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Xeriscaping

Posted by admin on March 5, 2021

I recently came across this term and wanted to learn more about it. Xeriscaping is a way to landscape with using minimal water.

When searching xeriscaping, I found that there are 7 basic principles:
* Sound landscape planning and design.
* Limitation of turf (commonly referred to as lawn) to appropriate, functional areas.
* Use of water efficient plants.
* Efficient irrigation.
* Soil amendments.
* Use of mulches.
* Appropriate landscape maintenance.

There are many plants that can survive with little to no irrigation. I recommend either having a local expert help with finding the right plants or doing an online search.
The main thing to look for is “drought-resistant plants”.
The ones I found listed on TheSpruce.com are Hens and chicks, Aloe Vera, and Autumn Joy sedum, or “stonecrop”. If you are looking for a little more color, I found that Verbena, Marigold, Lavender, Daffodils, and Iris are low maintenance plants as well.

The LA Times did an article in February 2020 about xeriscaping and why you should try it. They mention that even when plants are labeled as a “California native plant”, there are many different climates in California. In Southern California, we should be look for plants around our Mediterranean climate, similar to central Chile, the Western Cape province of South Africa, and southern and western Australia.
They recommend some of the same principles as I found above such as taking stock of your lawn but also add things like visiting a Southern California botanic garden, nurseries devoted to Caliornia native plants, and The California Native Plant Society’s Calscape database.

I have no doubt that the experts at Idyllwild Community Garden are a great resource to learn more and advise on what plants grow well on our little mountain. Just looking at their website I came across this page that has multiple resources – choosing-what-to-plant.

However you start your spring, we hope it brings you joy!

Posted in: Around the District, Drought, gardening, Water Conservation

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Gardening with Woodchips in the Winter

Posted by admin on December 4, 2020

There is no doubt that mulching builds soil, reduces the need to water, and helps control weeds. But what does it do to protect plants from the cold? In many climates, perennials will survive just fine without any protection. In cold areas, snow is an excellent insulator; it keeps plants underground at a temperature around freezing and protects them from the worst of winter conditions. If we could be sure that there would be a good layer of snow throughout winter, our gardens wouldn’t experience many problems at all. Without snow or other mulch in tough winter months, however, plants may suffer heaving and freezing, which can damage their root systems.

The best time to apply winter mulch is just after the first hard frost. By putting mulch down at this time, you will help stabilize the temperature of the soil right around freezing. Applying mulch too soon may delay freezing and encourage heaving and thawing. Applying it too late may cause the roots of plants to experience temperatures below that which they can handle.

Pine bark or wood chips are the best mulches; they enrich soil as they degrade. A layer of mulch about 4 to 6 inches deep over the plants works well. Most perennials will pop through the mulch in spring. If the plants are young, small, or newly planted in fall, you may need to clear some of the mulch in spring so that the plants can emerge without difficulty through the winter protection.

Organic mulches cushion the soil from compaction and erosion caused by heavy winter rains while safeguarding the soil’s storehouse of nutrients. In addition, winter mulches can enhance the cold tolerance of perennial vegetables, herbs and fruits, helping to insure a strong comeback in spring.

Recently laid wood chips to keep the roots nice and cozy

The what, why, how, and where

What are woodchips?
Woodchips are small pieces of wood.

Why would I want woodchips in my garden design?
The most common way of using woodchips for gardening is to spread them on the ground as mulch.

How?
It is important to remember that, as with any permaculture technique, every site is different and every plant species has its own unique requirements. You may find woodchip mulching in one part of your site does not work, while in another place it does wonders.
• Spread the woodchip mulch at least 2-3 inches deep
• Plant seedlings in the soil just below the woodchips
• It may be too difficult to move the woodchip layer for seeds which are small or closely spaced, such as carrots, beetroots, spinach, and onions, so maybe use a different mulch material if you are planning to grow these kind of crops
• Squash grow particularly well in woodchips

Where can you get woodchips?
We currently have a large pile at our Dutch Flats location that Pine Cove residents can go and gather as much as they’d like for free.
Special for December – have a truckload delivered for only $100

Posted in: Garden, gardening, Mulch, Raised Bed Gardens, The Garden, winterizing, Wood chips

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FREE Wood Chips for your Garden

Posted by admin on November 20, 2020

As a Pine Cove resident, you are welcome to our offer of FREE Wood Chip for your Garden.
Our wood chips are from local wood and kept as clean from twigs and leaves as possible.

We have an abundance of wood chips at our Dutch Flats location that you can help yourself to. Please bring your own materials to gather or shovel and haul the wood chips away. If you need a larger load call the office and we can deliver a dump truck load for a delivery charge.
Our regular rate for delivery is $125 but we are having a SPECIAL FOR DECEMBER where you can get a delivery for ONLY $100. Our deliveries are around 9 cubic yards and you just need to indicate where to leave the pile.
If you are planning on gathering a large amount of wood chips on your own, please check in with us at the office first, as we want to be sure there is enough for everyone.

We still have a small amount of compost if you would like that as well. Same pick up or delivery situation; help yourself to the pile at Dutch Flats or call for a delivery at $125 a load.

Pine Cove Water District hours M-F 9am – 12pm, 1 pm-4pm
951-659-2675 or email info@pcwd.org

Winterizing with wood chips to try to prevent the roots from freezing. Looking forward to more growth next Spring.

Posted in: Around the District, Community, Compost, Conservation, Garden, gardening, Mulch, Water Conservation, Wood chips

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Suspicious Seeds

Posted by admin on July 31, 2020

We often speak of using local wood to avoid transporting potentially-infested oak firewood within, to, or from the San Bernardino Mountains. Now we have something new to be aware of; mysterious seeds appearing to be from China.

San Bernardino County issued a warning that if you received unsolicited mailings of seeds that appear to be from China DO NOT plant them because they could be an invasive plant species.

“USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China,” the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said in a statement. They are working closely with federal and state partners, including Customs and Border Protection, to investigate. State officials said some packages were labeled as jewelry and many have contained Chinese writing. According to checks done by China’s postal service, records on the packages appear to have been falsified.

As we are well aware, invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations. So until they figure out what is going on, it is best to follow the suggestions of the USDA and San Bernardino County.

According to Snopes.com people are reporting that they are receiving unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail with return addresses indicating they were sent from China. What’s undetermined is the motive behind these mailings, and whether or not it is a malicious one or not.

Posted in: Community, Garden, gardening, The Garden

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Have you seen any monarch butterflies this season?

Posted by admin on July 24, 2020

I recently read an article in The San Diego Union-Tribute dated July 13, 2020 that said butterfly plants are in short supply. They cited the pandemic-fueled gardening boom as well as public’s awareness of shrinking monarch population and wanting to help increase it. The Center for Biological Diversity put a release out on March 13, 2020 that stated the yearly count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico shows a decrease of 53% from last year’s count and is well below the threshold at which government scientists predict the migration could collapse. They attribute the decrease of Monarchs to milkweed being devastated by increased herbicide spraying in conjunction with corn and soybean crops that have been genetically engineered to tolerate direct spraying with herbicides. Additionally, they are being threatened by other herbicides and by neonicotinoid insecticides that are toxic to young caterpillars and decrease the health of adult butterflies.

At the Pine Cove Water District, we were lucky enough to procure several new narrow-leaf milkweed as well as tropical milkweed for our butterfly garden. We’ve even seen a couple of visitors and look forward to seeing more as we come to the end of the season.

There’s a little guy hanging upside down

What can you do to help?

Plant the right milkweed.
According to The Laid-back Gardener, Monarchs seem to like common milkweed best but also fed happily on swamp milkweed. Apparently, butterfly weed isn’t too well liked in the caterpillar community.

Cut your milkweeds back.
Prior to blooming, cutting back the plants make them more attractive hosts for caterpillar larvae. Research at Michigan State University shows that female monarchs prefer to lay their eggs on fresh young stems that haven’t flowered yet. Heavy pruning doesn’t harm the milkweed plants and they quickly rebound.

Know your sources and avoid pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides.
When purchasing flower starts or seed, know the source. Make sure they are all natural and have no pesticides. Additionally, keep that same mind set when amending your soil and use natural compost like the compost we supply at the Water District to Pine Cove residents.

Plant additional flowers to feed adults.
Although the female monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweeds and their caterpillars only feed on those same plants, adult monarchs feed on nectar of additional flowers like Wild Bergamont, Mountain Mint, Pale Purple Coneflower, and more. Try to provide a wide range of flowers that bloom through the entire growing season. It is also suggested that you grow single plants isolated from others by mulch or wood chips (which the Water District also can supply to Pine Cove residents) instead of mixing them as the butterflies rely on seeing the plant shapes to know where their food is.

Posted in: Animals, Around the District, Compost, Garden, gardening, Monarch Butterflies, Mulch, Pine Cove Water District, Raised Bed Gardens, The Garden, Uncategorized, Wood chips

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Butterflies, Caterpillars and Chrysalis oh my….

Posted by admin on September 10, 2019

PCWD is enjoying hosting the majestic Monarch butterflies and watching the hungry little caterpillars grow. We have been watching the Monarch’s for months now. They flutter into the garden leaving their tiny little egg behind. It wasn’t long before we started discovering tiny little baby caterpillars. For weeks we found more eggs and more caterpillars. Now, everyday we see the changes in these little growing caterpillars and we have started finding newly formed chrysalis.

Did you know that the percentage of monarchs that survive from egg to adulthood is very low? Some researchers believe that less than 10% of the monarch’s that make it to adulthood and others think it is less than 5% that survive to become a Monarch Butterfly. Here at PCWD we are enthusiastic about helping support these majestic creatures along their journey of transformation. It seems that the Monarchs have been enjoying the Milkweed garden dedicated to them.

Did you know that Monarch Butterflies don’t make a cocoon but the actually form what is called a chrysalis. For the most part, butterfly caterpillars do not build cocoons, but instead harden into chrysalis during their transnational pupal stage. There are a few exceptions but primarily it is the moth that surrounds itself in a cocoon for protection during its pupal stage. The major difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon is that a chrysalis is the hardened body of a butterfly pupa, whereas a cocoon is an external structure constructed by larvae to protect themselves during the pupal stage. The life cycle for both the moth and the butterfly is very much the same. Starting with the adult female laying eggs, which hatch into caterpillars. As caterpillars grow, they molt and shed their skin four to six times before transforming into pupae. The pupa is the final stage of development, during which metamorphosis takes place over a period of about two weeks. At the end of which an adult butterfly or moth emerges. For Monarch butterflies like most butterflies the chrysalis is the pupal stage of butterfly development. Just before its final molt, a butterfly caterpillar spins a small disk of silk to attach itself to the underside of a leaf or twig. The caterpillar sheds its skin one last time as the pupa emerges. The outer surface of the pupa hardens into a protective shell, which often takes on a color and shape to help blend it into its surroundings.

Posted in: Community, Customer Infomation, gardening, Monarch Butterflies, Pine Cove Water District

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Hungry Little Caterpillars Keep Growing

Posted by admin on August 29, 2019

We are finding more Monarch caterpillars everyday in our planters. They are eating a ton of Milkweed and getting bigger with each day. Soon they will get big enough to shape themselves into a J and start spinning a cocoon. From there the transformation from a chubby little caterpillar to a majestic Monarch butterfly will begin.

How many caterpillars do you see in the above picture?

This little caterpillar has ate this Milkweed leaf down to a nub.

Answer to the fist picture: 4 Caterpillars are pictured

Posted in: Animals, Community, Customer Infomation, Garden, gardening, Monarch Butterflies, Raised Bed Gardens, Uncategorized

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The Butterfly Effect at PCWD

Posted by admin on August 21, 2019

Did you know that now is the time that the beautiful orange and black Monarch butterfly is laying eggs and baby caterpillars are starting to hatch? Many believe that butterfly bushes attract these majestic creatures and while they will feed from the butterfly bush nectar it is actually Milkweed that Monarch butterflies need to sustain life. To the Monarch the Milkweed plant is their home where mate, lay eggs and hatch baby caterpillars. It is the Milkweed plant that is the perfect nutrition for a baby caterpillar to eat and grow strong enough to cocoon and eventually become a beautiful monarch butterfly.

We have lost much milkweed from the natural landscape with shifting land management practices. Planting milkweed is a great way to help other pollinators too because milkweed provides valuable nectar to many types of bees and butterflies. Planting milkweed will assist the monarch populations, and their incredible migration. Here at PCWD we have dedicated and entire planter to support the these beautiful butterflies.

Last year we started collecting Milkweed seeds from the plants we already had and were even donated some seeds from some of our very generous customers. We currently have a few variety’s of Milkweed blooming in while, yellow and orange in our Monarch garden. The Monarchs are loving the garden and everyday we are we are finding more eggs and newly hatched caterpillars. The caterpillars are growing at a rapid pace and before we know it we will have beautiful little cocoons all over the garden.

The majestic Monarch enjoying the Milkweed nectar and laying eggs on leaves.

If you look closely you can see a little egg perfectly placed on the leaf.

Tiny little hungry caterpillar is snacking on the Milkweed and growing more everyday.

This is the biggest baby we have found so far.

Stay tuned for more information, updates and pictures of our Monarch Milkweed Garden.

Posted in: Animals, Around the District, Company News, Garden, gardening, Monarch Butterflies, Pets and Animals, Raised Bed Gardens

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Self Watering Raised Bed Gardens

Posted by admin on June 5, 2014

In an effort to reduce water usage out of doors, but still be able to garden, one option is a self watering container. They are an excellent choice because the water is contained under the plant and therefore does not evaporate and is available to the plant 24/7, which makes over or under watering impossible. As long as the water reserve has water in it, the plant takes what it needs when it needs us and pretty much cuts the human out of the equation all together. Which brings me to my next point. Self watering containers free up your time. Instead of being a slave to watering the garden, you just make sure the containers are kept full and that is all you have to do. While you can use a drip or soaker system on a timer, these methods take more effort to install and the squirrels love to reek havoc on drip system parts. Luckily, they cannot do much damage to a self watering container.

So if these self watering containers are so fabulous, why isn’t everyone using them? Well, price is a big obstacle. They are fairly expense when compared to other types of containers of a similar size. Plus, what if you want to make a raised bed veggie garden for instance? The amount of containers you would have to buy would be extensive. So what is the solution?

A self watering raised be garden of course. I found this video over at mylittlehomestead.com, where they show how they made a self watering raised bed garden using a 55 gallon drum cut in half. Genius! Why didn’t I think of that? Here is the video.

I think this is a fabulous way to have your cake and eat it too. All the benefits of a raised bed garden combined with the benefits of a self watering container. What could be better? If you try this in your garden, let us know! Send us pictures or video and we will post it here on the blog. Also if you discover how to make any improvements to this design, let us know. I will be trying this in my own garden. I think it would be great.

Tags: drip systems, gardening, raised beds, soaker hoses, water conservation

Posted in: Edible Landscaping, From the Office, Garden, gardening, Raised Bed Gardens, Re-purposing, Recycling, The Garden, Water Conservation

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Sunny Days Ahead

Posted by admin on March 21, 2014

Looks like nothing but sunny days for the next week. While I wish I could say rain or snow is coming, it just isn’t so. Now is a good time to get out into your garden and add some compost and mulch to help your soil absorb and retain more water. That way your outdoor watering will become more efficient and you will use less water.

We are offering FREE compost and mulch to all Pine Cove Water District customers in order to help them conserve water outside in their gardens. Yes, you heard right. FREE!!! You can help yourself as the piles of compost and mulch are located behind the water district garage/workshop right here on Marion Ridge Road. If you need an exceptionally large amount, such as a dump truck full, please stop by the office or give us a call during regular business hours. Our phone number is 951-659-2675 and we are open Monday thru Friday from 9 am until 4 pm. We want to be sure there is enough for everyone, so please be considerate if you plan to take a large amount so that we can make arrangements for that. Otherwise, just help yourself.

According to Gardening for Dummies, putting down a layer of mulch in your garden will usually provide the following benefits:

Inhibits weed germination and growth. (Weeds are not only unsightly, but they also steal resources from desirable garden plants!)

Holds in soil moisture, protecting your plants from drying out quickly

Moderates soil-temperature fluctuations (This benefit is especially valuable during that turbulent-weather period in spring when you don’t want your plants to be stressed.)

In cold-winter areas, protects plant roots from winter cold and helps prevent frost-heaving, in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up

In hot-summer areas, helps keep plant roots cooler

Depending on what you use, adds a bit of welcome nutrition to your garden as it breaks down

So come on down and get yours today and make your plants and trees happy and save water in the process. We also have bluebird houses available to all Pine Cove Water District customers as well. Pick yours up today.

Tags: bluebird houses, compost, conservation, free stuff, mulch, water

Posted in: Compost, Conservation, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Garden, gardening, Mulch, Rain, Water Conservation, Wood chips

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