Re: winter in a Calif. garden, was Re: [gardeners] test
ronhay@postoffice.pacbell.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 17 Jan 2002 18:31:47 -0800
Hello, again, Sherryl,
It has been mighty chilly, nights, here in Van Nuys, as well. We have
frost on the roof, grass and low-growing plants about 3 days a week, but
the Iceland poppies, justly named, are thriving and blooming, even with
rime on them in the morning.
Also, a great surprise, are our bearded irises, which are blooming to
beat the band, not to be outdone by the fortnight lilies and begonias.
It's these chilly nights, in the high 30s, interspersed by a week in the
high 70s that has our garden mightily confused. The buds on the
nectarine, apricot, persimmon and pomegranate have begun to swell,
indicating dormant spray is something I will have to apply this weekend,
to keep the nasties out of the swelling and separating buds. I just hope
we don't get a real cold snap after a concerted period of warmth. This
time of year is just so unpredictable!
Oh, yes, something I just noticed today: now that most of the citrus has
fallen/been picked, growth auxins are coursing through the phloem, and
budlets are beginning to appear, the first signs of next year's crop,
which form as soon as the get the signals that the current year's crop
is history.
Well, I had better get a move on it; choir rehearsal is in an hour and I
had best gird up my mental loins to face traffic:(
Good growing to all of you.
Ron