It’s Winter in San Diego County!
January 11, 2021What does my vegetable garden need now that the weather is cooler, the winds are blowing and the rain (might) be coming? If you planted some of your winter greens in November, they are probably loving this cooler weather, but the winds can cause the soil to dry out much faster. Make sure to run your irrigation or hand water the day before a Santa Ana wind event is to happen. Set your irrigation system on a reduced watering schedule for the winter and be sure to turn it off when it rains. Your winter vegetables only need infrequent watering. Only water when you stick your finger into the soil and it’s dry to the second knuckle. If you live in a microclimate that does get frost, be ready with some type of protection for your precious plants. Cover sensitive plants with cloth, not plastic, and don’t forget to remove it each ... Read More
SING A SONG
January 11, 2021Looking back on what I can only describe as an unexpected, topsy-turvy year, 2021 surely will put things right. And of all things suggested to help cope with 2020’s chaos, such as prayer, meditation, nature, aromatherapy, exercise, and sunbathing, music was most helpful to me. Whether listening to the radio, old CDs, or simply bursting out with a song in my home or garden, music is my strategy to manage my stress and anxiety. As for my singing in the garden (when no one can hear,), I was excited to read some studies that claim music can tell a lot about gardeners. The music you enjoy can predict the type of plants you will include in your garden. If you play your preferred music while gardening, this will also predict how well your plants grow. Call it “Musical Garden Personalization.” If you love the “oldies” or nostalgic music, you will ... Read More
BEYOND ALOE VERA
December 1, 2020My fascination with Aloes began during visits to the San Diego Zoo with my grandchildren. Most of you know that both the San Diego Zoo and the Zoo Safari are homes to collections of plants as well as animals. I was drawn to the variety of colors and sizes I saw. I have since learned that the 600 species that exist range in size from a few inches to 20-foot Aloe trees. Their sensitivity to frost limits garden usage to frost-free zones. However, for those of you in locations prone to frost, many can be grown in containers so you can move them to safety when frost is predicted. An option for those grown in the ground is to cover them with a large plastic container that is higher and wider than the aloe or with a sheet or blanket. Entrepreneurs are now even offering ‘plant blankets’. It is important ... Read More
No Holiday Reindeer On This Roof
December 1, 2020In Downtown Fallbrook, facing Mission Road, many pass a special green roof-top garden, and hardly ever take notice. This eco-roof belongs to everyone and it’s planted atop the town’s Library! It’s actually the first ever innovative and award-winning rooftop garden constructed in the San Diego Library system! The Fallbrook Woman’s Club, originally named The Saturday Afternoon Club, helped to establish the San Diego branch Fallbrook Library in 1913. It opened with only 250 books and occupied a small corner of Hardy’s Drugstore. The public was eager to withdraw books and did so in amazing numbers. There was truly a need for a library. Since then, the Library has moved a total of eight times and has undergone many changes, including an arson fire in 1985 that completely destroyed the building and its contents. The present day location boasts a state-of-the-art building. The architect designer described it as a modern “Fallbrook ... Read More