Page 6 - Mid Valley Times 3-26-20 E-edition

Thursday, March 26, 2020 | A6 | Mid Valley TiMes
Garden Checklist: Create compost from garden waste and grass clippings
Contributed
The Garden Check- list is filled with tips and tricks for local gar- deners who wish to keep their greenery, flowers, and herbs looking beau- tiful all year long.
As spring unfolds, take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
There is a quote by Claude Monet that reads, "My garden is my most beautiful master- piece."
Tasks for this time of the year include com- posting weed free grass clippings and other thorn and disease-free garden waste.
Better yet, start a grasscycling program for an existing lawn.
When pruning, now is
SCHOOL
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has caused widespread caution. SUSD closed its doors on March 16 and the district plans to stay closed until April 163.
As of March 23, there were a reported 13 cases in Fresno Coun- ty and 16 cases in Tulare County.
A shelter in place or- der was put in place by
the time to shape hedg-
es.
Do not apply any treatments to pruning cuts or other wounds because these materials are ineffective and often are detrimental.
Chip yard waste and use as mulch or as an addition to the compost pile.
Do not overfertilize. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer contain- er. Excessive fertiliza- tion leads to contamina- tion of waterways and lush plant growth that requires more water.
Plant annual summer herbs and vegetables at two-week intervals for successive crops.
Annual, black-eyed susan vine (Thunbergia), sunflower (Helianthus),
the Governor of Califor- nia, Gavin Newsome, on March 20.
The order asked Cali- fornian's to stay home unless essential busi- ness was necessary.
Non-essential busi- nesses like hair salons, gyms, bars and night- lubs, dine in restaruants and more to close until the order is lifted.
For a full list of es- sential and non-essential business visit covid19. ca.gov.
Verbena, Zinnia. Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus. Fruits and veg- etables: Last chance to plant a late crop of chard, spinach and let-
tuce.
Trees, shrubs, vines:
Shoestring acacia (Aca- ciaatenophylla), Bottle- brush (Callistemon), Sedge (Carex), Smoke tree (Cotinus).
Perennials: Yarrow (Achillea), Artemisia, Fortnight lily (Dietes), Gazania, Lilyturf (Liri- ope).
Enjoy these now an- nuals and perennials: al- stroemeria, snapdragon (antirrhinum), colum- bine, fibrous begonia.
Bulbs, corms, tubers: anemone, freesia.
Trees, shrubs, vines: acacia, aesculus, camel-
COLUMN
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through my body. This was scary. I couldn’t be- lieve the basic essentials and necessities we’ve taken for granted for so many years were now becoming valuable com- modities.
What is this moment trying to teach us as a so- ciety? One answer might be to take a break, slow down. My daughter is 19-years-old, her life re- volves around work and
lia, catalpa, California wild lilac (Ceanothus).
Fruits and vegeta- bles: asparagus, brocco- li, grapefruit, kumquat.
Things to ponder, if oakworms, redhumped caterpillars or cab- bage loopers are pres- ent, spray with bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Re- peat every 7 to 10 days for several weeks as a preventative measure.
Source: Adapted from “A Gardener’s Companion for the Cen- tral San Joaquin Valley,” 3rd edition, currently available from Fresno County Master Garden- ers for $30.
Gardening Questions answered at (559) 241- 7534. Prepared by Judy Parker, Fresno County Master Gardener.
school.
She wakes up at 5:15
a.m., heads to Fresno City College, stays there throughout the day and then it's off to work after- ward. Most days she’d be home by 10 p.m.
Now, with school can- celed and work on hold, she’s home. A little lost but she’d doing ok. Yes, so what's happening right now is scary.
But it might also be an opportunity for us as a society to take a breath- er, extend some gratitude and reset.
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