Getting down and dirty in the rain

Before you do, hustle on out to Wildwood Farm in Kenwood to check out their Japanese maple trees blooming “in full Technicolor.” Watch for the Acer palmatum Osakazuki with large palmate leaves, one of the most photographed of all Asian maples. Apparently this particular tree is blooming early this year.
Visitors can also enjoy the work of seven artists in Wildwood’s outdoor gallery amid the brilliant maples in the old garden, so there is something for everyone. Open Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday. 10300 Hwy. 12, Kenwood. Call 888.833.4181 or 707.833.1161, or email [email protected] for more information.
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Even though we have had some joyful security-producing early rain, which made us worry collectively about grapes molding on the vine, even though the grapes aren’t ours, the precipitation hasn’t been constant, or even deep.
When we think of floods and unusually wet weather in other parts of the United States, our little inch or so isn’t much. But let us rejoice and hope for more.
Once you pull up the vegetable plants in your garden, toss them in your compost if they are healthy. If not, dump them in the garbage, because no one else should get bad bugs via your yard waste can.
By the way, if you don’t have a yard waste can, they only cost $1 per month from Sonoma Garbage Collectors (707.996.7555), and, theoretically, the green matter turns into compost at some unknown destination, to be used in some unknown place.
After you clean out your veggie bed, there are a couple of things you can do while all of your tree leaves “cook” in a pile or bin for use in the spring.
You can turn the soil over or under – same thing – loosening it down to about two feet if possible. The loose soil helps produce more veggies or flowers next time. You can also move a shovelful of soil to the side, put some leaves deep in the ground, and then sleep with a smile on your face knowing they are communing and fertilizing and loosening your soil all day and night. You have put in your work. Now it’s their turn.
In fact, Claudia and Roger Ranniker, who have the immaculate garden on Second Street East, just across the bike path from The Patch, dig small rectangular grave-shaped holes every year and carefully bury their fruit trees’ leaves. Check out the results. Their veggies are available on their front porch across from Vella Cheese, where Roger serves as head cheesemaker.
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Our weather has been perfect for snail multiplication, which is a mathematical science unknown to me. All I do know is that we are seeing multitudes of tiny snails venturing out from under nasturtiums, along with baby slugs.
If you have the nerve, pick the snails out and destroy them somehow. I don’t flush them down the toilet for several reasons, the worst of which I leave to your imagination. My mother used to step on them, which I can’t do except by accident, but her method had an effect similar to the death penalty: they won’t eat your plants again.
I have tried every “natural” method in the book, and several passed down via folklore, and none seems to work. Sluggo Plus might work if you use enough of it, and it is not supposed to contaminate the soil, water or crops.
More importantly, don’t turn your irrigation off permanently for the winter, yet. While I still see computer-automated sprinkler systems watering in the rain, usually at our many absentee-owner homes, we may still have to water deeply occasionally to save large plants.
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Lydia Constantini of Sonoma Mission Gardens reported to the Jolly Green Goddess that the rain we have enjoyed so far is only skin deep, so to speak. This means it has not seeped down to the roots of many plants, so we cannot feel secure without adding some water.
Turn off your system while it is raining, but if it doesn’t rain again after a few days, turn the sprinklers on, depending on dampness and your conscience. Constantini says the rain we have had is “just a dust settling. If we have two storms a week we can go without irrigation. We tested and it’s bone dry three feet down.”
It’s time to plant “green manure” and cover crops that will benefit next year’s gardens, both flower and vegetable.
Constantini’s definition of “green manure” is “the soil incorporation of any field or forage crop while green, or soon after flowering, for the purpose of soil improvement. This green organic matter adds available nitrogen directly and quickly to the soil and new plantings.”
Good things to plant to accomplish this include fava beans (my favorite), mustard, vetch or an organic seed mix sold at nurseries called Organic Soil Builder.
I go with fava beans, partly because they produce edible and healthful large beans, and partly because they produce pretty flowers in the process.
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Back at the nursery, Sonoma Mission Gardens (SMG) has started its “Bare Root Pre-Sale” and S.O.F.T. program. You can order bare-root fruit trees and roses and get an extra 20 percent discount with a 50 percent deposit. Dave Wilson S.O.F.T. program allows you to order specialty fruit and ornamental trees of the highest quality. Expect the plants to arrive at the nursery in December or January. SMG is also loaded with cyclamen and fall and holiday color on sale.
It’s the perfect time to plant onion sets or tiny plants, baby versions of which will be perfect for holiday dinners, as well as garlic. SMG has eight varieties that range from Curly Italian Purple to Nootka Rose from the San Juan Islands.
Sonoma Mission Gardens is at 851 Craig Avenue, Sonoma just west of Arnold Drive.
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In the meantime, this is a great time to go to seminars and classes, especially free ones, and learn what to do for our next blooming stage.
On Saturday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m., Master Gardener Al Derrick will discuss “Keeping Your Soil Alive and Well” at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library. Derrick will demonstrate how to introduce living organisms into your soil and how to improve your soil naturally, according to Master Gardener Barbara Kirbach. Free. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. For more information call 707.565.2608.
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center offers tours and rather expensive classes Nov. 16-18, including “Introduction to Permaculture,” on the “essence of permacultural design,” given by Brock Dolman through lectures, discussions and hands-on activities. Topics will cover “water catchment to erosion control, organic and polycultural food production, natural building, site design and more.” $375 or $325 for OAEC members. 15290 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental. For more information and registration call 707.874.1557, ext. 201.

Get down! Get dirty!