Garden Notes

An effective UC Master Gardener volunteer should see themselves first as a gardener, then a student, as well as a teacher, a storyteller, and finally, a defender of our shared California waterways and clean air.

In the Summer 2024 edition of this blog, I highlighted the eliasome, a fleshy appendage on some seeds that allows ants to transport them into their nests to feed their young. The seeds are then taken to the ants' compost pile where they often germinate in the rich environment.

Over the years, my wife and I have converted our home's yard from 1100 ft2 of lawn to a native, edible, and herbal wonderland. We continue to add unique and fragrant herbs that enhance the overall beauty and bounty of our garden.

It's time to gear up for shorter days, longer nights and pumpkin-spice everything! Cranking up the oven is finally sounding like a good idea. Fall lends itself to comforting heartier dishes that are inspired by fall produce, like apples, sweet potatoes, squash, and root vegetables.

Lantana, the Laroda plum tree, and Red Hot Poker are just a few of my favorite plants in my -acre garden. SHRUB: Although there are 150 different species of lantana, those most widely available to home gardeners are Lantana camara and modern hybrids.