December Tips & Events for Santa Clara County |
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“Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.” ~Rumi
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Have you ever noticed odd leafy balls high up in trees and wondered what was going on? They are especially noticeable in the fall and winter when many trees drop their leaves. Hint: there are many legends associated with it, including a romantic English tradition. |
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Choosing and Planting California Native Plants
Thinking of adding native California plants to your yard? Do it now. New natives respond best to wet winter weather, which promotes the extensive root development needed for spring growth and the hot dry summer months ahead. Your next question may be what to plant. That depends on your planting site and the individual cultural requirements of the plant. To help, the California Native Plant Society has created a database where you can enter your address and find which plants do best in your neighborhood for the conditions in your yard, like sun or shade. The website even lists nurseries that carry California natives.
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Getting More from Your Broccoli |
Did you know that most broccoli plants can give you multiple harvests? The first central head that they produce will be the largest and fullest. But after you harvest that one, the plant will start to produce lots of smaller heads, called side shoots. They sprout from buds in the leaf axils, where the leaves join the stem of the plant. You can keep harvesting these tender shoots, sometimes called broccolini or baby broccoli, for another 2 to 3 months. |
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Tropical Milkweed: Monarch Friend or Foe? |
Science can be complicated, and the science about tropical milkweed is a good example. This plant has been in the news lately as four California counties have banned its sale, triggered by a recent CDFA pest rating. But an even more recent UC blog post (linked below) explains why two distinguished UC scientists disagree. The details involve monarch migration, the possible impact of this non-native plant, microscopic protozoan parasites, climate change, and more. So … yes, it’s complicated, but right now, UC-based advice supports planting tropical milkweed in our gardens.
Photo: Monarch caterpillar foraging on tropical milkweed, Kathy Keatley Garvey, UC
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Myth or Fact? Will Pine Needles Acidify My Soil? |
The short answer is no; this is a common garden myth. While it’s true that pine needles are acidic when they drop from the tree, even a thick layer won’t make much difference in your soil pH. They will begin to break down naturally and the microbes (decomposers) in the soil will neutralize them. In fact, pine needles are a good mulch material because they tend not to form a dense mat, they stay in place during heavy rain, and they take longer to break down than other organic mulches.
Photo: Japanese red pine, SelecTree, California Polytechnic State University
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Winter rains bring cheerful-looking plants whose heart-shaped leaves beguile gardeners into thinking they are simple weeds that are easy to pull. But beware. These plants are mallows (also called cheeseweeds) and underneath the innocent leaves of mature plants lie deep, thick, woody taproots that are hard to remove with garden tools. They even interfere with heavy farming machinery! Remove young plants with four or fewer true leaves right away. You can also add 3 inches of organic mulch to suppress seedlings. |
Photo: Tough, woody taproot of Malva neglecta, Utah State University
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Photo by University of Wisconsin Extension
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Quiz Answer: Broadleaf Mistletoe
The dense mass of leaves pictured above is broadleaf mistletoe. There are multiple species in California, both native and introduced. Mistletoe is a hemiparasite, meaning it can photosynthesize on its own, but draws nutrients and water from its host. Birds feast on the translucent white berries, spreading the sticky seeds to new locations. When a seed sprouts, it sends out a modified root that penetrates the tree’s bark. A healthy tree can support a moderate infestation, but if the infestation is heavy or if a tree is stressed by other factors such as disease or drought, it can kill the tree.
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Check our calendar for the latest schedule of events. Videos of many past presentations are also available.
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University of California Master Gardener volunteers promote sustainable gardening practices and provide research-based horticultural information to home gardeners. Visit our website for more information including:
Have a gardening question? Ask us. We’re here to help!
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