Tricks & Treats in the Sonoma Valley Garden

Fun Fact:

Actual 'brooms' used to be made out of the “Broom” plant or as it is called: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) - a shrub with bright yellow flowers which is often grown for erosion control in warm climates. Our hillsides are full of this voracious, invasive plant. The only way to control it is to pull it out by the roots in early spring while the soil is damp and even then it keeps on coming back!

We list some tricks and treats for our Sonoma Valley gardens:

Tricks:

1. Invisible ties – the transparent tape is strong, flexible and almost invisible.

2. A composting pile for leaves, soft cuttings including worms can provide nutrient rich soil

3. Soil amendments appropriate for various types of plants and shrubs

4. Mulching for frost protection, weed control and to harbor beneficial insects. Leaves provide a natural mulch.

5. Natural Pest control without chemical pesticides - save the birds! - include spiders, ladybugs and praying mantis along with some home-made remedies needing research

6. Flow and walk-through drainage for clean gutters and water run-off along with purposeful and practical pathways wide enough to accommodate a wheel barrow

7. Garden/tool shed is your practical needed hub for keeping tools clean, organized and dry including a storage space for fertilizers, various soil amendment packages, seeds and accessories

Treats:

1. Harvesting requiring a sheltered space for drying baskets, racks and hooks. If you have the space, consider an improvised dug out for an old-fashioned root cellar, too.

2. Seeds and bulbs, autumnal tree nuts and from all the dead-headed flowers you can store in labeled brown bags

3. Color such as persimmons on a leafless tree or red berry bushes and other fall and winter delights highlighting the natural beauty of the season

4. Inspirational and sensory views from the home including bird feeders and baths, garden art including chimes and lighting

5. Wildlife inclusion in respect for the age-old trails. Get rid of any barbed wire which could create such damage to deer and consider culvert pass-throughs

6. Spiders and insects are an integral part of a thriving garden providing food for birds

7. Cool weather root vegetables, lettuces and herbs

Don’t forget your display of pumpkins and squashes, witch’s brooms - the best for sweeping up leaves - or for the witch passing through needing a “refill” – and for the visiting tricksters and treaters! Happy Halloween everyone!