"Drainage, Drainage and more Drainage"
by Troy McGregor, Markham Board Member
You see it on plant labels all the time but what exactly does it mean? Roots need air just as much as water around their roots. If they don't get it, there are problems. If you live on a hillside (clay or not) you generally have good drainage as water is always pulled to the bottom. If you only garden in pots and use a soilless potting mixture, then you also have drainage. If you are like the majority of gardeners in the local area, you have heavy soils in a flat yard. So how do you succeed with plants that require drainage?
Blank Slate - If you have a bare spot or are converting a lawn then the best way is to bring in soil and build berms. There are three main benefits to berms, they provide ample drainage for even the fussiest plants, are really easy to plant in and they add topographical interest to an otherwise flat space. Just be sure to mix the new with the old just a bit to allow water to flow through them both.
If you have an existing garden and no room for a berm, then your best bet is to purchase the plants as small as possible. Large plants have lots of soilless potting soil attached, and the more of it there is the less willing your roots are to venture out into the native soil. Soilless media also dries out a lot quicker making watering a tricky business.
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Australian Plants
The author of the above article, Troy McGregor, is also the instructor for a class on Australian plants (from his native country) at Heather Farm... many of you may have met him as a vendor of Australian plants at our Saturday plant sales. At Markham, Troy is working hard in developing Markham's Australian/New Zealand Garden to make it a demonstration of many new Australian plants. See below for from Heather Farm "Adult Classes" for more info about the class...
Beautiful and Tough: Australian Plants for our Gardens
with Troy McGregor, Gondwana Flora
Looking to add a touch of the exotic to your garden while still remaining drought tolerant? Australian native plants thrive in our region with something to offer gardeners, wildlife and floral designers. We will discuss a wide selection of plants, soil preparation and irrigation. Troy has been growing for, designing and building inspiring gardens since moving to the East Bay in 2006. He is a passionate plantsman and enjoys the challenges and rewards of dry summer gardening. Plants will be available for purchase.
Date: Saturday, October 29 Time: 10 a.m. to Noon Cost: $20 GHF members/$25 non-members (click for more details)
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For All Flower Groupies
A very delightful video is currently circulating featuring beautiful blooming flowers set to music ....you might find it interesting...
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DVC Fall Plant Sale
Many of our volunteers and patrons take classes at DVC Hort classes. This Plant Sale benefits the DVC Hort Department:
Diablo Valley College Fall Plant Sale
October 29 from 9am until 1pm.
321 Golf Club Rd (map)
Pleasant Hill, Ca
Thousands of plants. Vegetables, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees and Natives.
All at wholesale prices. Over 200 flats of 4" plant material.
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