But, in a foggier area, the greenhouse could help start plants outside earlier with the added warmth that builds up throughout the day in a greenhouse. In most areas around the Bay Area, we have those cool, foggy nights, so we just can’t give gourds their best life, but we can give them a rough facsimile. We have a lot of very helpful and not poisonous spiders around the Bay Area, so it’s good to know how to spot the few you should actually be cautious around. As it gets colder out, I really appreciate good, warm socks. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Just like the seasonal flu, black widow bites are deadly only when they occur in people who are already in a weakened state, like sick or elderly people, or in small children. That being said, their bites are incredibly painful. This is a gardening blog, and gardening is about taking care of little things, for yourself and your family. Is your local Lions Club selling Christmas Trees by delivery? August 11, 2014 Planting bay friendly trees, how to plant a tree, tree planting, when to plant a tree Scap Er. Good choice for the insect-lover. Time to start planning for next year’s garden! Not only does Thriftbooks sell an amazing array of used books to help the environment and your pocket, they also buy books from libraries and sell books at a discount to correctional facilities. I’ve had appendicitis, and it hurts so much you vomit and kind of want to die. Yep. And from tiny seeds, […], About this time every year, I start to get super excited. A few months after my first black widow experience, my husband and I were clearing some things around in the garage. And, I’m actively looking for ways to replace them on the site (suggestions welcome!). The paper is either recycled or made from planet-friendly bamboo. Posters from your kid brother’s favorite movie from the 80’s? They also pay workers as little as possible and sell cheap crap. Fill the soil back in, leaving the root flare just above ground, and top it off with fertilizer and mulch. They’re not great (see “fading light of dusk” above) but you can see I’m not hallucinating here, people. Plant the bay tree. After you’ve done the research and purchased your tree sapling, gather some basic tools – a shovel, tape measure, and hose will usually do the trick – and someone to help. Think the tree’s size and shape when it’s mature, as most trees (other than palms) will continue to grown beneath and above ground, well after planting. A better world is NECESSARY for our planet and our children’s’ future. And, of course, most have that telltale red hourglass marking on the underside. Te guide discusses why planting is important, provides a context of what historically grew here, discusses today’s shoreline landscapes, provides a plant list, addresses ... make the San Francisco Bay area special and identifi able. Buy Chayote Squash in December. This holiday season, I’ll be trying to avoid Amazon and big-box companies. Never a black widow. Not only are they just all too happy to drive smaller companies into dust, their CEO is richer than should be possible all the while treating their employees like animals. YES! Used presents from Santa? When To Plant Bay. within. Of your 3-6 seeds planted, be prepared to only allow 2 or 3 plants to survive to adulthood. Buy from individuals on Etsy instead of from big stores. Not all black widows are perfect specimens, however. It never hurts to ask! I hope you find it as useful and interesting as I did. We’re all freaking out. I’ve already ranted above about them. I’ve planned my gardens […]. They also sell DVDs, Blue-Rays, and Video Games! I look for B-Corps that give back to their world, or employee-owned companies that do what’s best for the people that work there. How to Plant Cabbages. Enter your address here and we’ll get them hopping your way! Spring and early summer are the best times to adopt a new bay plant. A mature plant, grown in a … This month in the Bay Area Garden – Monthly Calendar. December 20, 2020 December 20, 2020 Melissa Dattola Leave a comment. Even in winter, you can grow such rewarding things in the San Francisco Bay Area. Position. If you DO choose to purchase something from them, be sure to find a charity on smile.amazon.com and then always shop from that URL instead of just amazon.com — a (super small) portion of your purchase goes to that charity. If you’re in an urban area, look into what regulations and ordinances apply to your project. Retired Elves Lego sets? We hope you have learned how to plant a tree, and when to plant a tree, here in our beautiful Bay Area. Mr. Jay seemed fine later, but he may think twice about rescuing humans from spiders in the future , I know you’re freaking out, because I am freaking out. Not sure what to do in your garden this month? So, if you’re not totally sure, I’d say avoid contact. I was definitely in denial about black widows. 7 Bay Area Winter Garden Chores to Support a Healthy Landscape Winter’s shorter days and lack of sun trigger a more dormitory state for many trees, shrubs, and perennials, but there are lots of winter garden chores you can do to support the growth and … Screw them. Notes. I don’t talk about “big” subjects much. And it did–just a smidge–and just enough to one side that I could clearly, even in the fading light of dusk, see the red hourglass marking on its underside. You can also get DVDs, CDs, or whole lots of used toys. You’ll need to take a few things into consideration as you pick the space to plant a tree. The voting is over, but let’s continue to work for that better future in whatever ways we can. These things are meant to get dirty or wet. Browse some local nurseries to see what catches your eye, and take advantage of free online resources like the CalPoly Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute’s SelecTree guide and the Arbor Day Foundation guide. It has listings of events related to gardening and links to other helpful gardening resources. Plant garlic and shallots after October 15 to harvest next summer. Bay Growing Guide Crop Rotation Group. No matter what your seed packets may say, start your gourd plants indoors. A mature plant, grown in a sunken container, will occupy a space 45cm (18") square. In a pandemic, that last one is harder. Check It Off offers monthly gardening tips as well as information for growing a successful garden in the San Francisco Bay Area. Rosalind Creasy high fire-threat areas . PG&E’s Right Tree Right Place provides more detailed information on utility line issues, including the special considerations that need to be taken if you plant palms. I don’t want to say stress yourself out avoiding companies that make things easier, especially if you are schooling your kids at home or caring for relatives. You’ll be on your way to increased beauty, shade, property value, and of course, a more oxygen-rich environment. — SFGate.com Easy to grow. “New” stuff looks nice at all, but packaging is all trash. Box: 880, Planting and nourishing healthy trees is about more than digging a hole in the ground and dropping in a sapling. In the Bay Area, we recommend watering between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Watering within this window of time takes advantage of relatively low winds and less loss of water to evaporation. Email: info@bayscape.net - 1350 Pacific Avenue, Alviso, CA 95002 - Mail To: P. O. The Bay Area Forager: Your Guide to Edible Wild Plants of the San Francisco Bay Area Paperback – Unabridged, May 1, 2015 by Mia Andler (Author), Kevin Feinstein (Author) 4.7 out of 5 stars 50 ratings But how can we continue to help make the world better while (mostly) sitting on our bums? The short answer is: usually not. Never. The Inverness Garden Club is a non-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Use bulb fertilizer, applied at a rate of 5 tablespoons of fertilizer for every 10 square feet of planting area. Tulips must first be chilled before planting. It’s been making the internet news cycles again: Glass Gem Corn (or Glass Gem Popcorn). When growing bay as a potted plant, allow the soil to become dry as autumn approaches. Also great for butterflies, good host and nectar plant, works even better in southern California. Gourds like heat, and consistent heat at that. I have some bits I used 6 years ago to tie tomato branches to my tomato cages that’s still tied, and still usable if I didn’t think to bring out my twine cone that day. Working fine in that planting at Google. Vegetable Planting Table. She immediately began running for cover under the bag, so I moved it again to keep her where we could see her while we discussed her fate. And, if you have small kids or pets around the area you’ve found a potential black widow, I’d say kill it just to be safe. Living in the Bay Area in a sunny zone, a cold frames and greenhouses aren’t really necessary to grow plants early in the season. Outdoors, allow 6 feet (2 meters) between plants being grown as a hedge. Seed or Cuttings? Throughout the pandemic we’ve found a bounty of home and garden items, toys, and books. At a garden center, or even some supermarkets, you’ve seen those racks of those happy little seedlings in their little plastic pots. planting. I watched them come into my hometown in PA as a kid and basically drive a thriving small-business area into ruin (there was a shoe store that had a talking Myna bird. We’re all dealing with so much right now. So I say, start with the good companies first, and then only shop at these if you really can’t justify the expense or shipping time: This is the WORST company out there. In these strange times, a 48-pack of toilet paper would be a hilarious and welcome gift. It has been serving as a vegetable seedling grow house and greenhouse for some tender succulents since then, and I’m ready to give my opinion of it in […]. I mean, I’ve lived in the SF Bay Area for more than a dozen years and never heard of anyone seeing one, let alone having any kind of “encounter” with one. Third, it’s cotton, so it’s biodegradable (eventually). A talking bird was magical to me. Of course, you can’t forget one of the most important post-planting jobs – ensuring that your sapling is properly irrigated, particularly for the first several weeks. A quick reference guide to growing food in the bay area. Can, Did you know that artichoke seeds could fly? Decide whether you want to grow the bay tree in the garden or in a container. Vegetable Planting Calender. Wait until a few weeks after the threat of frost has passed. But I’m warning you: some of […], The OGrow Deluxe Walk-In Greenhouse (like these) was a Christmas gift, and I assembled it in February. I tapped the lid a bit, to see if it would move. I opened my green bin to drop in the week’s compost before trash day, and there was this shiny, round-abdomened, black spider, on the lid in a (not to be disparaging, but) messy web. I moved a bag of nearly empty compost and discovered a likely black widow underneath. Bushel Basket gourd supported by a stretchy hammoc, Pink amaryllis blooming in time for Christmas. Deciding when to plant your vegetables in the coastal Mediterranean climate of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10 is a balancing act. 5 of the world’s most beautiful gardens to visit virtually Succulents do well in the ground and in … First off, it’s like $5 for a million yards of it. Mine is, and I will be buying our tree from them. Always consider native and drought-resistant options first, and think about the species’ sun and soil requirements and how they stand up to wind. We can grow many kinds of palms in our Bay Area gardens — palm trees, shrubby palms, bamboo palms, little foliage palms — lucky us! So, I did what any normal human who values her life would do: I went into the house to grab my camera and took some pictures. Flora Grubb Gardens grows and sells dozens of varieties of rare and exceptional palms. From pruning, to planting, to weeding…read our monthly garden to do list. I use this tool all the time in the garden, and I’ve mentioned it a few times, but I never just came out and admitted that this item is truly the best thing to have in your garden, PERIOD. In addition to considering the aesthetics of your location, think about putting a safe distance between your tree and sidewalks, driveways, other trees, and – maybe most importantly – utility lines. I just take the frayed bits and, if they’re long enough, tie up what I need to. Second, it lasts forever. I garden, so I spend time in the dark and dirty places spiders love. If it weren’t for Covid-19, this option would be a no-brainer. My kids didn’t bat an eye when they received used books and big boxes of previously-loved Barbies and her accessories. In addition, mix in 2 cups of bone meal. They want to stay hidden. It’s possible to succeed at growing bay from seed, but I wouldn’t advise it. Bombas has some unique sock designs for adults and kids, including sets perfect for gifting, and donates a pair of socks to organizations that help the homeless for every pair purchased. Maybe it’s because we buy so much cool stuff at thrift stores and yard sales. Exploring everything green beneath the fog, I’m not gonna lie: Seeing the mailbox packed with color seed catalogs is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Plant starts that are so perfect, so ready, and at only $3.99 each! Bay Area Gardening Q&A: What’s eating the broccoli? Planting and nourishing healthy trees is about more than digging a hole in the ground and dropping in a … Still, it doesn’t have to be complicated. "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades," by Steve Solomon (Sasquatch Books; $21.95) "This is a great resource for planting times relevant to our local area and climate." He swooped down next to us, hopped over to the spider, and neatly picked it up and flew to the top of a telephone pole to eat it. It … Mark the spot you’ll dig, making sure you dig it two to three times bigger than the root ball, and position the sapling – making sure to loosen all that soil packed around its roots. Along the border of the transmission line right-of-way, plant only small trees no taller than 10 feet. Next: Choose a Bay Area-Friendly Tree Species! I’ve even found brownish/blackish spiders in my house with that suspiciously round boo-tay and checked them for any hourglass tattoos on their bellies, but they were always other kinds of spider. Feeding I buy organic seeds, I don’t use harsh chemical pesticides or fertilizers in my garden, and I try to buy local when I can. You won’t find them out in the garden in the sun–you’ll find them inside trash can lids, under and behind things in your shed or garage, and generally away from where you cam easily come across them. They’ve got new stuff, old stuff, red stuff, blue stuff, and everything in between. Spring bulbs (daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, etc.) This zone gets more heat in summer than Zone 17, which is dominated by maritime air, and has warmer winters than Zone 15. Not only does Gardener’s Supply Company give back to community gardening efforts, they also sell unique garden items, as well as items that are hard to find. The Dummies Guide to Tree Planting in the Bay Area. You’ve definitely seen them. You betcha. They won’t have the same online shopping & store-pickup experience as Target or other big-box stores, but they may just be able to accommodate what you require. And how do we do this during the holidays? You play a vital role to ensure that the right tree is safely planted in the right place. They will be able to get you the best pain relief and, if you do have an extreme reaction, they can administer antivenom and help you with your breathing. to climb, Lash bamboo together when building trellises (though Bamboo Lashing is definitely superior for this task), Wrap around black plastic when suppressing nasty weeds like fennel and blackberry, Making bundles of cardboard for recycling pickup, Wrapping gifts to give them a “rustic” look, All those normal kitchen uses (if you haven’t dropped the cone in the soil 50 times already, like I have). And then they shut down THAT Walmart and built another, so there’s this deadzone of little stores next to the dead Walmart. Would you like to receive our HOW-TO E-BOOKS shown above? Buy a few chayote squashes from the grocery store, or get them from a friend who grows them, (I don’t know anyone). contact us : 925-819-2100 today for Planting A little research and work on the back-end can help you figure, Why Smart and Savvy Landscapers Plant Gardens In Fall. Bay Area Greenscapes helps you choose the best plants for your soil type, sun level, location in the garden. With that kind of insider knowledge, I’m going to recommend you avoid black widow bites if at all possible. These are a few of my favorites: This company came along at just the right time, at the beginning of the pandemic, and is basically everything Amazon isn’t. Plant trees and shrubs on the windward side of … When I buy things now for my family, I look for a company that isn’t about going IPO or making rich people richer. The internet i, Watercolor illustration of a tomato flower from my, Green Your Holidays with Fabric Wrapping Paper, 5 Things Absolute Beginner Gardeners Should Know, Harvesting Cauliflower: Not for the Squeamish, https://www.shopthesalvationarmy.com/Browse, Posters from your kid brother’s favorite movie from the 80’s, Glass Gem Popcorn: A Rainbow in Every Husk, Baker’s Twine: The Most Versatile Gardening Tool, buy an industrial-sized cone of baker’s twine, Assembly and Review of the OGrow Deluxe Walk-In Greenhouse, Yes, We have Black Widows in the Bay Area, Tie up tomato branches to cages to keep tomatoes off the ground, Make lines for beans, peas, gourds, hops, cucumbers, etc. It is definitely beautiful, and, in the sunnier parts of the Bay Area, easy to grow. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a staple native plant, wonderful for insects when in flower, including honeybees, but a vast spectrum. Frost tolerant. A little more or less, depending on time of day, amount of media consumed, number of dependents we’re supposed to home school, percent of productivity we’re expected to be at, etc, […]. It’s crazy to me that I haven’t written about this before. However, a year of global pandemic, epic wildfires close to home, extreme weather all around the world, and a frightening political landscape have changed that perspective. When grown in containers, gradually shift plants to a container at least 12" (30 cm) in diameter. Bay is a half-hardy shrub or small tree that can tolerate winter temperatures no lower than -7C. I found elastic and nose guards for masks here, and floss when I started my embroidery quarantine hobby, all from small “shops” that are really just one person. Miscellaneous Soil. Once you’ve picked your space – or narrowed a couple of options – select the species of tree to plant. #til, More Glass Gem corn from my harvest last year, thi, Glass Gem corn I harvested in 2019. Our schools also have online fundraising for things like Art Kits, books, and even general shopping online. A friend had talked about seeing black widow spiders in her garden, and I just thought to myself, “she’s mistaken.”. The evenings get dark earlier, the air is a bit cooler, and it’s that time of year when the garden gets quiet. Full sun to partial afternoon shade. In the city of San Francisco, for example, you must apply for a planting permit with the Department of Public Works if you want to plant a tree near a public street. Keep the mound consistently moist. Mask up and be safe while you do it, or call the store and see if they offer other options. Their webs are not symmetrical, but are instead messy and lacking obvious organization. I know I have Amazon links on this site–I am an affiliate of theirs–but I actually try to avoid buying things from them. Gardens are not “clean” places. You can plant tomatoes outside in most of the Bay Area from April through June. One that is dear to our heart is the Contra Costa Master Gardener’s Great Tomato Plant Sale at Our Garden, which was founded by the Master Gardeners and the Bay Area … Reply to our next newsletter and tell us to send them! Then, after I gingerly took the garbage bins down to the curb, I did some research on my newfound friend. Most spiders I’d do my best to save from harm, but I’d rather not see my kids in the kind of pain true black widows can inflict. can be planted this month and next. But, you can still buy from thrift stores online:Goodwill: https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Salvation Army: https://www.shopthesalvationarmy.com/Browse. Bay Area Watering Information What Time of Day Should I Water? They sell toilet paper and other paper products. Glass Gem is a flint corn, meaning it is intended to be harvested and […], There are tools that I bring into the garden with me, like a shovel, clippers, and gloves. Please click on the links below for more information on planting locations and more for the big planting day – February 15, 2014! Black widows can be black or brown, and have a shiny, round abdomen. Bay Area Guide to Growing Tomatoes; Bay Area Planting Calendar; Sources for Organic Seeds; This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you are looking to grow cool weather vegetables, such as beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, celery, and such, try planting in early spring. The mild winters and cool springs of the San Francisco Bay Area make growing cabbages a relatively hassle-free endeavor. The spot should be in full sun most of the day in the summer, and should be at least 6 feet from any other plant. If you get bitten, elevate the bite area if you can, apply a compress, and get someone to take you to the Emergency room. Unbeknownst to us, a male Scrub Jay had noticed the excitement from a power line above. If you are in the foggier areas, aim for April to be sure your plant will have time to mature if the summer is on the cool side (which means starting seeds in February), or, aim for the fall, which tends to have less fog, and just plant shorter-season tomatoes in June (starting seeds in April). And Walmart destroyed that). One fun bit of trivia is that the pain is sometimes so great, it is mistaken for appendicitis. We tend to do more from home–like ordering online. Harvesting Our growing season is very long. Facebook and Nextdoor are actually good for something besides locating lost cats: finding free or inexpensive second-hand items from your neighbors. Already on our list? Last year, I was able to buy whole sets of my child’s favorite books series’ for a fraction of their full-price cost. Fertile, well drained soil, or high quality organic potting soil. September 25, 2020. A summer afternoon wind is an integral part of this climate. Planting. They sell books, and have a huge inventory. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links. Make a small mound in the area you choose and plant your seeds. Plant only low-growing shrubs under the wire zone and only grasses within the area directly below the tower. If you can’t find a charity you like, why not add your closest local school? Plus, a whole box of another child’s collection of something is so much more impressive than one tiny new set. B . You can plant cold-weather veggies pretty much anytime in the East Bay, but it helps to get your over-wintering plants in by late July or early August, so they have some heat to start. Plant outside when the temperature is warm, and the tree will get 8 hours of sun a day. Planting. They have really nice items for gardeners, some that they themselves developed and produced, as well as gifts for everyone, like striking Amaryllis bulbs ready for a holiday table. Collectibles & weird items are only part of what you can find on Ebay. Planting . That certainly solved our dilemma of how to dispatch of Ms. Spider, but I did read about how eating a black widow can cause tummy troubles for birds. That’s a happy combination for gardening. Plant cover crops (also called green manure or compost crops) such as fava beans They will run away if exposed. east bay planting times East Bay Planting Times. So, when you run out of whatever string-type alternative you use for similar purposes in your garden, do yourself a favor and buy an industrial-sized cone of baker’s twine and for the next 20 years or so, you and your garden will thank you. Time Your Plantings for Bay Area Growing Seasons Ideally, plant warm weather veggies and fruits, such as beans, corn, cucumber, pumpkins, peppers, and squash and melon varieties, after mid-March. Through winter, allow the soil to dry between waterings. We were excited to work with the following San Francisco Bay Area Planting Partners (Grantees) for the 2014 Invest From the Ground Up Community Tree Planting Program. Some links in articles may be affiliate links. Bay plants are notorious for long germination of … Prefers not to be close to... asparagus basil, tomatoes, Parsley garlic, onions beans If you are lucky enough to live in a region with a long growing season, you know that there is always some plant ready to go into the ground. My Garden Blogs features an exhaustive blog dedicated to gardening in San Francisco Bay Area. Etsy is way more than handmade and custom items these days–it can also be a great source of crafting supplies. I discovered their company when I needed lashing cord for making bamboo trellises and could only find it there. It’s that simple. What is more hopeful, positive, and bursting with potential than a listing of plants and flowers you could grow? For that reason, I find it very difficult to have my reference materials, like […]. You can pick a local bookstore you love and a huge part of their profit will go to that bookstore. We appreciate your support if you do, since it helps us keep sfbaygardening.com up and running!