An Atmospheric River Runs Through It

 We recently experienced our twelfth atmospheric river of the season here in the San Francisco Bay Area. It blasted through in a fury of rain and high winds, leaving mud slides, flooding, power outages and downed trees in its wake. Down the street, one of the big pine trees toppled over and blocked the road for a day. We lost power for two days and internet for close to two weeks, and our oak tree dropped one of its smaller branches.

What is an atmospheric river anyway? I didn't even know they existed, and suddenly they are a common occurrence. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the term describes a long narrow region in the atmosphere--like rivers in the sky--that transport most of the water outside the tropics. The columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying an amount of water vapor equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River (the columns can be 250-375 miles wide). When the atmospheric river reaches landfall, it releases the water vapor in the form of rain or snow.

Of course, we're all grateful for the rain, but after six months of it, it's time for another season! Still, it is interesting to read that scientists are recommending that we harvest surplus rainwater to replenish the aquifer. Much of our infrastructure here in California is all about draining water to prevent flooding. Maybe it's time to rethink that and capture the water instead. Is there a way to redirect atmospheric rivers to spread the water around? Perhaps our chronic drought situation here in the West could be eased with some creative ideas and actions. In the meantime, I'm relishing some dry and sunny days!

Backside of the Salton Sea

After a civilized morning of drinking coffee, eating dark chocolate almond clusters, and reading the newspaper, my folks and I headed for Borrego Springs by way of the Salton Sea. We typically travel down the westside of the Salton Sea on Highway 86 to access the road to Borrego Springs, stopping at some of the lakeside towns like Desert Shores, Salton Sea Beach, and Salton City.

Salton Sea Visitor Center

This year we decided to travel down the eastside of the lake on Highway 11 at the base of the Chocolate Mountains. The weather was surprisingly mild with a cool breeze. We stopped at the Visitor Center at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area near Mecca, California, and learned more about the natural and human history of the lake.

Picnic area on the Salton Sea

Snow capped mountains in the distance

The lake is a large inland sea, with an elevation of 227 feet below sea level. We had always understood that the lake had formed in the early 1900s when the Colorado River flooded the area after spring rains. The film shown in the Visitor Center indicated that there was more intentional human intervention in its formation.

Healthy Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeate) at the Visitor Center

Tamarisk at the Visitor Center

The lake was a popular recreational destination for many years, but has been drying up as water has been diverted for other uses. Currently the lake is fed mostly by agricultural runoff, which causes health and environmental concern. A task force is investigating how to repair the damage. We enjoyed the sweeping views, big sky, and healthy looking plants in the area thanks to the winter rains.

"Sand"

Mummified fish

HTML Tables

The backside of the Salton Sea is an interesting blend of geology and agriculture – geothermal power plants are interspersed among lush and prosperous looking farms. I wanted to see some mud pots so we headed off the main highway on a tip from the Internet. We saw mud volcanos from afar.

Mud flats

Mud volcanoes

We spent some time hunting for obsidian deposits near Obsidian Butte. Obsidian is volcanic glass - quite beautiful, but can be sharp on the edges!

Looking for obsidian

Obsidian deposit

After exploring the area, we cut across the southern end of Salton Sea to meet up with Highway 78 and the road to Borrego Springs. We checked into our rooms at the Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort, and then headed to Carmelita’s Mexican Grill for a delicious dinner. We had great conversation about the day, and about family history. Mom recalled taking the train to Brawley alone when she was eight (under the watchful eye of the conductor) to visit Aunt Mary Bina and Uncle Carl in the 1940s. Family ties!

The hotel was participating in a Dark Sky event, so the grounds were dimly lit. Mom and I took a quick walk around the grounds to enjoy the display of stars against the dark New Moon sky.

Deer Proofing the Raised Bed

This summer, inspired by ideas from the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, I decided to deer and bird proof my vegetable garden. The raised bed is already gopher proofed from below - protected with a hardware cloth mesh underground cage that prevents tunneling. Time to protect from the air.

Deer proof raised bed, with newly planted tomatoes in June

Using material on hand, I constructed a framework of wire tomato cages (some collapsed, others assembled). The deer and bird netting is draped over the sides and top, and secured into place with small plastic ties. On two sides, the netting is anchored into the soil with U-shaped sod nails used for irrigation, but can be rolled up for easy access for weeding (and hopefully harvesting). The results may not be glamorous, but seem to be effective.

Two months later and tomatoes are thriving

It has been two months, and no breaches in the netting security so far! The two cherry tomato plants purchased at the Merritt College Spring Plant Sale are thriving (they are kept watered via the drip irrigation system installed several years ago). The blossoms are just giving way to green cherry tomatoes, but need some heat to bring them into full ripeness.

Innovative Irrigation

This vertical garden caught my eye at Persimmon Place, which is a new shopping center that opened in 2015. It is located close to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station, and across the street from the Hacienda Crossings center.

Vertical garden at Persimmon Place in Dublin, CA

Several store fronts, including HomeGoods, sport substantial trellises on which containers are mounted. A drip irrigation system waters the plants, using Dublin’s gray water system. This is a really innovative idea, and quite attractive.

Containers are mounted on the trellis

I wonder how well the container plants will do in the hot, inland climate, and how much maintenance the drip irrigation system will require (speaking as one who periodically replaces emitters in my own drip system). The containers provide an attractive green cover, while vines start growing from below. I’ll check on progress periodically, and let you know how sustainable this hanging garden idea is.

Gray water is delivered to containers via drip irrigation

Beautiful Bend: 2015

I love to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews in Bend, Oregon. On two previous visits my nieces, Sarah and Thea, graduated from high school. This year, my nephew, Joe, graduated. As before, family from Alaska, Oregon, and California descended on Bend to attend the ceremony and celebrate this milestone and accomplishment!

Antique farm gear

Recall my sister and brother-in-law are gentlemen farmers, with a 30-acre spread in Eastern Oregon. The place looked beautiful as always. A few  cattle roamed the green acreage and stopped to graze, or rested in the cool dirt during the heat of the day. They have plenty of fresh grass to eat, and fantastic scenery all around.

Happy cows

Late rains, and an early warm season conspired to make Bend especially green and beautiful this year. Even the Bureau of Land Management land that borders the property was green with temporary grasses. At night, frogs chirped their chorus, by day birds. I love the big sky, and puffy clouds.

The BLM land is lush and green this year

We saw beautiful sunsets, and moon rises; and experienced temperate weather by day, with cool temperatures at night. Best of all, we had the chance to catch up on everyone's news, and spend time together. It was a treat to see my brother and folks from Alaska, as well as extended family from all over Oregon. What a great family (and one more graduation to go in a couple of years)!

Sunset view of the Three Sisters

 

Spring Spruce Up

Spring is a great time to get out in the yard, and get things spruced up for summer. Here are a few things I like to do in our Bay Area yard.

Get out the pruning shears, and cut back some unruly growth. These sharp shears are especially useful on the small maples and rhododendron bushes. They are light weight and easy to use.

Pruning unruly growth

Go on “oak patrol.” The uneaten acorns stashed by squirrels in the fall start to sprout, and some of sprouts I’ve missed in previous years really start to take hold. I love the mighty oak tree in our front yard, but multiple oaks are just not sustainable in our tiny yard.

Oak patrol to remove acorn sprouts

Add organic material to the soil, replenish the raised bed with organic material, and maintain the drip system. Every year I am optimistic about planting a small vegetable garden, even though the neighborhood deer are the ones to benefit.

Add organic material and check the drip irrigation system

With the yard spruced up, it is time to fire up the charcoal grill. I have a few new grilled vegetables recipes to try, and might even try using the pizza stone (although I hear it is difficult to keep the heat up using charcoal).

Plants on the Move: Wrap Up

Learn about ancient American gardening practices, the Linnaeus apostles who traveled the world collecting botanical specimens, and the movement of plants around the globe.

Ships transported seeds, dried plants, and live seedlings all over the world

Getting Started

Plants have always been on the move, whether hitching a ride on fur, feathers, water or air; or being transported by humans for trade, commerce, or sustenance.

Garden History – Plants on the Move

Linnaeus Apostles

The Linnaeus Apostles traveled the world in the 1700s, collecting botanical specimens, and categorizing and naming them using the binomial system.

The Linnaeus Apostles
Linnaeus Apostle: Pehr Lofling
Linnaeus Apostle: Pehr Kalm
Linnaeus Apostle: Carl Peter Thunberg
Linnaeus Apostle: Daniel Solander
Linnaeus Apostles: Search for Dyes (Mar 2019)

Interesting History

Botanical discoveries in the Americas had a world-wide influence, and we can still learn from them.

Garden History – The Americas
Early Botanical Gardens in the Americas
Terrace Farming in the Americas
Soil Building in the Americas
Sir Joseph Banks
Transporting Plants

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices originate from all over the world, and have influenced and benefitted the cooking of many cultures.

2017: Curry  Saffron  Turmeric
2016: Parsley  Rosemary  Sage
2015: Anise  Hops  Wormwood
2014: Bay Leaves  Red Peppers  Mustard
2013: Cardamom  Poppy Seeds  Sugar Cane
2012: Allspice  Cloves  Ginger
2011: Cacao  Cinnamon  Nutmeg Vanilla

Books and Movies

Learn more about the plants discovered all over the world, and watch films that depict an era of exploration and discovery.

The Story of Gardening
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
The Lore of Spices
Captain James Cook (Jan 2015)
Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery (Jan 2015)
Mutiny on the Bounty (Jan 2015)

Terrace Farming in the Americas

Terrace farming is another interesting gardening history topic from the Americas. The Wari and Inca civilizations of Peru provide fine examples of using this technique for large scale food production in challenging dry conditions. Terraced farming was mastered 1,500 years ago in Peru, and continues today as archeologists reintroduce farmers to this old technique.

Terraces at Tambomachay, Peru. Photo by McKay Savage. Creative Commons.

Steep mountainsides are cut back in large steps, and rock retaining walls, up to eight feet tall, are built forming a raised bed. The base of these steps are typically clay soil, topped with layers of gravel and sand, and up to a yard (or meter) of top soil. The rocks heat during the day keeping the soil warmer at night, enabling crops to be grown at high altitudes. Additionally, the layers of gravel and sand ensure drainage of water down to the next terrace, with the base layer of clay retaining some water. Archeologist Dr. Ann Kendall, who has studied terrace farming near Cusco, Peru, reports that soil is still moist six months after irrigation. Organic matter breaks down in this damp environment and is recycled upward, so that no fertilizers are needed. Typical crops include potatoes, maize, beans, barley, and quinoa.



Terraces at Ollantaytambo, Peru. Photo by Bernard Gagnon. Creative Commons.

Dr. Kendall formed the Cusichaca Trust in 1977 to educate modern farmers to the ancient techniques of terrace farming and irrigation, and restore Incan agricultural practices throughout Peru. This is another brilliant idea for sustainable farming in harsh conditions, worth considering as the world fills ups and innovative solutions for food production are needed.

San Francisco Garden Show Highlights – 2014

I’m pretty sure my aunt and I managed to see about everything at this year’s San Francisco Garden Show, which ended its five-day run on Sunday. We lingered over the beautiful gardens. We attended seminars on urban farming and native plants. We drooled over beautiful spring blooms in “Annie’s Fabulous Springtime Slideshow” (Annie Hayes of Annie’s Annuals and Perennials in Richmond). We were disappointed to miss the Wente Vineyards chef demonstration, but hope they will return another year.

Then we shopped! I found a low-growing—Ceanothus maritimus “Valley Violet” —in a six inch pot from Gold Rush Nursery. My aunt found a fantastic ceramic grater for ginger, nutmeg, parmesan cheese, garlic, and hot peppers from La Provençale Garlic Grater (OK, I bought one too). We managed to resist the De Brito Chocolate Factory booth, but now I’m asking myself, “why did we resist?” (luckily there is always next year).

We both marveled over the beautiful Bonsai trees. This Juniperus chinensis sargentii has been 40 years in training, and is regularly displayed at the Golden State Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.

Beautiful bonsai juniper - 40 years in training

We saw a number of raised bed alternatives. Some of them can be implemented right on top of cement.

Raised bed planters

Ad hoc raised bed planter

We got some great ideas for what to plant in raised beds, including agave, and a mixture of ornamental and useful plants in the same planter.

Agave plants in raised garden beds

Ornamental and edible plants comingle in a raised garden bed

I got a chance to study the water catchment system up close. It is a little industrial looking, and hard to imagine where I would put something like this on the property with our tiny San Francisco Bay Area cottage. But it is definitely the direction we should be heading to save water.

Stacked water containers for managing rain water and gray water

Best of all, my aunt and I got a chance to hang out together, and get caught up on personal and family news. We also got front row seats to a new generation getting INSPIRED for the world of gardening to come.

Inspiration strikes a sustainable gardener of the future 

San Francisco Garden Show 2014

INSPIRED is the theme of this year’s San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, which wraps up its five-day run at the San Mateo Convention Center today. My aunt and I made our annual trip to the show on Saturday (we have been coming to the show, on and off, over the last 15 years). And inspired we were—by the seminars, the gardens, the beauty, the great ideas, and the enthusiasm of gardeners both young and old. This year, with the burden of severe drought on everyone’s mind, the threads of using native plants and conserving water ran through the fiber of the show.

The Grand Allee - raised beds with Mediterranean trees and plants

No City Water for this Garden, created by New Leaf Landscaping and Clearwater Design, showed an interesting idea for integrating water catchment and reuse right into the garden design. Using caught rainwater and recycled gray water, a native garden can be kept beautiful with no city water. This is the kind of thinking we need.

Water storage - large tanks store rain water and gray water

I was immediately drawn to the Roof Top Garden, created by the Foothill College Environmental Horticultural Design program, with its cozy and inviting garden up on the roof; and to the Agave garden, created by the Arizona State University Landscape Architecture program, with its emphasis on hardscaping from repurposed material, and on plantings that mix beautiful native plants and food production.

Roof top garden - planter with colorful plants

Repurposed hardscaping and agave plants

For pure fun and fantasy, I spent some time in Vulcania: An Oasis for the Soul by Clearwater Design. It is hard to ignore the whimsical mini-Nautalis (of Captain Nemo fame) set in a tropical garden with exotic plants, a lagoon, and a glowing red volcano.

The Nautalis - from Burning Man to the San Francisco Garden Show

I was also charmed by the “vine orb” featured in Old Vine by Terra Forma Landscape. Using a metal structure for the foundation, pruned grape vines were woven to create a unique gazebo. This is a great idea for using the materials around us to create something beautiful and functional.

Repurposed grape vines provide a unique shelter

These are some of my favorites, but we were inspired by so much more!

Trellis Spotting in Oakland

Back in the San Francisco Bay Area, I found a great trellis at the recently-constructed Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland. From the street, the large-scale trellis provides an attractive screen for the parking garage. It is fabricated with heavy industrial wire, and provides a frame for climbing plants.

Backside of a trellis in Oakland

I was intrigued to study the double-wire construction and the drip-irrigated planting boxes from the parking-garage side.

Double-wire trellis provides a sturdy frame

This is a great idea, and helps soften and humanize a very busy section of Oakland, both from the street and from the parking garage (as you walk to or return from the doctor or lab). It may help relieve stress on both sides of the trellis. I have reported on Kaiser before, and applaud their innovative landscaping (See Kaiser Meditation Garden in Pleasanton).

Back to the Feed Store

When my brother-in-law announces an outing to the feed store, I love to tag along. His mission is usually parts for the farm equipment or irrigation system, feed for the chickens, or salt licks for the cattle. Mine is the gardening department (but I love to shop cross-departments, because you never know what you’re going to find). On this visit, a bunch of us piled into the car to go to the Big R Store in Redmond, Oregon. I learned that both of my folks were familiar with feed stores in Southern California, since their families raised chickens and rabbits during their youth.

Big R Stores in Redmond, Oregon

As I reported in a past post (see “Feed Store Fun”), you can buy anything for the ranch, farm, and garden at the feed store. They even carry clothing, toys, canning supplies, barbecue gear, patio furniture, and anything you can think of for the home. This is a great business model, since there is something for the whole family!

The garden department

I’m always on the lookout for something new. Last time, I found CowPots™ (planting pots made from 100% Renewable Composted Cow Manure). This time I hit pay dirt with drip irrigation parts. I have wanted more control over my drip line, but have been unable to find what I need. At Big R I found valves for ½” and ¼” tubing, and a manifold for six lines, each of which has its own shut off valve. I also found a 360 degree fogger mister that will be great for ferns. I can hardly wait to experiment.

Shut off valve for 1/2" drip line (open position)	Shut off valve for 1/4" drip line (closed position)
Six-line manifold with shut off valves for each line	360 degree fogger mister for water loving plants

HTML Tables

These parts are distributed by DIG Corporation out of Vista, California. See their web site at www.digcorp.com; under Professional, navigate to the shutoff valve page. Looks like there is a distributor here in the San Francisco Bay Area, in nearby Berkeley!
 

Beautiful Bend: 2013

My husband and I have recently returned from Bend, Oregon and another high school graduation. This time my niece, Thea, marched for her diploma (two years ago saw her sister, Sarah, marched – see “High Desert Low Down”). Extended family on both sides gathered to celebrate this important milestone, and catch up on all the family news. My folks and brother flew down from Alaska; other family members came from all over Oregon. We had glorious weather – hot and dry during the day, then cooling off at night. Bend was especially beautiful this visit, and still green from recent rains.


Ranch with a view

My sister and brother-in-law are gentlemen farmers on their 30-acre spread, growing hay for their cattle and horse (see “Ranching in Bend”). Chickens, dogs, cats, and cars (all four kids are now teenagers) abound! The hay is lush and green, and several weeks from harvest. The cattle roam the property munching green grass, or laying in dirt or mud to keep cool during the hot part of the day. These are truly happy cows. The chickens move between the comfort of their roost and fenced yard, and produce delicious eggs. The three dogs roam the property chasing gophers, or retreat to the coolness of the shed. One sad note, the show llama died this winter after a nice long retirement; I loved how the llama would pose whenever a camera came out.


Moving the wheel line to a new location

Irrigation wheel

Between conversations, meals, and quick dashes to the store, there are many chores around the ranch. Animals need to be watered and fed, and the irrigation line needs to be moved periodically. The property is alive with the sound of birds and frogs. The big sky arcs overhead. At night, the stars and a crescent moon come out, along with shooting stars and satellites.