I totally agree with you, Kim, regarding the plant selection issue
for us in the West. I live in a mountain community, about 4300'
elevation, in Central California and I am very careful about what
plants I choose for my garden.The hot summers and the snow in the
winters create a definite problem. I have been gardening up here for
about 16 years, but in the beginning, I lost far too many plants
because of lack of knowledge! After much trial and error, reading
everything I could find on the subject, and taking the advice of
more knowledgeable friends, I am pretty confident in my plant
selections! I find that sticking to indigenous selections as much as
possible works best. We have very rocky soil, with alot of
decomposed granite, so planting in the summer, expect for annuals,
is really difficult. I would be happy to share info about what has
worked for me in this area, if anyone would like to contact me.
my email address is gardenmimi4@aol.com
In My Garden Blog
November 20, 2008
Northern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
By
Kim Haworth,
San Bruno, CA
Some plants, such as the hardy nasturtium, are forgiving and will thrive just about anywhere.
Little Choices, Big Problems
We are so lucky to live in California where earthquakes and droughts are our only major natural problems. I have never heard of anybody whose garden was damaged by an earthquake. Imagine living where hurricanes wipe out your greenhouse or where tornadoes sweep through your living room. Flooding occurs here, but usually only in a really wet winter, something we haven't seen for quite a while.
Most of the problems that California gardeners have to contend with can be traced back to two basic things; improper plant selection and soil.
Plant Selection
Improper plant selection is probably the most common problem made by gardeners, and the most frustrating, because we cause it ourselves. Sometimes, when we select a plant at the nursery it's an emotional purchase. "Oh gosh, my granny grew this fuchsia and I want one in my garden too!" Or, it may have been a recommendation from a friend; "I had fabulous luck with this tomato, you should try it!" Perhaps the friend lives in Sacramento and you live in Daly City. That tomato plant will not perform the same way in both climates. This doesn't mean that you can't grow tomatoes in Daly City; you just need to select varieties that produce fruit earlier and will withstand cooler weather such as Early Girl or San Francisco Fog. The deep, sandy soil in Daly City is ideal for growing many kinds of perennials, including artichokes. Try growing those in Sacramento.
I guarantee that you will be disappointed if you only grab eye-appealing plants in the nursery. Take for example the Kangaroo's Paw (Anigozanthos) which requires full sun and fast-draining soil. Take away one, or both, of those requirements and you will be throwing your money away. Most nurseries have some kind of reference book for customers. Before you hand over your credit card, I recommend doing a little basic research on the basic growing requirements -- how much sun, how much water, what kind of soil -- that, if met, will produce stunning results most of the time. Success also depends on the individual gardener and planting techniques.
Soil
Most of the native soils in the west are alkaline, with the exception of Alaska, Oregon and Washington, western states that receive summer rain. Many of the ornamental plants that we like to grow require acidic soil. That's because beautiful flowering plants such as camellia, hydrangea, rhododendron, azalea, and gardenia are native to areas that receive ample annual rainfall. Places that receive summer rain usually have acidic soil. Plants such as arctostaphylos, melaleuca or leucophyllum that grow in arid climates such as Australia, Northern Mexico, and the Mediterranean require a slightly alkaline soil to mimic their natural environment.
Sulfur or Lime?
Sulfur is used to lower the pH in an alkaline soil to make it more acidic. Calcium carbonate (agricultural lime) is used to raise pH in acid soils to make them more alkaline, or neutral. Too much of either element will bind up the availability of essential nutrients. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. A soil test is the only way to tell which elements are missing from a particular location.
Think of the soil in your garden as if it were a bank, where you make regular deposits and withdrawals. Ideally, when you change crops, you amend the soil with organic material to improve the texture and increase the nutrient value. What you add to the soil depends on what you want to grow. You can never go wrong by adding compost to the existing soil, even if you are growing cactus or succulents. Organic compost improves drainage and texture and adds valuable microbes and bacteria that help the roots of plants 'grab and hold' nutrients.
I hope this column isn't too "preachy". I just want to save you a little money and a lot of heartbreak. After all, successful gardening comes down to making the right choices, just like in real life.
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Comments on Little Choices, Big Problems
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We welcome your questions and comments about this column. If you have gardening questions unrelated to the column, please ask them on our message boards.
Kathleen Napier
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Babara McKean
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I am originally from M.J. known as the garden state. The soil in New
Jersey required very little ammendments. If I had read your article
25 years ago it would have saved me a lot of heartache, muscle
soreness and money. This article tells it as it is. Thank you.
kimmie haworth
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I have never gardened any place other than California, so I would
probably be surprised and heart broken too if I had to learn
everything again from scratch. I remember being amazed that a
spindly kumquat won Best of Show at the Philadelphia Garden Show
many years ago. The show was held in February and the little kumquat
tree had a small handful of fruit clinging to the branches. In
California this tree would have been considered a runt, but where it
snows and freezes, it was a treasure.
We all do the best we can.
kimmie haworth
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Kathleen, gardening in high country is a challenge, not only due to
soil and plant selection, but you also have hungry critters roaming
about searching for a free meal. Rocky soil is high in minerals but
is very difficult to grow carrots in. Have you tried growing a
Matilija poppy (Romneya)? The common name is 'Sunny-Side-Up Plant'.
It is native to California, will withstand heat and cold and has
flowers that look like giant fried eggs.
Mary
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I have gardened in northern CA only. From the East Bay of San
Francisco, to Modesto and now in Sacramento, right on the river.
Soil has always been the issue. I could grow anything in Modesto.
Walnut Creek was tough as we lived on the side of a small hill where
the soil was not only shallow, but poor. Lots of Pots there! Here by
the river the soil is a combination of clay and sand, and has not
been worked in a long long time. I am adding amendment, potting soil
and fertilizer to every planting. We have lots of Oak trees so after
this year the leaf mold I am cultivating in piles, as well has the
roto-tilling I will be doing to put those leaves deeper into the
soil will improve it. If I didn't love to garden, I sure wouldn't
be up for the work. Great advise Kim, thanks!
kimmie haworth
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You can never go wrong by adding compost to any kind of soil. The
oak litter will help, but save your potting soil money and buy
compost in bags instead. It's not only cheaper, it will add microbes
that potting soil doesn't have.
I also recommend a box of Dr. Earth soil conditioner. It's
practically alive with beneficial bacteria and microbes and will
help get your soil in good condition.
Ella
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I am a beginner gardener and like your article suggestions, I've
thrown away plenty of money purchasing flowers that does not last
very long, but looks great. I am becoming wiser and more selective
when choosing plants. I live in Redwood City, and the climate is
fairly warm, not far from San Bruno. I really enjoy flowers and
wonder if you have any suggestions on buying flowers that last, such
as perennial? I plant flowers in containers.
If so, my e-mail address is bwyche36@sbcglobal.net
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I enjoyed reading your
article. Very helpful and informative.
kimmie haworth
Redwood City has the best climate in the world! It never gets too
cold or too hot there. Most of my professional career as a gardener
was done right next door, in Menlo Park. Here are a few of my
favorite flowering plants;
Nemesia, rudbeckia, cymbidium orchid, impatiens, passion vine,
lantana, sea foam statice, coreopsis, lily, pieris japonica,
leptopermum, bougainvillea, astilbe, delphinium and icelandic poppy.