January is a good month to prune dormant plants, shrubs and trees on the Monterey Peninsula. Try propagating rose cuttings. Put them in a zip lock bag using a moist combination of equal parts sand, organic potting mix and vermiculite or coir. Set them out in a protected area to root for spring planting. Spread compost mulch and organic fertilizer such as poultry manure in the garden at the end of the month to aid your spring awakening. Listen for frost alerts, hail and heavy rains that might damage ornamentals like cymbidiums that are starting to spike. For additional information on rose pruning and propagation go to the following helpful website at www.mastergardeners.org .
February is a reminder that it is time to clean and groom perennials. Consider changing tired looking patio pots with succulents and cacti for an easy care and water wise display. Many of these plants have lovely flowers and interesting formations. Nurseries are now stocking unusual varieties from South Africa, Australia and Mexico. Cover sensitive ones if frost continues. A good source in our area is Succulent Gardens The Growing Grounds. For information and directions go to: www.sgplants.com .
Consider repotting your indoor orchids and houseplants that have outgrown their pots or the soil has decomposed and left roots or the main plant stem too exposed. For a helpful guide go to: www.beautifulorchids.com .
Many garden centers now sell wood boxes that can be easily assembled for raised vegetables, flowers, lettuces and herbs. These boxes are good ways to control insects and monitor soil moisture. Try planting lettuces and herbs with your potted annuals or perennials. It will add nice color and edibles to your patio and decks.
Think about planting flowers to attract birds (especially hummingbirds), butterflies and bees to your garden. Here are some of the popular flowering plants in our area that provide nutrition and habitat: abelia, yarrow, berberis, ajuga, hibiscus, hollyhocks, astilbe, azaleas, fuchsias, bacopa, beebalm, salvia, bottlebrush, bougainvillea, butterfly bush, cape honeysuckle, lobelia, cherry laurels, coral bells, coreopsis, cosmos, cotoneaster, daylilies, dahlias, delphinium, dianthus, dill, dusty miller, fennel, flowering quince, gaura, geranium, impatiens, lantana, Mexican heather, nasturtium, nicotiana, pansies, milkweed, verbena, viburnum, alyssum, shasta daisy, parsley, passion vine, penstemon, citrus and sedum.
By now, most gardens are in full swing. For extra blooms, fertilize your entire garden and potted plants using an organic pollinator friendly fertilizer. Consider adding a citrus or two in pots or as ornamentals. With climate change ever present, sunnier and warmer temperatures are creating a better environment for growing these fragrant and edible additions. They are a wonderful source of nutrition for bees.
If you live in the mid-summer fog on the peninsula, keep an eye on your plants and roses for mildew, mold, rust and black spot. Clear the ground beneath them by keeping diseased leaves from continuing to infect new growth. If you live in a sunnier area, watch for soil that has become dry or compact. Weed and deadhead for a healthier summer garden. Read a new gardening book or catch up on gardening magazines accumulating by your favorite chair. A good suggestion is, Hardy Succulents - Tough Plants for Every Climate by Gwen Moore Kelaidis and photography by Saxon Holt.
Evaluate patio pots. Change out tired or overgrown annuals and perennials with fall color.
Consider starting a compost bin if you have never had one. Remember five words when making your own compost: BROWN, GREEN, CHOPPED, WATER and AIR. These are the keys to a good compost pile. Mix 1 part greens like clippings and vegetable trimmings, 10-25 parts brown leaves moistened but not soggy. After a week or so, mix old with new. Everything you add to your compost pile will soon grow lots of good bacteria. Brown creates the carbon and green creates the nitrogen.
Flower pronunciation according to the dictionary and experts is often quite different from the commonly used. See if you recognize the following:
fuchsia is actually pronounced: Fooks-ee-ah
kniphofia is actually pronounced: k'nip-HOE-fee-uh
agave is actually pronounced: uh-GAY-vee
heuchera is actually pronounced: hoy-kur-uh
penstemon is actually pronounced: pen-stee-mun
hellebores is actually pronounced: hell-eb'-or-us
gaura is actually pronounced: GORE-uh
Cooler weather and the holiday season approaching provides a good opportunity to start planting bulbs and festive cyclamens, pansies and mums along with the many attractive and interesting ornamental cabbages and kales. Remember, winter annuals are important to our ecological system. They prevent soil erosion during winter and early spring by providing a vegetative cover.
Tis the season to enjoy the holidays but don't forget the garden. December is a good time of year to review the difference between hardy, half-hardy and tender. Plants are divided according to tolerance of heat and cold. Hardy annuals do well in colder areas. Half-hardy annuals cannot survive frost but tolerate some cold weather. Tender annuals prefer warmer weather to do well. Read labels when selecting new plants at the nursery during this season.
As gardeners, we are naturally attuned to the earth and preserving its beauty. Let us all never pass an opportunity to encourage others to be environmentally aware by recycling and reusing. Your daily activities and habits have an important impact on the well-being of our planet earth. Be kind to our environment and never take for granted earth's bounty.
Remember to:
- Plant trees or shrubs to shade from hot sun and conserve energy.
- Be water wise. Upgrade irrigation in your garden to avoid leaks and overwatering.
- Plant trees that lose their leaves in the fall around your home. They are effective at reducing heating and save energy.
- Deflect winter winds by planting evergreen trees and shrubs in your garden on the north and west sides.
- Use outdoor garden lights with a photocell unit or timer.
- See everyday environmentalist tips on how you can go green and other important and useful information on conservation at www.nature.org and www.brighterplanet.com .
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