This renews my faith in some parts of the system.
2009-05-18
2009-05-15
California native plants as cover crops
I tried using clover purchased from Peaceful Valley Farms this winter as a cover crop for my vegetable garden, but it only grew in widely dispersed spots once the weather warmed up a bit despite having spread the seed pretty heavily. I had thought it might grow OK over the winter because of our mild winters in Southern California. Not mild enough, apparently. I later sowed a California native, Phacelia tanacetifolia (which a quick Google search tells me I have misspelled before on this blog) which is naturally timed to sprout and grow through the fall and winter. Success!
While looking for cover crops on the Peaceful Valley website (the source for my clover seeds) I came across mention of Phacelia tanacetifolia as a cover crop. Since I had plenty of seed left over from last year's seed harvest I gave it a try in my vegetable garden.
Use of P. tanacetifolia as a cover crop isn't widespread in the US, but there's an awareness that maybe we're overlooking a good thing:
Phacelia tanacetifolia is a versatile plant that is used extensively in Europe, both as a cover crop and as bee forage. It is also being increasingly used in California – especially in vineyards. Phacelia is quick to grow and flower and grows well in dry soil. It does a good job of limiting nitrate leaching when planted in early fall. It winterkills at about 18°F. In cooler regions, it can be used as a between cash crops cover crop in the summer. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is also highly attractive to bumblebees and syrphid (hover) flies. Phacelia's habit of flowering abundantly and for a long period can increase beneficial insect numbers and diversity, because it provides high quality nectar and pollen. It's also useful as a cut flower with its unusual and attractive blooms, strong stems, and long vaselife. Because phacelia germinates well at cool temperatures and grows quickly, cut flowers can be available by mid-spring. ref.
I applied the seed to the densest and heaviest of soils in my raised garden beds after spreading some compost on top. This is a bed that had previously not seen many amendments and the soil there is more clay-like than at the other end of the vegetable garden.
At first I feared that it wouldn't grow, but apparently the winter exposure isn't as direct in this bed as in my front yard where the P. tanacetifolia started weeks earlier. Eventually it grew quite well.
Here it is, with Ollalieberries on the fence in the background. I had already started on the demo in this photo - see my shovel handle sticking out.
Last week I cut it down at the ground and composted it in place with a top dressing of rotted leaves. I've kept it damp and it appears to be ready to plant, so today I put in cucumbers.
Who knew cover cropping with natives would be so easy?
While looking for cover crops on the Peaceful Valley website (the source for my clover seeds) I came across mention of Phacelia tanacetifolia as a cover crop. Since I had plenty of seed left over from last year's seed harvest I gave it a try in my vegetable garden.
Use of P. tanacetifolia as a cover crop isn't widespread in the US, but there's an awareness that maybe we're overlooking a good thing:
Phacelia tanacetifolia is a versatile plant that is used extensively in Europe, both as a cover crop and as bee forage. It is also being increasingly used in California – especially in vineyards. Phacelia is quick to grow and flower and grows well in dry soil. It does a good job of limiting nitrate leaching when planted in early fall. It winterkills at about 18°F. In cooler regions, it can be used as a between cash crops cover crop in the summer. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is also highly attractive to bumblebees and syrphid (hover) flies. Phacelia's habit of flowering abundantly and for a long period can increase beneficial insect numbers and diversity, because it provides high quality nectar and pollen. It's also useful as a cut flower with its unusual and attractive blooms, strong stems, and long vaselife. Because phacelia germinates well at cool temperatures and grows quickly, cut flowers can be available by mid-spring. ref.
I applied the seed to the densest and heaviest of soils in my raised garden beds after spreading some compost on top. This is a bed that had previously not seen many amendments and the soil there is more clay-like than at the other end of the vegetable garden. At first I feared that it wouldn't grow, but apparently the winter exposure isn't as direct in this bed as in my front yard where the P. tanacetifolia started weeks earlier. Eventually it grew quite well.
Here it is, with Ollalieberries on the fence in the background. I had already started on the demo in this photo - see my shovel handle sticking out.
Last week I cut it down at the ground and composted it in place with a top dressing of rotted leaves. I've kept it damp and it appears to be ready to plant, so today I put in cucumbers. Who knew cover cropping with natives would be so easy?
2009-05-13
Little car accident
My father had a little car accident back in late January. I took these photos on Feb 15 when I visited. The Ghia was purchased in Germany by my grandfather, so it's been a one family car. Here's what my mom wrote
Dear Boys,
Well the Ghia has reached its demise.
No one was hurt during its destruction.
No animals were hurt
No plants were destroyed.
Your dad was driving down Alston Rd. towards our house when he noticed smoke and fire coming out of the rear of the car. He was passing the Y's house. He pulled in their driveway. Fortunately they had they gate open.
Even more fortunately they were home. A neighbor came out and asked if he could help. Your dad asked for a fire extinguisher. He didn't have one, but he did call 911. D however provided 2 fire extinguishers. Their son J was home also. He took photos. (This is how J makes a living: photography. He lives in a loft in downtown LA).
The fire department came. The Highway Patrol came. The fire department left after making sure the fire was out. They had to wait for the lid on the engine compartment too cool enough for them to open it. Apparently when there is an incident involving a car, in the county, the Highway Patrol takes care of it not the sheriff.
The Ghia is still in the Y's driveway. Your dad has a list of people to call tomorrow. I guess we'll find out how much it isn't worth and if we want to restore it or forget it.
D's remaining classic car is a Packard, which your dad saw and admired as well.
D brought your dad home. Your dad did have some of his papers etc. from the car. On his way to the Y to exercise, to work off all of the adrenaline, he stopped to pick up some info on a maybe new car for me and the blanket and towel and his umbrella that were still in
the car. He said, "You were right. They all smell of smoke". At the moment they are outside awaiting treatment tomorrow.
When at the Y parking lot a man approached your dad asking about your old red Alfa. He asked if your dad wanted to sell it. Your dad replied yes, for $8,000.00. The man continued that he knows someone who collects Alfas. Then your dad mentioned that he just had a car
burn up, the Ghia. The man added that the same man might also be interested in that too.
Laugh. Your dad did. All in all it could have been worse. Your dad also got to touch base with a friend from the past. Altogether not a bad thing.
Love,
Mom
Insurance eventually paid over $9k for this otherwise well-maintained car.
2009-05-12
Native Plant Design Class Saturday
I've actually signed up for this one. I seem to be forgetful these days so hopefully I won't forget. The subject matter sounds basic, but I doubt I know as much as I need to on the topic.
What
Design Fundamentals for Native Plant Gardens, with Robert Cornell
When
2009-05-16 1:30pm – 2009-05-16 3:30pm
20090516T133000/20090516T153000
Where
map
Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Created By
Ken
Description
This class, subtitled “Bringing Natives Home,” describes ways to showcase the beauty of California native plants, select plants for small and large spaces, and group plants according to light and water needs for a thriving low-maintenance garden.
Landscape designer Robert Cornell has worked with native plants for more than 25 years.
$20, members. $30, non-members.
What
Design Fundamentals for Native Plant Gardens, with Robert Cornell
When
2009-05-16 1:30pm – 2009-05-16 3:30pm
20090516T133000/20090516T153000
Where
map
Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Created By
Ken
Description
This class, subtitled “Bringing Natives Home,” describes ways to showcase the beauty of California native plants, select plants for small and large spaces, and group plants according to light and water needs for a thriving low-maintenance garden.
Landscape designer Robert Cornell has worked with native plants for more than 25 years.
$20, members. $30, non-members.
2009-05-09
Not blogging too much lately
I'm not blogging too much lately. It seems like I'm doing other things more often - mostly health related, but it's also because my main home computer is now a Pentium III laptop running Puppy Linux and I haven't taken the time to upload a photos to it since I think I'll be moving on in short order to a more capable machine. The PIII was a last ditch attempt to not spend money on a new computer for my home office and it's shown me that in principle what I want to replace the former desktop computer is a laptop: they stow nicely into the rolltop desk.
This afternoon I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at the local Civic Light Opera. It was a good production, but not exactly an uplifting story, unless one counts Jesus hovering off the stage in the last scene. This perhaps explains the less than packed house.
I ran into Bob from work at the theater, and he mentioned my company's theater club which is producing Brigadoon this summer. I'll try hard to go. I think there's a lot of fun and surprisingly high quality amateur theater around here.
I'm off to BogFest XV tonight. I am not sure what to expect.
Update after BogFest. It was great! We got there late and had to endure a noisy SRO crowd at the back of the room, but later we moved up to some empty seats and enjoyed the show much more. Next year arrive early and stake out a place at the front.
This afternoon I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at the local Civic Light Opera. It was a good production, but not exactly an uplifting story, unless one counts Jesus hovering off the stage in the last scene. This perhaps explains the less than packed house.
I ran into Bob from work at the theater, and he mentioned my company's theater club which is producing Brigadoon this summer. I'll try hard to go. I think there's a lot of fun and surprisingly high quality amateur theater around here.
I'm off to BogFest XV tonight. I am not sure what to expect.
Update after BogFest. It was great! We got there late and had to endure a noisy SRO crowd at the back of the room, but later we moved up to some empty seats and enjoyed the show much more. Next year arrive early and stake out a place at the front.
Margaret's Lavatera; gopher predation experiences
When We last saw Margaret's Lavatera assurgentiflora, in Margaret's Mallow it had grown significantly, but now it's even bigger. 
Of the half dozen that I took to my parent's house and planted on the Upper 40, all but one at last check (during my trip back from Andrew Murray) had been destroyed by gophers. Gophers LOVE this plant, so much so that they will girdle the trunk and nibble small branches above ground. The one surviving Lavatera is in a partially shaded area and somehow the gophers hadn't spied it at last check. These are really good looking large shrubs with flowers all over like Margaret's picture when they are a bit older, so it's a shame to lose so many. Here's a photo from Feb 15 where there's signs of above ground nibbling.
Another Lavatera was eaten about 3/4 of the way through and lying on the ground. The remaining upright trunk at left is girdled all around. By April, these were all dead as doornails.
A Mimulus croaked, and it looked like gopher predation, but I'm not 100% sure.
In contrast, a different good looking flowering plant, Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy at left) planted at several locations on the Upper 40 - including a couple right in the middle of the gopher hills - seems to be doing well with no noticable gopher predation. It will start slowly this year but next year ought to have plenty of great looking flowers. Holding the earth on this hill is a chore that's probably well suited to the root structure of R. coulteri. The weeds are Oxalis pes-caprae or Oxalis cernua (Sour grass, originally from South Africa). Gophers tend to farm that stuff in my experience.
Also surviving and flourishing despite gophers were several salvias (a white hybrid [perhaps Salvia apiana x leucophylla "Desperado"] that was too large for my yard, a S. Clevelandii selection propagated from cuttings in my yard, and local black salvia [Salvia mellifera?] that I grew from cuttings taken in the Santa Barbara chaparral) as well as a buckwheat.
Surviving with minor gopher predation were California poppies and any number of little oak seedlings growing from the several hundred acorns my brother and I planted last fall.
Of the half dozen that I took to my parent's house and planted on the Upper 40, all but one at last check (during my trip back from Andrew Murray) had been destroyed by gophers. Gophers LOVE this plant, so much so that they will girdle the trunk and nibble small branches above ground. The one surviving Lavatera is in a partially shaded area and somehow the gophers hadn't spied it at last check. These are really good looking large shrubs with flowers all over like Margaret's picture when they are a bit older, so it's a shame to lose so many. Here's a photo from Feb 15 where there's signs of above ground nibbling.Another Lavatera was eaten about 3/4 of the way through and lying on the ground. The remaining upright trunk at left is girdled all around. By April, these were all dead as doornails.
A Mimulus croaked, and it looked like gopher predation, but I'm not 100% sure.
In contrast, a different good looking flowering plant, Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy at left) planted at several locations on the Upper 40 - including a couple right in the middle of the gopher hills - seems to be doing well with no noticable gopher predation. It will start slowly this year but next year ought to have plenty of great looking flowers. Holding the earth on this hill is a chore that's probably well suited to the root structure of R. coulteri. The weeds are Oxalis pes-caprae or Oxalis cernua (Sour grass, originally from South Africa). Gophers tend to farm that stuff in my experience.Also surviving and flourishing despite gophers were several salvias (a white hybrid [perhaps Salvia apiana x leucophylla "Desperado"] that was too large for my yard, a S. Clevelandii selection propagated from cuttings in my yard, and local black salvia [Salvia mellifera?] that I grew from cuttings taken in the Santa Barbara chaparral) as well as a buckwheat.
Surviving with minor gopher predation were California poppies and any number of little oak seedlings growing from the several hundred acorns my brother and I planted last fall.
2009-04-26
Renaissance fair weekend
Juli and I took my son to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale on Saturday. The weather was beautiful and we had a very relaxing weekend.We've gone for several years now. This year my son wanted to be an assassin disguised as a peasant, so we accessorized his costume with throwing knives and a wooden main gauche. He bought leather bracers at the Faire.
However, now he aspires to be a squire in the Royal Court. We might have to take a more active role next year. It looks like "participant" classes start on weekends at least a month before the Fair starts. Perhaps the best way to get our feet more wet is as a Friend of the Faire.
2009-04-23
Trip to Santa Barbara
After the stop last Saturday at the Payne Foundation I headed up the coast with Juli. Our destination was the Andrew Murray Vineyards annual open house.
The invitation didn't come with a request for RSVP nor with directions. Google Maps is unable to accurately locate the route to the winery, but those in the inner circle know that you bypass Firestone Vineyards and head down a single lane road into the vineyard towards "Area 51".
Andy was tasting 12 wines and serving heavy hors d'oeuvres. We spent an hour or more tasting and eating and ended up liking his Viognier (Juli and me), the Sanglier (me and Juli a bit), and some of the bigger Syrahs (all me).
The oak trees were picturesque, the vineyards idyllic.
The hills all around had large amounts of lupine growing on them. This looks similar to lupinus nanus which I have growing and blooming in my yard.
This looks like Quercus lobata (California White Oak), but the leaves don't seem quite up to type. Perhaps it's Quercus ×macdonaldii or some other.
On the way back home we met up with my parents and son and joined them for a meal outside Santa Barbara at the Hollister Brewing Company.
Photo credit: Juli.
The invitation didn't come with a request for RSVP nor with directions. Google Maps is unable to accurately locate the route to the winery, but those in the inner circle know that you bypass Firestone Vineyards and head down a single lane road into the vineyard towards "Area 51".
Andy was tasting 12 wines and serving heavy hors d'oeuvres. We spent an hour or more tasting and eating and ended up liking his Viognier (Juli and me), the Sanglier (me and Juli a bit), and some of the bigger Syrahs (all me).
The oak trees were picturesque, the vineyards idyllic.
The hills all around had large amounts of lupine growing on them. This looks similar to lupinus nanus which I have growing and blooming in my yard.
This looks like Quercus lobata (California White Oak), but the leaves don't seem quite up to type. Perhaps it's Quercus ×macdonaldii or some other.
On the way back home we met up with my parents and son and joined them for a meal outside Santa Barbara at the Hollister Brewing Company.
Photo credit: Juli.
2009-04-22
LA Times editorial
This editorial in today's LA Times deserves a full quote, but in the interest of fair use, I'll just give you the gist of it below.
Editorial
California's wildfires
More frequent and intense brush fires are threatening Southern California's native landscape.
April 22, 2009
Spring is in its early stages, which means the wilderness parks are still abloom with red paintbrush and blue-eyed grass. In Chino Hills State Park, though, the palette is markedly different: pale yellow mustard, purple thistle and the white-and-lavender flowers of wild radish, none of them native plants. It's a pretty scene right now, but one that tells a story about a worsening cycle of wildfire that threatens to transform the Southern California landscape.
Ravaged by two brush fires in November, the park is now firmly in the grip of opportunistic invaders. Aside from a lone poppy hidden amid the radish, there wasn't a native plant to be found on a recent hike along a mile and a half of Aliso Canyon.
...
The 2008 fires came too soon after other wildfires. They burned with particular intensity and blackened 95% of the park. The combination provided a perfect opening for weeds such as mustard to choke out native flora.
...
Noxious plants make an inferior habitat for wildlife; they also turn brown and dry faster than native plants, lengthening the fire season. As global warming accelerates the fire cycle, Chino Hills could be an early example of sweeping, long-term change in the open spaces that Southern Californians cherish. ...
Editorial
California's wildfires
More frequent and intense brush fires are threatening Southern California's native landscape.
April 22, 2009
Spring is in its early stages, which means the wilderness parks are still abloom with red paintbrush and blue-eyed grass. In Chino Hills State Park, though, the palette is markedly different: pale yellow mustard, purple thistle and the white-and-lavender flowers of wild radish, none of them native plants. It's a pretty scene right now, but one that tells a story about a worsening cycle of wildfire that threatens to transform the Southern California landscape.
Ravaged by two brush fires in November, the park is now firmly in the grip of opportunistic invaders. Aside from a lone poppy hidden amid the radish, there wasn't a native plant to be found on a recent hike along a mile and a half of Aliso Canyon.
...
The 2008 fires came too soon after other wildfires. They burned with particular intensity and blackened 95% of the park. The combination provided a perfect opening for weeds such as mustard to choke out native flora.
...
Noxious plants make an inferior habitat for wildlife; they also turn brown and dry faster than native plants, lengthening the fire season. As global warming accelerates the fire cycle, Chino Hills could be an early example of sweeping, long-term change in the open spaces that Southern Californians cherish. ...
Poppy Day shopping success
I got everything on my list and only one extra - a California polypody fern. I killed the last polypody fern that had. Maybe I'm wiser now.
The shopping list that I had made it easy to home in on that I wanted, but I don't know about the practicality of some of my selections. Seriously, Chlorogalum pomeridianum (Soap Plant)and Scutellaria californica (Skull Cap)! What was I thinking? I guess I thought they sounded new and interesting but I'll have to put them in pots since their requirements are so different than my garden. So score one for the shopping list but score zero for impulse control.
The shopping list that I had made it easy to home in on that I wanted, but I don't know about the practicality of some of my selections. Seriously, Chlorogalum pomeridianum (Soap Plant)and Scutellaria californica (Skull Cap)! What was I thinking? I guess I thought they sounded new and interesting but I'll have to put them in pots since their requirements are so different than my garden. So score one for the shopping list but score zero for impulse control.
Web comics I like
I've been following Indexed for a while and my brother just sent me a link to xkcd.
A mentor at work has liked Weirdass Comics but you have to really commit to enjoy it, which might explain why I never did.
A mentor at work has liked Weirdass Comics but you have to really commit to enjoy it, which might explain why I never did.
2009-04-17
Native plant shopping list for Poppy Day
I fixed my computers last night. For the first time in a month or so I have a full complement of functional computers at home, from where I write most of this blog.
It's Poppy Day at Theodore Payne tomorrow. I thought I'd stop by on the way up the coast to Santa Barbara and pick up some goodies for the garden.
From the extensive plant inventory, these look likely.
Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass) - I've managed to kill the last two I purchased. I will give them one more chance in my garden.
Aster chilensis (California Aster) - Grows well in most gardens. What's not to like about this easy plant?
Penstemon 'Margarita BOP'
Bromus carinatus (California Bromegrass) - Will take my soil.
Chlorogalum pomeridianum (Soap Plant) - could be fun.
Scutellaria californica (Skull Cap) - only 2 available. Looks interesting.
It's Poppy Day at Theodore Payne tomorrow. I thought I'd stop by on the way up the coast to Santa Barbara and pick up some goodies for the garden.
From the extensive plant inventory, these look likely.
Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass) - I've managed to kill the last two I purchased. I will give them one more chance in my garden.
Aster chilensis (California Aster) - Grows well in most gardens. What's not to like about this easy plant?
Penstemon 'Margarita BOP'
Bromus carinatus (California Bromegrass) - Will take my soil.
Chlorogalum pomeridianum (Soap Plant) - could be fun.
Scutellaria californica (Skull Cap) - only 2 available. Looks interesting.
2009-04-16
Goring gardening's sacred oxen
I followed another blog to Linda Chalker-Scott's web site. She's a University Extension Urban Horticulturist at Puyallup Research and Extension Center and Associate Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Washington State University.
Of interest to me today were the extensive selection of articles that she's written dispelling common garden myths dating back 9 years.
Try her take on this garden chestnut, "When transplanting trees or shrubs into landscapes, amend the backfill soil with organic matter."
Of interest to me today were the extensive selection of articles that she's written dispelling common garden myths dating back 9 years.
Try her take on this garden chestnut, "When transplanting trees or shrubs into landscapes, amend the backfill soil with organic matter."
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