Page 57 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2019

GARDEN TERROIR cont’d from page 56
eliminate excessive debris. Hedging, while sometimes useful for certain effects, tends to deny the inherent shape and character of plants – reducing them to geometric blobs, often eliminating the flowers or seed which are important in
a nature friendly living landscape. Pruning should enhance the character and features of the plant. A diverse garden allows for seasonal adjustments without a massive demand of time.
Problem plants. Many people, for unknown reasons, insist on trying
to grow plants that have constant problems, anemic look, diseased foliage, mildew, or attract every pest in your neighborhood. Just get rid of them. Find plants that thrive and may give a similar effect. Some examples include black spot and mildew susceptible roses. Don’t use chemical sprays for these plants to keep them pristine. Choose among the many rose varieties that are more resistant to these problems.
Don’t freak out. Just because insects appear on your plants doesn’t mean it’s time to bring in the napalm. The more diverse a garden is, the more diverse the insects and pollinators will be. Pollinators have many intricate interactions, which for the most part, plants can easily live with, indeed some need. Don’t expect every leaf or flower to be perfect, plants are part of the food chain. The balance between pest and predator can only achieve a balance if they are left to do their thing. Diversity in planting, also helps to assure that when damage occurs, it will be sporadic and not ruin an entire planting. A common example of this is in spring when aphids often cover new rose buds. Don’t freak out, take a closer look. You will likely see that lacewing insects are feasting on these aphids. The proliferation of the aphids will create food that will feed beneficial insects that will control the aphid populations for the rest of the season. Get the most joy out of your garden terroir by encouraging alternatives to chemical treatments.
Roger Raiche and David McCrory of Planet Horticulture is a design-build landscape contractor team that specializes in custom designed gardens in Sonoma County and throughout the Bay Area. They have been developing gardens together for the past 20+ years and are known for combining the art and science of horticulture and their unique supernatural garden style. The team is also known for their longtime conservation and education work at The Cedars outside of Cazadero, CA. www.planethorticulture.com
Plant Sales for Good Causes
Apr 6 ~ Petaluma Garden Club - Annual Plant Sale – 9a to 2pRAIN OR SHINE! 1151 Magnolia Ave, Petaluma
Apr 13 - Dec 7 ~ Willowside School Nursery ~ Plants PRICE: $4 for 1 gallon container - Trees $25 and up, Willowside Middle School, 5299 Hall Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-569-4724, Jan Lochner, willowsidemiddle.org, 4lochs@comcast.net
Apr 13 ~ UC Master Gardeners Tomato Plant Sale! ~ Come to this one-day-only sale to get beautiful, locally-grown tomato plants. Free, 9a, 1710 Soscol Ave, Napa, 707-253-4143, napamg.ucanr.edu, mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org
Apr 13 & 14 Men’s Garden Club of Santa Rosa - 9a – 5p, Coddingtown Mall, Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.
Apr 20 ~ Green Thumb Garden Club Spring Plant Sale ~ Tomatoes, Vegies, Herbs, Flowers, Succulents. Fundraiser for scholarships. 9a-2p, Ace Hardware Parking Lot, 750 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale
Apr 26 - Apr 27 ~ Graton Community Club Spring Flower Show and Plant Sale ~ Veggies, Floral displays, handmade novelties, lunch, live music. Free/9a-4p, Graton Community CLub, 8996 Graton Rd, Graton, 707-829-5314, gratoncommunityclub.org
Apr 27 - Apr 28 ~ Burbank Farm Open House and Plant Sale ~ Many varieties of Burbank developed plants. Docent tours. Free, 10a-4p, Luther Bubank’s Experiment Farm, 7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, wschs.com
Apr 27 ~ Harvest for the Hungry Plant Sale ~ 130 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplants, cucumbers, melons, herbs and more. 9a-2p, Harvest for the Hungry, 1717 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, 707-566-7937, harvestgarden.org, fawn@ fawnmoran.com
Apr 28 ~ Day Under the Oaks Plant Sale ~ Proceeds go towards Horticulture Student Scholarships.10a-4p, Santa Rosa Junior College - Lark Hall Greenhouse, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, 707-522-2602, Mary Sandberg, duo.santarosa. edu, msandberg@santarosa.edu
May 4 ~ Milo Baker Chapter of CNPS’s Spring Native Plant Sale ~ Common and unusual native plants at reasonable prices. 10a-2p, Laguna Foundation, 900 Sanford Rd, Santa Rosa, Betty Young, www/savingwaterpartnership.org, byoung. cnps@gmail.com
May 4 ~ Rose Show and Rose Plant Sale ~ Rose plants for sale are the latest introductions of roses. 1p at Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center (LBAGC), 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, Ruth Browning, redwoodempirerosesociety.com, ruthbrowning@sbcglobal.net
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