{"id":3584,"date":"2020-04-22T21:35:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T21:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ongardening.com\/?p=3584"},"modified":"2020-04-22T21:35:12","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T21:35:12","slug":"social-distance-iv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ongardening.com\/?p=3584","title":{"rendered":"Social Distance IV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Social Distance in Gardening, Part IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nthis column, we continue emphasis on maintaining social distance while\ndeveloping specific actions within three priorities for gardening during these\ndifficult times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nshould commit ourselves to the eventual reduction of the coronavirus threat.\nThis surely will happen in time, according to expert analyses, as long as\neveryone continues the mitigation measures that are being described by the\nmedia, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\ncan sustain and build our optimism by observing the ongoing natural development\nof our gardens. Our plants follow their seasonal growth patterns, and we can be\nassured that nature still functions despite this temporary disruption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our\ngardens illustrate this reality in many ways. One pleasing example is the\nemergence of apple blossoms, which signal the annual development of fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
The blossoms of the Gala apple tree (Malus ‘Gala’) are much like other apple blossoms. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Care for Your Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part\nof caring for your garden is reviewing and improving your home\u2019s preparations\nfor wild-fire season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\npatterns of recent history have included limited rainfall and dry plants during\nthe period from May through December, and the occurrence of wildfire sin June, July\nand August. We are not predicting similar patterns for this year, but we will\nexperience fire dangers depends in part on the dryness of the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nare not predicting fire dangers, but we are recommending readiness. This could\nrequire time and effort, so now is a good time to begin the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If\nyour home is within or close to a forested area, you are probably already quite\naware of fire dangers. If your home is in a more urban area, but surrounded by\ntrees and shrubs, you should be complacent. Vegetation around your home could become\ndry and flammable, and airborne burning embers could  travel a mile or more from a wildfire site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\neither situation, consider developing your landscaping to establish an adequate\ndefensible space around your home and to include fire-resistant plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ngood news is that a fire-resistant landscape can increase your property value\nand conserve water while beautifying your home. The following priority section\nincludes online sources of information to support these developments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Advance Your Gardening Knowledge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CalFire\u2019s website<\/a> offers detailed online information for developing a fire-resistant landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important\nsteps toward this goal include choosing fire-resistant plants and landscaping\nmaterials. Many plants are fire-resistant while none are completely fire-proof.\nGood choices include succulents, which have high moisture content, and hardwood\ntrees, which have low sap or resin content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\ngroup of universities in Oregon has compiled information on plant selection in\na free online publication. Browse to www.firefree.org<\/a> and click on \u201cfire resistant plants\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional recommendations for fire-resistant plant selection is provided by Pacific Horticulture magazine<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\nEnrich Your Gardening Days <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While\nyou are sheltering in place, visit virtually other places of interest to\ngardeners. Here are three botanical gardens in California that share their\nhorticultural riches on the Internet, while inviting personal visits when that\nwill again be possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n