Winter cheer

Hortus Botanicus Seed Packets

Now here's a cool way to make your own custom seed packets! I picked these up at Hortus Botanicus on my last trip to Mendo. Looks like they used coin envelopes and printed labels using their own photos of plants in bloom. Very classy and very clever.

Inside the envelopes, seeds were stored in smaller waxed paper envelopes. Germination instructions were tucked inside as well.

Not sure where to find coin envelopes? See this GardenWeb thread.

BOOK: Roses for Northern California

Just when I think I'm strong enough to look at gardening books online without being tempted to buy... I stumble upon Roses for Northern California by local rosarian Muriel Humenick. To make matters worse, it's brand spankin' new. Published last month. I have to at least put it on my wish list.

Sacramento Citizens for Sustainable Landscapes

New website: SacGardens.org

Upcoming meetings:

*FRONT YARD GARDEN MEETING*

To Organize Community Support for the Updating of
Sacramento City's Front Yard Landscape Ordinance
*To be voted on at the March 20th City Council Meeting*

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
6 pm to 8 pm

Sierra 2 Center, Curtis Hall
2791 24th Street
(parking off 4th Avenue - directions)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Front Yard Garden Ordinance is on
the Sacramento City Council Meeting Agenda

Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Council Chambers in City Hall
915 I Street

Catalogs for Garden Thrill Seekers

If the same ol' same ol' in mainstream garden catalog plant offerings just doesn't do it for you anymore, you might be a slightly jaded gardener. If, like me, you increasingly need a plant to be rare, or unusual in color or form, or organic, or gourmet, or an heirloom... or a rare, unusual, organic, gourmet heirloom that can only be purchased during a full moon in February in order to feel that high when you buy, you need to look for collector's catalogs.

Here are a few of my favorite garden catalogs offering the really cool and unusual stuff...

J.L. Hudson, Seedsman

StrangeWonderfulThings.com

Fraser's Thimble Farms (Canada)

Got Epis?

Kartuz Greenhouses

Heronswood

Plant Delights Nursery

You can also find some very interesting and exotic plant offerings on ebay. Just check the seller's rating before you buy.

Tulipmania

Ok, so the pansies are kind of disappearing, but... ahem... I did plant a lot of tulips.

Amy Stewart Valentine's Day article in the S.F. Chronicle

In flowers, too, green is the new red
For Valentine's Day, choose flowers raised organically and sustainably -- or nearly so

Amy Stewart, Special to The Chronicle
Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Flower Confidential book by Amy Stewart

It feels appropriate to have finished reading Amy Stewart's new book, Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers just before the Big Day... Valentine's Day. But, hey, maybe her publishers planned it that way so we'd really get it... so we'd already know which flowers to buy someone, where to buy them, when to order them, how to tell if they're fresh... and how to send the perfect message.

You've heard, "Say it with Flowers." Amy's book tells you how to "Say it right with the freshest, hippest, most beautiful and lasting cut flowers that also may happen to have been ecologically raised."

What I also learned is that cut flowers are incorporated into daily life in some countries. Ahem, Americans, you holiday-focused flower buyers. Live a little dangerously every now and then and buy flowers for your soul, not just the souls you're obliged to buy for.

After following Amy on this information-packed journey in which she takes a flower's path from conception (in the hybridizer's mind) to growth to processing to shipping to marketing and finally to its final destination, you will not only be exhausted for Amy, you will be much more savvy about the freshest, hippest, most meaningful and most extravagent floral offerings in the U.S.; and you'll know where to get the cheap stuff. Hey, nothing wrong with a budget bouquet... except that it might not last very long and it might have been treated to a pesticide drench. Don't eat the daisies. Really.

You will also become acquainted with a new form of labeling signifying higher ecological standards. Dare I say "guilt-free" flowers? Amy even touches on a store near you carrying high quality flowers at bargain prices. Any guesses?

Delving into post-harvest flower conditions, Amy tells you how to spot the freshest displays and how to maximize vase life once you get those babies home. You'll also come to understand why cut flowers can be so danged expensive at times, and you'll learn about the hidden and not-so-beautiful environmental costs and considerations.

I came away from Flower Confidential with a much keener sense of the business of flowers and a desire to buy organically grown and ecologically managed flowers when given the opportunity. Organic food is becoming mainstream because more people buying it... and more grocers are selling it... because more people are buying it. Now is the time to push the cut flower industry toward organic and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, and toward providing better working conditions and benefits for flower factory workers.



Still, knowing "...the Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful..." about the flower business does nothing to dim the feeling I get when I walk into a florist shop or the floral kiosk at my local grocery store. Pure romance. Pure swoon. And to the flowers? You've come a long way, baby. No really. Holland? Ecuador? You look like you could use a drink.



Check out this video snippet of Amy talking about Flower Confidential:

Be sure to catch Amy on her book tour. She may be coming to a bookstore or garden show near you! Read all about it on her blog.

January garden crappiness with tiny hints of color

Successive frosts and freezes and a rainfall deficit means the garden is looking pretty ragged right now. I'm not cutting anything back till frost danger has passed... except my roses, which I should have already pruned but... haven't. If I do it in the next couple days, the rose police won't have anything on me.

If you won't pet me and scratch my head... I guess this shrub will have to suffice.

Fine. Be that way.

'Tropicanna' canna is looking more like 'Freezorama' canna

Persian shield looooves heat and haaaaates cold.

Violas looking cute but not growing much

Orchid cactus looking surprisingly unmushy. I think it's in a lucky little microclimate.

These pansies and tulips are loving being tucked up against a stucco wall on the southwest corner of the property.

Ooh... Mexican bush sage, lavender and sedum looking fabulously awful.

Succulents in foreground doing ok, but hibiscus in background looking pretty crispy.

Blech.

Impulse purchase from awhile back doing ok up against a west-facing wall

Vanishing fermented grape glut

Wine industry lifts glasses to vanishing glut

By Jim Downing - Bee Staff Writer

Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, January 25, 2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

Happy to have done my part as an Amercan cizen... hiccup... an Amer-i-can Ciz-it-en... hiccup!

EcoForms Biodegradable Pots

A friend and I saw... and fondled... these gorgeous new biodegradable EcoForms pots at Emigh Hardware the other day. They're really cool and I'm going to get some. They're made from rice hulls!

Check out their FAQ's.

How long will EcoForms™ last?

Under normal conditions, an EcoForms™ pot will last five years.

What are EcoForms™ made of?

Grain husks (primarily rice hulls) and natural binding agents (a combination of starch based, water soluble binders and biodegradable additives).

Can I plant EcoForms™ in the ground?

No, EcoForms™ are meant to be used and reused above ground only. They will degrade in the landfill.

What colors do they come in?

We currently list 6 colors: Natural, Avocado, Harvest, Sand, Mocha and Ebony.

Can they handle freezing conditions?

Yes, EcoForms™ show no damage when exposed to freezing or thawing conditions.

Are EcoForms™ organic?

Although they are not certified organic, they are ideal for organic production. They contain non-polluting, earth-friendly ingredients.

Where can I buy them?

Call John Hoffman at (530) 320-6829 or Sweetwater Nursery at (707) 566-8133. You may also send e-mail to sales@ecoforms.com.

Plant Defender redesign, website and online ordering

Just wanted to let folks know that Jim Cockcroft, who designed and manufactures Plant Defender cages, has refined the design and now has a website offering online ordering. You may remember my snail and slug battles last spring and how thrilled I was to find something that would help my basil and pepper seedlings survive the slimy onslaught. In fact, the Plant Defender was exactly what I had been hoping someone had invented... and someone had!

As a recycle-minded organic/IPM gardener who much prefers pest barriers over pesticides, I thought about using soda bottles or berry baskets, but soda bottles weren't well ventilated or wide enough, and berry baskets were too small. The Plant Defender is really clever because it takes the ventilation of a berry basket and combines it with the size needed to cover a plant from seedling to maturity. I left my cages on all season.

I first ordered Plant Defender cages through Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. After losing seedling after seedling to slugs and snails, it was great to finally see my plants mature enough to tolerate snail attacks. Is there anything more heartbreaking than rushing out in the morning to check on your newly planted seedlings only to find that they're gone? Not just injured, but gone... vaporized. Ok, so there probably are greater heartbreaks, but it still hurts.

Thanks to the Plant Defender, I won the battle and last summer's veggie and herb garden turned out great. I would like to try the Plant Defender on bean seedlings too. A cage around each bamboo pole of my bean teepee might do the trick. Snails find tender, heart-shaped bean seedlings to be quite delish. I had to place a second seed order with Renee's after losing nearly all of the first batch of seeds I planted. Some snails even had the nerve to stick around long enough for me to catch them in the act. But did I kill them? Of course not. I simply moved them to a less tasty part of the garden. Moving literally at a snail's pace, I knew it'd take the little gluttons for...ever to get back to my seedlings. Mwa... ha ha ha haaaaa.

The cages are really easy to use. You simply place them over your seedlings, firming the base against the soil surface. In my blog entries, I mentioned that the copper-painted rim on the old design didn't seem to be repelling slugs and snails. I solved that problem by adding copper tape around the base of the cage. That worked beautifully, but it was a pricy solution. Jim replaced the copper with a moat and I'm very anxious to try the redesigned Plant Defender in the spring/summer garden. Break out the beer! I'll try water too and see which works best.

I haven't had problems with larger varmints like deer, birds, or squirrels, but Plant Defenders are supposed to deter them too. My biggest pests have been snails, slugs and earwigs. Hey, I wonder if the moat deters earwigs...

Additionally, a new removable lid now means you no longer have to cut off the top of the cage once plants reach the top and makes the cages very reusable. So your $3.99 investment (divided over several seasons) pays off considering how many trips back to the nursery you won't be making.

Oh, and they're not just for veggies. Use Plant Defenders on your prized ornamentals too. I use them on my Annie's Annuals splurges.

In addition to the Plant Defender, Garden Products, Etc. also sells The Sprinkler Mate and Row Markers.

Have you seen this moth? Do you like beer?

Find a moth, win a beer with an entomologist
San Francisco Chronicle
Ron Sullivan, Joe Eaton
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

NEW River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines Book

There's an excellent new guide available from the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership teaching river-friendly landscape practices. River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines goes beyond urging water efficiency by incorporating the following objectives:

Landscaping in harmony with the natural conditions of the Sacramento River watershed.

-- Reducing waste and recycling materials.
-- Nurturing healthy soils while reducing fertilizer use.
-- Conserving water, energy and topsoil.
-- Using integrated pest management to minimize chemical use.
-- Reducing stormwater runoff.
-- Creating wildlife habitat.

The guide includes river-friendly checklists, plant lists, photos, diagrams, quotes from local environmental and landscape leaders, and a wealth of printed and online resources. There's even a guide for hiring a river-friendly landscaper. Don't be dissuaded by the "... for the Landscape Professional" part of the title. If you do your own landscaping and landscape maintenance, this guide's for you. If you don't... make sure your landscaper has a copy or visits the website.

If you want your garden to become a healthy refuge for people and wildlife while reducing waste and eliminating pollutants, River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines will show you the steps you need to take.

Click HERE to order your free copy of River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines and Choosing a Landscape Professional.

Cold takes toll on California citrus, avocados and strawberries

Huge crop loss in state freeze
Citrus, avocados, strawberries are hit hard by cold snap in south state, San Joaquin Valley.
By Deb Kollars - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:43 am PST Tuesday, January 16, 2007Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

California's $1.3 billion citrus industry is facing massive losses after three nights of freezing temperatures up and down the state.

"The growers know there is damage, and they expect it to be significant," said Dave Kranz, manager of media services for the California Farm Bureau Federation.

As much as 70 percent of the state's orange crop has been destroyed, according to state officials and farmers.

Read more...

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

I had an opportunity for an overnight trip to Santa Cruz and Capitola this week. Made sure to stop at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, since I'd never been there. It was mid day, windy and winter, but I still managed to snap a few pics. I'd like to go back in Spring/Summer. The cute gift shop sells succulents and other plants and garden accessories. Didn't have time to shop, but ... Aaa'll be back.


Peering into the greenhouse


Succulent heaven...


Aloe arborescens


Plaques and plants for sale near the gift shop







The gift shop


100 buckaroonies! I need to go into the succulent planter business!



Free plants! How cool is that?




This looks to be some sort of a propagation area near the offices.



Grevillea 'Superb' or 'Mason's Hybrid'


Banksia ericifolia



Eucalyptus erythrocorys


Dryandra




Leucadendron


Isopogon cuneatus