Without pollinators, the world would be a less colorful, less tasty and less well-balanced place: all the more reason to learn how to create a garden that will naturally attract bees, butterflies and other major pollinators. Although the best-known pollinators are domesticated honey bees, there are other pollinators that are also important, including bees and…
Seeking Donations to Help Monarchs
West Coast Monarch populations declined 86% last year and this vital insect may disappear entirely from California soon. Unfortunately the preferred plant favored by Monarchs in California is the ugliest and hardest to come by milkweed: Asclepias californica. We can’t afford the rare and expensive seed to propagate this plant in mass at Ploughshares…
What is Project Tree?
Project Tree is about helping restore the City of Alameda’s treescape. Learn more here, ..and here. Attend the January 26th Project Tree meeting with Alameda Backyard Growers at Rythmix Cultural Center and drive over to Ploughshares afterwards for a workshop about pruning with the excellent Jeremy Watts of Edible Ecology!
Free Pruning Workshop
Fruit Tree Pruning and Care with Jeremy Watts January 26th 12-1:30 We can increase the production, appearance, and overall health of our fruit trees with dormant-season pruning. Learn how and when to cut back your trees for optimum production, as well as the basics of planting, pest management, tool maintenance, and grafting for diversity and…
Wild Birds of Alameda Presentation
Wild Birds of Alameda FREE PRESENTATION Saturday January 19, 12-1:30pm Wondering why there are so many birds on the bay shore now? And what are all those birds with the long legs? What’s that bird with the yellow rump that wasn’t here last month? Learn the answers to these questions and many more. Join Linda…
Edibles on our Tables Now
Plant these now …
Use Cloud Cover to Preserve Christmas Trees
Use Cloud Cover Spray to prevent Christmas Tree drying out. Cloud Cover imitates plant’s own waxy covering, locking in moisture and reducing the speed by which your Christmas tree becomes dry, brittle and a fire danger. Just spray all over the tree and let dry for three hours before hanging lights and ornaments. Cloud Cover…
Perennial Incan Pepper Plant
Manzano Red Pepper is a perennial frost resistant pepper from Bolivia with a pre-Inca history of use as food and medicine. If you are getting ready to make llajwa you absolutely require one for your garden. Plant in a container and bring inside to a brightly lit area of the house when there is danger…
Sow Wildflower Seeds
It’s time again to sow wildflower seeds in the garden. You can broadcast these mixes of native and pollinator friendly seeds in a base of potting soil and sand. Or you might choose to prepare small areas bare of established plantings with a nice potting soil, disperse the seed and cover over with a half…
Edible Beauty
edible viola’s for salad, garnish or desert 4″ pot $3.99 each
Celeriac and How to Cook It
Celeriac is a type of Celery grown for it’s delicious root. Give 10″ between each start and harvest in 90-120 days! Celeriac is high in vitamins C and K, and various B vitamins such as, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), and vitamin B6. It is rich with calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese,…
Cool Season Beauty
6 packs of Sweet Peas for trellis, good in pots or the ground: $4.99 each
Wild Birds of Alameda
Wild Birds of Alameda FREE PRESENTATION Saturday November 17, 12-1:30pm Wondering why there are so many birds on the bay shore now? And what are all those birds with the long legs? What’s that bird with the yellow rump that wasn’t here last month? Learn the answers to these questions and many more. Join…
California Heritage Plants 2016-2018
Plants with a rich history of use by native people of California which represent a unique heritage benefiting our society and environment. September 2018 Rubus spectabilis SALMON BERRY This berry producing bramble inhabits riparian corridors from Alaska to California and can be found East as far as Idaho. Salmon Berry also does well in any…
Pollinator Power Plants 2016-2018
Some of the plants we have mentioned from 2016 to 2018 as ‘Pollinator Power Plants’ Why? Because they are a great benefit to pollinating animals! July 2018 Gomphocarpus physocarpus is an African Milkweed loved by monarchs for feeding and reproduction. Expect 3-4ft of upright growth consisting of pinnate leaves in lush profusion. Small clusters…
Native Plant Workshops All Month October
Native Plant Workshops All Month (October is the Perfect Time to Plant Natives) October 5, 12, 14 and 26th 12 noon to 1:30 pm Fall is the right time to install native plants in the garden. Native plants use less water and and support local ecologies of animals and insects we depend upon for a…