Garden Report – January 2013
A Note: This is the beginning of a new growing cycle, days are getting longer, we have had an appreciable amount of rain and more is on the way. If you haven’t done so already, prune your roses and stone fruit trees, cut back your perennials, and plan your annuals and vegetable garden. Do something different this year, use your imagination and run with it, have fun…
As you plan, think to conserve water and optimize space. And most importantly have a prosperous, salubrious and jocular New Year!
Public Service Announcement from the City of Santa Barbara:
Please limit water usage, January 11-13 and January 18-20
– Community-Wide Above and Beyond Water Conservation Efforts Requested
– Make Sure Irrigation Systems are Turned Off
The City of Santa Barbara is asking water customers to conserve water above and beyond everyday water conservation practices for this weekend and the following weekend. The City’s Cater Water Treatment Plant treats drinking water and provides water supplies for the City and Montecito and Carpinteria Valley Water Districts. An Ozonation Project is currently being constructed at the Cater Water Treatment Plant which requires two three-day shutdowns, January 11-13 and January 18-20, 2013.
During the shutdowns, drinking water production will be suspended; however, the City’s 13 reservoirs will be filled to their maximum capacities, and augmented with limited water supplies from the City’s wells and neighboring water agencies.
The City offers free water check-ups year-round for all water customers to provide recommendations on ways to save water both indoors and outdoors. For more ways to conserve water, information on rebates, and to get a water check-up, please visit www.SaveWaterSB.org or call (805) 564-5460.
For further information on the planned Cater shutdowns, please contact Catherine Taylor, Water System Manager atctaylor@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or (805) 564-5379.
Plant of the Month: Acacia cognata, “Cousin Itt”
This lovely mounding acacia grows 4′ to 5′ wide and 2′ to 3′ high, making it an excellent medium height ground cover for planter beds. It is very hardy to 15 degrees and drought tolerant, once established. Cousin Itt has emerald green, dangling foliage that asks to be touched. It prefers well-drained soil and does very well as a container plant.
Container Plants:
I like this photo of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum that has casual potted plants throughout the location. Hardy geraniums do well in this environment but would be more appealing if they were replanted with Acacia cognate.
What’s Blooming Now: Oxalis
It is winter, the rain came down, the sun produced warmth, now oxalis is in bloom. It’s everywhere just like ants. This reminds me of someone who moved to Santa Barbara and was outraged that oxalis was growing in her yard. The seeds are minute and are easily broadcast from property to property.
Yes, that is a bee that has tucked itself in for the night in that closed flower. Bees use the sun for navigation, that bee was caught too far away from home when the clouds block the sun and it was still there after dark.
Oxalis is by far the largest genus in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae: of the approximately 900 known species in the Oxalidaceae, 800 belong here. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the polar areas; species diversity is particularly rich in tropical Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
Many of the species are known as wood-sorrels (in American English typically written “woodsorrels” or “wood sorrels”) as they have an acidic taste reminiscent of the unrelated sorrel (Rumex acetosa) proper. Some species are called yellow-sorrels or pink-sorrels after the color of their flowers instead. Other species are colloquially known as false shamrocks, and some called sourgrasses. For the genus as a whole, the term oxalises is also used.
What’s Bugging You?: Ants again… they are back!
I propose a National Ant Day to celebrate the resourcefulness and tenacity of ants. That’s all I have to say on that subject.
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
