Garden Report – April 2013
A Note from the Garden: Taft Ojai Garden
We’re headed to Taft Garden in Ojai this Friday morning for a tour and lunch. If you would like to join us, we will meet at Manning Park’s lower parking lot at 9:45am and car pool from that location at Santa Rosa Lane off San Ysidro Road opposite the entrance to Montecito Union School. You can bring something simple to eat for yourself and something to share with the group. Please RSVP by email and give me a call if you would like more information – 805-450-1096.
Plant of the Month: Leucadendron, “Cone Bush”
Leucadendron is a genus of the flowering plant family Proteaceae. They are widespread in South Africa and have adapted well to Australia and the US. The seed heads, or infructescences, of Leucadendron are woody cone-like structures. This gave rise to their generic common name cone bush. We hope to see these in bloom at Taft Ojai Gardens this Friday.
Taft Ojai Gardens:
Taft Garden is populated with stunning plants of Australia and South Africa, these photos are from our last visit.
What’s Bugging You?: Cochineal or Dactylopius coccus
Cochineal is a scale insect native to Mexico and South America that lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia. The carmine dye derived from the Cochineal insect was used in Central America in the early part of this past century for coloring fabrics and then exported by the Spainards to Europe in the 1500s where it was used in paintings and alchemical handbooks. It was popular in the Middle Ages until it was replaced by alizain crimson in the 19th century. Because it is considered a natural dye, Cochineal is once again in demand.
Weather Report by NOAA – 7 Day Forecast:
This site, NOAA.gov, is a top priority for accurate weather reports and forecasts. Tune in a get up to date to adjust your irrigation system.
Garden Tips:
- Clean and sharpen your tools
- Control mosquitoes with fish delivered by Vector Control of Santa Barbara or Mosquito Dunks in small water features – available in liquid or granules.
- Start an herb and vegetable garden this month
- Always clean shears and clippers with a bleach solution to avoid spreading disease
- Lawn mowers spread grasses and weeds from lawn to lawn
- Set gopher traps and tell the ground squirrels to go home!
- Conserve water by installing a thick layer of mulch and water in the morning
- Replace your lawn with less water demanding plants
- Check landscape lighting timers to adjust for shorter daylight hours
- Snail bait by Sluggo is pet friendly and will biodegrade
