“It’s magical trees
Dapple the sun as they sway with each lazy breeze
They’ll set your mind at ease”
Do these words sound familiar? They’re from Carly Simon’s song, “The Garden”. Lyrics by Jacob Brackman, music by Carly Simon; 1971 Quackenbush Music Ltd./Kensho Music.
It’s the first week of spring, and I’m in one of those “reflective moods”. It seems just yesterday that it was fall, then a short, relatively dry winter, and then boom! Spring. A time of renewal and rejuvenation. I invite our readers to take some time, “come into the garden”, stroll along, breath in the cool, clean air, and absorb the many wonders of spring — The tiny, tender emerging leaves and the crisp pink and white buds bursting as they trumpet Spring is Here. Spring is here!
- Fall at Vicky’s home in Newcastle, CA
- Winter at my home in Cool, CA
- Spring at my home in Cool, CA
As you may have read, my blogging partner, colleague, and friend passed on February 5, 2012.
In addition to being an incredible writer, Vicky was an Arborist, and the Executive Director of EcoLandscape California. She was also the creative force behind the 2012 Conference and Trade Show, “ECO-EVOLUTION: The New California Landscape”, held on January 28, 2012, at the Heidrick Ag History & Event Center in Woodland. Vicky’s health was declining rapidly, so she was unable to attend the conference; however, it was dedicated to her, and I was able to share the following passage with her that was included in the dedication:
“Oak Trees come out of acorns, no matter how unlikely that seems. An acorn is just a tree’s way back into the ground. For another try. Another trip through. One life for another.”
– Shirley Ann Grau
During our day-to-day travels together consulting with clients, teaching at workshops, conducting irrigation assessments, and oftentimes breaking out into song while driving from one place to another, Vicky and I stopped one day to marvel at the majestic structure of this Oak tree. (We were also thankful to see that it was being protected from nearby construction with the orange fencing so the Oak may continue to provide shade beneath its boughs from the hot summer sun.)
- Vicky’s Oak Tree
I promised Vicky that her commitment to our environment and ecologically-responsible landscapes would continue. I’ll use water efficiently in the landscapes that I design, help implement, and provide care over time. I’ll reduce waste, prevent pollution, and help support the integrity of our ecosystems, especially our creeks, streams, and rivers. Vicky’s passion and love of all things green will live on through me and each of you who are reading this blog.
Do you, Blue Thumb Bloggers, have someone who currently is or has been your garden guide – that person who shares their gardening successes and knowledge with you? Who is that person who’s made such an impression on you? What nuggets of priceless information and experience have they imparted to help you be a more ecologically-responsible gardener?
Until next time,
CB
Hi Cheryl,
Vicky’s oak tree makes me smile and makes my heart sigh. I miss her so much. I know you do, too. I look at all the tiny leaves unfurling, Spring awakening all the trees and flowers here on Earth and I think how much she would be loving it, and then, I’m sad all over again. Thank you for writing about her tree.
Carrie
Hi Carrie,
You are so welcome. Her tree and her life gives each of us inspiration. We can and we will carry on her love of trees and our environment. In the coming weeks, let’s write about that — ways in which we can take responsibility for what we do. Let’s be informed; let’s learn from each other and then — let’s have a call to action. It’s one thing to talk about what we can do; it’s quite another to do it. One step at a time; one success at a time. BT Bloggers – Let’s hear about your stories.
Go forward and do “green things” – CB
My name is Vicki, I live in Key West, Fla. and Cheryl is my sister. Believe it or not she flew to our home in Key West a couple of years ago to help me design a beautiful backyard garden. Of course dear to her heart was setting up an irrigation system, so as to not waste water by avoiding run off, and a misting system to help keep the summer temperatures in the garden bearable. A whole new challenge for her was the fact that we are tropical, as you can imagine. I wanted flowering plants as well as some drought tolerant plants to plant at the dry river bed that we designed. She was with me a little under a week, but in that time plans were drawn and diagrams were in place for my husband and I to bring our ideas to completion. I wish I could share with all of you my beautiful garden that pretty much maintains itself through a drip irrigation system on timers and a misting system that creates a wonderful environment for a wide variety of plants as well as a vegetable garden and a variety of fruit trees. I also compost so as to provide a rich, chemical free fertilizer for my garden.
So those are the nuggets of priceless information and experience that my sister has imparted on me to help make me a more ecologically-responsible gardener.
Love you sister!!
Hi Vic,
It’s great to hear from you!!!
BT Bloggers, my Sister’s project was so much fun — Yes, “tropical” was a challenge for me, but it was a great experience — learning is a good thing! Even though I was unfamiliar with some of the plants, we took it one step at a time and applied the same principles that we use here:
For starters, consider the amount of sun (number of hours a day in the back yard where we were working) and direction of the sun (yard’s orientation). I asked and observed, “Does your yard receive sun almost all day or by the afternoon was it in the shade?”
How much rainfall does Key West receive in a typical year? (Just like here in California, some years are drier than others.)
Water your garden efficiently and your plants effectively, meaning, apply the water to the soil around the base of your plants in the area where the roots are located and just beyond so the roots will seek that water and grow out into the soil for nutrients. This helps the plants get established also.
Organic compost helps to improve the soil. In Key West, the soil is made up of shale, so it drains quickly and doesn’t retain nutrients. Adding compost helps to improve the soil’s structure (how it binds together and breaks apart) and invites those wonderful soil organisms in to do their jobs breaking down organic matter, storing and cycling nutrients, improving how water moves into the soil and retains it, and filters our urban pollutants.
I was so impressed with Vicky. In addition to using water wisely, she wanted to learn how to have a beautiful garden without the use chemicals — a garden that was safe for her family and pets. She wanted to create a haven for all those beneficial insects that would “take care of” the unwanted pests. I’d say, Vicki achieved her goals.
Even after I left to come home, Vicki and I talked often as she was learning about her irrigation timer and how often and how much did she need to water. She’d probe down into the soil near the roots of the plant and feel some of the soil in her hand. Was it really moist — no need to water — or was it dry three or four inches down? Time to water. Soon she was able to set her timer because now she knew how much water the plants were drawing out of the soil and how many days it took for the soil to be only slightly moist three or four inches down.
It’s times like these that I’ll always remember. We had such fun hanging out together, talking about “Sister things”, and being a part of her world so many miles away.
CB
Hey,
I hope your bloggers learned from our experiences and your explanations. It was such great fun!! Keep up the wonderful work you do. California gardeners are lucky to have you.
Vicki
Cheryl,
Thanks for another wonderful article! Vicky was a wonderful person and a friend. She was an inspiration and I will never forget her. I miss her dearly! She was full of life and wisdom, her legacy lives on!
Pattie
Hi Pattie,
Thank you for your wonderful note.
Yes, Vicky’s legacy will live on and she is truly missed every day.
I often hear her voice when I’m talking with clients about their landscapes — how to water efficiently and how to care for their trees.
Have you heard of the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s 30K Trees in 30 days Campaign. Visit http://www.30ktrees.com to take the pledge. It’s easy to do and you have until March 7, 2013, to plant the trees. Vicky would appreciate it!
Pattie, perhaps you can suggest some trees to our bloggers that are appropriate for our region. The STF has a list of trees also.
Happy planting!
CB