Gail's Garden march 2010: Spring is in the Air

Fragrance is all around: I love the smells of the spring garden! The subtle sweet fragrance of golden daffodils, and the rich honeyed smell of our beautiful blue california lilac (Ceanothus) are all around now for our enjoyment. Whenever I see spring flowers I am irresistibly drawn to plunge my nose in to savor their delightful perfume. I even enjoy the bright yellow acacia blooms (luckily I’m not allergic).

My favorite fragrant blooming shrub is wonderful Winter Daphne: it blooms so early in the spring and its sweet perfume hangs in the air around my front porch: a lovely start to every day in the garden. If you want to add a Daphne to your garden for its fragrance and glossy evergreen leaves, select a spot in partial shade with adequate water: this beauty is not drought tolerant! I particularly like the variety Daphne odora ’Aureomarginata’ with golden edges on its glossy leaves, or you could try Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Carole Mackie’ which has white edging. All daphne can be a little difficult, and they definitely don’t like their roots disturbed, but with a little luck they will give you years of enjoyment.

Another spring blooming favorite is the old-fashioned lilac: beautiful, tough and incredibly fragrant! Growing up in Illinois, we had a 15 foot tall hedge of lilacs that perfumed the entire yard every spring. Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) in California are a bit trickier because many of the older varieties need a good winter chill to bloom: some people report good success by piling ice on the roots a couple times during the winter. You can also try the newer Descanso lilac hybrids: bred in Southern California at Descanso Gardens, they are designed to bloom without winter chill. ‘Lavender Lady’ is a good purple selection; pink and white varieties are also available.

The ultimate spring-flowering tree for both perfume and visual appeal has to be Magnolia soulangiana, now coming into it’s magnificent bloom season: don’t miss the two old beauties in front of the Sebastopol Post Office! This incredible tree, also known as tulip tree, or saucer magnolia, is well worth the investment, as it will provide you with many years of beauty and grace in all seasons: it makes a wonderful centerpiece for any garden with spring flowers and fragrance, summer dappled shade, subtle autumn color, and attractive shape and bark in the winter. Do your homework before you buy: there are so many varieties available with different sizes, colors, and fragrance.

Of course, there are many other more subtle scents in the spring garden: I love brushing against the rosemary along the path; and while cutting back frost damage, I was reminded again of the peppery-scented leaves of bacopa (Sutera cordata), one of my favorite ground covers. The cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) is coming into its bloom season and the fresh new silvery leaves are wonderfully fragrant.

If you are considering adding fragrance to your garden, don’t forget to consider Camellias (a few of which are fragrant), Sarcococca ruscifolia with its tiny white flowers, and Pittosporum tobira: all valuable evergreen shrubs with year-round appeal.

If you need help and advise with your garden, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50. Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

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Prepare for Spring with February Gardening Classes

The Rain has arrived! How wonderful to see our reservoirs, lakes and streams filling with life-giving water for the coming growing year!

If the weather is keeping you out of the garden, it’s a good time to start checking out all those great seed catalogs (online or in print) in preparation for spring planting. Also stop by the new Seed Bank on the corner of Petaluma Boulevard and Washington in Petaluma. Offering Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, they have 190 varieties of tomatoes, 150 varieties of squash and more than 100 melons: all organic and heirloom non-hybrid, non-GMO, non- treated, and non-patented. A great place to browse and come away with some fun new seeds to try this year: I bought a couple varieties of morning glory that I have not been able to find elsewhere. The Seed Bank also has a selection of fun garden-related gifts.

If you have a cold frame or indoor seed starting area, you can start cool weather crops this month (lettuce, kale, broccoli, chard), so that they can be transplanted outdoors early in the spring.

If you haven’t finished your rose pruning, this is the time to get it done! Unsure of your technique? I offer individual Garden Coaching in your garden: I will teach you how to prune any and all plants to promote health and better blooming in the coming months. Call me at 829-2455: reasonable hourly rates.

Mark your calendar for these fun and informative classes coming up in 2010 on Saturdays at 10:30am at Bassignani’s Nursery- they are all free! 1841 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol Info: 823-3984

February 6 - Plant your Sweet Peas Now! Our own English gardener Claudia Owens will introduce you to the wonderful world of sweet peas: so easy and so lovely! Learn how to grow your own with minimal effort : you will have vases full of fragrance and color.

February 13 - Grafting Fruit Trees Successfully Grow 4 different apples on one tree! Multi-graft trees are fun, and a great way to maximize your fruit production in a small space. Tony Bassignani demonstrates the technique for grafting your own fruit trees.

February 20 - Camellia Festival Join us for a exciting introduction to the care, feeding and enjoyment of these great landscape standards. Our expert horticulturalist Ken Eliason will teach you the difference between Japonica and Sasanqua, and how to make them an exciting part of your garden! KSRO Garden Talk with Steve Garner will be broadcasting live from the nursery today!

Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

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Gail's Garden: Gail Fanning on Winter & Spring Gardening

Happy New Year! Looking back over the past year and my resolutions made last January, I’m happy to report that I’ve done pretty well in fulfilling my plans. I have supported my favorite garden charities, the Royal Oak and Garden Conservancy. I have improved my irrigation to be more efficient and have eliminated a portion of my lawn to reduce water use. I have been composting my kitchen scraps regularly. I have learned a lot of things about plants and gardening from many sources: my current source of inspiration is the new book by “Grassman” John Greenlee: The American Meadow Garden. This beautifully illustrated book (photos by Saxon Holt) is full of great ideas and options for those of us working toward eliminating traditional lawns.

I have also had the pleasure this year of designing several yards with “mini-lawns”. These postage stamp size lawns (250 to 400 sq. ft.) are perfect for those of us from the Midwest and the East who really want to have a lawn (I think this is a genetic trait from which we cannot escape!). We feel that a garden needs that jewel of green at its center to be complete. With a “mini-lawn” we can have our soft green spot for barefoot walking and rolling with children without bankrupting the water budget. And on my latest project, sub-surface drip irrigation was used to reduce water use even further. Since the lawn is so small, mowing with a push mower is easy: no release of pollution from gas burning engines, just a little good old fashioned sweat!


Mark your calendar for these fun and informative classes coming up in 2010 on Saturdays at 10:30am at Bassignani’s Nursery- they are all free! 1841 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol Info: 823-3984

January 16 - Roses: Prune and Plant NOW!
Bring your pruning shears and gloves, and learn how to properly prune your roses for great bloom this spring. Designer Gail Fanning will also help you choose the best new roses from our great selection of bare root varieties. With the new disease resistant, easy-care rose varieties you can have beautiful roses with minimum effort!

January 30 - Dormant (Bareroot) Fruit Trees
Bare roots are here! NOW is the time to plant your fruit trees. Tony Bassignani will share his many years of experience and answer all your questions about choosing and caring for your fruit trees.

February 6 - Plant your Sweet Peas Now!
Our own English gardener Claudia Owens will introduce you to the wonderful world of sweet peas: so easy and so lovely! Learn how to grow your own with minimal effort: you will have vases full of fragrance and color.

February 20 - Camellia Festival
Join us for an exciting introduction to the care, feeding and enjoyment of these great landscape standards. Our expert horticulturalist Ken Eliason will teach you the difference between Japonica and Sasanqua, and how to make them an exciting part of your garden! KSRO Garden Talk with Steve Garner will be broadcasting live from the nursery today!

March 6 - Grafting Fruit Trees Successfully
Grow 4 different apples on one tree! Multi-graft trees are fun, and a great way to maximize your fruit production in a small space. Tony Bassignani demonstrates the technique for grafting your own fruit trees.

March 20 - Flowers for Your Cutting Garden
Learn how to start, plant, and care for the wide variety of annuals, perennials, and bulbs which can be used for cut flowers. Garden Designer Gail Fanning shows you how to bring the garden’s bounty into your home!

If you need help and advise with your garden, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50. Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

Read article »

Gail's Gardens - Looking Back at 2009

Happy New Year! Looking back over the past year and my resolutions made last January, I’m happy to report that I’ve done pretty well in fulfilling my plans. I have supported my favorite garden charities, the Royal Oak and Garden Conservancy. I have improved my irrigation to be more efficient and have eliminated a portion of my lawn to reduce water use.

I have been composting my kitchen scraps regularly. I have learned a lot of things about plants and gardening from many sources: my current source of inspiration is the new book by “Grassman” John Greenlee: The American Meadow Garden. This beautifully illustrated book (photos by Saxon Holt) is full of great ideas and options for those of us working toward eliminating traditional lawns.


I have also had the pleasure this year of designing several yards with “mini-lawns”. These postage stamp size lawns (250 to 400 sq. ft.) are perfect for those of us from the Midwest and the East who really want to have a lawn (I think this is a genetic trait from which we cannot escape!). We feel that a garden needs that jewel of green at its center to be complete. With a “mini-lawn” we can have our soft green spot for barefoot walking and rolling with children without bankrupting the water budget. And on my latest project, sub-surface drip irrigation was used to reduce water use even further. Since the lawn is so small, mowing with a push mower is easy: no release of pollution from gas burning engines, just a little good old fashioned sweat!

Mark your calendar for these fun and informative classes coming up in 2010 on Saturdays at 10:30am at Bassignani’s Nursery- they are all free! 1841 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol Info: 823-3984
www.bassignaninursery.com

January 16 - Roses: Prune and Plant NOW! Bring your pruning shears and gloves, and learn how to properly prune your roses for great bloom this spring. Designer Gail Fanning will also help you choose the best new roses from our great selection of bare root varieties. With the new disease resistant, easy-care rose varieties you can have beautiful roses with minimum effort!

January 30 - Dormant (Bareroot) Fruit Trees Bare roots are here! NOW is the time to plant your fruit trees. Tony Bassignani will share his many years of experience and answer all your questions about choosing and caring for your fruit trees.

February 6 - Plant your Sweet Peas Now! Our own English gardener Claudia Owens will introduce you to the wonderful world of sweet peas: so easy and so lovely! Learn how to grow your own with minimal effort: you will have vases full of fragrance and color.

February 20 - Camellia Festival. Join us for an exciting introduction to the care, feeding and enjoyment of these great landscape standards. Our expert horticulturalist Ken Eliason will teach you the difference between Japonica and Sasanqua, and how to make them an exciting part of your garden! KSRO Garden Talk with Steve Garner will be broadcasting live from the nursery today!

March 6 - Grafting Fruit Trees Successful. Grow 4 different apples on one tree! Multi-graft trees are fun, and a great way to maximize your fruit production in a small space. Tony Bassignani demonstrates the technique for grafting your own fruit trees.

March 20 - Flowers for Your Cutting Garden. Learn how to start, plant, and care for the wide variety of annuals, perennials, and bulbs which can be used for cut flowers. Garden Designer Gail Fanning shows you how to bring the garden’s bounty into your home!

If you need help and advise with your garden, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50. Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?

Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

Read article »

Gail's Garden - Winter Gardening 2009

Wow! Isn’t this a great season of fall color which we are enjoying! Just back from a ride on the bike trail between Graton and Forestville: red and gold vineyards, flaming liquid ambars and maples, burgundy berry leaves, even the apple trees are beautiful in rust and umber tones. All the berries are luscious: pyracantha, toyon, and cotoneaster, and I especially enjoy seeing shiny, round rose hips decorating the green foliage of the shrub roses.

I hope you will be able to join me for a class on decorating for the holidays with items from your own garden: the class is on Saturday December 12 at 10:30 am at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol (1841 Gravenstein Highway South). It’s all free, just bring some greenery to share: redwood, cedar and pine are always great, but don’t be afraid to be different! Magnolia and eucalyptus leaves are great, and I think live oak would be fun too. I made a wreath for my front door this Thanksgiving using acacia tree branches: a lovely soft, feathery green, they have tiny bead-like buds at the branch tips. They look lovely combined with rose hips and the colorful leaves of Chinese pistache. At the class I will be teaching you how to make your own wreath form with grapevines, and how to decorate it. I will also demonstrate some different and fun ways to make centerpieces for your holiday table and swags for the doors or stairways. I hope to see you there on the 12th!

Looking for a great gift for the gardener on your list? Call me for a gift certificate for Garden Coaching! For just $50 you can purchase your friend an hour of my time in their own garden, where I will demonstrate pruning techniques, share plant care and maintenance tips, and make design suggestions for a more enjoyable garden setting. This is a very personal gift, which I tailor to the needs of each individual and their garden: sure to make your friends happy and more successful gardeners! Call me today at 829-2455, and I will mail a certificate direct to you or your friend in time for the holidays.

Upcoming Garden Events:
FREE classes on Saturdays at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol:
Holiday Decorating from the Garden: bring some greens to share as
We create wreaths, swags, and table decorations!
December 12, at 10:30 am
Coming on January 16th: Rose Pruning Workshop
FREE ROSE PRUNING LESSION including spraying and rose care will be given on Saturday, January 2nd and 9th 9AM – 12PM at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center located at 2050 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. The free lessons will be sponsored by the Redwood Empire Society, for more information please call (707) 545-2872

Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

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Fall Color & Garden Care

I recently had the good luck to spend some days in our beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and at Lake Tahoe: what a magnificent show Mother Nature has provided for us! As a garden designer, I am humbled by the perfection of Nature’s art. Gigantic rock formations in perfect contrast with the dark pines, accented by splashes of golden aspen and the flame of red maple: incredible! Bubbling and gurgling clear water streams splashing over rugged rocks, then subsiding into golden marshlands punctuated with mounds of airy willow. I could only walk and wonder at each new and amazing vista. It was wonderful to see so many families with young children out enjoying the bounty of Nature: it gives hope that they will develop a love for our country’s natural wonders that will follow them throughout their lives.

While few of us have miles of open space at our doorstep, I believe that in our gardens we each have the opportunity to recreate a small bit of nature’s beauty, both for our own spiritual refreshment and to contribute to the “re-greening” of this country. When I work with my landscape clients, I always attempt to create a “mini-ecology” which respects nature’s existing conditions by using plants which are well adapted to our unique Mediterranean climate and appropriate for the “human- built” space in which we are using them. Trying to force a plant to live in conditions very different from its original environment is a sure recipe for failure and frustration!

We are so fortunate to have available an enormous catalog of Mediterranean and California native plants that can thrive and flourish in our gardens with minimal care (and water). It is the task of the garden designer to identify the best plant for each area of the garden, based on all the factors present in that particular garden: sun, wind, soil, animal life, aesthetics, and human use. If we take the time to thoughtfully pursue that perfect plant for each of our garden situations, we may someday hope to design a garden half as wonderful as Mother Nature’s handiwork!

The Garden in Fall

Don’t forget to spray your fruit trees to eliminate leaf curl and related diseases: you must start now to get in 3 rounds of spraying before the spring: consult your favorite nursery for advice on the best organic methods.

Now that we’ve had a good, soaking rain, be sure to turn down, or turn off, your automatic watering systems. Rain sensors are available which will automatically turn off your systems when it does rain, if you have trouble remembering!

Begin thinking about planting! Buy those plants that are on sale now, then pop them into the ground where they will get rooted in over the winter for a great show next spring and summer. California native plants especially appreciate Fall planting. Wild flower seeds can also be spread in Fall.

If you need help and advise with any of these Fall garden activities, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50.

Upcoming Garden Events

FREE classes on Saturdays at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol:
Beautiful Bulbs: Learn how to plant bulbs for Spring bloom in the garden,
or how to force them for indoor color in the winter.
November 21 at 10:30 am.

Holiday Decorating from the Garden: bring some greens to share as
We create wreaths, swags, and table decorations!
December 12, at 10:30 am

Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

Read article »

Gail's Garden: Graywater Approved for Home Gardeners!

On August 4 the State of California adopted regulations that allow us to legally, without permits, re-use our graywater for landscape irrigation! This is a HUGE step forward in reasonable water use policy by the State, and will go a long way toward conserving our limited water resources, while maintaining fruitful and beautiful gardens.

What is graywater (or greywater), you ask? Water from tubs, showers, sinks, and clothes washers is termed graywater: this is lightly used water that is safe to re-use in the landscape, with some common sense precautions. Every load of the washing machine uses about 30 gallons of water, and each shower uses 10 to 30 gallons! That’s a lot of water that can be used to water your fruit trees, berries, grapes, as well as most ornamental plants!

A couple notes of caution: acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and citrus will not enjoy the alkaline content of graywater. For health and safety, graywater should never be applied to the edible parts of plants: i.e., lettuce, spinach, root vegetables, etc.

Some of the basic requirements for a safe and legal graywater use are: 1) keep the discharge on your own land, 2) do not allow ponding or run-off, 3) avoid direct contact between people, pets, and graywater, and 4) any above-ground release of graywater must be covered by 2” of mulch. Naturally, you will also want to evaluate the types of soaps, shampoos, etc. that you are putting into your graywater in order to keep everything biodegradable. Bleach or boron in graywater will kill your plants!

So, how to put together your own graywater system? First, check out the State regulations at www.bsc.ca.gov (see approved changes: HCD-EF 01/09 – Emergency Standards pertaining to Graywater for Residential Application: see section 1603A.1.1 for clothes washer system and/or single fixture system requirements). Then, check out these websites for some excellent information and suggestions on system construction: oclandscape.com/ocblog, oasisdesign.net and greywateraction.org. A couple great reference books are Graywater Use in the Landscape, by Robert Kourik, and Create an Oasis with Graywater, by Art Ludwig.

The Garden in Fall
This is a great time to divide your iris, daylilies, and other clump-forming plants. Dig out the entire root ball, if possible, and cut off divisions with a knife or shovel. Discard any shriveled and dried up parts. Look for new growth buds and healthy roots on each new division. Replant them in well-watered and composted soil immediately.

Begin thinking about planting soon! Buy those plants that are on sale now, hold them in your ‘nursery’ area until the rains start, then pop them into the ground where they will get rooted in over the winter for a great show next spring and summer. California native plants especially appreciate Fall planting. Wild flower seeds should also be spread in Fall.

If you need help and advise with any of these Fall garden activities, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50.

Upcoming Garden Events:
FREE classes on Saturdays at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol:
Learn all about planting and growing Sweet Peas on Saturday October 10th at 10:30
Learn how to “Grow Your Own” on Saturday October 24 at 10:30 am
Increase your favorite plants with cuttings from your garden!

Check out http://www.gardenconservancy.org/ for these seminars:
November 6 & 7: Australian Native Plants
November 12: The Meadow Garden, with renown “GrassMan” John Greenlee

Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

Read article »

Graywater for Gardeners!

The State of California adopted regulations that allow us to legally, without permits, re-use our graywater for landscape irrigation! This is a HUGE step forward in reasonable water use policy by the State, and will go a long way toward conserving our limited water resources, while maintaining fruitful and beautiful gardens.

What is graywater (or greywater), you ask? Water from tubs, showers, sinks, and clothes washers is termed graywater: this is lightly used water that is safe to re-use in the landscape, with some common sense precautions. Every load of the washing machine uses about 30 gallons of water, and each shower uses 10 to 30 gallons! That’s a lot of water that can be used to water your fruit trees, berries, grapes, as well as most ornamental plants!

A couple notes of caution: acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and citrus will not enjoy the alkaline content of graywater. For health and safety, graywater should never be applied to the edible parts of plants: i.e., lettuce, spinach, root vegetables, etc.

Some of the basic requirements for a safe and legal graywater use are: 1) keep the discharge on your own land, 2) do not allow ponding or run-off, 3) avoid direct contact between people, pets, and graywater, and 4) any above-ground release of graywater must be covered by 2” of mulch. Naturally, you will also want to evaluate the types of soaps, shampoos, etc. that you are putting into your graywater in order to keep everything biodegradable. Bleach or boron in graywater will kill your plants!

So, how to put together your own graywater system? First, check out the State regulations at www.bsc.ca.gov (see approved changes: HCD-EF 01/09 – Emergency Standards pertaining to Graywater for Residential Application: see section 1603A.1.1 for clothes washer system and/or single fixture system requirements). Then, check out these websites for some excellent information and suggestions on system construction: oclandscape.com/ocblog, oasisdesign.net and greywateraction.org. A couple great reference books are Graywater Use in the Landscape, by Robert Kourik, and Create an Oasis with Graywater, by Art Ludwig.

Read article »

Gail's Gardens: Fall Favorites

Fall Favorites

This is the time of year when our summer flowers are beginning to fade and a new set of fall-bloomers is needed to give a “punch” of color and interest to the garden. I’d like to share a few of my favorite fall bloomers with you today.

Last year I planted three evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus transmorrisonensis) on a sunny hillside with Jerusalem sage, lavender, and ceanothus. They are already 3 feet across with the flowering spikes up to 5 feet tall: so graceful in the breeze. I enjoy watching them every morning and evening from my kitchen window. Hardy to –10 degrees, and drought tolerant once established, these beauties are evergreen. If you plant this variety, be sure to give it room to grow: I have seen one plant grow 6 feet across!

Another new grass which I added to my garden last year is Giant Feather Grass (Stipa gigantea): planted on a low berm with Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ and Correa ‘Dusky Bells’, it provides a airy screening effect without blocking the view toward the mountains. Its basal clump is evergreen and only knee-high, but its longlasting golden seed stalks are 6’ tall and are still gorgeous after a full summer’s show. I expect they will continue looking good until the rains come.

Our California native Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is in its full glory in fall with bright green leaves and brilliant red flowers: I love to use it as a filler in flower bouquets. I found mine on the roadside and have grown many plants from that original cutting. It is absolutely tough, adaptable to wet or dry ground and sand or clay soil. Be sure to cut this salvia back hard in the late winter/early spring to keep it full and avoid that ‘leggy’ look.

Don’t let your roses fade just because it’s autumn: join me for a free class at Bassignani’s Nursery on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 am to learn how to keep them blooming happily until winter.

Asters are an old standard for the cottage garden and I have had great success with the variety ‘Monch’ (Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’). This herbaceous perennial (dies back to the roots in winter) loves a position on the edge of my lawn where it gets a fair amount of water, and spreads slowly to form a mass of shiny green foliage in the spring, followed by a long-lasting fall display of small blue daisy-like flowers. It is easy to spread around the garden by digging some of the fleshy roots in the spring, so I now have it happily growing in three different areas where it mingles with Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria), iris, and roses. ‘Monch’ is very resistant to powdery mildew, which is a problem for many other asters.

As the weather cools down and the rains come, we move into the best planting time in Sonoma County: if you need advice on designing your garden for easy care and maximum beauty, give me a call now at 829-2455 for a garden consultation or a complete design. Prices are very reasonable!

I have inherited a new green house and am hoping to grow all kinds of good salad greens and veggies this fall season: I hope you are planning for your fall garden too. Looking forward to next year’s spring garden? This is the season to plant your Sweet Peas: Claudia Owens will share all the tricks of the English gardeners for outstanding sweet peas at 10:30 am on Saturday Oct. 10th at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol.

Gail Fanning
Blue Hill Garden Design
bluehilldesign9@aol.com
www.bluehilldesign.shorturl.com
707-829-2455

Gail's Gardening Demonstrations
presented by
Bassignani’s Nursery and Blue Hill Design
1841 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol
Info: 823-3984

Saturdays at 10:30am. Free!

October 3 : Fruit Tree Dormant Season Care
Fall is the time to begin spraying your fruit trees for a bountiful and pest-free harvest next summer! Join Tony Bassignani to learn the best methods and techniques for spraying and pruning all your fruit trees.

October 10: Sweet Peas
Join our English gardener, Claudia Owens, to learn how to start your sweet peas seeds now! Enjoy a wonderful early spring bloom with over-wintered plants.

October 24: Grow Your Own!
Learn how to grow more of all your favorite plants by rooting softwood cuttings. Roses, geraniums, sages, and more: Designer Gail Fanning will show you how to grow new plants that will be ready for spring planting.

November 21: Planting Bulbs for Spring Bloom
Designer Gail Fanning will teach you how to plant bulbs now for a beautiful spring garden! We will also learn how to force bulbs indoors for winter color. Bulbs available for purchase.

Dec. 12: Living Christmas Trees & Holiday Color from the Garden
Join us to make swags and wreathes and centerpieces with garden color for the winter season. Learn how to care for your living tree and plant it out successfully next spring.

Enter to win a free plant at each demonstration! (Must be present to win)
Info: bluehilldesign9@aol.com or 707-823-3984

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GAIL'S GARDEN: Questions and Answers About Gardening

The first in a continuing series: Everything you wanted to know about gardening, but were afraid to ask

Do you have a gardening question you have always been afraid to ask?
Would you like to share a photo of your pet in the garden?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

What is the difference between a perennial and an annual?

An annual is a plant that only lives for one year: we are all familiar with annual vegetables like tomatoes, peas, and corn which must be replanted every year. In the flower garden pansies, California poppies, petunias, and sweet peas are all familiar annuals. These annual plants complete their life cycle of birth, flowering, seed production, and death within one year. They are almost always grown from seed: either by you, the home gardener, or by the nursery where you buy them in 4” pots or six-packs.

A perennial is a plant that normally lives for several years: in the vegetable garden we think of artichokes, rhubarb, and asparagus. Some perennials are evergreen, some lose their leaves, and some die back almost to the ground, but in all perennials at least the root structure persists throughout the year to produce new growth in the spring. In the flower garden there many common perennials that die almost to the ground in cold weather: Peruvian lily (alstroemeria), Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), gladiolus, and iris. Common evergreen perennials for our Mediterranean climate are lavender, rosemary, penstemon, and deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens: a wonderful California native grass).

What is the difference between compost and mulch?

So many people are confused about this! Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. When you put your garden clippings into the green bin, the waste company takes all those grass mowing, tree trimming, and rose pruning wastes to Sonoma Compost on Mecham Road in Petaluma. There they are chopped and mixed, aged and heated until they decay into a wonderful, weed-free soil amendment and fertilizer called compost.

See www.sonomacompost.com for all the details on some great products for your garden’s long term health, and a healthier planet! You can also make your own compost: check the back of your Sunset Western Garden Book for many different options.

Use compost to amend your soil by spreading it on the surface two to four inches deep, by rototilling it in, or by mixing it into each planting hole you dig (use 25% compost and 75% native soil in the hole). Because of the multitude of soil nutrients and organisms found in compost, it has the unique ability to improve both sandy and clay soils, provide natural time-release fertilizer to all your plants, and encourage the health of beneficial soil dwellers like earthworms.

Ok, so what is mulch? A mulch is anything you spread over the surface of the garden to control weeds, hold moisture, and prevent erosion. A mulch can be organic or inorganic. Inorganic mulches that we see commonly used around Sonoma County are gravel and landscape fabric: these add no nutrients to the soil. A commonly used organic mulch is wood chips: these break down very slowly and add minimal amounts of nutrition to your soil.

So why are some of the composts called mulches? Because compost makes a great mulch! Spread over the surface of exposed garden soil, it provides weed control, holds water, prevents erosion, and feeds the soil: all in one operation. That’s why I use only compost for my mulching needs: two to four inches every other year (with a layer of newspaper or cardboard over any really tough weeds) take care of weeding and feeding my garden: easy, economical, and green. Try it: you’ll be amazed at the results!

Edible and Ornamental!

Yes, the time has come to turn our thoughts to the vegetable garden. You can start planting vegetables outside now: starts and seeds are available at all our great local nurseries.

I know many of us think of the vegetable garden as a separate garden from our ornamental or flower garden, and we try to put it way back in an out of the way spot so that it is out of sight in down times. But I think we need to re-examine this frame of mind: why hide your edibles?

There are so many edible plants that are attractive to look at, why not let them share space with your shrubs and flowers?

There are many advantages to mixing edibles and ornamentals throughout the garden.
If your strawberries are planted near the back door, not only do they provide a nice groundcover around your roses or iris, but they are handy for picking every time you go out. Lettuce and other salad greens grown near the patio are much more likely to get the frequent picking and watering they need than those that languish in the far corner of the yard. When your herbs are grown in pots outside the kitchen door, harvesting and using them becomes a simple and healthful part of everyday meal preparation. I love to grow rosemary near the barbeque where it can be quickly picked and thrown on meats as they cook, or you can use those long stems to make shish kabob skewers.

Herbs like oregano, basil, lavender and sage are very attractive and deserve to be grown in the flower beds for enjoyment of their eye-appeal, as well as their taste.

Many plants which you may already grow as ornamentals produce edible parts which can contribute to your family’s healthy, homegrown eating. Did you know that bamboo sprouts are good eating? Harvest the shoots when they are less than 1 foot tall, remove the tough outer leaves and root section, slice thinly, and boil for 20 minutes (do not eat them raw, as them contain toxic substances!). They are crunchy and nutritious (high in potassium) additions to salads, stir-frys, and soups.

Of course, you will need to use organic growing methods with any plants which you intend to harvest for food. I hope that you have already banished all chemical products from your entire garden, but even organic/natural products can be harmful if eaten: always check labels for safety before using on food crops.

Last summer I visited a wonderful garden in the North of England, Hutton-in-the-Forest, where the flower borders were anchored by apple trees interplanted with roses: beautiful and edible! Rose hips, those large red or orange fruits produced on your roses if you forget to prune, as high in vitamin C, and make excellent jams or tea. Check out rose hip recipes at www.springvalleyroses.com. If you want to grow roses especially for big, juicy hips, varieties of Rosa rugosa are recommended.

Many other shrubs and trees that we commonly use as ornamentals produce edible fruits: oregon grape (Mahonia), quince (Chaenomeles), currant (Ribes), pineapple guava (Feijoa) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). The bay tree (Larus nobilis) is a valuable evergreen ornamental whose leaves can be used in cooking.

Orchard trees and vines can be easily integrated into the garden setting: Meyer lemon, persimmon, apple, plum, and olive are all beautiful and productive in our climate. If you have a frost-protected area, you can try oranges and other citrus. I love an arbor smothered in grape vines: pluck the fruit, then sit and relax a while in the shade.

Don’t forget than there are many easy-to-grow edible flowers that add taste and color to salads, cakes, and even cheeses! Some of my favorites are pansies (Viola), nasturtiums, borage, roses, lavender, mint, and rosemary. For lots of great recipes and fun ideas check out http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers.

Start your beautiful edible garden today! If you need planning help, call Gail at 829-2455 for a in-home consultation. Happy home-grown eating!

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GAIL'S GARDEN: Learning about Sustainable Gardening

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year West County Gardeners! I hope you had a joyful Holiday Season and are ready to dive into a productive year in the garden with me. I thought I would share with you some of my hopes for my garden in 2009: perhaps you may be inspired to try some of the same.

First, I want to continue to learn more about soils, plants, climates, and techniques to improve my garden. There are so many great educational opportunities for gardeners here in Sonoma county that it is a shame not to take advantage of at least a few. Try the free educational programs at local nurseries that are announced here in the Gazette: I will be teaching a class at Bassignani’s Nursery on January 10 on Rose Pruning, and Tony Bassignani teaches about Fruit Tree Care on January 24.

If you want to learn more about caring for your plants, don’t miss my Hands-On Pruning Intensive on January 17th: for only $20 you will receive a morning’s instruction and practice in pruning for roses, shrubs, perennials, and even small trees! (e-mail bluehilldesign9@aol.com to register: class size is limited, so please register soon). I will also be teaching a 6 week class ‘Designing Sustainable Gardens’ with my friend and fellow garden designer Ruth Bracken beginning in February (see SRJC Community Education website for registration http://www.santarosa.edu/).

There are great classes for a reasonable price at the Santa Rosa Junior College (http://www.santarosa.edu/): I hope to take Dave Fazio’s class ’Unique Shrubs, Vines and Groundcovers for Nothern California’ this spring. Try a weekend seminar offered by Horticulture Magazine (www.hortmag.com), or the Garden Conservancy Open Days (www.gardenconservancy.org) for exciting learning opportunities. And for those of you who are really ambitious, consider the Master Gardener program (camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu) for a really in-depth learning experience.

No time for classes? Why not subscribe to a new magazine this year? Sunset (http://www.sunset.com/) is an old standby, of course, but I also enjoy Horticulture Magazine (http://www.hortmag.com/GeneralMenu/), Organic Gardening http://www.organicgardening.com/, and Fine Gardening (http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/). This is an easy way to learn and be inspired in your gardening.

Second, I want to make my garden as sustainable and earth-friendly as possible. I will continue to work to make my irrigation systems as efficient as possible to avoid wasting water, and I will decrease the size of my lawn (the most water intensive part of any garden).

I plan to increase my composting of kitchen wastes, which will improve the health of my garden and soil. There are so many ways to compost that each of us should be able to find a simple and relatively easy way to make our own great ‘brown gold’ to nourish our plants. And if you can’t make your own compost, you can buy from Sonoma Compost (http://www.sonomacompost.com/) wonderful products made from local household green waste (Improved Mallard Mulch is my favorite for both soil amendment and mulching).

I will use only natural methods of pest and weed control, even if it means a little more work: I hope that you will all join me in this resolution to improve the health of our planet, our families and our fellow creatures on this earth.

I plan to contribute to the larger garden community this year: there are so many ways that we can help others! Community gardens like Harvest for the Hungry (http://www.harvestgarden.org/organicproduce.html) in Santa Rosa always need help, and every school in the county has a garden which can use volunteers. Or perhaps you have an elderly neighbor or family member who would appreciate your help in making their garden more beautiful.

On a more national level you should consider becoming a member of the Garden Conservancy (http://www.gardenconservancy.org/) or Royal Oak Society (http://www.royal-oak.org/): both excellent organizations dedicated to preserving some truly spectacular gardens for the future.

I will spend time in my garden each day: even on a rainy and cloudy day, it is invigorating for my spirit to be outside in the fresh air, exercising and enjoying my plants. Eat outside, sit outside, enjoy your garden with your family and friends.

I resolve to have fun in my garden and try something new this year. I hope you will join me!

Blue Hill Garden Design
Gail Fanning
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 829-2455
www.bluehilldesign.shorturl.com
e-mail: bluehilldesign9@aol.com

Bassignani Nursery
‎1841 Gravenstein Hwy S
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-3984

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