope to see
you this fall!
You are invited to subscribe to Tosignupforyoursubscriptiontoday,pleaseprint
GARDEN (orcopy)theformbelowandreturnitto:
California
SanDiegoFloralAssociation, 1650ElPrado#105,
SanDiego,CA92101-1684.
Yoursubscriptionincludes membershipin
SANDIEGO FLORALASSOCIATION!
NAME:
1-YearSubscription:$20
2-YearSubscription:$35 ADDRESS:
(Pleaseadd$6peryearforpostagetoforeigndestinations.)
CITY/STATE/ZIP:
With your subscription, you'll receive the magazine, our PHONE:
newsletter,accesstotheSanDiegoFloralAssociationbotanical
libraryandmemberdiscountsonevents,tripsandclasses. EMAIL:
CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I5
Di
^n!
News, tips, advice and products you can use.
Summertime Flower Design
July and August are great months for a refreshing
underwaterdesigntoputonthepatiotableorindoorsfor
asummerparty.Thesedesignsareespeciallyniceusing
tropical flowers and seashells. They are quite easy to make
andrequireveryfewsupplies.
Startwithagood-sizedclearglass container; any shape
willdo,andafishbowl orterrariumworks well.Make sure
itisverycleananddry.Placeaheavymetalpinholder,also
calledakenzanorfrog,inthebottomofthecontainer.These
are available at floral supply shops or craft stores and are
great to have in your flower arranging supply kit. Purchase
longstemmedtropicalflowersatthefarmers' market,Trader
Joe's orotherlocal florist. You will needabout six stems of
oneofthefollowingtypeflowers: Callalilies,ginger,birdof
paradise,anthuriumorheliconia.Youwillalsoneed several
stemsoforchids,someheavygaugedecorativewireandthree
babyfoodjars.Succulentsworkwellinthesedesigns,too.
Cutpalmfrondswithscissorstomakethree,nice,different-
sizedshapesthatwillfitintothecontainerwithouttouching
thesides.Leaveroomtoplaceotherplantmaterial.Havethe
tallestpalmcomingoutofthetop ofthecontaineraboutas
tallagainasthecontaineritself.Havethesecondfrondrightat
theopeningandhavethethirdoneabouthalfwayupinsidethe
container.Oneachsideofthepalms,rightatthepinholder,
insert two very short-stemmed flowers, one on each side of
the palms. Cut all the plant material stems on the diagonal
formingapointsotheywilleasilyinsertintothepinholder.
Next, cut two more stems to reach about a third ofthe
way up the inside ofthe container. Place themon each side
ofthe palms. Cut the last two flowers so they come out of
the container about halfway between the top ofthe tallest
palm andthe lip ofthe bowl. (It is sometimes easierto put
thestemsintothepinholderoutsideofthecontainerandthen
gentlyplaceitintothevaseafterthestemsarefirmlyinplace.)
Fillinwithsucculentsand/ortropicalleavesforbalanceand
rhythm.
Afterthedesignisplacedintothecontainer,addpebbles
orshellsinthebottomtohidethepinholderifitisshowing.
Carefullyandslowlyaddthewater,takingcarenottostirup
debris or bubbles. Wire around the top ofeachjar, leaving Lettheorchiddrapeoutanddownthesideofthecontainer.
enoughwiretoformalooptohangthewireoverthelipofthe Add a votive to the top ofthe pebbles or shells in eachjar.
largercontainer.Placeeach wiredjaraboutonethirdofthe The candles should be out ofthe water and away from the
wayaroundthecontainer,hangingafewinchesfromthetop. orchid stems. Scatter extra pebbles or shells and votives on
Fillthebabyfoodjarshalffullwithpebblesorshells,thenadd thetable aroundtheoutsideofthe arrangement.Thisdesign
watertojustunderthetopofthepebblesorshellsandaddan should last for about five days. — Kathy TaylorDeMurrilo
orchidstemintoeachjar.
6 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008
I
Alcazar Garden AJ*M^n!
Get to know one of Balboa Park's
most popular Qorcsons -
TheAlcazarGarden,locatedinBalboaParkbetweenthe sunflowers,Mexican marigolds and Mexican sunflowers and
MuseumofManandtheMingeiInternationalMuseum, penstemonsthatwere all grownfromseedorcuttings atthe
is a special trademark of Balboa Park. Originally KateSessionsNursery.Ritchiechoosestheplantsthataretobe
created for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, it plantedeveryseasonwiththehelpoftheNurserySupervisor.
was designated Los Jardines de Montezuma. Richard Requa Ritchie says itishardtodetermine whatwillbeineach
redesignedthegardenareaforthe 1935SanDiegoExposition ofthe centerbeds each season because they have to rely on
inspired by the gardens at Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain. what is availablecommerciallyin suchhighquantities.Even
Requarenamed the areathe AlcazarGarden and addedtwo thoughitisverydifficulttopredictwhatwillbeobtainablein
tilefountainsandeighttilebenches.Thegardenisplantedwith thenurseries,Ritchieandthegroundsmaintenancestaffwork
over7,000annualsforvividdisplayofcoloryearround. hardtomaintaintheformalSpanish/Mediterraneanstyleand
The garden was last renovated in 1998 and restored to tocreatetheambiancethatpeopleexpectatBalboaPark.
its original 1935 eradesign. Duringthatrenovation ashaded "OneofthethingsthatIamreallyexcitedaboutisbringing
walkway—also known as a pergola—was added to the west moreformality intothedesignofthegardenbeds.I'mgoing
endthatnowdisplaysChinesewisteriaandbowervines. bedbybedtoredesigneachone,"saidRitchie.
Previously this year The Committee ofOne Hundred, a On the side beds, Ritchie allows for some playfulness.
non-profitcommitteededicatedtopreservingSpanishcolonial "Weputgiantsunflowersinthesidebeds.Welovethemeven
architecture in the park, restored the deteriorating fountains thoughthey aren'ttraditionallyconsideredaformalplanting.
andbenches.Over 1,000newtilesthatmatchedtheoriginals Everyone,especiallychildren,lovesthem."
were installed.Theentireprojectcost over$50,000 andwas One of Ritchie's favorite plants should be blooming in
raisedcompletelybyTheCommitteeofOneHundred. JulyandAugust."TheAfricantulip(Spathodeacompanulata)
Thethousandsofannualsinfoursmallbedsandtwolarge treewillbeinfullbloom.Ithasabrightreddishorangetulip-
bedsarechangedthreetimesayearinthisseasonalchanging shapedfloweranditisoneofmyfavorites.Itislocatedinthe
display.Thishappensinspring,summerandonceduringthe northwestcornerofthegarden."
fall/winterperiod. Openyear-round,thisgardenisfullofvibrantcolorsand
AccordingtheCrystalRitchie,HorticulturalistforBalboa historicalarchitecturalfeatures,andisanattractionthatdraws
Park, the perimeter beds ofthe garden were planted full of visitorstoBalboaParkthroughouttheyear.
-AlyssaHolderbein
CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I7
in!
Invasive Eviction
^^^^^^ w WVknll(P9wW Vff^*T»•wW»^^»^^M ^ta^ w^^•Jp& ^1^^WFVV»b•8» v^BVI^^P ^i^w^*^l^^1•^^^i^^b^M^ III^f^^8^i^SIF^^ mtwww%*^ Iw^^
As we transition into the dog days ofsummer, and the Centers,HuntingtonBotanicalGardens,CaliforniaLandscape
heightoffireseason,it'sagoodtimetorevisitaproblemthat ContractorsAssociation,CaliforniaDepartmentofFoodand
affectsallCalifornians:invasiveplants. AgricultureandUCCooperativeExtension,MasterGardeners
Invasive plants are non-native species that have a Program.
detrimentaleffectonourlandscape.Eventhoughsomeinvasive ThesimplegoalbehindPlantRight.orgistokeepinvasive
speciesareconsideredquitelovelytolookat,andareattimes plants in check. The site offers outstanding information for
planteddeliberatelybywell-meaninggardeners,allareslowly peopleinterestedindoingtheirpartindiggingoutoffending
eliminatingnativespeciesastheyspreaduncheckedintoour species and stocking theirgardens with non-invasive plants.
natural areas. Invasive plants are endangering California's There are lists ofinvasive species, reading suggestions and
natural resources, eliminating precious biodiversity and business testimonials extolling the virtues of eschewing
creatingadangerousecosystem.Theplantsareill-equippedto invasives.Thebestpart?Ifyou'reattachedtoaparticularplant
surviveinouruniqueclimateandoftenturntotinderwithout and find it on the invasive list,the site offers recommended
rain,creatingevenbiggerfirestormswhendisasterstrikes. alternatives. (For instance, there are 14 alternatives to the
How can you take action? Start by visiting PlantRight. periwinkle, Vinca major.) All alternatives are given a full
org,anonlineresourcesetupbytheCaliforniaHorticultural description,andinsomecases,informationonsunandwater
Invasives Prevention committee (Cal-HIP). The people requirementsfortheplant,as well.Now,morethanever,it's
supporting PlantRight.org are representatives from some of essential to protect the natural habitat surrounding us, and
themostinfluentialstateandcommercialhorticulturegroups, PlantRight.orgisagreatfirststepinthatdirection.
includingtheCaliforniaAssociationofNurseriesandGarden —AmyR.Wood
Friend or Foe: Diaprepes Root Weevil
The Diaprepes root weevil {Diaprepes abbreviatus) or zoneandthinkyouhavefoundone,putitinasmalljarwith
citrusweevilisacolorfulcharacterinyourgarden,but rubbing alcohol and take it to your agricultural extension
it is capable ofextreme damage to a large numberof serviceoffice.
plants.Ithasbeendocumentedtofeedonnearly300different Those already affected need to take special care not to
plantsinnearly60differentspeciesandisamajorpesttocitrus spreadtheinsect.Homegardenersandlandscapemaintenance
andornamentalplants. workerscaneasilycarrythepestgreatdistances.Ifyouarein
Lookforaweevilthatislargerthanmost,fromthree-eights aquarantinezonebagorenclosealllandscapewasteandmake
tothree-quartersinchlong(10-19mm).Ithasnumerousforms, certainyouryardwastegoestoqualifieddumpsites,suchas
or morphs, and may be gray, yellow, orange or black with theMiramarLandfill.
variedstriping. A good website formore information: httpillanrcatalog.
Adultschewdistinctivesemicircularnotchesonleafedges ucdavis.edu/pdf/8131.pdfoxcalltheMasterGardenerHotline
ofnewersoftervegetationandleavedroppingslikedarkspecks at858-694-2859.-LucyWarren
calledfrass. Ifyou notice this pattern, spread a sheet on the
ground below the plant and shake the plant vigorously; the
insectiseasilyknockedoff.Anotherwayto identifythemis
throughtheuniqueeggsandwichtheycreatebyplacingtheir
eggsbetweentwoleavesandgluingthemtogether.
The leaf damage by the adults is minor compared to
whattheweevillarvaearedoinginyoursoil.Allthroughthe
growing season the larvae are aggressively feeding on plant
roots and can girdle grown trees with little evident damage
untilitistoolatetosavetheplant.
Thecitrusrootweevilhasbeenquarantinedin sixzones
in San Diego County from LaJolla to Encinitas, as well as
Scripps Ranch. Everyone needs to help limit its range and
controlitsdamage.Weallneedtokeepoureyesopenandto
reportitwhereveritisfound.Ifyouliveoutsideaquarantine
Adultcitrusrootweevil,Diaprepes.
8 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008
I
:
Common
Place
The Vera House Community Garden
in
Normal Heights brings people together
LocatedinSanDiego'sNormalHeightsneighborhoodisasmallgardenoasisnamedthe
VeraHouseCommunityGarden.Itisanorganicgardenwith 12individualplotsanda
communalherbplot.ItissponsoredbytheNormalHeightsCommunityDevelopment sf*
Corporation (NHCDC), and plots are open to residents in the larger Normal Heights
community.
TheVeraHouseCommunityGardenwascreatedfromtheseparatevisionsoftwowomen,
bothlong-termresidentsofNormalHeights.FranWilcoxandLoisMiller(bothactiveinthe
NHCDC) were keen to startanew community garden,andfound alocation in anempty,
weed-filledlotatthecornerofNorthMountainViewand34th
In1992theyadvertisedforgardeners.Aneighborhelpedclear.
thelot,afencewentup,plotswerelaidoutandthegardenwas
areality. hat's Growing
ThegardenisdedicatedtothememoryofVeraHouse,who
hnaeaigdgahlrbidvoeernd,atLchoeriroses.sMiIttlhleweras,tsreteVotejrfoarinoHmFortuahsene'lWsoitlvacinsodixohnaindthelasottnagibnlesinpsvihirisenidgonhteehder Egvaredrenw?onTdheerawnhsawte'rsigsraolwmionsgtaatnyytohuirngloacanldcevoemrmyuthniintgy.
garden.ThreeofVeraHouse'sdaughtershavegardenedthere, Nothingbeatsfreshproducefromthegarden.Belowisa
including one who is presently a member. (On occasion she samplingofwhatcanbeseenthrivingintheVeraHouse
hasthepleasureofgardeningwithhergranddaughtersthere.) gardenyeartoyear.
LoisMillercontinuestosupporttheprojectbyservingasthe
liaisonbetweenthegardenersandtheNHCDC,ensuringthat Tomatoes:TheVeraHousegardenersarefondoftheir
thegeneralneedsofthegardenareaddressed. tomatoes, and it shows, with a number of different
Priorityforuseofthegardenisgiventoresidentswithin varieties growing at any given time. Favorites include
the immediate neighborhood, then to residents in the larger Beefsteak, Early Girl, Heirloom Purple Cherokee,
Normal Heights community. If plots are still available, YellowBoy,Plum,Roma,Brandywine,MortgageLifter
residentsofothernearbycommunitiescanjoin.Eachgardener andcherrytomatoes.
isassignedaplotthatisabout 10feetby20feet,andpays$25
dueseverysixmonths. Salad plants: Don't forget the "greens" with lettuces
All participating gardeners agree to adhere to basic fromromainetobutterinred,copperandgreen,with
rules for their plots uponjoining the garden. The garden is coolingcucumbers.
fully organic—use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or
insecticides are prohibited. Most of the gardeners are very Seasonings: Someplants addgustotoyourplate such
particularabouttheirplants.Allgardenerstendtheirownplots aspeppers,bothhotandsweet,garlicandonions.
on their own schedule; however, group weeding ofcommon
areastakesplaceonceamonth.Gardeningmethodsvaryand Othervegetables:Awideselectionofotherproduceis
eachplotisasuniqueasitsgardener;therearemounds,raised grown,withnumerousvarietiesofeach,frombeansto
beds,rows,circularpaths,rockborders andevenhomemade peas,cabbagetobroccoli.Corn,squashandpotatoesare
trellises. otherfavorites,alongwithyummyartichokes.
Participation is a varied as the general population. One
gardeningfamilyrecentlyhadababy,acommunitygardener Sweetness: Strawberries and raspberries add a sweet
in utero. The gardeners are culturally diverse, with all types
touch.
ofindividuals and careers represented; as are the gardening
varieOtineeshoafrvtehsetepde.oIptliesamotsruterceopmremsuennitattyiveeffoorft.the garden is Herbs:Ifgrowingthefood,whynottheflavoraswell?
RuthParker,aresidentoftheNormalHeightsareafor73years. VeraHousegardeners arefondoftheirherbs,growing
When asked why she gardened at Vera House,Ruth replied, oregano,thyme,lavender,cilantroandanumberofbasil
"Itis agreatplacetogo andforgetyourday'stroubles." She varieties(includinglemonandpurple).
paused for a moment and then laughed. "It's pretty easy to
forgetyourtroubleswhentheweedsarestaringatyou." Flowers: While some choose to grow fill their plots
For more information on the Vera House Community with things to eat, others create their own cutting
Garden,pleasevisitwww.normalheights.org/vhcg. garden, growing many varieties of roses, tulips,
—PhyllisHouse-CepedaandKatherineRotherham daffodils, ranunculas, hollyhocks, sweet peas, poppies
andpeonies.
CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I9
Tf\
Drip Irrigation
Saving water, drop by drop
SanDiegoisinadeepdroughtanditistimetostartsavingwater!
Navienreagoeu.tAotfLoiunrdlbaesrtgthenFiaenlnd,uawlherarienfwalelatvoetralasgehaavbeoubteetennbaenldowa Water Saver
halfinchesofrainayear,ourrainfallforthepastthreeyearsseems
to be close to setting a combined record low forthree consecutive
years. In 2006,6.04 inches fell; in 2007,3.59 inchesfell; and as of Curious about how you can save
May 11,2008,7.02incheshasfallen andourrainy season is nearly somewaterthis year?Try anyoneof
done.Thatisatotalof16.5forthreeyears,whichisabout50percent
ofouraverage. these handy tips for some drought-
Thecityisaskingustovoluntarilyreduceourwaterconsumption friendly results.
by20percent.Choosingdroughttolerantplants,reducinglawnareas
andusingdripirrigationareallwisewaystomeetthisrequest.
Drip irrigation systems are extremely adaptable and optimize • Waterearly in the morning.
waterplacement.Asystemmaybesimpleorextremelysophisticated
astherearethousandsofproductsonthemarket,andnewtechnology • Mulch gardenbeds andpotted
isbeingdevelopedeveryday.We'regoingtokeepitsimplehere.{Ed. plants to slow waterevaporation.
note: Youcanfindallitemsmentionedbelowatyourlocalnursery,
hardwareorbigboxhomeimprovementretailer) • Wateryourplants atthe root
Ascreenedconnectorallowsyoutohookupadriplinetoahose zone,forlongerandless often,to
orhosebib.Fromthereyou'llrunone-halfinchpolytubing;thisisthe
mainarteryofadripsystem.Frametheplantingareasyou'dliketo encouragehardy plants with
waterviadripbyplacingthetubingonthesurface,twoorthreefeet deeperroots.
infromtheborder.UseTconnectorsifyouneedtorunsomeparallel
lines.Runwaterthroughthelinetoflushitandcapofftheends. • Group plants togetherbased on
Dripemitterscomeineitherflagorbuttonshapes;bothworkwell. how much watering they need.
Therearefixedgallonperhour(gph)volumes,generallyrangingfrom
.5 gphto4gph.Formostplantsusethelowervolumeemitters,and • Use afull watering can rather
thenuselargervolumeemittersfortreesandanywaterlovingplants.
Formostplants,especiallythosethatarewatersensitive,besurethe than ahose as awater saving
emitterisplacedawayfromthetrunk. measure andbend fromthe
In addition to the regular drip emitters, there are also higher knees toprotectyourbackfrom
volumeadjustableflowShrubblersthatyoucanopenandclosefrom
gphto8+gph. Thesearegreatforpottedplants,aswellfortrees. the weightofthe water and
Use one-fourth inch tubing to reach plants in pots or the can.
plants that are more than afoot away from the main one-halfinch
line. • Mow high and use sharpblade—
Thereareplaceswheredripemittersdon'treallyworkwell;for three inches is recommended.
eyxoaumwpillel,nteheidcktgoruosuendmciocvreorsaprreaayserosraatntnaucahledflwoiwtehrbtehdeso.nIen-tfhouerstehairnecahs High growth increases grass'
tubing.Theycomeinquarter,halfandfullspraypatterns.Besureto tolerance to drought and insect/
gettheadjustablesprayers. diseaseproblems, and clean cut
When all is hooked up, cover drip tubing with a light layer of
mulch.Turnonthesystemandcorrectanyareaswhereyouhaveleaks grass blades lose less waterthan
orwhereplantsdonotseemtobegettingenoughwater. tatteredcutblades ofgrass.
Remember,noirrigationsystemisperfect.Besuretooccasionally
hosedownyougarden sothatall the leaves getcleanedand allthe —JohnStrickland,OrganicGrowingSystems
surfacerootsgetadrink.—JohnNoble
10ICaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008