The rain we enjoyed last winter and spring was a blessing not only to our garden and plants, but also to our souls. How long has it been since we enjoyed such heavy rains? It seems like an eternity.
Perhaps there is a lesson here from which we can draw comfort and hope. Last fall, the vast majority of so-called experts predicted a fourth straight drought in Southern California. And then we'll have a winter like this. This is proof that change for the better can happen quickly, and that optimism and faith are no less justified than doom and despair. In this context, it's also worth noting that prayers for rain are common in many cultures spanning the world and dating back thousands of years, so it might work.
Gardening in Dry Climates (Cool Springs Press, 2023) Noel Johnson offers step-by-step instructions for beginning gardeners on how to garden in areas like ours, where it rains almost exclusively during the winter months. In fact, this book will be useful in any climate, as it provides a basic explanation of everything a beginning gardener needs to know, from soil types and pruning tools to water conservation and pest control methods.
Even during wet winters, most gardens in Southern California must rely on imported water for proper maintenance. The challenge, of course, is to choose plants and implement conservation measures that minimize water needs by delaying the use of hoses and sprinklers as long as possible during the growing season. Rainwater harvesting collects rainwater that falls on roofs, collects in gutters, and flows down drains into rain barrels. Another way to collect rainwater is to build catch basins in the ground or under driveways, as was done at the Tree People headquarters at the corner of Mulholland Drive and Coldwater Canyon Avenue in the Santa Monica Mountains. Reusing wastewater from sinks, showers and laundries for ornamental plants and fruit trees will also reduce the need for imported water.
The authors suggest a simple "portable drip irrigation" technique using a recycled one-gallon plastic jug with five holes drilled with a nail. “Fill it with water and place it next to the plant you want to water. Water slowly, giving the plant just the right amount of water. If you're planting a woody perennial, you'll need to create a three-inch-high border or dock around the shrub or plant after temperatures rise. Make sure the perimeter of the reservoir matches the drip line or canopy of the particular plant.
I should add that it is also wise to create a mound a few inches from the trunk of the tree or shrub, as this will prevent water from entering the canopy where the plant meets the roots, as that is the area. which is very prone to rot due to standing water in the area. Another sun protection method listed is shading newly planted plants as a first step in acclimating them to your garden's microclimate.
If you want to expand your cactus garden, Johnson offers a recipe for propagating your prickly specimens: “Many types of cacti can be grown from cuttings when temperatures rise above 60 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut off the pad of a prickly pear cactus or the long stem of a columnar cactus. Place the cutting in a dry, shaded area for two weeks to allow the cut tip to dry out before transplanting to a new location. Wait a month before watering.
I have found that cuttings taken from any succulent, cactus or anything at any time of the year, if placed in the sun for half a day when the soil is dry and avoid watering, will soon produce new growth. There is a desire to grow from juicy coupons, which is very noticeable. Just two weeks ago I cut a pig's ear (Cotyledon orbculata), planted it in a dry planter and already saw four new leaves.
California native of the week . Conejo or saffron buckwheat (Eriogonum crocatum) is a botanical gem of the Conejo Valley, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agora Hills. It has dark gray Miller style leaves with deep lobes and sulphur-yellow flowers. Saffron Buckwheat grows to two feet tall and three feet wide, begins flowering at this time and will continue through late summer. Like all buckwheats, its flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators, including birds, bees and butterflies. This is a perennial plant that does not winter and therefore grows slowly but surely throughout the year. This is an easy-care plant that no Southern California garden should be without. According to the California Native Plant Society, it is a critically endangered species, which is another good reason to grow it in our gardens.
Send questions, comments and photos to joshua@perfectplants.com
