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GROWING PAINS
Newsletter for the
MiraCosta Horticulture Club of Oceanside
Vol. 26 No. 2
Feb. 2014
Next Meeting: Saturday, February 1st, 2014
12:00 p.m. Workshop, 12:45 p.m. Meeting
MiraCosta College, One Barnard Drive,
Oceanside, CA, Student Center Bldg 3400;
Aztlan Rooms A and B (2nd floor) Parking Lot
3B
Editor’s Message
We have had absolutely beautiful weather for this
time of year. It is hard to imagine that other parts of
the country are suffering from extreme cold. It
doesn’t even feel like we’ve had winter and yet it’s
almost February and soon enough, time to get
ready for spring planting.
I have taken so much advantage of the summerlike weather. I just couldn’t resist getting in the yard
and planting even though I know there’s still going
to be cooler and wet days ahead. I planted
primroses and violas in the shadier areas of the
garden, planted tulip bulbs that had been in my
fridge for 3 months, planted some cool season
veggie seeds like beets, lettuce, kale and spinach,
repotted plants that had gotten too big for their pots
and added more succulents to my succulent
gardens. I also reorganized my gardening
cupboards, sent away for several free garden
catalogs and put up a couple of new birdhouses.
I set up a bird feeding station in my back yard three
months ago. It took about a month for the
goldfinches to show up but now I have up to eight
Web-site: www.miracostahc.org
President: Shelley Grossman 760-434-4223
e-mail: [email protected]
Editor: Kim Cyr 760-598-3368
e-mail: [email protected]
birds at a time trying to eat from the thistle feeder. I
recently discovered a new bird in my yard, the
white-crowned sparrow, and today I spotted at least
six of them walking around on the slope. It’s
amazing how quickly birds communicate to others
that there’s a good, reliable source of food. I keep
looking to see if I can discover any other new birds.
I’ll keep you posted. And I can’t wait until all my
little birdie friends start having babies and bringing
them to the feeders.
We have a great meeting planned for February.
We’ll discuss and share stories about snails in our
workshop and we’ll learn about good bugs and bad
bugs from our guest speaker, Jim Davis.
Kim Cyr
Refreshments
New Members
This will be our traditional
pie and ice cream day with
the addition of healthy
quiche, fruit and vegetables.
Mary Gallina
Leslie Sinagub
Connie Kemp
Hostess: Sue Getyina
Team: Carol Fehner,
Linda Herrill, Roseanne
Hillhouse, Eva Kerckhove,
Kim Cyr, Patty Kelly
February Meeting
Workshop: Our workshop will start at 12:00. Club
members will talk about their experiences with
snails, their treatment and any interesting snail
stories.
Guest Speaker: Jim Davis, will speak on “Beneficial
Insects for the Home Garden. Jim is the owner of
American Insectaries and will provide an overview
and identification of insect pests and the beneficial
insects used to eliminate these pests without
utilizing pesticides that upset the natural balance of
an ecosystem.
Interesting Facts About Snails
Because our workshop will be about snails, here
are some interesting snail facts:
Snails' bodies produce a thick slime. Because of
this slime, they can crawl across the edge of a
razor and not get hurt.
Some snails have been known to live up to 15
years.
Snails rely mainly on their sense of touch and
smell when finding food because they have very
poor eyesight and they cannot hear.
Because of the suction created by their slime, a
snail can crawl upside down.
Garden snails hibernate during the winter and live
on their stored fat.
Garden snails have up to 14,175 teeth! They are all
located on their tongue (radula). Snails feed by
scraping their radula over their food.
Garden snails have a symbiotic bacteria in their
crop that enables them to digest cellulose and they
have been known to feed on damp paper and
cardboard.
When conditions become too dry, a snail will
retreat into its shell and seal the entrance with a
parchment-like barrier known as an epiphragm.
When sealed away like this the snail goes into a
state of suspended animation and can survive for
several months without water.
Garden snails are hermaphrodites. This means
that they possess both male and female
reproductive organs. Despite this they still need to
find another snail to mate with.
HAPPY
VALENTINE’S
DAY
A Garden Club Walk-About
From the CA Gardening Newsletter
Nearly every day, with a cup of tea in hand, I go out
into the garden. I do a “walk about” looking for
changes that have occurred since I last was in that
part of it. Changes are eagerly anticipated whether
the change is a small sprout beginning to pop
through the soil, flower buds beginning to open into
riotous bloom and, yes, even when plants are
starting to look a little tired. They all play an
important part and contribute to the beauty of the
garden. Each and every change is appreciated,
and, because looking closely, I discover the plants
that need a little magic and TLC.
Change and variety is important for any garden.
What would it be like if an invisible bubble settled
over a garden? If it became a place where no new
plants were introduced, seeds could no longer
germinate and no new pollinators could enter.
Something would be missing, wouldn't it? While the
garden may still be beautiful, would it possess the
same vitality? Over time, a never changing garden
would be less interesting.
Garden clubs are a lot like gardens. Each garden
club is unique. They are ever changing and, like a
garden in a bubble, something would be lost if
nothing ever changed. Garden club members are
responsible for the dynamics of the club. Whether a
member is a sprout (just beginning) -- eager to
jump in and bloom, or a member who may be a
little tired (because they have already been there
and done that), every member has something to
contribute.
When you attend your next garden club meeting,
grab your cup of tea (or coffee) and do your own
walk about. What do you see? What one thing can
you do to make a difference? What can you do to
provide members a chance to not only contribute
but to shine? Once you recognize where a little
TLC is needed, you are one step closer to making
your already fantastic club even more dynamic.
Time to Shop for Bare-Root Plants
by Nan Sterman
The weather may be cool and the days short, but
it’s great gardening time in San Diego. Plant now
and you’ll soon be picking tart-sweet apples, juicy
peaches, plump grapes, garnet-colored
strawberries, and much, much more. This is the
time of year when our nurseries have the greatest
selection of fruiting trees, vines and shrubs.
And that’s not all. The cold months are also the
best months to plant bare-root strawberries,
rhubarb, grapes and artichokes, all of which, if
planted now will produce for years to come.
What is a bare-root plant? It is typically a young
plant that was grown in a field, dug up while
dormant, and cleaned of all the dirt on its roots.
Once roots were clean, the plants were carefully
packaged to make sure they wouldn’t dry out, then
shipped to your local nursery. Because the plants
are dormant, they travel well and transplant easily.
Because they don’t carry the burden of planting
soil, the cost of shipping is far less than a potted,
leafed out tree. In other words, they are at their
peak for planting, and one of the best bargains
around.
One of the greatest things about shopping for
plants bare root is the sheer diversity of options.
Have you discovered pluots? Those amazingly
delicious plum/apricot hybrids appear in the
markets in summer. They aren’t the most beautiful
fruits but they cost a pretty penny. Plant a pluot tree
in your backyard, however, and you’ll be harvesting
tree-ripened pluots for a month or longer. Pluots
start producing when very young, often in their
second summer after planting.
Be forewarned that bare-root plants are not pretty.
Their bare stems tend to look like sticks with a
straggly web of roots attached at the bottom. Still,
homeliness does not determine growing
exuberance, nor does it detract from production. As
my grandfather used to say, don’t judge a book by
its cover, nor a bare-root fruit tree by its wildlooking roots (he didn’t really say that but it sounds
like something he would have said).
When you shop for bare-root trees, shrubs and
vines, look for moist, pliable, light brown roots with
no obvious signs of damage. Check the stems as
well to make sure they haven’t been nicked, bent or
cut during handling.
Younger plants with trunks or stems one-half to
five-eighths inch across are ideal. Try to plant bareroot plants the same day you buy them. If you have
to store them briefly, set their roots in a bucket of
damp sand or sawdust, out of direct sunlight. Be
sure to plant before you see new, green buds
sprout on branches. If you need to hold a bare root
longer than a few weeks, plant it into a large, wide
pot instead. You can always transplant it from the
pot into the ground later in spring.
Backyard Orchard Culture
from Grangetto’s Garden Newsletter
As homes continue to be built larger and garden
space becomes smaller, fewer homeowners have
the space to plant as many fruit trees. But that
doesn't mean you have to go without the fresh taste
of homegrown fruit. All you have to do is
incorporate the principles of Backyard Orchard
Culture.
The objective behind this gardening concept is to
allow for a prolonged harvest of tree-ripe fruit from
a small space. This can be accomplished by
planting multi-grafted fruit trees, planting two or
more trees with different ripening dates in the same
hole, or by espaliering fruit trees along a sunny
house wall or fence line.
By using multi-graft trees or planting more trees in
one hole, a homeowner can now extend a 3-4 week
harvest season into 10-12 weeks of different
flavors. Planting or creating espaliers along a fence
line can also free up valuable garden space for
more fruit trees or other ornamental plants.
Close planting also offers the additional benefit of
restricting a tree's vigor, because it has to compete
for root space and sunlight with other nearby trees.
More of the tree's energy will go towards producing
fruit instead of sending out new growth. Close
planting also can create an environment for better
cross-pollination, which also leads to increased fruit
production.
Most types of fruit trees need to be pruned each
year to stimulate new fruiting wood, remove dead
and diseased branches, or to allow more sunlight
between the branches to help fruit ripen better and
more evenly. If you start pruning consistently when
your trees are young, it will be much easier to keep
the tree at a manageable or desirable height.
At the heart of Backyard Orchard Culture is the
concept of summer pruning. By pruning at the
same time you are thinning your crops, you will be
better able to distinguish the kind of wood on which
the tree sets fruit. You won't accidentally prune off
any fruit because you can see it, and the new
growth is always above or beyond the fruit.
Reducing the size of the tree canopy will in turn
reduce the photosynthesis (food manufacture) of
the tree. This helps to limit the amount of food
materials and energy available for the roots to
store, which in turn will control the tree's capability
to produce as much new growth the rest of summer
or the following spring.
Pruning for size control in the summer will reduce
your pruning chores in winter. Once the leaves fall
off, you will have a better opportunity to prune for
branch spacing and overall shaping of your trees.
To create an espalier tree, simply prune off
anything that doesn't grow flat. Then selectively thin
and train what's left to space the fruiting wood. You
can espalier most fruit trees, but apples and pears
lend themselves to this type of pruning better than
other varieties.
Smaller fruit trees can be much more manageable
to spray, prune, and harvest than large trees. So,
take a new look at your garden and you might be
surprised at the possibilities you have for growing
fruit trees. Then close your eyes and think about
how great the fruit from those trees will taste!
Perfectly Primrose
From Grangetto’s garden newsletter
If you are looking for the perfect flower to bridge the
gap between winter and summer, consider the
primrose. Like a ray of sunshine on a damp and
gloomy day, primroses provide early spring blooms
in almost every color of the rainbow.
They prefer cool temperatures, and moist, rich,
well-draining soil (with lots of compost). Primroses
can tolerate full sun in spring but definitely prefer
afternoon shade once temperatures get warmer.
They can easily be grown indoors during winter,
provided that you maintain cool night temperatures
in your home (below 65 degrees), filtered sun and
moist soil.
Originally from England, most English primroses
now are grown along the Pacific Coast. They
produce large clusters of flowers above the foliage,
with dwarf varieties just a few inches above the
foliage and taller hybrids growing up to one foot
above the foliage. They are available in almost
every color shade.
German primroses are often called perennial
primroses, since they can often come back to rebloom the following season. They have larger
rounded leaves, up to 12 inches high, with taller
flower stalks. The flowers come mostly in shades of
red, rose and salmon.
Fairy primroses have a more delicate look, with
smaller leaves and flower clusters on 6-12" stalks
above the foliage. They generally are available in
color shades of pink, lavender and white.
Secrets for an Extended Fruit Tree Harvest
One of the true pleasures home gardeners can
experience is growing their own fruit. And with a
little planning, it's possible to have an extended
harvest season. Even gardens that are short on
space can have an extended harvest if the proper
planting techniques are used.
The key to an extended or year-round harvest is
understanding the ripening times of fruit and citrus
trees. Most citrus start to ripen in winter, with
mandarins coming first and then followed by
lemons, limes and oranges through March and
April. But most lemons produce a steady crop of
fruit year-round. Thanks to some new Australian
and New Zealand citrus cultivars that get confused
by the hemispheres, you can have citrus in late
summer and fall. Then you can always count on
kumquats and limequats for a November to
January harvest.
With deciduous fruit trees you can start with early
varieties of apricots that ripen as early as mid-May,
followed by a crop of cherries in June. The summer
months bring in nectarines, peaches, plums and
pluots from mid-June through August. After that,
apples, pears and persimmons ripen in September
and October. Figs will bear fruit from early summer
to late fall.
If you are short on space, consider planting more
than one variety in the same hole. Just make sure
to plant trees with similar growing habits. Apples,
cherries and pears tend to be the fastest and
highest growers. Since citrus require more sun to
ripen than deciduous fruit trees, make sure they get
the sunniest locations. Most deciduous fruit trees
will produce a great tasting crop of fruit as long as
they receive at least 5-6 hours of sunlight during
the growing season. Citrus prefer 6-8 hours of
sunlight.
The final secret to getting great tasting fruit is to
wait until the fruit has ripened completely on the
tree. This allows the sugar content to be at its
highest level. The problem with most store bought
fruit is that it is harvested long before it is ripe in
order to stand up to the rigors of shipping. The fruit
never develops the same intense flavor on a shelf
as it does on the tree.
Repeat layers.
Top with 6 tortillas, spread with remaining salsa, and
sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until
cheeses are melted.
Super Bowl Taco Lasagna
What You'll Need:
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2 pounds lean ground beef
2 (1.25 ounce) packages taco seasoning mix
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 cup water
18 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 (24 ounce) jar salsa
1 cup sliced green onion
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Step by Step:
Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over
medium high heat until evenly brown.
Drain, then season with taco seasoning, garlic, cayenne
pepper, chili powder and water.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease
the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Place 6 tortillas into the prepared baking dish.
Spread 1/3 of the salsa on top of the tortillas.
Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture evenly over the salsa.
Sprinkle with 1/2 of the green onions.
Drop 1/2 of the sour cream randomly over the green
onions.
Top with 1/2 cup Cheddar and 1/2 cup Monterey Jack
cheese.
Interesting Fruit Crosses
Pluot: Plums and apricots are delicious fruits in
their own right, but combined, they form the
genetically modified treat known as the pluot.
Pluots are heavily fortified with vitamin C and have
no sodium or cholesterol.
Loganberry: In 1880s California, Judge James
Harvey Logan crossed a blackberry with a red
raspberry to make a berry he named after himself.
Both sweet and tart, Loganberries add a little edge
to lemonade and tone down the sugar when mixed
with other berries.
Boysenberry: This is a cross between blackberry,
loganberry and raspberry. It's a very large bramble
fruit with large seeds. The fruit is a deep maroon
color. It turns black when it ripens.
Orangelo: If you’ve ever been in the produce
section and thought to yourself, “that’s a small
grapefruit,” or “that orange is kinda pale,” you may
have been looking at an orangelo. Unlike the
loganberry, this cross resulted from true love rather
than human intervention. In other words, it crosspollinated itself.
Grapple fruit: This is a combination of both grapes
and apple. Grape + apple= grapple. The fruit tastes
like grapes and looks like apple. It is a brand name
for Fuji or gala apple and it has been specially
treated to make the taste of the fruit flesh like a
grape.
Lemato: This is a hybrid variety of lemon and
tomato. Israeli researchers produced a genetically
engineered tomato that has a hint of lemon and
rose aromas.
Aprium: An aprium is a cross of plums and
apricots. Apriums are available in United States
during the period of June. The fruit is dry and less
juicy and extremely sweet with orange flavor. The
taste of ripe apriums is an apricot taste.
Pomato = Potato + Tomato. Pomato is a hybrid
variety of potato and tomato. It is a small tomatolike fruit, with white flesh, edible either raw or
cooked.
Ugli Fruit: Ugli fruit is a hybrid variety of grapefruit,
orange and tangerine. It is a large sweet juicy fruit
with greenish-yellow thick wrinkled skin. Ugli fruit
has sweet flesh, cultivated especially in Florida.
Limequat: Limequat is a citrus fruit which is a
cross between lime and the kumquat. It is a small
tree and has thick foliage that grows in bushy form
and produces lots of fruit at a young age. It was
used in many recipes as like that of a lemon and
lime.
Jostaberry Fruit: Jostaberry is a hybrid variety of
Black Currant and Gooseberry. The size of fruit is
very larger but its taste is similar to black currant.
The fruit freezes well just like blackcurrants.
Plumcot: Plumcot is a hybrid between plums and
apricots. The fruit is yellow with red blush, red or
dark purple flesh according to variety and has a
very smooth skin alike to a plum. The fruit may be
with or without a stalk.
Nectacotum: A nectacotum is a hybrid variety of
apricot, plum, and nectarine. The fruit is reddish
green with light pink flesh. The fruit has a sweet
flavor and mixes well with berries or green salad.
Rangpur: Rangpur is a hybrid variety; a cross
between mandarin orange and lemon. Rangpur is a
citrus fruit also known as lemandarin. It has a very
acidic taste. The name of this fruit was originated in
the Bengali languages since this fruit is grown in
Rangpur in Bangladesh, a city is known for citrus
fruits. It can also be used as a substitute for
commercial limes.
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is a hybrid of two citrus
species, pummelo and sweet orange. The
commercially recognized grapefruit has a deep red
flesh inside. It makes an essential nutrient for skin
development and eyesight.
Orangelo: An orangelo is a cross between a
grapefruit and an orange.
Tangelo: This is a hybrid variety of tangerine and
grapefruit. The fruit of tangelo and mandarin looks
similar. Tangelo fruit start to ripen from late autumn
through to late winter. Its size ranges from the size
of a standard sweet orange to the size of a
grapefruit.
Tayberry: The tayberry is one of numerous hybrid
berries formed by cross-breeding a blackberry with
a raspberry. It was established in Scotland and is
named after the Scottish river Tay.
Olallieberry Fruit: Olallieberry is a hybrid variety of
loganberry and the youngberry and has the
physical appearance of the classic blackberry. It’s
mainly grown along the western parts of United
States and has a distinctive, sweet flavor. It is used
for making excellent jams and jellies and also to
make distinctive berry wines.
Blood limes: Blood limes are a hybrid citrus fruit; a
cross between the red finger lime and the Ellendale
Mandarin.
Marionberry: Marionberry is a cross between the
Chehalem and Olallieberries. It’s the most common
blackberry cultivar.
Pluerry: This is what happens when a cherry and a
plum can’t keep their stems off each other.
Although not readily available, it’s a hybrid fruit that
is 50 years in the making so keep an eye out for
this one.
"The Snail"
anonymous
The snail he lives in his hard round house,
In the orchard, under the tree:
Says he, "I have but a single room;
But it's large enough for me."
The snail in his little house doth dwell
All the week from end to end,
You're at home, Master Snail; that's all very
well.
But you never receive a friend.
Happy gardening!

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