Rita's Monthly Gardening Tips,  December 5, 2014

Are your plants ready for frosty weather? Some plants are more susceptible to frost damage than others. Consult the Western Garden book to determine your hardiness zone (Vallejo’s is 17). Zone 17 covers a belt of land along the perimeter of the bay and the coast. As you know, the weather is different in Vallejo than it is in San Francisco, although we share the same Zone 17. There are a great variety of microclimates within this zone. Depending on how cold it gets in your area will

Factors that affect your plants frost tolerance:

Protection of the plant from wind

Warmth radiating from the home

Overhead coverage from a tree or roof

These factors determine if some of your less hardy plants will make it. If the weather forecast calls for a frost alert think about which of your plants may be vulnerable. If they are in small pots move them closer to the house or under a tree with a heavy canopy of leaves like a Live Oak. You can put a cover over them with sheets, cardboard, burlap, etc. Prop the cover over the plant without touching it so the leaves aren’t damaged. You could use stakes or tomato cages, for example, to prop up the cover. The covering will need to be taken off and put back on to allow for water, air circulation and sunlight when there is not a danger of frost. Check here www.maidwhiz.com/. A string of Christmas lights will provide some warmth for vulnerable plants. The newer LED lights don’t give off heat. Remember to keep your plants watered as moist soil holds more heat.

According to University of California Cooperative Extension antitranspirants do not work and are a waste of money.

Plants will recover from some frost damage. The frost-damaged part of the plant will provide protection to the undamaged plant material under it. Wait until after the last likely frost date to cut back frost damage.

Happy Gardening and Happy Holidays!

Rita's Monthly Gardening Tips,  November 3, 2014

Of course gardeners are not really the center of the universe, just one strand in a delicate web. Yet our choices impact the earth more than all other living creatures combined. As we contemplate all that we are grateful for this month of November, lets recommit to being good stewards of our natural environment.

Compost more:

Although nature is very cyclical, if there were any starting point, it would be the compost pile. There is no more important feature to a garden than a compost pile. It is where all life ends and begins. Recycling plant nutrients back into the soil is the single most important gardening task you will ever do.

Plant fruits and vegetables:

As large-scale chemical corporations increasingly monopolize and decimate our food system and environment, growing even just one fruit or vegetable organically in our own yard is helping to retilt the universe back into balance.

Buy directly from farmers:

After growing anything we possibly can for ourselves, the next most important thing we can do is to buy directly from farmers, especially organic farmers. Support their challenge to not go the easy route with chemical warfare against nature. Go to Farmer’s Markets and Farm Produce Stands, and/or subscribe to a CSA.

Plant native plants:

The cool, wet season is an ideal time to add more native plants to your garden. The goal is to strategically choose each plant for its ability to grow easily in our climate, conserve resources by being drought tolerant, and most importantly to be a source of habitat (food and shelter) for beneficial insects and birds.

Make peace with insects and spiders:

The chemical industry is getting rich because of our fear and lack of understanding of which creatures cause harm and which ones benefit us. They encourage us to stay fearful and take the easy route by just killing everything. Instead, let’s remember the food chain. When we kill off the food supply for one group of creatures that another one depends on, which another one depends on…. you get the idea. In this food chain idea we are the top dogs, so if we kill and poison the creatures at the beginning of the food chain where does that leave us?

Understand your impact on every thing:

We may not be the center of the universe, but we do know that every action we take impacts the rest of nature. In this month of November, while we reflect on our gratitude for our families, our health, our bounty, and the amazing beauty of nature, let’s reconnect and recommit to being a part of the solution for a healthier world.

Happy Gardening.