Per planetgreen.discovery.com, installing a “smart irrigation controller” and outdoor moisture sensors in your yard can save up to 92% on your outdoor watering costs. Sensors placed in the driest part of the yard will detect when an acceptable amount of moisture has been delivered and tell the sprinkler system to shut off. Most cities offer rebates on these devices.
Practicing organic gardening will make a significant difference in the health of your soil! According to research at Colorado State University, one teaspoon of compost-rich organic soil can host up to 1 billion helpful bacteria. A teaspoon of chemically treated soil hosts as few as 100. Now that’s a great incentive to get that compost and mulch laid down, isn’t it?
For Mother’s Day, give your Mom an eco-friendly arrangement of cut flowers from your garden or a nice bouquet from your local Farmer’s Market. According to vegnews.com, more than 70 percent of the world’s cut flowers come from South America. Many are grown using toxic chemicals, unfair labor practices and excessive watering practices – not to mention the fuel used to ship them here. If you need to send flowers, look for a retailer that sells sustainably grown, organic options.
Now is the time to start your warm-season garden. If you don’t want to give up space in your backyard, or don’t have room for raised beds – MOST vegetables, herbs, and even fruit trees, can be grown very successfully in “appropriate sized” pots. Check out the planting calendar at: https://www.mastergardeners.org/picks/warm.html.
April 22nd is the 46th anniversary of Earth Day. It was first created in 1970 in order to encourage folks to work towards a healthy, sustainable environment. To celebrate, plant a tree or volunteer at a local event. There are many to choose from throughout the Bay Area: San Francisco, Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Cruz – Google your area to check out the options.
Mark your calendar! Don’t miss out on the garden event of the year – the Spring Garden Market, put on by your Santa Clara County Master Gardeners! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 16, 9am – 2pm. There will be garden talks and demonstrations as well as hundreds of veggies, herbs and ornamental plants to choose from: 70+ varieties of tomatoes, 100+ varieties of peppers, succulents, sunflowers and much more… Location: History San Jose, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose.
Being an avid gardener, born and raised in Indiana, I feel incredible blessed to live in sunny California & be able to grow my own food all year-round! I write a monthly garden column for the San Jose Mercury News & am constantly striving for tips & ideas on how to live a little more gently in regards to ourselves, our planet & each other – basically sustainability we can live with! As a fulltime realtor here in the Bay Area, I help my clients “Go Green” in & around their homes & communities.
January 12th, 2021
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