‘Tis the Season for Bare Root Plants

by Charlene Burgi

December is a great time of the year. All the bare root plants will be coming into the nurseries this month. ‘Tis the season to assess what new roses you can’t live without; to replace poor producing fruit trees with new bare root varieties; and to consider planting strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, grapes and berries. Look around: Do you have a place to plant a beautiful deciduous shade tree to protect the house from the glare and heat of the summer sun for energy efficiency? 

Before purchasing plants, think of the location where they will be planted for water compatibility with the irrigation system in your garden. Will the new plants need the same amount of water as the other plants in the area? Or will you need to put in another irrigation valve so the plant doesn’t drown or die of thirst? And if a new valve is needed, do you have an opening to wire into on your irrigation controller? 

A few notes of interest for landscape professionals and homeowners:

MMWD is partnering with Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP) for the Eco Bay-Friendly Tour on May 15, 2010. We are looking for gardens to be on the tour. If you designed, installed or own a garden that you would like us to consider, please call Elena at (415) 945-1164 by no later than January 30. There is more information forthcoming on this fun event.

The Bay-Friendly Landscape Professional training and certification classes are filling up fast. The classes start February 3. To register, please call Gina Purin of MCSTOPPP at (415) 499-3202. This series of seven weekly classes is only offered once a year. Click here to download the registration form.

Lagunitas Creek Spawner Update

by Eric Ettlinger

A female coho salmon after excavating a redd (photo courtesy of Megan Isadore)

Ready . . . set . . . wait! That’s been the spawner season so far in Lagunitas Creek in west Marin. The creek has been quiet since heavy rains in October got the coho and Chinook salmon spawning runs off to an early start. Less than an inch of rain has fallen since my last update nearly a month ago, and in that time only six coho salmon have been observed. Five of those fish were recently seen in the same pool where four coho were seen in late October, so these may not even be new individuals. A lone female coho with a worn tail (a clear sign of having excavated a redd, or gravel nest) was seen this week near a tiny redd in an upstream section of Lagunitas Creek. A second redd was seen lower in the creek, and resembled the redds presumably built by Chinook salmon in October. Increased water releases by MMWD in mid-November and again over the last few days haven’t done much to encourage more salmon to migrate upstream.

The salmon appear to be waiting for more rain before they restart their spawning runs, and it looks like rain will finally return late next week. Tentative forecasts are predicting four inches of rain from Wednesday through Saturday. Hopefully I’ll have more salmon sightings to report in another couple of weeks.

Reducing, Reusing, Recycling While Giving and Receiving

by Keith Bancroft

Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. One major consequence of the “season of giving” is the parallel “season of buying” and the less heralded “season of what to do with all the old stuff we’re replacing.” So before you start flipping through the instruction booklet of your new gizmo, take a few minutes to look through the Marin County Recycling Guide to see how to properly dispose of your old gizmo:

http://www.marinrecycles.org/recycling_guide.cfm

Also, here are a few “how to” tips from the Recycling Guide to help reduce the amount of waste generated this holiday season:

• Buy and use durable, long-lasting products.
• Send messages by e-mail instead of postal mail.
• Start a carpool program.
• Purchase items in refillable containers and buy in bulk whenever possible.
• Bring a cloth bag or backpack when you go shopping. The best answer to the question, “Paper or plastic?” is: “I brought my own bag!”
• Avoid disposable or single-use products such as disposable razors, pens, lighters, foam/paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, or batteries.
• Choose products that are the least toxic as possible to reduce the toxicity of waste produced.
• Conserve paper by making double-sided copies, sharing information via e-mail, and avoiding unnecessary printouts.
• Be a smart consumer: Ask yourself, “Do I need this?” before making a purchase.

Habitat Restoration and Holiday Wreath-Making

by Suzanne Whelan

Volunteer habitat restoration on the shore of Bon Tempe Reservoir

A dozen volunteers joined me on a crisp Saturday morning to restore oak woodlands and grasslands on the shore of Bon Tempe Reservoir, pulling out French broom and cutting down small Douglas-fir and Monterey pine seedlings. While the Doug-firs are native to Marin and the Monterey pines are native to California, their growth is diminishing the diverse mosaic of habitat we have on Mt. Tam. These evergreen trees grow very tall and shade out the oaks, madrones and bay laurel trees, which support a broader number of birds and mammals.

When we finished our work outdoors, we moved indoors for a fun craft project. Hot chocolate, Beatles music and the sweet smell of evergreen branches set the holiday mood. Using pieces of the Douglas-fir and pine we cut in the morning, along with ribbons and berries and other vegetation, we made lovely wreaths and other winter decorations. The volunteers left with seasonal decor and the knowledge that the work they did helped maintain habitat diversity on the watershed, for which we all can be thankful.

Save the dates and join us on the watershed for one or more of these upcoming volunteer events!

Trail Crew: December 5, January 9, February 6
Habitat Restoration: December 12, January 9, January 16, February 20

Visit our volunteer page for details.

Thanksgiving

by Charlene Burgi

There is so much to be thankful for as I walk through the garden. Some things are more obvious than others, like the ‘Brandy’ hybrid roses towering over dew-kissed Artemesia ‘Powis Castle.’ The Chinese Pistache tree is in full autumn color right now, regaled in glorious shades of yellow, orange and red. The Meyer lemon is loaded with fruit, and the iris planted this spring, that promised to bloom in fall, did not disappoint me as it reflects the early morning sunlight. 

Thanksgiving scene in Canby, California

The vegetable garden is small compared to this summer’s bounty. It holds its own despite some critter (I suspect a deer) that weekly plucks broccoli or cauliflower out of the ground only to spit it out. Though the deer are destructive in the garden, I am thankful to be able to live in their environment. It is a blessing to witness their grace and beauty and worth the price of replanting veggies as I catch a glimpse of the spotted fawns each year.  

A less obvious blessing is the lack of weeds in the yard despite the much-needed rains. The hours of collecting cardboard and sheet mulching have paid off in more than one way. Besides the absence of weeds, the ground is more fertile and rich in nutrients. Closer inspection shows the soil is alive with worms and other beneficial creatures doing their job. I am thankful to know I won’t have to weed the garden this coming spring. 

I am also very thankful for you. You have taken time to follow the Weekly Watering Schedule, worked with your gardens to make them more Bay-Friendly, taken workshops to learn more tricks of the trade, and hopefully enjoyed each step of the way. I am thankful that these writings, which started with a few dozen readers, now reach well over a thousand. Thanks to the Marin Master Gardeners, and Greg and Elena from MMWD, who visited many of your gardens and collected your email addresses. Your willingness to open your homes and gardens to find more ways to save water is commendable. As a way to thank you, please stop by our lobby at 220 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera, and pick up the Bay-Friendly Gardening book as a token of our appreciation. Please note the limit is one copy per household. 

I have included photos of a Thanksgiving scene that is set up every year in a tiny town called Canby.  As you can see, the table is laden with good food and surrounded by people who worked hard to make their world a better place.  This is my wish to you. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Comparing Shades of “Green”

by Keith Bancroft

There is a lot of attention being focused on green building and green building materials lately. But do you know what makes a given product “green”? How do you go about finding green products and how do you compare different products once you do find them? 

The two resources listed below provide starting points for researching green products for your home or business. Neither directory charges for listing nor sells ads, helping to ensure that the product reviews are unbiased.

• “GreenSpec Directory” from BuildingGreen.com

The online GreenSpec Directory lists product descriptions for over 2,000 green products researched by the editors of BuildingGreen.com’s “Environmental Building News.”  (Much of the content is free, although a membership is needed to access detailed information and product reviews.)

• “Green Product Directory” from Build It Green

The Green Product Directory lists suppliers of green building products within the Bay Area and is regularly updated to reflect local availability of products, introduction of new products and other new information. (Please note: I found the Build It Green web site to be a bit slow loading at times.  Please don’t get discouraged—it’s worth the wait!)

Do you have other ideas and favorite resources for finding green products? Leave a comment below to share your tips.

Getting Pipes and Plants Ready for Winter

by Charlene Burgi

When it comes to protecting outdoor plumbing, the words “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be more true. The process is as easy as placing foam insulation around exposed pipes and installing special blankets made for backflow devices. These materials are available at your local hardware store or irrigation supply house. If you don’t have this type of insulation on hand, use old towels or blankets and wrap them in plastic secured in place with twine or wire to keep the material dry from the rain or dew. Disconnect all garden hoses and drain the water from them before coiling them up.

If your pipes do freeze without cracking or breaking, try to turn on the water faucet slowly. The running water will melt the ice. Do not pour boiling water on frozen pipes as they can burst.

Don’t stop with outdoor pipes for winter protection. Frost-tender plants also can suffer from the freezing weather. Protect them by creating tents over the top of the plants with old sheets or tarps. Be careful, as the material in contact with the foliage can freeze. Use long stakes or lodge poles to hold the material away from the plants. In extreme cases, for tropical plants like bougainvillea, place a trouble light under the sheeting material with a refrigerator bulb with low wattage during the subfreezing temperatures. Make certain that the extension cord is rated for outdoor usage. If frostbite occurs on foliage, do not prune the damaged plant until the frost season is over, typically March. The damaged parts of the plant will protect the leaves underneath. 

Don’t forget the mulch. Mulch will act as a blanket to the root system on your plants. Be certain to leave an open collar around the trunk or base of the plant to avoid rotting.

Habitat Restoration and Holiday Decorations Workshop

If you are in a creative mood this Saturday, November 21, come to the Habitat Restoration and Holiday Decorations Workshop on the Mt. Tam Watershed. The habitat restoration is from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Holiday crafts will follow from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off of Bolinas Road in Fairfax. (Parking passes will be provided.) Bring your lunch and plan on having fun! The event is FREE but space is limited. For more information and to register, click here.

After playing in the brisk weather, treat yourself to a steaming cup of tea or hot chocolate and have a great weekend.

Garden Walk Volunteers Celebrate End of Successful Season

by Dan Carney

Garden Walk volunteers 2009

Earlier this month on a drizzly day at the Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area, about 30 Marin Master Gardeners gathered along with MMWD staff to celebrate, swap stories, and enjoy tasty barbecue. (Watch a video of the event here.)

This was the second year running the MMGs gave generously of their time and expertise, assisting people to conserve water in their gardens through the Bay-Friendly Garden Walk Program. This year the number of walks increased 40 percent. They had completed 270 garden walks in the past six months and were ready for lunch!

But that’s not all—the water savings resulting from the program are equally impressive. One year after completing garden walks in 2008, the water savings at these homes averaged 15 percent. 

Most of the recommendations MMGs make during the free, onsite visits are simple, no-cost solutions like reducing watering times, fixing leaks, or turning down the water pressure. Some people trade in their old lawn for colorful new native shrubs and grasses that use half the water. One thing that’s true every time—customers love the service they receive.

So to all the dedicated, fun-loving Master Gardeners and conscientious homeowners who participated in walks this year, a great big “Thank You” from MMWD for helping to conserve our precious natural resources!

We look forward to partnering with the Marin Master Gardeners again in 2010.

Rosemary in the Garden

by Charlene Burgi

Rosemary

Fall can be a time of the year when the garden lacks color. Plants are preparing for winter’s rest. Roses are forming rosehips, annual flowers are diminishing, summer shrubs have long lost their color and deciduous trees are dropping their leaves. As I look around my garden I note a mass of blue between the flower-spent lavatera and lavender. The bees are buzzing around, collecting pollen from the flowers of the Rosmarinus, better known as rosemary.

Rosemary is a rugged plant, requires minimal water, and can be used as groundcover or an upright bush. Plant it in poor soil in the sun and it will thrive. It comes in many forms and flowers in shades of blue. Its downside? It contains a lot of oil, so it is a fire hazard if planted in the urban-wild land interface.

Rosemary dates back to ancient times. It is used in potpourri, in bath water to refresh and relax, and has other medicinal purposes. I know it best as an herb that was and still is used in my Italian family for generations. The smell of rosemary evokes memories of utilizing a branch that acted as a basting brush to slather a concoction of finely chopped parsley, minced garlic and olive oil on the barbequed meat. The bruised needles of the plant transferred its flavor to the delicacies cooking on the grill. 

In recent years, rosemary went modern as it found its way into a rub. My dear friend shared this recipe that turned leg of lamb into a gourmet’s delight with everyone asking for more. This recipe inspired many who partook to purchase a ‘Tuscan Blue’ rosemary of their own.

Lemon Rosemary Rub
Fresh zest from 2 lemons
6 large garlic cloves minced
4 tablespoons finely minced fresh rosemary
3 teaspoons coarse sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Mix ingredients in a bowl and rub on the leg of lamb. Cook to an internal temperature of 145 – 160 degrees or to your liking. 

Buon appetito.

Don’t Wait to Apply for that Rebate

by Dan Carney

Due to reduced revenues this fiscal year, the Marin Municipal Water District has been forced to reduce funding for rebates for high-efficiency toilets, high-efficiency clothes washers, and landscape materials and equipment.

Applications for landscape rebates will be accepted for purchases made on or before October 22, 2009. Applications for toilet and washer rebates will be accepted for purchases made on or before November 16, 2009.

We are processing rebate applications on a first come, first served basis until funds run out. So if you have made an eligible purchase but haven’t gotten around to submitting your paperwork, don’t wait!

The budget cuts come in response to an unprecedented decrease in water sales. The good news is our customers have taken our conservation message to heart, doing their part to reduce water use and help preserve our precious supply. The bad news is reduced water sales impact funding for our operations, including conservation programs.

Our 2009-10 budget planned for lower demand resulting from our increased investments in conservation programs; however, the economic recession and a cool summer combined to drive demand even lower than anticipated. MMWD’s Board of Directors and staff are exploring ways to reduce expenses while continuing to provide necessary services.

In spite of the challenges, MMWD remains committed to helping our customers save water. We continue to promote conservation through free on-site water efficiency surveys, school programs, public education and outreach, and professional training. For more information on current programs, visit our Water Conservation page. In addition, in the coming weeks we will be launching a rainwater harvesting pilot project, a neighborhood conservation pilot project, and more. Stay tuned!