Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Most Drought Tolerant Bamboo

Frank,

I'm again tapping your expertise.  This time it's about bamboo.  We're thinking of planting some bamboo to provide a kind of natural wall for privacy in a strip that's surrounded by a low concrete wall with driveway on one side and a concrete patio on the other.  Thus, the bamboo would seem to be sufficiently contained.  Ideally, its a type that tops off at 8-10 feet tall.

Thanks, Vince

Hi Vince,



Is water use a concern for you?

Cheers,   Frank

Frank,

 This is probably a 20 foot run of bamboo, so I'm guessing that wouldn't be too much of a water demand, and the area gets sun all day.

Thanks, Vince

Hi Vince,


Most bamboos are big water users, so keep that in mind. That being said I would recommend Phyllostachys aurea planted in a rhizome barrier. P. aurea is the most drought tolerant of the bamboos. You’ll want to wait till spring or late winter to start it.

Cheers,   Frank 

Phyllostachys aurea

Friday, August 22, 2014

Back from Vacation, Ate some Shrooms!

I just got married (to a wonderful woman who is, coincidentally, a master gardener) and I'm back from the honeymoon. We spent all last week in Mammoth Lakes, a beautiful mountain town and ski resort located in the eastern Sierra mountains. We were lucky as it rained the night we got there, providing some relief from the drought and bringing up some very tasty mushrooms. The first one below is Pine Bolete, the one below that and the cut mushroom ready for sauteing is Boletus edulis, also known as the Porcini in Italy and the Cepe in France. Boletus edulis is very tasty and its texture is one of the finest of any mushroom; slightly crunchy and meaty at the same time.

Pine bolete
Boletus edulis
Boletus edulis ready for sauteing. 


Thursday, August 7, 2014

I Fought The Lawn and the Lawn Won: Drought Related Links

Turf Colorant

If you don’t want to give up your turf you can keep it looking good –even if it’s dormant and brown by using a suitable lawn dye.

Michigan State University articles:

North Carolina State article on seeding vs. turf colorant:

Other Turf Colorant Articles and Product Links:

Drought Related Government Links:

Drought and Water Conservation Related Videos:

There are a bunch of things you can do to fine tune your irrigation system that not only save water but help prevent over-watering related diseases and insects -these videos touch on several of these methods. 

Water Smart Tips - Understanding ET Rates - YouTube (Using ET rates can save you water AND make your landscape healthier)


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