California Garden Clubs, Inc.
Gardening Consultants Council
WHAT IS A GARDENING CONSULTANT?
All gardeners can become accomplished horticulturists.
To assist its members in achieving this goal, National Garden Clubs created the Gardening Study courses program. With the completion of this course a gardener becomes an accredited gardening consultant.The Gardening Consultants Council is offering special commendations for beautiful gardens. There is a beautiful commendation you can download and complete yourself, or an application to have a commendation issued by the Council. Click here to learn more.
Gardening Tidbits
by NGC Garden Study Consultants
Mountain Gardening
Those of us who live at higher altitudes know that a book entitled “Mediterranean Gardening in California” will not be too useful to us “mountain gardeners.” Look for gardening books written by local garden clubs for more useful information for your area. For example, The Hilltoppers Garden Club (located at 6,000 feet above sea level in the San Bernardino Mountains) created a book entitled Mountain Gardening, specifically tailored for USDA Zones 5-7 and Sunset Zone 3, which is sold by a half dozen nurseries throughout its area. This book is a product of the knowledge and experience acquired by members (past and present) of the club and is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the mountains and to maintaining gardens in harmony with the native plants of the area. .So, mountain gardeners, start looking for gardening books written by locals about your specific geographic area and zones.
Pat Clayes
NGC Gardening Consultant
Lake Arrowhead
Zones
Gardeners should now be aware of three zones when purchasing items for their gardens. These are the “USDA Cold Hardiness Zone,” “The Sunset Western Climate Zone” and the “American Horticulture Society’s Heat Zone.”
The USDA Cold Hardiness Zones were created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By using the Cold Hardiness Zone map, you will be able to determine what plants will “winter over” in your garden and survive for many years. When purchasing a plant/tree/shrub from a nursery or catalogue, the cold hardiness zones for that particular plant will appear on the tag or in the description of the plant. And you will see these zones in nearly all American gardening reference books and magazines. But do not forget about those “microclimates” which you might have on your property!
Sunset’s Western Climate Zones range from Zone 1 (the most cold and snowy) to Zone 24 (San Diego area). The use of these zones is very helpful while using all of Sunset’s reference books. Sunset’s zones are not included on plant tags or in plant catalogues; follow the USDA Cold Hardiness Zones when purchasing plants.
According to the American Horticultural Society, “cold isn’t the only factor determining whether your plant will survive and thrive. Particularly during seasons of drought, we are all aware of the impact that heat has on our plants.” There are 12 zones on the AHS heat map which indicate the average number of days per year that a given region experiences “heat days” – ranging from Zone 1 (less than one heat day) to Zone 12 (more than 210 heat days). According to the AHS, you will see heat zone designations joining the USDA Cold Hardiness Zone designations in garden centers, reference books, etc.
Pat Clayes
NGC Gardening Consultant
Lake Arrowhead
California Quail Habitat Garden
Creating habitat for California Quail (Callipepla californica) is a balance of providing the proper amounts of grazing, loafing and escape cover, and roosting cover. Providing water in many areas may be of greater importance than providing food. Quail feed on many common native and non-native species, however, dense groundcovers or tall non-native grasses, keep quail from feeding areas when it obscures their view of approaching predators. They typically feed early morning in open areas on the ground near the cover of brush. A male usually perches on a nearby shrub as the rest of the covey feeds. He signals danger to the others. Quail scratch for seeds, berries and insects and are easily attracted to feeders.
Here are some special plants recommended by the Golden Gate Audubon Society to help create a successful quail habitat in your garden:
Shrubs
Arctostaphylos species Manzanitas
Atriplex lentiformis brewerii Salt Bush/Quail Bush
Baccharis pilularis Coyote bush
Ceanothus species CA Wild Lilac (species that provide cover are best)
Cornus species Dogwoods
Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry
Rubes parvifolourus Thimbleberry
Trees
Arbutus menziesii Madrone
Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon
Myrica californica Wax Myrtle
Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oaks
Salix species Willows
Perennials and Annuals for Seed and Cover
Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting
Eriogonum species Native Buckwheats
Lupinus species Native Lupines (one of their favorite seeds to eat)
California quail are commonly seen in open woodlands, brushy fields, chaparral, valleys with streams, farms and suburban residential areas usually near a permanent water source. They scuttle around in tight, cohesive groups, and in the fall and winter, they can assemble in coveys of up to 200 birds. They are ground nesters and broods are large. Young quail are precocious and though able to walk and feed themselves almost immediately after hatching, are vulnerable to predators, especially cats. Be sure to include areas of bare dirt for dust baths. Let's invite our state bird to our gardens by creating the environment they need - they are a wonderful addition of wildlife activity to observe and enjoy.
Julie A. West
NGC Master Gardening Consultant
Santa Rosa Garden Club
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