Nellie Gail Garden Club

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN0IVKdmQPg how to plant avocado's some good info

 Anna found this great article on how to manage and decrease the gnat problem that some of you may be experiencing in your compost bins.  https://pestpointers.com/how-to-get-gnats-out-of-your-compost-step-by-step-guide/

some good advice on avocados It is normal for MOST of the tiny fruit to fall soon after blossom, but you should have some set and stay on. I am a huge believer in mulch for fruit trees, especially shallow rooted ones like citrus and Avo's. It keeps soil temp cool, acts as a buffer for water so the soil doesn't have such big swings of too wet to dry between waterings, it feeds the full spectrum of nutrients as it decomposes, it helps healthy soil horizons develop, just to name a few of the best reasons. All of these things help the tree grow healthy and strong and so better able to carry good fruit. Put about 6 inches of mulch under the tree and extending out 2 feet past the drip line. Pull back a little away from the trunk fro several inches, so you don't get rot at the base. Water it down so that it will stay in place. Add more each year so that you always have at least 2 to 3 inches covering the soil. Remember mulch is a slow process, just like trees are slower than squ

a chart here showing us how many gallons of water is needed for avocado's https://gregalder.com/yardposts/how-much-and-how-often-to-water-avocado-trees-in-california/

Bees--- https://backyardbeekeeping.iamcountryside.com/beekeeping-101/do-all-bees-make-honey/

homemade rose fertilizer-- https://balconygardenweb.com/homemade-rose-fertilizer-recipes/#:~:text=To%20make%20a%20large%20batch,rose%20bushes%20and%20water%20it.&text=It%20will%20help%20in%20promoting,the%20growth%20of%20the%20plant.

The last three years we have had cold springs and this really hurts the avocado's. Honey Bees do not come out to pollinate when it's 58 degrees and below. The last few years the only tree out of my ten plus that had avocado's was the REED avocado. This one blossoms in May and one I would suggest buying it if you live in Laguna Hills. Gary from Laguna Nursery in Tustin has them in sleeves for $36 dollars--it's a high quality brand from a commercial nursery. I have grafted a Reed from its mother and I will see if it takes--but it's much easier to buy one. Grafting is great but it also takes time to grow a fruiting tree. If you buy a sleeve it will take another two years for fruit. Grafting is about equal time if you have a healthy root stock to graft on. But growing avocado's takes years and a lot of fertilizer and water. Full sun is needed along with mulch and I find steer manure works well for nitrogen. I have tracked the temperatures and there is data on th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pyRlaA5u4E

https://www.addisoncountyrecycles.org/food-scraps/composting/101/why-compost https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/articles/vermicomposting-for-beginners/

My Loquats are ready for their first year---and they are really good a bit sour but a bit sweet---really good this tree was a gift from a old friend and it's 4 years old---so early to give fruit-- https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/benefits-of-loquat-fruit.php

https://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/fungus-gnats-in-worm-compost-bins/#:~:text=Biological%20Control%20Organisms%20–%20There%20are,h

April's meeting of the Nellie Gail Garden group was really great because everyone got to share their plants and cuttings and talk about them as well. Gail Ellers stop over to fill up the table with her succulents the night before giving us a head start on what to anticipate and boy was everyone pleased as we were eyeing some plants that we did not own. Tina Fay brought Mulberry cuttings; some very interesting culterviers. Everyone else bought in so many succulents that we all can grow just by putting into the ground. They grow so easily here. We learned an easy way to grow lavender just using a clear glass jar, water and full sun. They will root in a few months and then you can plant. Rosemary and Mulberry trees also grow this way. Every plant has its own unique way to grow, some can go directly into the soil like ice plants and others do need to be rooted. We had Blenheim apricot seeds that can actually grow a tree that is like its mother; it does grow true to seed. You can

When you use natural products vs. synthetics what you are doing is not just for the plant it's for the entire ecosystem in your yard. Living soil which is filled with worms and beneficial insects will help you have less aphids and why is this? One example is because you will have more birds attracted to your yard who will eat those bad insects, you will have healthier and stronger plants who can fight off nasty diseases. Having an organic garden you see the difference in your plants and fruit trees. When you dig in your dirt you will see life not dead soil. And living soil holds water, living soil is filled with nutrients, living soil produces an entire ecosystem for your yard. Birds will come, lizards abound and they love to eat termites and other insects. Your yard will come alive with bees as well. Living yard vs. chemical that is the difference folks. https://kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/why-organic-farming-is-better-for-the-environment/?fbclid=IwAR1JcyeygcrxLY1af3xu0yDX1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQqlyL9iyqk

Many of you might not realize how difficult it is to find bumble bees I didn't see one for at least twenty years not until I planted iceplants that have yellow flowers on my hillside. And now every year I go up and find some. It's truly amazing to see them. There is a huge list of the species that are endangered on this list--- https://www.xerces.org/endangered-species/species-profiles/bumble-bees Plant yellow flowers---they seem to love them so!! I also have babies of the Sweet pea tree/bush it's medium sized and you can plant them as well---the Black Carpenter bee loves them so!! So next time we can dig some up if you want one at home. And I always have iceplants to give!! tinac

I was out in the yard yesterday looking around and I found some leaf mold I was so exicted this is an excellent amendment to use around the fruit trees and never on the trunk folks---most amendments hold water so you don't want trunk rot. So spread it around. Leaves are an excellent source of nutrients for our trees and plants. Leave them around your plants or make leaf mold. It usually takes a year but it's so worth it. https://www.thespruce.com/making-and-using-leaf-mold-2539475