UC Marin Master Gardeners offer several educational programs targeted to children. Exploring Habitats is a field trip program designed for second graders that expose children to natural habitats and environmental awareness.
These are evergreen grasses that look good all year. Water Provide water during periods of drought; if not watered during these times, they tend to go dormant which results in brown foliage. Feed Dont add fertilizer; will become floppy if too much is added.
Year-round food and water are essential for habitat gardens. Photo: Bridget Ahearn "The birds and the bees" is a sweet expression, but the work of pollinators is a serious business. Without pollination, life on Earth would cease.
Edible gardens are certainly not immune to pests and diseases. Pests can take out tender young plant shoots in one night, eat holes in mature leaves and fruit, and leave slimy tracks all over.
Lilies are amongst the most popular bulbs. Julia Kadel, Unsplash If you love showy flowers, bulbs are for you. Bulbs, corms, and tubers store the food that keeps the plant alive during dormant periods.
With layering, stems are induced to produce "adventitious" roots while they remain attached to the parent plant. Adventitious roots are those produced in an unusual time or position. Blackberries are great candidates for tip layering.
Analyze first The decision to fertilize should be based upon the health of the plant, the desired rate of growth, and a soil analysis. A soil analysis will tell you the soil pH and the amounts of nutrients in the soil that are available for plant growth.
The real work of composting is done by a variety of underground inhabitants including earthworms, sowbugs, bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms. Some you can see, but most you cannot.
