Blog Archives

Rust

3/5/2015

Rust doesn't just mean oxidized metal. It is also the name of a deadly plant fungus.

Rust occurs when temperatures are warm and damp, like most spring mornings. It is easy to identify. Simply look at the underside of leaves and you will see bright orange or red spots of growth.

There is no known treatment for rust and it is easily spread by ants, aphids, and garden tools. If you find a leaf infected with rust, remove it and throw it in the trash. Always be sure to disinfect your tools after removing rust-infected leaves, to avoid spreading the fungus to healthy plants.

Image of rust from UCANR

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Frass

3/4/2015

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Frass is bug poop.

Frass can indicate a caterpillar or other insect infestation. It adds nutrients to the soil, but can sometimes prevent certain plants from growing. For example, insects that feed on eucalyptus leaves poop out a substance that prevents plants in the mustard family from growing nearby. Weird, huh?

Photo of frass from University of Minnesota Extension

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Drought

3/2/2015

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A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems. According to the USGS, 2014 was the warmest on record and the third driest in the past 119 years.

With responsible water conservation, you can reduce water stress to plants in your yard by improving soil quality with compost and mulch and watering more frequently, but with less water. Just as a dry sponge allows water to runoff, rather than being absorbed, soil works the same way.

Another way to reduce water use is to replace your lawn with drought-tolerant plants that are better suited to your local climate. Plants have evolved over millions of years to survive and thrive in very specific environments. By growing native plants, you can take advantage of all that evolution! Contact your local CA Native Plant Society to learn how!

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Garden Word of the Day

Rust

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