The Coastal Gardener - March, 2005
Spring underwater
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"We are now about to enter an entirely new world, as different as the one which Alice entered when she stepped through the looking glass…for we shall be stepping, in imagination, through a mirrored surface…the surface of a pool". Beverly Nichols, from Merry Hall , 1951
I have to wait for a nice warm afternoon before I work in my pond. It is just large enough that I must actually thrust on a pair of waders and climb into the cold dark water, fish darting away and frogs slipping through my fingers as I clean away tattered winter foliage from the irises and cattails. This spring I am doing some replanting; taking out the clump of horsetails in favor of the beautiful Cardinal Lobelia. These American natives bear clusters of deepest purple foliage stopped by striking spikes of scarlet flowers to 3 feet tall. They thrive in shallow water but also make passable garden bed citizens provided they are kept moist.
In your own water garden the pump and filter should be cleaned now and plants given the once over to remove any tatty foliage. Water lilies should be given a plant food tablet. Use only tablets specifically designed for ponds. Avoid adding nitrogen into ponds in the form of garden runoff or overspray from foliar feeders, this can cause algae blooms that turn your pond a nasty green and can kill fish. If your water garden is small, drain it and clean out the muck accumulated at the bottom, saving any snails you find, they help keep the sides clean.
Recently at Esalen, I noticed the white fabric covered rows in their main garden. These floating row covers can be the easy answer to vegetable pests. They are a light weight spun fabric which allows in air and light, but stretched on hoops over beds and secured at the edges, keep flying insects like aphids or cucumber beetles out. Row covers also protect against sudden frosts, birds and hot sun, extending the season or sheltering young seedlings. Sparrows and quail can make short work of rows of peas or lettuce.
My other major pest, the local deer family, is again seeking new ways to access my tasty plants. I have now fenced in all the areas of the garden; improving some stretches of barrier using the double fence idea. Two fences 5 feet tall run parallel 5 feet part. The deer can't jump both at the same time but are reluctant to jump just one and get trapped between the two without room enough to jump out again. If you are planning an orchard or garden, build the fence first, the deer WILL find and destroy unprotected plants and even deer resistant plantings need protection until they get established.
I have had a wonderful display of Cerinthe, the purple shrimp-flowered annual, this year. It shoots up among blue Scabiosa, lavender Nemesias and Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite'. Another flower picture is supplied by a low mass of pink Erica 'Arthur Johnson' below a scarlet Aloe backed by a very blue Rosemary 'Tuscan'. The grey fern-like leaves of Melianthus and the golden edged ones of Euonymus intermingle with this group just above the pond bank as a kinetic sculpture by John Tyler's passes overhead.
Pot up tiny mail order plants in 1-gallon plastic pots. Growing them on a few months allows them to gain strength and size before having to compete in the open garden.
Even if you don't garden much, pick up a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book. It is one of those essential guides that every household should have like a dictionary and a bible. Practically every basic garden question can be answered there about plants, climate and basic care.
Roses should be ready for their second feeding by now (yes I said second, the first was due in February). Tomatoes can be set out with protection as well as summer annuals, gladiolus bulbs and oriental lilies. Watch for mildew on emerging perennials and spray accordingly.
*Must have plant of the month : Pacific Coast Iris hybrids. The native Douglas Iris was given an extreme makeover that added rich colors from purple to orange, frilled petals and longer bloom season. Best in some shade like under oaks, pines or high-limbed shrubs with occasional summer water. Available in bloom at better nurseries this month.
*Underappreciated plant of the month : Snowberry, Symphoricarpos racemosus, is another native that was sent off to charm school and made a splash abroad but not at home. Snowberries are arching ornamental shrubs with pink tinged bell flowers followed by porcelain white berries. New cultivars have pink flowers, pink or lavender fruits. For the best look, remove old canes that have fruited once or twice.
Enjoy! Dave Egbert
