native plants in vegetable garden - notes
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1/6/2013
1
© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND – 2012 (our 8th year)
© Project SOUND
Into the Vegetable Garden: Using CA Native Plants in the
Edibles Garden
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
June 2 & 5, 2012
Many of us grow edibles in our home
gardens (or are thinking of starting)
© Project SOUND
http://www.denverpost.com/grow/ci_20587823/big-flavors-from-small-fruits
Benefits of growing your own fruits &
vegetables
© Project SOUND http://vegetablegardenathome.com/
Fun
Educational
Good exercise
Interesting looking plants
Saves money
Tasty, fresh ingredients
Opportunity to grow heirloom varieties – and to grow foods that are not genetically modified
Chance to grow & use ‘exotic’ ingredients – including CA native plants
http://bloomtown.typepad.com/bloomtown/bloomtown_my_garden/
1/6/2013
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Are CA native plants and edibles
gardens really compatible?
© Project SOUND
Ways in which ‘conventional’ edibles
may differ from native plants
Water requirements: many conventional edible plants require more water than many CA native plants
Nutrient requirements: many conventional edibles require more nutrients than most CA native plants like/need
© Project SOUND
Of course you can plan for different water needs –
that’s what Water Zone Gardening is all about
© Project SOUND
You can also get around the other
differences – with a little planning
© Project SOUND
1/6/2013
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Summer’s a good time to re-evaluate
© Project SOUND
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2007/10/13/raised-beds--part-1-materials.aspx
What works well? What needs changing?
We look on-line for some inspiration
© Project SOUND
http://efnep.ucdavis.edu/?blogpost=4501&blogasset=17351 http://pcnatthegreenshow.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/california-spring-trials-day-3-along-the-central-coast/
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16684008.tip.html
http://timberglade.typepad.com/outside/vegetables/
Your resolutions:
summer 2012
Minor changes to most of the raised beds – a few repairs
Convert the back beds to narrow beds for specialty crops – more space between them & back fence
Better use of the back fence area: ?? New vines
Add a few more beds – allow you to ‘rest’ some beds each year for plant health
Use the large pots more
Create some open areas surrounding garden for pollinator plants/ plants to attract beneficial insects
© Project SOUND
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2007/10/13/raised-beds--part-1-materials.aspx
Incorporate native plants into
the edible garden; use more
heirloom varieties
You’ve got the whole summer to get ready
for fall planting – time to get cracking!
© Project SOUND
http://www.mastergardeners.org/projects/gilroy.html
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Guide to S. CA Vegetable Crops
Warm-season Vegetables
Plant: From seed: Mar-May; depends
on how cold the spring is
From starts: Apr-June (even July for late crops)
Ripen: Early crops: June-July (Aug)
Late crops: Aug-Sept
Examples: Early crops: beans, cucumbers,
summer squash, tomatoes,
Late crops: corn, melons, winter squash
Cool-season Vegetables
Plant: From seed: Aug-Oct in shaded
pots; Sep-Oct in ground
From starts: Oct-Dec
Ripen: Early crops: Oct-Nov
Late crops: Dec-Feb
Examples: Early crops: broccoli, brussels
sprouts, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, lettuce and other greens
Late crops: peas, cabbage, celery,
© Project SOUND
How about some native cool-season crops?
© Project SOUND
http://www.amillionlives.net/vegetable-gardening-tips-easy-ideas-for-great-produces.html
Planning our cool-season garden
Traditional vegetables
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Broccoli
CA native greens
Allium haematochiton
Calandrinia ciliata
Camissonia species
Claytonia perfoliata
Mimulus cardinalis
Oenothera elata
Phacelia species
Plantago species
Trifolium species
© Project SOUND
Miner’s Lettuce – Claytonia perfoliata
ssp. perfoliata & mexicana
© 2001 Steven Thorsted
http://nativeplantsocietyca.tribe.net/photos/cfd27d18-6ba7-4365-b1d9-c1c7c67b9cbe
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Growing Miner’s Lettuce
from seed
Extremely easy
Sow in prepared soil in fall (best) through spring
Germinates with: Damp soil/fall rains Short days
Re-seeds May want to remove plants if
too prolific – will depend on site
Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/phv66n3.editorial.html
Placement in our garden
Annual plant: dies to nothing in summer
Any soil: amended or not
Light: any (full sun to full shade)
Water: can take some extra water
Want to be able to pick it for winter salads
© by Gena Zolotar
© Project SOUND
Fringed Redmaids – Calandrinia ciliata var menziesii
© Project SOUND
Fringed Redmaids – Calandrinia ciliata var menziesii
Wide distribution: Western United States ,
Central America, and northern South America.
In CA: California Floristic Province, some areas E. of Sierras
Usually in grassy areas, woodland openings or disturbed areas
Name: Calandrinia: named for Jean
Louis Calandrini (1703-1758), a professor of mathematics and philosophy, and a botanical author in Switzerland
ciliata: indicates the slight fringing of the petals like an eyelash
Question to ponder: does the
distribution of this plant suggest a
human role?
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© Project SOUND
Red Maids are spreading annuals
Size: < 2 ft tall; tips of stems
upcurviing
2-3 ft wide – side stems are spreading; plants will grow together
Growth form: sprawling/spreading herbaceous annual from a basal rosette.
Foliage: Attractive light green
Slightly succulent leaves; spatula shaped
Roots: taproot; grow in place
© 2006 Chris Wagner
© Project SOUND
Flowers are an added bonus
Spring-blooming – as early as Feb. to May
Long bloom period with adequate water – flowers open sequentially along the stems
Flowers are: Tiny - < ½ inch across An unusual shade of hot
pink/magenta – hard to photograph
Open only during sunniest part of the day – flowers ‘disappear’ into their calyces at other times
Seeds are: Tiny & shiny – but numerous; wind
spread Very tasty – were prized food
for Native Californians (parched & ground to make pinole)
Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences
Jo-Ann Ordano © California Academy of Sciences
© Project SOUND
Red Maids is well suited to the vegetable
garden… Soils:
Texture: any well-drained soil; does super in sandy or rocky soils, but typical vegetable gardens soils would be great
pH: just about any local
Light: full sun; great in regular vegetable garden
Water: Winter: needs good winter/
spring rains
Summer: regular water (Zone 2-3 or 3) will extend blooms slightly; no water for seed set
Fertilizer: fine with light fertilizer
Plants re-seed very well – but it’s easy
to weed out unwanted plants © Project SOUND
Redmaids make piquant greens
Use only young leaves – best before flowering; Arugala-like
Leaves contain oxalic acid, so it should only be used in moderation.
Oxalic acid can lock up certain of the nutrients in food - can lead to nutritional deficiencies if eaten in excess.
It is, however, perfectly safe in small amounts and its acid taste adds a nice flavor to salads.
Cooking the plant will reduce the quantity of oxalic acid.
People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition
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© Project SOUND
Many uses for Red Maids in the garden
Very nice in pots – very green and attractive; helps control them to an extent
In the vegetable garden – Edible greens and seeds
Flowers really perk up a vegetable garden
In the fronts of mixed beds
Among native bunchgrasses; needs bare ground to reseed
In the ‘Children’s Garden’ – easy
For bird habitat – many birds & insects relish the seeds
Planning our cool-season garden
Traditional vegetables
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Broccoli
CA native greens
Allium haematochiton
Calandrinia ciliata
Camissonia species
Claytonia perfoliata
Mimulus cardinalis
Oenothera elata
Phacelia species
Plantago species
Trifolium species
See Mother Nature’s Backyard blog for more-http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/
© Project SOUND
Your resolutions:
summer 2012
Minor changes to some raised beds – a few repairs
Convert the back beds to narrow beds for specialty crops – more space between them & back fence
Better use of the back fence area: ?? New vines
Add a few more beds – allow you to ‘rest’ some beds each year for plant/soil health
Create open areas surrounding garden for pollinator plants/plants to attract beneficial insects
© Project SOUND
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2007/10/13/raised-beds--part-1-materials.aspx
Incorporate native plants into
the edible garden
Clovers are often used as cover crops
Quick growing
Suppress weed growth
Prevent soil erosion
Increase soil organic matter (humus) – good for vegetable crops
Can be eaten (by humans or livestock)
Improve soil Nitrogen: Interact with nodule-forming
nitrogen fixing bacteria
Nitrogen is converted to a form that can be used by plants – including your veggies
© Project SOUND
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Bull clover/ Sour Clover – Trifolium fucatum
© 2004 Carol W. Witham
© Project SOUND
Bull clover – Trifolium fucatum
West coast of N. America from OR to Baja
In CA either:
Foothills of Sierras and other ranges
Coastally-influenced areas < 3000 ft. elevation
Locally abundant. Moist, open grassland, ditches, marshes, roadsides, sometimes saline or serpentine soils
fucatum: painted, dyed
© 2005 George W. Hartwell
© Project SOUND
Bull Clover is a fairly typical native annual clover
Size:
< 1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide; slightly spreading
Growth form: Mounded; low-lying
Typical for clovers
Foliage: Leaves typical ‘clover-leaf’ – often
white-patterned
Stems robust, hollow
Roots: Have symbiotic relationship with
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Leave roots in soil to improve soil fertility (just harvest the tops)
Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences
© Project SOUND
Flowers are among the prettier clover flowers
Blooms: Usually Apr-June in S. CA ; after
weather warms up
Long bloom period with supplemental water
Flowers: Typical for clover; small pea-type
flowers in a ball-like head
Cream-colored tinged with pink/mauve
Edible
Seeds: Small
Edible fresh
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© Project SOUND
Clovers – not hard to grow once you know the trick
Soils: Texture: any well-drained
pH: any, including alkali
Even takes salty soils
Light: full sun to part-shade; good under deciduous trees
Water: Winter: needs moist soils
Summer: needs regular water until flowering ceases – then cut back
Fertilizer: not needed, but probably won’t hurt
Other: to start seeds give them a hot-water treatment © 2007 Aaron Schusteff
© Project SOUND
Most parts of clovers are edible in spring
Fresh greens Raw or cooked
Limit intake of uncooked clover – causes gas
Use cooked clover like spinach
Flowers Make nice addition to a salad
Leave some for the pollinators – great pollinator plants
Seeds Native Californians ate them fresh
Many animals & birds also like clover seeds
© 2007 Neal Kramer
Native Californians look forward to fresh
clover in the spring!
Use any CA native clover as food,
improve your soil & attract pollinators
© Project SOUND
© 2004 Carol W. Witham
Your resolutions:
summer 2012
Minor changes to some raised beds – a few repairs
Convert the back beds to narrow beds for specialty crops – more space between them & back fence
Better use of the back fence area: ?? New vines
Add a few more beds – allow you to ‘rest’ some beds each year for plant health
Create open areas surrounding garden for pollinator plants/plants to attract beneficial insects
© Project SOUND
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2007/10/13/raised-beds--part-1-materials.aspx
Incorporate native plants into
the edible garden; use more
heirloom varieties
1/6/2013
10
Attracting pollinators to the veggie garden
Bees
Flies and fly-like insects (next month’s topic)
Butterflies
Moths
Beetles
Many others
© Project SOUND
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/nov08/d1275-1.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_8036705_do-flowers-blossomed-summer-squash.html
One reason to grow native annuals &
perennials in/near the edibles garden
© Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/august-native-garden-flowers-pictures.htm
Where might we plants some perennials?
© Project SOUND
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2007/10/13/raised-beds--part-1-materials.aspx
© Project SOUND
CA Sea Thrift – Armeria maritima ssp. californica
© 2007 Neal Kramer
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The Plumbaginaceae
Sometimes referred to as the leadwort family or the plumbago family. Flowers in parts of 5.
Most species in this family are perennial herbaceous plants, but a few grow as vines or shrubs.
The plants have perfect flowers (have male & female parts) and are pollinated by insects.
Found in many different climatic regions, from arctic to tropical conditions, but are particularly associated with salt-rich steppes, marshes, and sea coasts.
© Project SOUND
http://www.hear.org/starr/images/image/?q=031108-0160&o=plants
Cape Plumbago – planted along
freeways
© Project SOUND
CA Sea Thrift – Armeria maritima ssp. californica
© 2011 Chris Winchell Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5645,5646,0,5647
Possibly S. Coast; definitely Santa Rosa Isl., San Luis Obispo Co (Cambria; Santa Lucia Mtns near San Simeon)
North to British Columbia
Near the beach: prairies, cliffs, bluffs & dunes < 1000 ft elevation
© Project SOUND
Sea Thrift – dainty but tough
Size: 1-2 ft tall (foliage < 1 ft)
~ 1 – 1 ½ ft wide
Growth form: mounded perennial
evergreen
Foliage: Narrow, stiff leaves –
somewhat grass-like
Foliage in basal rosette
Roots: tough & woody; part is above-ground
© 2011 Chris Winchell
© 2007 Neal Kramer
© Project SOUND
Flowers: lovely color
Blooms: Spring/summer – usually
May-Aug in our area
Long-blooming with regular water and dead-heading
Flowers: Small; in dense ball-like
clusters (somewhat like the fancy onions)
Color: magenta or pink
Very pretty in bloom – make good cut flowers
Attract native bees, butterflies & other insects
© 2007 Neal Kramer
© 2004, Ben Legler
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Available as plants: easy also from seed
or divisions
From seed: Use fresh seed
No pre-treatment
Quite easy, good germination in fall/spring
From divisions: Divide with a shovel or
uproot and cut
Re-plant the divisions
Reliable
© Project SOUND
http://www.hazmac.biz/051128/051128AmeriaMaritimaCalifornica.html
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any from sandy loam
to clay – good for clays
pH: any local
Light: full sun right along coast; part-sun (morning sun) elsewhere
Water: Winter: adequate – supplement
if needed
Summer: moderate to regular water – Zones 2-3 to 3
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils – but probably wouldn’t kill it
Other: if using an organic mulch, make it thin; no mulch or inorganic mulches fine
© 2008 John Dittes
© Project SOUND
Loved by gardeners as:
Sea-side ground cover
Rock garden plant
Attractive pot/planter species
Lining walkways
© 2004, Ben Legler http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/armeria-
maritima-ssp-californica
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/web-
extras/70/3/sea-ranch-gardens-most-
successful-plants/
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips
/lawn_alternatives.php
http://www.imagejuicy.com/images/plants/a/armeria/10/
Bring it into the vegetable garden
© Project SOUND
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Armeria_maritima,_Tower_Hill_Botanic_Garden.JPG
http://www.elkhornnursery.com/default.aspx?pid=2989aedb
-2f5a-41ec-9c05-61c5ebfda0e9&PlantId=1115
http://www.thienemans.com/ph
otos/index.php/Succulents-
Rock-Garden/IMG_0132
You’ll also have a
source of cut flowers
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Many annual wildflowers are great for
attracting pollinators – and fit easily into
an edibles garden
Clarkias
Gilias
Anything in Sunflower family
Lotus species
Phacelias
Annual Salivas
Many more (see pollinator lists: Project SOUND/ Mother Nature’s Backyard Blog
© Project SOUND
Tansy-leaf Phacelia
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phacelia+tanacetifolia
Attracting other beneficial insects
Predatory insects – eat the bad guys
Insects that attract insect-eating birds
Insects that provide other beneficial services in the garden
© Project SOUND
http://trishsgarden.blogspot.com/2008/03/very-late-march-1-garden-newsletter.html
Some native plants have a well-deserved reputation for
attracting the ‘good guys’
© Project SOUND
Attract these
beneficial insects
By planting these species
Bigeyed bug Native grasses Polygonum sp. (Silver Lace Vine)
Hoverflies Achillea sp. (Yarrow) Asclepias fascicularis (Narrowleaf Milkweed) Baccharis sp. (Coyote brush, Mulefat) Ceanothus sp. (California Lilac) Eriogonum sp. (Buckwheat) Prunis ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry)
Lacewings Ceanothus sp. (California Lilac) Prunus ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry)
Lady beetles Achillea sp. (Yarrow) Asclepias fascicularis (Narrowleaf Milkweed) Atriplex sp. (Quailbush, Saltbush)
Ceanothus sp. (California Lilac) Native grasses
Rhamnus californica (Coffeeberry) Salix sp. (Willow)
http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=402
Copyright © 2007 Ron Hemberger
http://www.kunafin.com/lacewings.htm © Project SOUND
Attract these
beneficial insects
By planting these species
Minute pirate bug
Achillea sp. (Yarrow) Baccharis sp. (Coyote brush, Mulefat) Eriogonum sp. (Buckwheat)
Parasitic & Predatory Wasps
Achillea sp. (Yarrow) Aesclepias fascicularis (Narrowleaf Milkweed)
Eriogonum sp. (Buckwheat)
Tachnid flies Achillea sp. (Yarrow) Eriogonum sp. (Buckwheat) Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon)
Rhamnus californica (Coffeeberry)
http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=402
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/minute_pirate_bug.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/tachinid_flies.html
Minute Pirate Bug
Tachnid Fly
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© Project SOUND
* Southern Umbrellawort – Tauschia arguta
© 2006 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
Outer coastal ranges, S. CA and Baja
Locally in Santa Monica Mtns, Hollywood Hills, San Gabriels
Dry fans and slopes below 6000', coastal sage, scrub, chaparral, woodlands, inland to desert edge
© Project SOUND
* Southern Umbrellawort – Tauschia arguta
© 2003 Brent Miller
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?TAAR2
http://www.researchlearningcenter.org/bloom/species/Tauschia_arguta.htm
© Project SOUND
Southern Umbrellawort: Carrot family
Size: 1-2 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous perennial
Low but erect form
Evergreen
Foliage: Very green
Large-lobed & coarsely toothed – like flat parsley or celery
Larval food for Anise Swallowtail
Roots: stout
© 2006 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
© Project SOUND
Flowers attract
beneficial insects
Blooms: mid- to late spring (April to June)
Flowers: Small and yellow
In compound umbels typical of Carrot family; smells ‘carroty’
Many pollinator (and other) insects
Seeds: Flat, ribbed seeds typical of
the family
To start from seed, use fresh seed and rinse in several rinses of water to remove inhibiting hormones.
© 2006 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Easy to grow
Soils: Texture: any well-drained
pH: any local – including vegetable garden
Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: Winter: plenty of water; soils
moist
Summer: dry out to Zone 1-2 or 2 in summer
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Little to no mulch – inorganic mulch fine
© 2010 Gary A. Monroe
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/tauschia-arguta
© Project SOUND
Umbrellawort in the garden
Usually included in butterfly gardens
Unusual pot plant; in rock gardens
Good choice for margins of the vegetable garden
© 2006 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/biodiv/lepidopt/papilio/anise.htm
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/southerntauschia.html
Others perennials for garden edges
Achillea millefolia
Asclepias species (Milkweeds)
Clematus species (Virgin’s Bowers)
Eriogonum species (Buckwheats)
Lomatium utriculatum
Solidago species (Goldenrods)
Native grasses
© Project SOUND
Heirloom edibles and native plants: a
good combination
Open-pollinated
Long relationship between heirloom varieties, ‘wild plants’ and insects
Unusual and tasty flavors – combine well with native seasonings
Are less likely to be genetically modified food plants
© Project SOUND http://www.byexample.com/homestead/gardens/heirloom_seeds.html
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What are genetically modified plants
© Project SOUND
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-gm-foods
Genetically modified foods are here
Experts say 60% to 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients.
The most common genetically modified foods are soybeans, maize, cotton, and rapeseed oil. That means many foods made in the U.S. containing field corn or high-fructose corn syrup; foods made with soybeans and foods made with cottonseed and canola oils could likely have genetically modified ingredients.
These ingredients appear frequently in animal feed as well.
Which view is correct?
The U.S. government's position: Genetically engineered crops are safe, resist disease better, and can provide much-needed food in starving nations.
The EU position: Keep it out. We prefer organic, which is much healthier. The risk of genetically modified foods to health and the environment outweigh the benefits. Only the multinational biotech companies will benefit, dominating the world food supply and squeezing out traditional farmers.
We’ll discuss this topic in greater depth in our July
class
Keeping old varieties alive is another reason to
plant heirloom seeds: biodiversity is important in
agriculture as well as in nature
© Project SOUND
http://www.heirloomseeds.com/
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You consider adding some native herb/spice or
beverage plants to your vegetable garden
© Project SOUND
After seeing this picture you decide to add
some native fruits to your edibles garden
© Project SOUND
http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2012/05/strawberry-season-is-here.html
Strawberries would be an
easy place to start
http://www.dailyunadventuresincooking.com/2010/07/strawberry-and-arugula-salad-recipe.html/
© Project SOUND
* Woodland Strawberry – Fragaria vesca ssp. californica
© 2002 George Jackson
© Project SOUND
* Woodland Strawberry – Fragaria vesca ssp. californica
Coastal mountains and Sierra Nevada from OR/WA to Baja
Locally in the San Bernardino & San Jacinto Mtns., San Diego Co.
In dry to moist meadows, young woodlands, sparse forest , woodland edges and clearings.
Often plants can be found where they do not get sufficient light to form fruit.
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6677,6723,6725
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Flowers are sweet
Blooms: Spring into summer
Usually Mar. to June in our area – may also have some summer bloom
Flowers: Smaller than F. chiloensis
Typical 5-petal white flowers of the genus
Really nice for a ground-cover plant; light, sweet fragrance
Attract butterflies
Seeds: usually will reseed
Vegetative reproduction: easy to dig up plantlets to produce new plants
© 2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
© Project SOUND
But the fruits are
sweeter yet!
Larger fruit than Fragaria chiloensis (Beach Strawberry)
Among the most tasty of all the wild strawberries –sweet scent
Excellent choice for: Eating fresh Including in baked goods Making preserves & syrups Drying
Berries have antioxidant properties
Berry juice is a natural bleach
Leaves make a tea for GI upsets
© 2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: any, including clays
pH: any local including acidic
Light: Full sun (cooler gardens) or
dappled shade are best
Will grow fine in part-shade to quite shady, but fruiting reduced
Water: Winter: likes good rains
Summer: wide tolerance – occasional (Zone 2) to regular water (Zone 3)
Fertilizer: fine with light fertilizer – really likes a leaf mulch
Other: good frost tolerance
© 2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
Many ways to use strawberries in the
vegetable garden – all pretty
© Project SOUND
http://www.putteringinthegarden.com/category/fruit/strawberries/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/how-to-grow-strawberries/
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Maybe you want to be a bit more
adventuresome
© Project SOUND
http://groweat.blogspot.com/2011/04/derwood-demo-garden-update.html#axzz1wZrtwMAD
© Project SOUND
CA Blackberry – Rubus ursinus ssp. ursinius
© 2005 Doreen L. Smith
Western N. America from British Columbia to Baja; 0 - 4500 feet elevation
Locally on Catalina, Santa Monicas, San Gabriels – possibly more in past
Moist places: canyons, river banks, etc.
© Project SOUND
CA Blackberry – Rubus ursinus ssp. ursinius
© 2011 Michael O'Brien
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6677,6899,6910
http://www.plumjam.com/wildflowers/5-20-2011.cfm
Rubus ursinus in Santa Monica Mtns
© Project SOUND
1/6/2013
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The genus Rubus
Large genus in Rose family (Rosaceae)
Latin name meaning “bramble” – most have prickly stems
Includes cultivated raspberries and blackberries
More than a dozen species native to western N. America
The Rubus fruit, sometimes called a bramble fruit, is an aggregate of drupelets (small, fleshy fruits surrounding a hard ‘stone’ or seed)
© Project SOUND
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blackberries_on_bush.jpg
Some of our favorite summer
fruits come from this genus!
© Project SOUND
CA Blackberry: characteristic of genus
Size: 1-3 ft tall
8-20 ft wide
Growth form: Low, mounded canes; trailing or
climbing habit
Evergreen or slightly winter deciduous
Armed with prickles
Foliage: Medium green with leaflets –
typical of genus
Roots: will spread via suckers – modest compared to Himalayan Blackberry
© 2009 Ben Stever
© 2009 Zoya Akulova
Which Blackberry is it? Himalayan Blackberry
(Rubus discolor/ R. armeniacus)
Native to Armenia in SW Asia
Introduced to Europe in 1835, and Australasia and North America in 1885
Widely planted due to its flavorful fruit & availability
Because it’s so hard to contain, quickly got out of control, with birds/animals eating the berries and spreading the seeds.
Now a plant pest world-wide
© Project SOUND
http://kaweahoaks.com/html/calif_blackberry.html
http://www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/himalayan-blackberry.htm
Prickles of CA Blackberry are thin and
easily detach
Flowers of CA Blackberry usually have
longer, narrower petals © Project SOUND
Pretty white flowers
Blooms: in spring – between April & June, depending on the weather
Flowers: Medium size: 1-2 inches across
Plants may be dioecious (separate male & female plants) or may produce perfect flowers (contain both sexes)
Attract many pollinators
Vegetative reproduction: Branch tips root readily where
they touch ground
Easy way to propagate – tip-layering (or just remove rooted tips in spring)
© 2008 Gary McDonald
© 2007 Neal Kramer
1/6/2013
21
© Project SOUND
Garden
Requirements
Soils: Texture: any – not particular
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade; afternoon
shade in hot inland gardens
Water: Winter: plenty
Summer: pretty drought tolerant once established; best fruiting in Water Zone 2-3 (moderate water)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; mulching is good
Other: Don’t plant brambles in a site where potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers have grown in the past 3 years; site may contain verticillium wilt which will harm brambles.
© 2012 Michael O'Brien
© Project SOUND
Blackberries: contain
Sometimes used as a thorny hedge
Best used in contained places; planters, areas bounded by impervious materials
Can be grown in large containers
© 2010 Aaron Arthur
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wild-Northern-Blackberry-20-Seeds-Rubus-Ursinus/270983468691
Provide some support
Chain-link fence
Garden trellis or frame: attach with clothespins, twist-ties or strips of old nylons
More classic methods One-line trellis (two-wire trellis)
Two-line trellis (Cross-arm trellis)
© Project SOUND
https://appserver1.kwantlen.ca/apps/plantid/plantid.nsf/lookup/73C488F
4F1EAF5628825772A0060BFD7?OpenDocument
One-line trellis for trailing blackberries.
Spread floricanes up on a two-wire system.
Pruning Rubus species
Primocanes: first year – non-fruiting
Floricanes: second year canes with side branches – produce flowers, berries
During the growing season, tip back each developing primocane to ~ 4-5 ft. ; lateral shoots develop
When the fruiting season is over, cut out spent floricanes at the root crown. Do not prune floricanes before fruiting season unless damaged or diseased.
Discard all pruned plant material.
© Project SOUND
Figure 1. Primocanes of thorny, erect
blackberries that have not been pruned.
Figure 2. Primocanes of thorny, erect
blackberries that have been pruned.
1/6/2013
22
Other maintenance for Rubus species
Check for disease – prune out using sterile techniques
Rake up old leaves – dispose of them
Mulch: organic is best, but inorganic also fine
May give yearly dose of low-strength (1/2 strength of less) fertilizer, especially for pot-grown plants
© Project SOUND
Crown borer
http://www.ncsu.edu/project/berries/diagnostic_tool/canes_and_or_lateral
s/general_decline_in_plant_vigor.html
Harvesting your bounty
Berries very tasty - parent of Loganberry, Youngberry, and Boysenberry
The best time to harvest the fruits is when they are easily pulled from the stem, taste sweet and have reached full color.
It is preferable to harvest in the morning when the plants are cool. Be sure that any morning dew has already dried before harvesting.
Place harvested fruit into shallow trays as the weight of the fruits piled high can damage the underlying fruit.
© Project SOUND
http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Rosa5.html
http://imaginarybicycle.wordpress.com/category/desirables/
Love those berries!
Quick syrups to top off ice cream
Dropping in red wine vinegar for use in summer salads
Steeping in vodka for liqueurs.
Pies, tarts, muffins
Jams & jellies
Sorbet
Fruit rolls (dried)
The list goes on and on
© Project SOUND
http://www.food52.com/recipes/6281_wild_blackberry_sorbet
Wild blackberry sorbet
http://tastingthelandscape.blogspot.com/2010/08/devils-shoelace-custard-pie.html
If you want a thornless cane berry you’ll
have to sacrifice a little taste
© Project SOUND
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
1/6/2013
23
© Project SOUND
Thimbleberry – Rubus parviflorus
Dr. Robert T. and Margaret Orr © California Academy of Sciences
Western N. America from AK to Mexico – E. to the Dakotas and NM
California Floristic Province (W. of Sierras) except Central Valley
Locally in the San Gabriels
It commonly grows on open, wooded hillsides, in subalpine meadows, along streambanks and canyons, on borders, and roadsides, and on dry exposed sites only at higher elevations.
Sites are usually cool and moist
© Project SOUND
Thimbleberry – Rubus parviflorus
© 2009 Julie Kierstead Nelson
© Project SOUND
Thimbleberry: Rubus, but different
Size: 3-6+ ft tall
spreading; 15+ ft wide
Growth form: Low, scrambling or erect
(depends on light; moisture)
Branches are hairy but not prickly
Foliage: Typical for Rubus; palmate
leaves
Leaves fragrant on warm days
© 1991 Gary A. Monroe
© 2011 Zoya Akulova © Project SOUND
Flowers are Rubus type
Blooms: in spring/summer; usually May-June in our area, but may be earlier or later
Flowers: Medium size
White (rarely pink)
Very rose-like in appearance.
Quite showy – and attract insect pollinators
Seeds: hard
Vegetative reproduction: spreads well via rhizomes – consider placement/containment
© 2004 Robert Sivinski
1/6/2013
24
Berries are
Raspberry-like
Mild flavor & a little dry when red-ripe; can be dried
Makes good jellies, syrups, etc.
Wildlife love them too !!!
© Project SOUND
© 2004 Robert Sivinski
http://upfoods.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=67&zenid=44f82b96b2f0219f31ab989
6b094afdc
How Thimbleberry got its common name
Other human uses for Rubus species
Young shoots
They are harvested as they emerge through the ground in the spring, peeled and then eaten in salads.
Fibers from the stem used to make twine
Leaves
Dried for herbal teas (often in blends)
A decoction of the leaves is useful as a gargle in treating thrush and also makes a good general mouthwash.
Root
Cooked; neither to young nor too old - requires a lot of boiling.
Root-bark and the leaves are strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic. They make an excellent remedy for dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, cystitis etc, the root is the more astringent. Externally, they are used as a gargle to treat sore throats, mouth ulcers and gum inflammations.
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Thimbleberry
requirements Soils:
Texture: just about any
pH: any local
Light: Best fruit production in part
shade; dappled sun
Can take quite shady
Water: Winter: adequate
Summer: regular water – Water Zones 2-3 or 3
Fertilizer: best with yearly light dose; compost top-dressing fine
Other: likes an organic mulch
© 2001 Steven Thorsted
© Project SOUND
Garden uses for
Thimbleberry
Groundcover for moist, shady slopes
As an attractive pot/planter species
Along walls/fences (with support)
Rubus are good all-round habitat plants: nectar, pollen, berries, shelter
© 2009 Julie Kierstead Nelson
© 2010 Jean Pawek
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Rubus-parviflorus/
1/6/2013
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How might you incorporate Rubus into
your garden?
© Project SOUND http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Rubus-parviflorus/
In summary: several ways to use
native plants in edibles garden
As edibles: greens, seeds/fruits, beverage plants; seasonings
To improve soil fertility
To attract pollinators
To attract other beneficial insects
© Project SOUND
In summary: native plants can
improve the edibles garden
Provide cut flowers
Just make your garden prettier
Make you want to spend more time out in your edibles garden
© Project SOUND
http://cathythomascooks.com/2012/05/01/culinary-gardener-kathryn-
agresto-shares-four-chefs-vegetable-gardens/
So let’s get to work!
© Project SOUND
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