The future of garden bio-diversity is in our hands

The future of garden bio-diversity rests in the hands of thousands of amateur gardeners. As the large concerns continue to hybridize and focus on the "best sellers", other more unusual varieties are shut out, and potentially lost. It's through the efforts of individuals, and the ability of The Internet to connect people that many varieties will be saved.

According to sfgate.com, "Moon & Stars" Watermelon "was introduced in 1926 by Peter Henderson and Company, the melon had disappeared from the commercial market for decades and was thought extinct when, in 1981...Kent Whealy, cofounder of Seed Savers Exchange, was contacted by Merle Van Doren of Macon, Mo., who was growing the melon and gave Whealy some of the seeds from the melons he grew. The Southern Exposure Seed Exchange re-introduced the oblong 'Amish Moon & Stars'".

The variety was thought extinct. The efforts of a couple of people saved the variety, which is now sold by many seed houses. What other varieties of fruit, vegetables, or flowers would be lost if not for the efforts of a few people? Now with the connective qualities of The Internet, we can share these rare seeds for future gardeners. It's really quite exciting. The future of gardening is in the hands of  individuals working together.  I think it's in good hands.

California Horse Chestnut

This is one of our most miss-understood native trees, the Horse chestnut (Aesculus californica). This picture highlights why the tree is so miss-understood. It goes dormant during summer and doesn't come out of dormancy until the rains return in fall. Right now the chestnuts are forming and will fall to the ground. There they will sprout and start a new tree. These trees are all over the place in the foothills. It is a common component of the chaparral. This is a very easy tree to grow.

Of course the problem is it looks like its dying during the summer, yet it is perfectly adapted to our summer droughts. Think about it, when there is no moisture to be had it goes dormant only to come out of dormancy when the rains return in fall. This is one reason we call fall the "second spring" around here.

Trees and plants like this that are so adapted to our climate will never become popular until we re look at what constitutes a "desirable" landscape here. California is a place where just about anything will grow with water. Why would someone moving here from different climates want a "dead" looking plants in their yard. Of course styles change when confronted with drought and a lack of water.

What we need here is a garden aesthetic that celebrates our climate. It's happening on a small scale with xeriscape and like climate gardens, but they are few and far between.While the Horse chestnut may not fit into the "look" most people are striving for, plants that are adapted to the dry summers will become more popular as we look for gardens that take less time to maintain.