Five things to do in the garden this week:
Perennials: Robertson dewflower (Drosanthemum micans) is my favorite low-growing, flowering succulent. And whatever is in second place is not even close. Picture a generous clump of daisy-like flowers whose petals are a glowing yellow from their base until they suddenly turn a fiery red along their length. The contrast is arresting. Along the coast, Robertson dewflower blooms nearly year-round while inland it flowers mostly during the spring in full sun to light shade. It is hardy down to 25 degrees and, like all succulents, it is easily propagated from shoot cuttings. It is known as dewflower since its foliage appears to be covered with dew on account of moisture-retaining bladder cells. It is related to iceplants, having similar cells on their leaves that may glisten like ice crystals.
Tree crops: You can grow pecans in our area, and the best variety is Western Schley, available from Otto and Sons Nursery in Fillmore. It is self-fruitful, meaning it will produce nuts when planted alone. However, its male flowers open before its female flowers, so it will produce up to its potential only when planted with a pecan whose flowers open in reverse order (females before males). This tree will grow up to a hundred feet tall or more, but you can, of course, keep it smaller by pruning. Many commercial pecan growers keep their trees at a height of 40 feet. Pecan trees have a habit of alternate bearing, meaning they produce heavily one year and lightly or not at all the next. Many varieties of avocados exhibit alternate bearing to one degree or another, although the Gwen avocado is known for producing substantial crops on a yearly basis.
Vegetables: Kohlrabi, although not widely grown, is worth trying. According to Christy Wilhelmi, you can plant its seeds every few weeks during the spring and then harvest it all summer long, since it only requires two months to go from seed germination to maturity. With kohlrabi, bigger is not better. The edible bulbous growth at the base of its leaves should not be allowed to exceed two inches in diameter. If it gets larger than that, it will become tough with a bitter taste. Upon harvesting, peel the skin, steam for eight minutes, and “saute in olive oil or butter for a very potato-like experience.” Cabbage worms (larvae of white cabbage butterflies) are attracted to kohlrabi but planting a trap crop such as nasturtium can solve this problem. A trap crop attracts a pest that would otherwise damage another, edible crop. In this case, the cabbage worms that infest the nasturtium would attract predacious insects that devour them and any cabbage worms that find their way onto the kohlrabi.
Herbs: Salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) is one of the most delightful herbs you will ever grow. It is highly attractive with its ferny, dentate leaves. It develops into a symmetrical mound about two feet high and self-sows with alacrity. Flower globes are pinkish and interesting to behold, although they are open, plucked off to push out more of the distinctively captivating foliage. Salad burnet (BUR-nit) is used in garnishes, to flavor drinks, and in salad dressings due to its delicate cucumber flavor. It will survive a frost and show off an evergreen growth habit where winters are warm like ours.
Have you ever thought about putting to beneficial use those cardboard boxes in which Internet fare that arrives at your front door is packaged? Keep in mind that cardboard is made of recycled paper so it will break down like paper, if a bit more slowly because of its thickness. Most cardboard is easily turned into compost, even in one to two months, when mixed into a compost pile that is already heated up. However, it will break down within three to four months if you just cover a single layer of it with freshly cut grass, shrub or hedge prunings, or kitchen leftovers such as fruit peels, vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Speed up its decomposition by cutting it into strips. Note: Do not try composting with cardboard that has a wax coating since such coatings may not be biodegradable.
Please send your questions and comments to joshua@perfectplants.com.
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