The Frogs are Happy, Dormant Pruning Is Done, Bareroot Is Planted, Fungi Is Fruiting and Seedlings Are Started–Whew

Posted bylisatheardentgardenerPosted inGardening, Gardening Tools, Pruning, Repurposing, Sonoma CountyTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’ve lost track of how many atmospheric rivers have come through California so far this rainy season, so I just looked it up. The answer is fourteen! (KGET) Not that I noticed when one ended and the next began. I’m not complaining. I’m delighted to see that Lake Sonoma is full again, as is our seasonal frog habitat pond. There are pools of standing water everywhere and Muckboots are required garden-wear. Some parts of the state are officially still in some level of drought until groundwater levels fully recharge, but our area is now out of drought for the first time in three years.

Our frog habitat pond is finally full again for the first time in about three years, and the chorus of the frog opera is happening nightly. Go tadpoles!
Our frog habitat pond is finally full again for the first time in about three years, and the chorus of the frog opera is happening nightly. Go tadpoles!

Recent cold and precipitation adorned the distant mountains with snow-caps.

Snow-capped mountains northeast of Alexander Valley Road in Sonoma County, California in March 2023
Snow-capped mountains northeast of Alexander Valley Road in Sonoma County, California in March 2023

All the wet and cold has left our vegetable garden a bit dismal–the peas sprouted then disappeared again and the lettuce is mushy. We usually see asparagus start popping up in February but it’s mid-March and they are only now peeking up their tips to see, like the groundhog, if it feels like spring or not. There is a bit of kale here and there and a couple of broccoli; possibly a few hiding beets. A little patch of parsley provides handfuls of greens for soups and the last of the carrots are still delicious, but that’s about all. It hasn’t been as sunny as these two photos suggest. I’m craving fresh salad.

This artichoke isn't fruiting yet, but does make a dramatic statement in winter when so much else is dormant in our Sonoma County garden.
This artichoke isn’t fruiting yet, but does make a dramatic statement in winter when so much else is dormant in our Sonoma County garden.
I don't remember what variety this is--some kind of purple broccoli I suppose. We tried a few seedlings we got from a local nursery. One of the only things growing in our vegetable garden right now after all the rain and cold.
I don’t remember what variety this is–some kind of purple broccoli I suppose. We tried a few seedlings we got from a local nursery. One of the only things growing in our vegetable garden right now after all the rain and cold.

The waterlogged soils left us with more downed trees to attend to as well.

Acacia trees from a neighboring property are some of the many trees that have toppled this winter. Luckily these are right near our brush pile that we keep for small animal habitat.
Acacia trees from a neighboring property are some of the many trees that have toppled this winter. Luckily these are right near our brush pile that we keep for small animal habitat.

The early spring blooms got heavy and droopy with all the rain, but it’s always cheery to see them. And my indoor houseplant jungle continues to fill me with joy.

Daffodils always cheer up dreary winter days
Daffodils always cheer up dreary winter days
One of two beloved old plum trees up on the hill. They were old and gnarled when we moved in here over 20 years ago. I have no idea how old they are or who planted them.
One of two beloved old plum trees up on the hill. They were old and gnarled when we moved in here over 20 years ago. I have no idea how old they are or who planted them.
Also on the property before we arrived are two flowering plum trees. The rapid growth can get away from me, but the clouds of pink blossoms in early spring are very cheering and flutter down like pink snow on the path to the house.
Also on the property before we arrived are two flowering plum trees. The rapid growth can get away from me, but the clouds of pink blossoms in early spring are very cheering and flutter down like pink snow on the path to the house.
A red camellia. When I first moved to California about 32 years ago, I was stunned by the surreal beauty of rose-like flowers growing on trees. I don't think I'd ever seen a camellia before that. This one just got liberated from some overgrown escallonia and buddleia.
A red camellia. When I first moved to California about 32 years ago, I was stunned by the surreal beauty of rose-like flowers growing on trees. I don’t think I’d ever seen a camellia before that. This one just got liberated from some overgrown escallonia and buddleia.
One of my all-time favorite shrubs--Ribes Sanguineum. It's a California native, deciduous shrub that blooms and leafs out in early spring. There are pink, red and white varieties. The leaves are scented with an aroma that I absolutely love.
One of my all-time favorite shrubs–Ribes Sanguineum. It’s a California native, deciduous shrub that blooms and leafs out in early spring. There are pink, red and white varieties. This one is probably the variety called “Claremont”. The leaves are scented with an aroma that I absolutely love. Calscape lists them as good habitat plants and says: “Deer Resistant, Bird Gardens, Hummingbird Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Bee Gardens”
Flowering quince is another great bloomer for early spring.
Flowering quince is another great bloomer for early spring.
My houseplants still bringing joy, especially during the long cloudy days. A bit of sun breaking through highlights the magical patterns in the leaves of this Alocasia Bambino.
My houseplants still bringing joy, especially during the long cloudy days. A bit of sun breaking through highlights the magical patterns in the leaves of this Alocasia Bambino.
Pink tulips with ranunculas and purple sage
Pink tulips with ranunculas and purple sage. The bamboo stakes are to dissuade the birds from nipping at the ranuncula leaves.

Winter dormant pruning is as finished as it’s going to get. We planted some more trees and shrubs in our new, mostly native hedgerow, and also took advantage of the wet winter for establishing some more fruit trees during bare-root time at the nurseries. To save money, I often propagate with cuttings, but I’m trying more air-layering this year. We’ll see how that goes.

During any cold dry days of winter in January and February, I do dormant winter pruning of fruit trees, roses, and shrubs. These are my basic tools, plus I take a bottle of rubbing alcohol with me to sterilize the pruners frequently to prevent the spread of any diseases. The rechargeable, battery-operated reciprocating saw with a pruning blade is a mainstay for us, considering the amount we have to tend to. Fruit wood is chopped for kindling.
During any cold dry days of winter in January and February, I do dormant winter pruning of fruit trees, roses, and shrubs. These are my basic tools, plus I take a bottle of rubbing alcohol with me to sterilize the pruners frequently to prevent the spread of any diseases. The rechargeable, battery-operated reciprocating saw with a pruning blade is a mainstay for us, considering the amount we have to tend to. Fruit wood is chopped for kindling.
Winter is for bare-root planting! And nurseries also have other intriguing treasures to try out, like this goji berry. We'll see how it goes. I haven't planted many trees during the last few years due to the drought. During wet winters is when I try to get new trees and shrubs established. There are still lots of goodies at the local nurseries like Harmony Farm Supply.
Winter is for bare-root planting! And nurseries also have other intriguing treasures to try out, like this goji berry. We’ll see how it goes. I haven’t planted many trees during the last few years due to the drought. During wet winters is when I try to get new trees and shrubs established. There are still lots of goodies at the local nurseries like Harmony Farm Supply.
Ribes Sanguineum | White flowering currant--probably the variety "Inverness White". Both the leaves and flowers smell heavenly.
Ribes Sanguineum | White flowering currant–probably the variety “Inverness White”. Both the leaves and flowers smell heavenly. I’m propagating this one with air-layering.

I haven’t seen as many honeybees this winter as usual. Perhaps the prolonged cold spell kept them closer to their hives. I like to note what plants bloom over winter and whether I see honeybees or other pollinators on them. Rosemary is a dependable shrub, as are the early blooming flowering currants. I noticed bees on the parrotia persica tree in January when it started blooming this year.

Parrotia persica tree is another early bloomer, brightening up the late winter/early spring and attracts honeybees. Deer resistant, and has nicely shaped oval leaves and good fall color.
Parrotia persica tree is another early bloomer, brightening up the late winter/early spring and attracts honeybees. Deer resistant, and has nicely shaped oval leaves and good fall color.
Rosemary also provides blooms in late winter/early spring when little else does. Provides honeybees with nectar during a sparse time.
Rosemary also provides blooms in late winter/early spring when little else does. Provides honeybees with nectar during a sparse time.

It’s time to ponder which seedlings to start indoors for planting out after the last frost date. Our garden is in a low spot, and we sometimes get a light frost as late as the full moon in May, so I usually count backwards from then. (Although, besides frost, the plants care about the warmth of the soil.) This year, May 5th is the full moon, so we’re about 8 weeks out and I’m going through seed packets to see what I can get started now. I’m not doing tomatoes quite yet or they just get too big to manage indoors. This year I’m going to try to stick to mostly heirloom varieties of vegetables, with just a few exceptions. As my houseplants are now taking up the space that I usually grow seedlings in, we got some tall wire shelves for another south-facing window. I re-use old nursery six-pack trays, and cut up old yogurt containers to re-purpose as plant labels.

I recycle old yogurt containers by cutting into strips and reusing as plant labels, especially for seedling trays.
I repurpose old yogurt containers by cutting into strips and reusing as plant labels, especially for seedling trays.
We've begun seeding a few things indoors for planting out after the last frost date (usually the full moon of May for our micro-climate). These are some of my labels from last year. For seedling labels, I re-use yogurt containers, cut into strips, and marked with a Sharpie. These can also be re-used by cleaning with rubbing alcohol and relabeling.
We’ve begun seeding a few things indoors for planting out after the last frost date. These are some of my labels from last year. These can also be re-used by cleaning with rubbing alcohol and relabeling.

On strolls around the garden in winter wetness, I marvel at the revived mosses and lichens and wild mushrooms and wonder what they all are. Maybe someday I will learn more about them.

In winter, I become fascinated with mosses and lichen and wild mushrooms. I don't know what kinds they are, but I wish I did.
In winter, I become fascinated with mosses and lichen and wild mushrooms. I don’t know what kinds they are, but I wish I did.
In winter, I become fascinated with mosses and lichen and wild mushrooms. I don't know what kinds they are, but I wish I did.
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Fungi on an old tree
Fungi on an old tree

Given the number of trees that have come down in the last year, first to drought, then to soggy soils, there has been a question of how to deal with them all. We process small to medium branches with a reciprocating saw, but given our ages and abilities, I prefer to hire out chainsaw work. This can get expensive. We tried things like Hügelkultur in earlier years and it just didn’t work well for us. One pine tree came down in a spot that wasn’t easy for equipment to get to, and too heavy to move. For fire safety, we want it to decompose quickly. So I looked up to see which fungi we might be able to inoculate it with, to get it started. I was delighted to learn that were are even a few edible mushrooms that will grow in conifers. So we ordered some plug spawn and got to it.

Edible cauliflower mushroom spawn (Sparassis crispa) growing in a fallen pine tree. You can get plug and other spawn online, like from Mushroom Mountain.
Edible cauliflower mushroom spawn (Sparassis crispa) starting to fruit in a fallen pine tree. You can get plug and other spawn online, like from Mushroom Mountain.
Edible cauliflower mushroom spawn (Sparassis crispa) growing in a fallen pine tree. You can get plug and other spawn online, like from Mushroom Mountain.
Edible cauliflower mushroom spawn (Sparassis crispa) starting to fruit in a fallen pine tree.

I didn’t net the log and I think birds and other critters are eating them, so if you try this, and want the shrooms, you might want to protect.

Best of all is when edible stuff grows all by itself, like these patches of miners lettuce and arugula.

Arugala self seeded patch
Arugala self seeded patch
A patch of self-seeding, edible miner's lettuce. A mild, slightly tangy flavor that reminds me a bit of French sorrel. My spouse likes it. The yellow specks you see are flowers dropped from the acacias above.
A patch of self-seeding, edible miner’s lettuce. A mild, slightly tangy flavor that reminds me a bit of French sorrel. My spouse likes it. The yellow specks you see are flowers dropped from the acacias above.

Thanks for reading, especially as it’s been two months since my last post. My spouse’s medical condition required many followup appointments and can’t drive for the time being, so it’s been one of those times that just seems to keep coming at ya fast. I look forward to catching up with all my favorite gardening bloggers! Speaking of which, I happened to notice that one of my favorite garden bloggers has, at least for now, decided to stop posting. Luckily, A Potager in France left us with two great final posts summarizing her gardening experience. I have yet to pour over them myself, but I’m sure you will love the inspiration of her garden as much as I do, and I hold out hope that one day she will post again.

For gardeners local to my area of West Sonoma County, I hope to further inspire you to take advantage of a terrific resource at the Sebastopol Grange, where a Home Gardener Produce Exchange/Donation takes place periodically. Local gardeners bring and share with each other whatever they have: seeds, seedlings, excess produce, and other wonderful treasures. Next one is May 9th, but sometimes new ones get added. Also at the Grange is a Mend and Befriend event that occurs every other month.

Rain falling from a gutter to a small catchment tank. I've been collecting water from here for my houseplants. The black ball wound with white tape you see on the lilac is an air layering propagation attempt. I usually do propagation by cuttings, but am trying out air layering now.
Rain falling from a gutter to a small catchment tank. I’ve been collecting water from here for my houseplants. The black ball wound with white tape you see on the lilac is an air layering propagation attempt. I usually do propagation by cuttings, but am trying out air layering now.

If you are reading this in an email and want to go see it in your browser where it may be easier to view, click here for The-Compulsive-Gardener. Happy Gardening! -lisa

9 thoughts on “The Frogs are Happy, Dormant Pruning Is Done, Bareroot Is Planted, Fungi Is Fruiting and Seedlings Are Started–Whew”

  1. Dear Lisa,
    Nice to read another extensive and very informative article from you. The reason for your absence is, I understand, less pleasant. Therefore; best wishes to your husband.
    You start your story with the many rains that have fallen on you. This is also so recognizable in the Netherlands. Then it is very dry for a while and then the country cannot lose the large amount of rainwater.
    But as you write; the rain also brings benefits of course.
    Regards, Hans

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your kind words about the garden post and best wishes for my husband. He’s doing well now and taking epilepsy medication and wearing an alert should another seizure occur. Hopefully not. I’m looking forward to seeing what beautiful nature photography you have posted recently. Warmest wishes to you, lisa

  2. Dear Lisa,
    Thank you for this interesting and informative post. For someone who lives in Colorado, where there is basically no gardening between November and May, it’s fascinating to see what goes on in gardens in the middle of the winter in another state.
    I’m glad for your moisture, though sometimes wish we could tell the clouds to keep moving east past the Rockies to dump some of their moisture here. Luckily, the Colorado mountains have been receiving good snows, but many parts of the state are still in drought. I keep thinking that it has to end one of these days.
    Sending good wishes for a happy spring and better health for your husband.
    Tanja

    Reply

    1. Hi Tanja! I felt the same when I moved here from my home state of Kansas many decades ago…I was amazed to be in this climate where some veg could grow through the winter. Though there are many wonderful things about living here, there are wonderful things about any place. From my home state, I miss lightening bugs, grand thunderstorms rolling across the big sky, truly delicious, heat-ripened tomatoes and melons, fertile black soil without gophers, peaceful country roads without a person in sight, limestone fence-posts, and distinct seasons (here we talk about 4 seasons, but it feels more like two: a wet cold season and a dry sunny season.) …. I hope some precipitation makes it’s way to you and eases your drought. Thanks for the good wishes! Same to you! Happy gardening. lisa

    2. Thank you, Lisa. The Great Plains harbor their very own beauty, as your list of favorites proves. Living at the foot of the Rockies, we have access to both the plains and mountains, which is convenient, but we also get the winds and ongoing drought. I hope the predictions about its end will prove true not only for California, but for Colorado also.

  3. It’s always fun and inspiring to read your latest blog and see pics of your gardens. Now I’m going out to plant potatoes here in ne Kansas!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much D! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love sharing it so much. Hope your potatoes do well! We planted ours (some Yukon Golds and some purple potatoes) a few weeks ago in felt grow bags with gopher wire underneath, and placed them close to Puffball Kitty’s regular patrol walk for rodents. Hope we get a better harvest of them this year! Hugs, lisa

  4. I have been thinking of you when I have been reading about all the strange weather in California. You have been very busy and have not let the weather keep you back. I love your idea about injecting your fallen trees with edible fungi! The garden looks flourishing. Amelia

    Reply

    1. Thanks Amelia! Yes, the weather has been very volatile, going from new heatwave highs in the summer along with the highest level of drought, and now to multiple atmospheric rivers and flooding and a very cold spring. …. I’ve been missing reading your garden posts during all my business and now am very much looking forward to catching up! Warmest wishes, lisa

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