UC Blogs
Bring 'em On!
It's what I've always wanted to see on Christmas Day. On Dec. 25, we rarely see any insects--probably because we aren't looking for them. But a...
Gulf Fritillary butterfly laying an egg on Christmas Day in west Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gulf Fritillary spreading her wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Year's End
Normally, the blogs are about what’s happening out in the garden, or what now to do OR not in the gardening year or better still, how to work with what Mother Nature doles out in the way of weather. You don’t need me or anyone else to tell you that “Baby, its cold outside”! But frozen vegetation is something you can read about and discuss with others.
This column is a tad different this time. It’s a reflection of how certain people can affect you – this particular person affected his fellow Master Gardeners very positively. I do mean Gary Weaver!
I first met him in 1998 when he was in my MG training class. A quip and a hearty laugh was Gary. I once mentioned to him that he spoke and sounded like a teacher and he told me he was. Wow, I called that one correctly! He was a fount of information and shared that knowledge freely – no having to yank it from him. He also included his sources so that you could do some follow-up reading yourself. He was just a good Joe, who was at the Vacaville Farmers’ Market occasionally, an easy talker to strangers and who told tales of his greenhouse to us all.
Anyone still have the handout from the presentation he and Dottie did about herbs for the last portion of the MG class? I do and have it in the bookcase with my other horticulture books. It was beautifully done with a cover, no less; very suitable for keeping and using as a reference book. It was full of interesting facts and hints for growing and using herbs that was helpful. It included yummy recipe ideas too. You could see the teacher coming out through him during that presentation! He and Dottie made the talk very interesting and made you feel that herbs plants were some things you needed to grow, nay, go out and buy – right then!
Gary lost his battle with cancer earlier this month. He fought the good fight, but lost. He will be missed from our Solano Master Gardener community!
Our good friend Gary.
THE Ginkgo Tree
Downtown Vacaville has a spectacular event that happens every year. It has been blogged about previously by Kathy Thomas-Rico, but I think it warrants additional praises. Standing proudly on the corner of West St. and Buck Ave., lives a large female Ginkgo tree. For about 6 months, the tree is hardly noticed as the fan shaped, double lobed leaves are dark green. In October those same leaves turn a blazing yellow and within a week they blanket the ground like a thick Chinese carpet.
It’s not unusual to see travelers stop, get out of their car and start taking photos. The tree is a female Ginkgo as it bears fruit. The fruit falls on the lawn and cement below and we observe the same Asian ladies picking it off the ground every year. I understand they make a sugared candy type treat with the fruit. When I have been nosy and picked up the fruit, it looks ugly and has a stinky smell. Maybe I should do further research on that-I may be missing something quite tasty.
The Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba), is from China. They were known to grow well in serene temple areas and countryside gardens. Now you see them everywhere including home landscapes. They first appeared over 200 million years ago.
The male tree is upright and irregular in form, whereas the female tree is lower growing with a spreading habit. Being deciduous they are cold hardy and can handle blustery wind. They tolerate heat, and wet and dry conditions. Relatively immune to most diseases and insects, they are a perfect choice for any setting. They come full sized up to 40 feet and are even available as a dwarf. I have a miniaturized bonsai specimen that I got many years ago at the Master Gardener plant exchange. One of the nurseries that has a nice selection of Ginkgo’s is the Urban Tree Farm in Santa Rosa.
Ginkgo. (photos by Sharon Rico)
Golden ginkgo.
Bare ginkgo.
'Emerald Green' Christmas
An Emerald Green Arborvitae is our Christmas Tree this year, botanically speaking, it is Platycladus occidentalis 'Emerald Green'. It will eventually grow to 10-15 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. This shrub is tolerant of poor soil, heat and cold. It is useful as a screen, hedge in multiples, and as a windbreak.
We are having some work done inside just after the holiday so I didn't want the large stuff to deal with this year. So this little 3 foot shrub will help keep the spirit going during the Christmas and New Year's holiday, then it will find a home here in our garden.
Best wishes to all for a joyous holiday and peaceful new year.
Our emerald. (photo by Trisha Rose)
Seeing Red: Holiday Red
Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as "red pollen." Like people, pollen comes in many colors and all are beautiful. All. The floral source...
Honey bee with red pollen (from neighboring rock purslane) sipping nectar from lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee, packing red pollen, returning to a rock purslane blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)