July/August2008 7olume99No;4 $4.00 i ^ Chinese Hybrid Cypress • Touring Oescanso Garde? on 1 at Quail Bbtknical Gardens Theatre-styleseatingonthe Lawn Garden isthe perfectplaceto listentothe sw$etsoundsofjazzon awarm SolJt^ern Californiaevening. Eartrcfoncertfeaturesan optional catered gourmetdinnerserved in the intimate Walled Garden at5 pm. Theshowbeginsat5:45 pm. GilbertCastellanos Sunday,July 20: Rob Mullins Trio GrammynomineeRobMullinshasinternationalacclaimasanAmeric composer. Three ofhis CDs went Billboard Top Ten. His currentand 17th CD. "Storyteller,"breaksnewgroundcombiningnewgenreswithhisearlysoundstotake pianomusictoanewlevel. Sunday, August 3: Gilbert Castellanos Latin Jazz Quintet featuring Irving Flores bMullins GilbertCastellanos isa majorforce onthe San Diegojazzscene and one ofthe leadingtrumpeters in the Southern California area. Downbeat Magazine recently votedhimoneofthetoptrumpetplayersinthecountryandoneofthetop25jazz artiststowatch. Sunday, August 17: Raggle Taggle This band has ajazzand Celtic sound thatistruly unique. From Pirate musicto — French GypsySwingto LatinJazz,and Nuevo-Flamencoto Celtic-Irish there'sa cliotntlceerstomweiltlhifenagtufroerseovmeeryaomnaeziwnhgeInrisyhoudanccoemrse,ttooo.see a Raggle Taggle show. This '>j* To buytickets,call 760/436-3036x206. QUAM| Costperconcertwithdinner,5 pm:Members$40,non-members$45 (Pleasemakeyourreservationsby I pmWednesdaybeforetheconcert.) Costperconcertonly,5:45 pm: Members$20,non-members$22 :- .- . California GARDEN TheMagazineforHands-OnGardenersandFloralDesigners July/August2008,Volume99,Number4 PUBLICATIONSTAFF DIG IN EXECUTIVEEDITOR SummertimeFlowerDesign 6 LucyWarren AlcazarGarden 7 MANAGINGEDITOR InvasivePlantEviction 8 AmyR.Wood FriendorFoe:DiaprepesRootWeevil 8 LIBRARIAN CommonPlace:VeraHouseCommunityGarden 9 JeanC.Hughes DripIrrigation 10 CONTRIBUTINGEDITORS WaterSavingTips 10 BarbaraConrad,BarbaraForrest,SuzieHeap, SweetSuccess:PropagatingAfricanViolets 11 AlyssaHolderbein,PhyllisHouse-Cepeda, MargeHoward-Jones,JohnNoble, FEATURES VictoriaPhillips,KatherineRotherham, MikeShade,JohnStrickland, DelightfulDahlias 12 KathyTaylordeMurillo,SharonTooley, GardenConversations:Dahlias 15 PhanvanLit ChineseHybridCypress 18 ARTDIRECTOR TouringDescansoGardens 20 RachelCobb HonNonBo 26 ADVERTISING DC/"*111 ADC KayHarry AFFILIATELISTING BookReviews 16 JeannetteDutton NowistheTime 22 RENEWALS Calendar 31 LisaRichey AffiliateList 35 [email protected] FromtheArchives 38 EDITORIALBOARD CaliforniaGarden DorothyCarroll,KayHarry,JohnNoble, PublishedbySanDiegoFloralAssociationfor99years LuKcaythWyarTraeynl,orAdmeyMuRr.ilWlooo,d PresiLdiebnrt:arKyaoyfHCaornrgyre([email protected]) SPECIALTHANKS ArrangersGuildChair:SuzanneMichel NowistheTimecontributors, Headquarters:CasadelPrado,Room105,BalboaPark,619-232-5762 DanielGebraselassie,KayHarry, Hours:Monday-Friday,10a.m.to3p.m. PhyllisHouse-Cepeda,SharonTooley, www.sdfloral.org MaryEllenWalker Claimsandopinionsexpressedbyadvertisersdononecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheeditorand Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawingsand publisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.CopiesofCaliforniaGardencanbeorderedbymailfor ideas.Deadlinesarethe10thofJanuary,March, $4percopyplus$2shippingandhandling.SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGarden May,July,SeptemberandNovember.Wedonot magazinecanbepurchasedforadonationof$4atthelocationslistedbelow. payforarticlesorartwork.Wecannotguarantee LosAngelesArboretumFoundation,626-821-3222,301N.BaldwinAve.,Arcadia,CA91006 thesafereturnofmaterials.CaliforniaGarden MissionHillsNursery,619-295-2808,1525FortStocktonDr.,SanDiego,Ca92103 rmtastNeaehhtotsneotetesaerrvecitnvihoaoedemlfsoweu.trsnsthstheWeoosefmneauerititnnahghatehoCMstroikDesfc.tdroiatnothAnaeosalddrmtolisdfettoosdoapufnWinpbonyromCtioiaronadsldneuniscscfdietdoosesroansxlncsalpiiursramsibeieluseGnynbstamterereisedndmtf,delateaenierdoc.lder,t SWWWCInoaaaaallntHstteatDeerarirrlemCAAgooSnnonnaddsygFeeeel,rrrossvGHreeaaaelnntrridbANNoessuunnsrraoissGcnneeaigdrrra,yytdS,,i6epo1in68nc915,,e-98s266--,21125399621---1435629--263-842022299--270,0531067-,,316863412086,2,554711C25,V2a5o1E1sln28Datt62aae2dniCr-eir1lpuee/rlyPS2istraso.Bame,ndaaSSocCcta,to.an.,nR,SCDoPSaoitoole.nw,lgmaDeoSig,ya1ee,0nCg5DaCo,Dr,iA.S9eCa2Wg9an1eo20s,09D6t6i2C,4e1A-gE1o6l09,8C24Ca17j0Ao7n9,21C0A192019 naroerniostcrmietnitciiosnmeidm.pliedofsimilarproductsthat FLOWERSHOWS: Showchairperson,pleasecontactCaliforniaGardenifyou'dlikethe magazinesoldatyourshow. Sendalleditorialmaterialandchangeofaddressto: California Garden (ISSN 0008-1116) is published bimonthly for donations (which also include CSaalnifDoirengioaFGlaorradlenAssociation m$6empbeerrysehair)p.iPnuSbalnisDhieedgboyFlSoarnalDAisesgoociFaltoiroanl)Aosfso$c2i0atpieorn,ye1a6r5o0rE$l35Prfaordotw#o10y5e,arSsa(nfoDrieeiggon,deClAive9r2y10a1d-d S1a6n50DEilegPor,aCdoA#952101-1684 C9126A81.40.1P-©O1S62T804M08AorSStTaonEmRDei:mebgSeoernFsdlhoiraadpld®rAsesdssfsolcocirhaaaltni.ogorneg.sAtlolCrailgihtfsorrneisaerGvaerd.dePne.rio1d6i5c0alEslpPorsatdagoe#p5a,iSdaantSDainegDoi,egCoA, Email:[email protected] CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I3 From the President hasbeenanhonor,achallengeandapleasuretohaveservedasourassociationpresidentthe It pasttwoyears. Anhonortohelpleadadedicatedorganizationinthemissiontheychoseattheirinception,to providehorticulturaleducationtoSanDiegocitizens. A challenge to provide and fund Centennial activities to honor our 100 year presence; to buildontheeffortsofotherstoenlargeandimproveCaliforniaGardenmagazine;andtoprovide servicestoourmembersandaffiliates. Apleasureto seeprojects webeganin 2006cometofruitionthroughincreasedpublicity,fund raisingeffortsandmemberparticipation. I am grateful to members and the public for the efforts made on behalfofour venerable organization,andIwillcontinuetoassistasex-Officiomemberwhenneeded.Wearefortunateto haveanoutstandingslateofofficersandboarddirectorstopresenttothemembershipatourJune meeting.Sevennomineesarememberswhowillbenewtotheboardorarefillingouttermsforaretiring member.Sevenwillbereturningboardmembers. The year2009 will be another special event inFloral history. We will celebrate the 100th yearofpublicationofCalifornia Garden Magazine.A volumeofSDFAhistory,asrecordedin ourmagazine,willbepublishedaspartofourrecognitionofthelongevity andprogress ofour organizationanditspublication. AdditionalactivitieswillbeplannedbytheCaliforniaGardenCentennialCommittee.Your ideasforthiscelebrationwouldbeappreciated.Pleaseemailthemtomeatshipdragon@earthhlink. netormailthemtotheFloraloffice,attentionK.Harry. My final request to all members who attend our events, or who just enjoy reading CaliforniaGarden,wouldbethateachofyoubringanewmembertoanevent,encourageyour friendswithhorticultural intereststojoin,andshareyourmagazinetoenticefriends tojoinus. Or,bestofall,celebrateafriend'sspecialdaywithagiftmembership.Whatcanyougivethatwill beenjoyedallthroughtheyearandremindsomeoneofyourfriendship?SDFAwillbeindebted foryourinterestandefforts. «s52?-^ ^~~:t£^~ MOVING? Please letus know. Helpuskeepmembershipcostsdownbyinformingusofyournewaddresspromptly. Filloutthisformandfaxittousat619-232-5762ormailitto:SDFA,1650ElPrado#105,SanDiego,CA92101-1684. Changesofaddresscanalsobesubmittedbyemailtomembership@sdfloral.org. OLDADDRESS NEWADDRESS NAME: NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: CITY/STATE/ZIP: CITY/STATE/ZIP: PHONE: PHONE: EMAIL: EMAIL: 4 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008 I HOW'D THEY DO THAT? EVER LOOK AX A RFAI IXIEf II Ft OPAI APPAKIf*P"AAPkiT f*APncivl ACCENT OR WELL-MAINTAINED PLANT AND WONDER HOW IT CAME TO BE? Well stopwonderingand startdoing! San Diego FloralAssociation Workshops are a great place to learn new skills and meet new people. Starting in September2008, we're launching awhole newseries ofclasses thatwill appeal to anyone interested in learning how to create fun and interesting items. There will be floral arranging courses for all skill levels, including special classes focusing on unique design concepts and preparation for floral shows. There will also be horticulture classes and craft how-tos. SDFA members receive discounts, but all courses are open to the public. For more information about upcoming workshops, keep your eye trained on this space, call the SDFAoffice at 619-232-5762 orvisitthe website at www.sdfloral.ors. Hope to see you this fall! You are invited to subscribe to Tosignupforyoursubscriptiontoday,pleaseprint GARDEN (orcopy)theformbelowandreturnitto: California SanDiegoFloralAssociation, 1650ElPrado#105, SanDiego,CA92101-1684. Yoursubscriptionincludes membershipin SANDIEGO FLORALASSOCIATION! NAME: 1-YearSubscription:$20 2-YearSubscription:$35 ADDRESS: (Pleaseadd$6peryearforpostagetoforeigndestinations.) CITY/STATE/ZIP: With your subscription, you'll receive the magazine, our PHONE: newsletter,accesstotheSanDiegoFloralAssociationbotanical libraryandmemberdiscountsonevents,tripsandclasses. EMAIL: CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I5 Di ^n! News, tips, advice and products you can use. Summertime Flower Design July and August are great months for a refreshing underwaterdesigntoputonthepatiotableorindoorsfor asummerparty.Thesedesignsareespeciallyniceusing tropical flowers and seashells. They are quite easy to make andrequireveryfewsupplies. Startwithagood-sizedclearglass container; any shape willdo,andafishbowl orterrariumworks well.Make sure itisverycleananddry.Placeaheavymetalpinholder,also calledakenzanorfrog,inthebottomofthecontainer.These are available at floral supply shops or craft stores and are great to have in your flower arranging supply kit. Purchase longstemmedtropicalflowersatthefarmers' market,Trader Joe's orotherlocal florist. You will needabout six stems of oneofthefollowingtypeflowers: Callalilies,ginger,birdof paradise,anthuriumorheliconia.Youwillalsoneed several stemsoforchids,someheavygaugedecorativewireandthree babyfoodjars.Succulentsworkwellinthesedesigns,too. Cutpalmfrondswithscissorstomakethree,nice,different- sizedshapesthatwillfitintothecontainerwithouttouching thesides.Leaveroomtoplaceotherplantmaterial.Havethe tallestpalmcomingoutofthetop ofthecontaineraboutas tallagainasthecontaineritself.Havethesecondfrondrightat theopeningandhavethethirdoneabouthalfwayupinsidethe container.Oneachsideofthepalms,rightatthepinholder, insert two very short-stemmed flowers, one on each side of the palms. Cut all the plant material stems on the diagonal formingapointsotheywilleasilyinsertintothepinholder. Next, cut two more stems to reach about a third ofthe way up the inside ofthe container. Place themon each side ofthe palms. Cut the last two flowers so they come out of the container about halfway between the top ofthe tallest palm andthe lip ofthe bowl. (It is sometimes easierto put thestemsintothepinholderoutsideofthecontainerandthen gentlyplaceitintothevaseafterthestemsarefirmlyinplace.) Fillinwithsucculentsand/ortropicalleavesforbalanceand rhythm. Afterthedesignisplacedintothecontainer,addpebbles orshellsinthebottomtohidethepinholderifitisshowing. Carefullyandslowlyaddthewater,takingcarenottostirup debris or bubbles. Wire around the top ofeachjar, leaving Lettheorchiddrapeoutanddownthesideofthecontainer. enoughwiretoformalooptohangthewireoverthelipofthe Add a votive to the top ofthe pebbles or shells in eachjar. largercontainer.Placeeach wiredjaraboutonethirdofthe The candles should be out ofthe water and away from the wayaroundthecontainer,hangingafewinchesfromthetop. orchid stems. Scatter extra pebbles or shells and votives on Fillthebabyfoodjarshalffullwithpebblesorshells,thenadd thetable aroundtheoutsideofthe arrangement.Thisdesign watertojustunderthetopofthepebblesorshellsandaddan should last for about five days. — Kathy TaylorDeMurrilo orchidstemintoeachjar. 6 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008 I Alcazar Garden AJ*M^n! Get to know one of Balboa Park's most popular Qorcsons - TheAlcazarGarden,locatedinBalboaParkbetweenthe sunflowers,Mexican marigolds and Mexican sunflowers and MuseumofManandtheMingeiInternationalMuseum, penstemonsthatwere all grownfromseedorcuttings atthe is a special trademark of Balboa Park. Originally KateSessionsNursery.Ritchiechoosestheplantsthataretobe created for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, it plantedeveryseasonwiththehelpoftheNurserySupervisor. was designated Los Jardines de Montezuma. Richard Requa Ritchie says itishardtodetermine whatwillbeineach redesignedthegardenareaforthe 1935SanDiegoExposition ofthe centerbeds each season because they have to rely on inspired by the gardens at Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain. what is availablecommerciallyin suchhighquantities.Even Requarenamed the areathe AlcazarGarden and addedtwo thoughitisverydifficulttopredictwhatwillbeobtainablein tilefountainsandeighttilebenches.Thegardenisplantedwith thenurseries,Ritchieandthegroundsmaintenancestaffwork over7,000annualsforvividdisplayofcoloryearround. hardtomaintaintheformalSpanish/Mediterraneanstyleand The garden was last renovated in 1998 and restored to tocreatetheambiancethatpeopleexpectatBalboaPark. its original 1935 eradesign. Duringthatrenovation ashaded "OneofthethingsthatIamreallyexcitedaboutisbringing walkway—also known as a pergola—was added to the west moreformality intothedesignofthegardenbeds.I'mgoing endthatnowdisplaysChinesewisteriaandbowervines. bedbybedtoredesigneachone,"saidRitchie. Previously this year The Committee ofOne Hundred, a On the side beds, Ritchie allows for some playfulness. non-profitcommitteededicatedtopreservingSpanishcolonial "Weputgiantsunflowersinthesidebeds.Welovethemeven architecture in the park, restored the deteriorating fountains thoughthey aren'ttraditionallyconsideredaformalplanting. andbenches.Over 1,000newtilesthatmatchedtheoriginals Everyone,especiallychildren,lovesthem." were installed.Theentireprojectcost over$50,000 andwas One of Ritchie's favorite plants should be blooming in raisedcompletelybyTheCommitteeofOneHundred. JulyandAugust."TheAfricantulip(Spathodeacompanulata) Thethousandsofannualsinfoursmallbedsandtwolarge treewillbeinfullbloom.Ithasabrightreddishorangetulip- bedsarechangedthreetimesayearinthisseasonalchanging shapedfloweranditisoneofmyfavorites.Itislocatedinthe display.Thishappensinspring,summerandonceduringthe northwestcornerofthegarden." fall/winterperiod. Openyear-round,thisgardenisfullofvibrantcolorsand AccordingtheCrystalRitchie,HorticulturalistforBalboa historicalarchitecturalfeatures,andisanattractionthatdraws Park, the perimeter beds ofthe garden were planted full of visitorstoBalboaParkthroughouttheyear. -AlyssaHolderbein CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I7 in! Invasive Eviction ^^^^^^ w WVknll(P9wW Vff^*T»•wW»^^»^^M ^ta^ w^^•Jp& ^1^^WFVV»b•8» v^BVI^^P ^i^w^*^l^^1•^^^i^^b^M^ III^f^^8^i^SIF^^ mtwww%*^ Iw^^ As we transition into the dog days ofsummer, and the Centers,HuntingtonBotanicalGardens,CaliforniaLandscape heightoffireseason,it'sagoodtimetorevisitaproblemthat ContractorsAssociation,CaliforniaDepartmentofFoodand affectsallCalifornians:invasiveplants. AgricultureandUCCooperativeExtension,MasterGardeners Invasive plants are non-native species that have a Program. detrimentaleffectonourlandscape.Eventhoughsomeinvasive ThesimplegoalbehindPlantRight.orgistokeepinvasive speciesareconsideredquitelovelytolookat,andareattimes plants in check. The site offers outstanding information for planteddeliberatelybywell-meaninggardeners,allareslowly peopleinterestedindoingtheirpartindiggingoutoffending eliminatingnativespeciesastheyspreaduncheckedintoour species and stocking theirgardens with non-invasive plants. natural areas. Invasive plants are endangering California's There are lists ofinvasive species, reading suggestions and natural resources, eliminating precious biodiversity and business testimonials extolling the virtues of eschewing creatingadangerousecosystem.Theplantsareill-equippedto invasives.Thebestpart?Ifyou'reattachedtoaparticularplant surviveinouruniqueclimateandoftenturntotinderwithout and find it on the invasive list,the site offers recommended rain,creatingevenbiggerfirestormswhendisasterstrikes. alternatives. (For instance, there are 14 alternatives to the How can you take action? Start by visiting PlantRight. periwinkle, Vinca major.) All alternatives are given a full org,anonlineresourcesetupbytheCaliforniaHorticultural description,andinsomecases,informationonsunandwater Invasives Prevention committee (Cal-HIP). The people requirementsfortheplant,as well.Now,morethanever,it's supporting PlantRight.org are representatives from some of essential to protect the natural habitat surrounding us, and themostinfluentialstateandcommercialhorticulturegroups, PlantRight.orgisagreatfirststepinthatdirection. includingtheCaliforniaAssociationofNurseriesandGarden —AmyR.Wood Friend or Foe: Diaprepes Root Weevil The Diaprepes root weevil {Diaprepes abbreviatus) or zoneandthinkyouhavefoundone,putitinasmalljarwith citrusweevilisacolorfulcharacterinyourgarden,but rubbing alcohol and take it to your agricultural extension it is capable ofextreme damage to a large numberof serviceoffice. plants.Ithasbeendocumentedtofeedonnearly300different Those already affected need to take special care not to plantsinnearly60differentspeciesandisamajorpesttocitrus spreadtheinsect.Homegardenersandlandscapemaintenance andornamentalplants. workerscaneasilycarrythepestgreatdistances.Ifyouarein Lookforaweevilthatislargerthanmost,fromthree-eights aquarantinezonebagorenclosealllandscapewasteandmake tothree-quartersinchlong(10-19mm).Ithasnumerousforms, certainyouryardwastegoestoqualifieddumpsites,suchas or morphs, and may be gray, yellow, orange or black with theMiramarLandfill. variedstriping. A good website formore information: httpillanrcatalog. Adultschewdistinctivesemicircularnotchesonleafedges ucdavis.edu/pdf/8131.pdfoxcalltheMasterGardenerHotline ofnewersoftervegetationandleavedroppingslikedarkspecks at858-694-2859.-LucyWarren calledfrass. Ifyou notice this pattern, spread a sheet on the ground below the plant and shake the plant vigorously; the insectiseasilyknockedoff.Anotherwayto identifythemis throughtheuniqueeggsandwichtheycreatebyplacingtheir eggsbetweentwoleavesandgluingthemtogether. The leaf damage by the adults is minor compared to whattheweevillarvaearedoinginyoursoil.Allthroughthe growing season the larvae are aggressively feeding on plant roots and can girdle grown trees with little evident damage untilitistoolatetosavetheplant. Thecitrusrootweevilhasbeenquarantinedin sixzones in San Diego County from LaJolla to Encinitas, as well as Scripps Ranch. Everyone needs to help limit its range and controlitsdamage.Weallneedtokeepoureyesopenandto reportitwhereveritisfound.Ifyouliveoutsideaquarantine Adultcitrusrootweevil,Diaprepes. 8 CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008 I : Common Place The Vera House Community Garden in Normal Heights brings people together LocatedinSanDiego'sNormalHeightsneighborhoodisasmallgardenoasisnamedthe VeraHouseCommunityGarden.Itisanorganicgardenwith 12individualplotsanda communalherbplot.ItissponsoredbytheNormalHeightsCommunityDevelopment sf* Corporation (NHCDC), and plots are open to residents in the larger Normal Heights community. TheVeraHouseCommunityGardenwascreatedfromtheseparatevisionsoftwowomen, bothlong-termresidentsofNormalHeights.FranWilcoxandLoisMiller(bothactiveinthe NHCDC) were keen to startanew community garden,andfound alocation in anempty, weed-filledlotatthecornerofNorthMountainViewand34th In1992theyadvertisedforgardeners.Aneighborhelpedclear. thelot,afencewentup,plotswerelaidoutandthegardenwas areality. hat's Growing ThegardenisdedicatedtothememoryofVeraHouse,who hnaeaigdgahlrbidvoeernd,atLchoeriroses.sMiIttlhleweras,tsreteVotejrfoarinoHmFortuahsene'lWsoitlvacinsodixohnaindthelasottnagibnlesinpsvihirisenidgonhteehder Egvaredrenw?onTdheerawnhsawte'rsigsraolwmionsgtaatnyytohuirngloacanldcevoemrmyuthniintgy. garden.ThreeofVeraHouse'sdaughtershavegardenedthere, Nothingbeatsfreshproducefromthegarden.Belowisa including one who is presently a member. (On occasion she samplingofwhatcanbeseenthrivingintheVeraHouse hasthepleasureofgardeningwithhergranddaughtersthere.) gardenyeartoyear. LoisMillercontinuestosupporttheprojectbyservingasthe liaisonbetweenthegardenersandtheNHCDC,ensuringthat Tomatoes:TheVeraHousegardenersarefondoftheir thegeneralneedsofthegardenareaddressed. tomatoes, and it shows, with a number of different Priorityforuseofthegardenisgiventoresidentswithin varieties growing at any given time. Favorites include the immediate neighborhood, then to residents in the larger Beefsteak, Early Girl, Heirloom Purple Cherokee, Normal Heights community. If plots are still available, YellowBoy,Plum,Roma,Brandywine,MortgageLifter residentsofothernearbycommunitiescanjoin.Eachgardener andcherrytomatoes. isassignedaplotthatisabout 10feetby20feet,andpays$25 dueseverysixmonths. Salad plants: Don't forget the "greens" with lettuces All participating gardeners agree to adhere to basic fromromainetobutterinred,copperandgreen,with rules for their plots uponjoining the garden. The garden is coolingcucumbers. fully organic—use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or insecticides are prohibited. Most of the gardeners are very Seasonings: Someplants addgustotoyourplate such particularabouttheirplants.Allgardenerstendtheirownplots aspeppers,bothhotandsweet,garlicandonions. on their own schedule; however, group weeding ofcommon areastakesplaceonceamonth.Gardeningmethodsvaryand Othervegetables:Awideselectionofotherproduceis eachplotisasuniqueasitsgardener;therearemounds,raised grown,withnumerousvarietiesofeach,frombeansto beds,rows,circularpaths,rockborders andevenhomemade peas,cabbagetobroccoli.Corn,squashandpotatoesare trellises. otherfavorites,alongwithyummyartichokes. Participation is a varied as the general population. One gardeningfamilyrecentlyhadababy,acommunitygardener Sweetness: Strawberries and raspberries add a sweet in utero. The gardeners are culturally diverse, with all types touch. ofindividuals and careers represented; as are the gardening varieOtineeshoafrvtehsetepde.oIptliesamotsruterceopmremsuennitattyiveeffoorft.the garden is Herbs:Ifgrowingthefood,whynottheflavoraswell? RuthParker,aresidentoftheNormalHeightsareafor73years. VeraHousegardeners arefondoftheirherbs,growing When asked why she gardened at Vera House,Ruth replied, oregano,thyme,lavender,cilantroandanumberofbasil "Itis agreatplacetogo andforgetyourday'stroubles." She varieties(includinglemonandpurple). paused for a moment and then laughed. "It's pretty easy to forgetyourtroubleswhentheweedsarestaringatyou." Flowers: While some choose to grow fill their plots For more information on the Vera House Community with things to eat, others create their own cutting Garden,pleasevisitwww.normalheights.org/vhcg. garden, growing many varieties of roses, tulips, —PhyllisHouse-CepedaandKatherineRotherham daffodils, ranunculas, hollyhocks, sweet peas, poppies andpeonies. CaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008I9 Tf\ Drip Irrigation Saving water, drop by drop SanDiegoisinadeepdroughtanditistimetostartsavingwater! Navienreagoeu.tAotfLoiunrdlbaesrtgthenFiaenlnd,uawlherarienfwalelatvoetralasgehaavbeoubteetennbaenldowa Water Saver halfinchesofrainayear,ourrainfallforthepastthreeyearsseems to be close to setting a combined record low forthree consecutive years. In 2006,6.04 inches fell; in 2007,3.59 inchesfell; and as of Curious about how you can save May 11,2008,7.02incheshasfallen andourrainy season is nearly somewaterthis year?Try anyoneof done.Thatisatotalof16.5forthreeyears,whichisabout50percent ofouraverage. these handy tips for some drought- Thecityisaskingustovoluntarilyreduceourwaterconsumption friendly results. by20percent.Choosingdroughttolerantplants,reducinglawnareas andusingdripirrigationareallwisewaystomeetthisrequest. Drip irrigation systems are extremely adaptable and optimize • Waterearly in the morning. waterplacement.Asystemmaybesimpleorextremelysophisticated astherearethousandsofproductsonthemarket,andnewtechnology • Mulch gardenbeds andpotted isbeingdevelopedeveryday.We'regoingtokeepitsimplehere.{Ed. plants to slow waterevaporation. note: Youcanfindallitemsmentionedbelowatyourlocalnursery, hardwareorbigboxhomeimprovementretailer) • Wateryourplants atthe root Ascreenedconnectorallowsyoutohookupadriplinetoahose zone,forlongerandless often,to orhosebib.Fromthereyou'llrunone-halfinchpolytubing;thisisthe mainarteryofadripsystem.Frametheplantingareasyou'dliketo encouragehardy plants with waterviadripbyplacingthetubingonthesurface,twoorthreefeet deeperroots. infromtheborder.UseTconnectorsifyouneedtorunsomeparallel lines.Runwaterthroughthelinetoflushitandcapofftheends. • Group plants togetherbased on Dripemitterscomeineitherflagorbuttonshapes;bothworkwell. how much watering they need. Therearefixedgallonperhour(gph)volumes,generallyrangingfrom .5 gphto4gph.Formostplantsusethelowervolumeemitters,and • Use afull watering can rather thenuselargervolumeemittersfortreesandanywaterlovingplants. Formostplants,especiallythosethatarewatersensitive,besurethe than ahose as awater saving emitterisplacedawayfromthetrunk. measure andbend fromthe In addition to the regular drip emitters, there are also higher knees toprotectyourbackfrom volumeadjustableflowShrubblersthatyoucanopenandclosefrom gphto8+gph. Thesearegreatforpottedplants,aswellfortrees. the weightofthe water and Use one-fourth inch tubing to reach plants in pots or the can. plants that are more than afoot away from the main one-halfinch line. • Mow high and use sharpblade— Thereareplaceswheredripemittersdon'treallyworkwell;for three inches is recommended. eyxoaumwpillel,nteheidcktgoruosuendmciocvreorsaprreaayserosraatntnaucahledflwoiwtehrbtehdeso.nIen-tfhouerstehairnecahs High growth increases grass' tubing.Theycomeinquarter,halfandfullspraypatterns.Besureto tolerance to drought and insect/ gettheadjustablesprayers. diseaseproblems, and clean cut When all is hooked up, cover drip tubing with a light layer of mulch.Turnonthesystemandcorrectanyareaswhereyouhaveleaks grass blades lose less waterthan orwhereplantsdonotseemtobegettingenoughwater. tatteredcutblades ofgrass. Remember,noirrigationsystemisperfect.Besuretooccasionally hosedownyougarden sothatall the leaves getcleanedand allthe —JohnStrickland,OrganicGrowingSystems surfacerootsgetadrink.—JohnNoble 10ICaliforniaGardenJuly/August2008