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© 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/

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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© 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

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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

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© 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

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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/

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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