This man knows his stuff. For the first, but not the last time, The Sonoman has sought outside advice from those who truly love their extra curricular activities concerning the "Garden".

In this issue, we have a "Gentleman", (already married... ladies), who enjoys life, the profit of labors and being able to amply supply his loved one with a beautiful bouquet or fresh vase on the weekends.

Here is his story..................

At an elevation of approximately 2,700 feet, in a natural mountainous setting, he needed flora that could be maintained naturally and that would survive the elements, mainly the deer.

His choice, yellow and white Daffodils. He planted approximately 1,000 bulbs, performed no special soil preparation and received about a 95% bloom rate.

The Planting. 

In order to plant so many bulbs, he turned to technology. He used a Dewalt 18volt Power Driver, with a special bulb auger, that can be purchased through many catalogues. This cordless unit allowed him to move freely though out his property and plant as desired.

For a different look and change of pace, he planted tulips in pots, but had to keep on the upper level decks to keep them from being eaten by the deer.  A problem that doesn't affect the daffodils, as the deer avoid them. 

So if you are looking for a different solution to an age old problem, try daffodils. The bulbs should multiply by 2 each season, but will need thinning at some future point.

Send us Garden favorites     gardens@thesonoman.com   

Green Thumbs by Felicia Kray

"Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!"  Happy New Year!!!!  
Gardeners do not fret over the gloomy weather embrace it!!  
This is a wonderful time of year for your garden. It may look 
as if nothing much is happening right now, however; a lot needs
needs to be done!

Here are your current garden's needs:
It is time to prune your roses! After pruning remove all leaves
dead or living from the base of the plant. It is important to 
do this should any of the leaves containing black spot be left 
behind. Minor cases of black spot can be maintained if all of 
the contaminated leaves are disposed of. Just one little leaf 
left in the soil can affect those spring blooms!!!

Next apply a compost (I used chicken manure) to the base of the
plant. Approximately one coffee can per rose bush and "Let it rain…"
 
Remember that all of this rain makes weeding so simple! If you
are feeling trapped indoors just put on your slicker, garden gloves
and a good rain hat, get out in that garden and pull up those weeds
you know are there. If you are careful to remove all of the weeds 
roots, that is one less weed in the spring. You will be too busy 
planting and fussing over all the new growth in your garden to 
weed thoroughly, so do it now when the task is much easier and 
much more efficient.

Plot your Spring Garden. Condition the soil with mushroom compost 
where your fruit and vegetable garden will grow. Look through a 
seed catalog and dream! Be realistic and plant what you will use. 
Have the kids or neighborhood kids pick a few of their favorites 
and get them hooked on gardening too. Not to mention helpers!!!! 

Try planting some nasturtiums in your vegetable garden. Interspersed
or framing the garden will bring color to the summer garden. And 
they are edible! Beautiful in salads! Go shopping at your favorite
garden center and pick up a few six packs of pansies. They love 
winter and are also edible! Purchase a few of your favorite bulbs
and try this winter experiment (involve the kids!) 

Fill a glass jar, bowl or vase with small pebbles or rocks from
you yard. Place the bulbs on top. Fill the container with water
only to the base of the bulb. Crowd the container with bulbs or
one bulb per tea candle sized container. Place in a sunny window
and watch the bulb grow into a beautiful flower! Only replenish
the water as needed, less is more and if the bulb sits in water
it will rot.

Peony

optimum saturation  

!
Mexicola Avocado

"One Apple" Apple

crape myrtle

Mums

Abutilon 

Frost on the pumpkin? YES!!!!!! And on my peonies too!

We have had more frost here in the city of Sonoma in the last two weeks than last year combined. This fact has led me to try a new experiment this winter with a few of my favorite plants from my home garden. Hydrating my plants to their optimum absorption. In other words keep the plants thoroughly watered! The two most challenging plants for this climate (zone 14) that are in my garden, are my peonies and my avocado tree.

The avocado tree in my yard is called a Mexicola Avocado and is hardy to 20 degrees. This year marks my third attempt at keeping one alive through the winter. I have tried the cloud cover, putting a sheet over it, and even bringing one into my garage that I kept in a very large pot. Always after the first frost the tree turned black and with in 3 days, was dead. This year I am going to apply basic science! Frost kills a plant because the very cold temperatures dehydrate the plant resulting in death! Each afternoon when the ground has warmed up I water the avocado tree thoroughly, saturating it before the sun goes down to ensure the tree is at its optimum saturation point. Guess what, almost 5 days straight with freezing weather and not the slightest hint of damage! Many gardeners forget to keep up their watering schedules in the winter assuming dormant plants do not need anything more than the occasional rain shower, WRONG! Please try this very basic idea and in the spring we just might be blessed with an abundance of fruit! As for the peony, this spectacular shrub (tuberous root) relies on a consistent freeze in the winter to produce the most spectacular blossoms that can reach 12 inches across!! I kid you not, when this plant blooms the wait is well worth it! Done right, you will need to stake the plate-sized blooms in the early spring. With out a pronounced chill the blossoms will be diminished. Last winter I was leaving trays of ice (consistently) every night for most of the winter in order to mimic the climate these classics depend on. I will never forget my first encounter with these spectacular beauties when I acquired my first home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. That was the year I fell in love with gardening!!!

To keep my first article brief I will simply list the plants in my garden and tell you of our winter plan for them. Like every thing else it seems trial and error. I have a "One Apple" apple tree that I purchased from the television and guess what? Fruit the very first year!! This is almost un heard of! I will not prune my crape myrtle this year in a hope to see more blossoms. My roses are thriving, as are my "Mums". I will fertilize all winter with 0-10-10 a formula to encourage sturdy roots and beautiful flowers.

The all around best producing plant in my garden has got to be the Abutilon-(Malvaceae).

This lovely flowering maple blooms 9 months out of the year and grows like a champ (did not want to say "weed" as to might insult this majestic plant). The flowers are similar to little Chinese lanterns of red and yellow, pink and red bell shaped flowers. The Abutilon is a remarkable playground for the hummingbird!! This is why I placed them near my children’s window!

The two mysteries in my home garden are that of the grapevine and Hydrangea. Having had gorgeous blooms from the same Hydrangea in the years past not to mention so many clusters of grapes for the table I practically mourned the loss of flowers and fruit this past spring and summer. Science can not explain it! I studied viticulture extensively and basic horticulture tells me that there is no explanation as to why my grape vines did not produce, nor did my Hydrangea bloom in 1999????? I am researching this now and am going to see my professor of Viticulture next Tuesday to get a more in depth opinion. I will keep you posted.

I am afraid to lose you (the reader) in my miniscule gardener’s dilemma’s but please have fun this winter assessing your own gardens and PLEASE e-mail me with your garden questions and or comments so that I may assist you in figuring out your garden mysteries.

Please email me with all your questions and I will be happy to research it thoroughly and get back to you a.s.a.p.

Address your e-mail to Info@thesonoman.com