Miscellaneous
Pond Care at Ardenwood
They clean once a month with the TotalPond brand: water clarifier, sludge remover, chlorine remover, and a mosquito dunk. 6/24/21
They have plants around their fountain and a small bamboo fence to keep kids out.
Pond care at Shinn Park
The pond runs 24 hours a day. They don't use any chemicals. They skim it periodically. And they have a filter? Update 2023. The city doesn't put water in the pond except on occasion.
Gopher baskets per LEAF (Elaine). They use galvanized chicken wire.
Recommended on Gardening With Natives from Diggers.
From Jill, also recommends the Diggers root guard 5 gallon gopher basket. $6.61 each in a case of 36. Amazon sells as well 12 for $80.
Future labeling project: Mt. Diablo Rose Society has created labels many years. They buy labels from here. They buy stakes from Seefine Flower Marker Co.. Grant Ranch uses GardenMarker.
Starting roses from cuttings from Karen MDRS: She likes Fox Farms Light Warrior for starting.
Her favorite potting soil for 1 gallon and larger containers is Fox Farms Ocean Forest. When she moves her roses from the 6 pack to cups, she uses 45%/45%/10% seed starter/potting soil/perlite combo to transition from the low nitrogen seed starter mix to the higher nitrogen Ocean Forest. Both of these products can be purchased at most hydroponics stores. If the store recommends a different seed starter, we might want to try it, however she really, really likes the Ocean Forest and recommends it highly for fully rooted roses/cuttings.
Planting
The recommendation is now that you do NOT amend your soil when planting. Also tips on gophers.
Butterfly plants - nectar and host
List of the top nectar plants and the butterflies they attract and their host plants (caterpillar food):