Like Lupines? You've gotta see Garden of Dreams!



Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentis) 
 annual lupine native to CSUDH campus
 

 

If you like lupines, you've got to see the patch of Arroyo Lupines blooming now in the Garden of Dreams (see 'Map - Native Plants at CSUDH' for directions).  They are just spectacular this year. 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Arroyo Lupines see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/03/plant-of-month-arroyo-succulent-lupine.html

 

 

The Chapparal and Golden Currants are looking nice as well.




Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum) is loaded with blooms.  This plant
is a favorite of hummingbirds - and has edible berries

Frost Damage to Your Garden Plants?

 

Frost damage on white-foliaged Catalina Silverlace (Constancea [Eriophyllum] nevinii).  Note drooping branch-tips
and leaves, as well as gray-brown discoloration.  This picture is about 5 weeks after a frost event.

 

Nighttime frosts can occur anytime from December to February in western Los Angeles county.  Read the following before pruning  your frost-affected plants:  http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/02/frost-damage-dont-prune-yet.html

Soils: the key to healthy native (and other) plants

Soil is truly a garden’s foundation. Plants obtain water and many nutrients from the soil – and interact with soil organisms. Soil conditions may also limit the types of plants you can grow successfully. The more you know about the characteristics of your soil, the better you can match plants and watering methods to your unique soil conditions.

Urban soils – including those in our gardens - are more complex than native soils. In fact, urban soils are among the most difficult to classify – and work with – of any soils world-wide.  Learn more at http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/09/getting-to-know-your-gardens-soil-urban.html

Because soil is so important, it pays to take a little time to get to know your soil’s characteristics. Fortunately, there are several easy, inexpensive soil tests that can tell you a lot about your soil.  For more on soil testing: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/10/getting-to-know-your-gardens-soil.html

A visit to the local gardening center can be a confusing experience; there are so many different soil amendment products available! All of them cost money and require time and effort to use. So, what’s a sensible approach to soil amendments and fertilizers?   See: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/11/getting-to-know-your-gardens-soil-soil.html

A soil perc test tells you whether your soil drains quickly, slowly or somewhere in between. Depending on your results, you may decide to select appropriate plants based on their drainage needs. Alternatively, you may choose to alter the drainage of parts of your garden. As always, your gardening choices are unique to your own situation.   For more about working with and improving soil drainage see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/12/getting-to-know-your-gardens-soil.html

A soil in good condition for growing crops, garden vegetables and other plants is said to have ‘good tilth’. It has the proper soil structure and nutrients to support healthy plant growth. Good farmers and gardeners aspire to have soil with good tilth.  To learn more about soil tilth and the soil ecosystem see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/01/getting-to-know-your-gardens-soil.html