Celebrating the Great Western Monarch Migration

Photo Credit: Kathy Vilim, Monarch Butterfly on Willow Bush

~Orange wings against blue sky, floating effortlessly high above us…their flight is so Free! Watching Monarchs fly makes our spirits fly free, too~

Pismo Beach, California:

The Amtrak train (at Grover Beach Station) lets off a good hearty whistle, as I step out onto the platform with my sister, Jeanne. We have traveled some 175 miles north to the Central Coast from Los Angeles to experience the Annual Western Monarch Migration.  Loaded with supplies for a couple of days of camping, we walk outside into the fresh ocean air and make our way northwest on Pacific Coast Highway to the Butterfly Grove of Pismo Beach. It is a short walk alongside the railroad tracks, and our campground is located just next door.

Migration of the West Coast Monarchs:

It is Autumn and the Great Monarch Migration is underway.  Most of us have heard of the Great Annual Migration of the Monarchs, where the butterflies travel as far as 4500 miles from Canada south to the overwintering grove in Michoacan, Mexico. But few people know about the Migration of the West Coast Monarchs.  The Monarchs that live west of the Rockies (California, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico) do not need to make the long journey to Eastern Mexico to overwinter.  Instead, they choose to fly to groves on the Central and Southern California coast where the climate is just right for their needs. These groves are some of California’s natural treasures, and how the Monarchs find these groves is one of the many Monarch mysteries.

Of the more than 400 overwintering groves along the Pacific Coastline... READ MORE 

As published in Whole Life Magazine February/March 2017 issue.

Winter Rains Bring Poppy Blooms~

                            Antelope-Valley-California-Poppy-Reserve-blooms

             I wanted to share this: Story by Amy Graff, http://m.sfgate.com/

The winter rains could trigger a poppy explosion in the California desert this spring.The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve outside Lancaster has received the minimum amount of rain, 7 inches, to make a vibrant bloom possible. The weather over the next couple weeks will determine the future of the sprouts. A late freeze, a heat wave or a three-week stretch without rain could wipe out the bloom.

"We need the rains to continue on a regular basis to maintain the bloom," California State Park Interpreter Jean Rhyne says. "That's really what they need. With the past years of drought, there isn't a lot of moisture built up in the soil. If we'd had several years of good rain and enough moisture content in the soil, the plants would be growing early enough to carry them through a freeze or heat wave. The roots needs to be deep enough for them to tolerate extreme conditions."

At this point, Rhyne says the outlook is good but she won't make any guarantees and advises against making travel plans if you're only point of a visit is to see the poppies.

"In years' past, we spot that we have enough rain, we spot that conditions are perfects, we publicize that we're going to have a great bloom and people make plans and then something happens at the last minute," she says. "We really can't predict how good the bloom is going to be because there are so many factors out of our control."

If Mother Nature cooperates, the bloom would likely start late February and peak mid-March and Rhyne says it's definitely worth the trip "Poppy blooms are incredibly beautiful," she said. "If we have a good year, the orange is so bright that it's almost blinding."

The most recent super blooms of poppies were 2008 and 2010.

For information about all of the California State Parks in the Tehachapi District.

Now that the Sierras are Filling Up with Snow

                                          Cactus in the Snow, Photo by @RootedHope

Now that the Sierras are filling up with snow, can Californian's relax their new drought gardening practices?  Some people are quick to latch onto the news, but really especially here in Southern California there is no reason to go back to the old gardening ways. Native plants are the answer to our gardens. Most Southern California native plants are drought tolerant, because they belong here in our climate, with our sparse rainfall and our hot summers. So we are on the right track with our new drought-tolerant front yards.

What we can do is maybe relax a bit on uncomfortable water restrictions, such as taking a bucket in the shower with you and doing the 3-min Navy-type showers. In some places, such as Catalina Island, that is still the norm.  Catalina has no water piped in from the Sierras. It gets its water from two desalinization plants.  So water restriction is very serious there.

Happy New Year! Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

http://fw.to/I48D0VU #drought #water #CA

A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas

          A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
a story by Dylan Thomas, read by the poet, himself, in 1952

The timeless classic story of Dylan Thomas's childhood Christmas memories. "All the Christmases roll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlong moon bundling down the sky that was our street; and they stop at the rim of the ice-edged, fish-freezing waves, and I plunge my hand in the snow and bring out whatever I can find."

Dylan Thomas's lyrical account of his childhood Christmases in a small Welsh town, featuring wolves, bears, hippos and Mrs Prothero's cat, has become deservedly famous. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Edward Ardizzone, this classic edition is beloved by fans of Thomas's work and a perfect Christmas gift for young readers building their own childhood Christmas memories:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Childs-Christmas-Wales-Five-Poems/dp/0060514671/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482527678&sr=8-2&keywords=dylan+thomas%2C+A+child%27s+christmas

If you get a chance to get the book, do stop and read to your kids. Meantime, here is a YouTube Video (at 54mins) of this wonderful Christmas Tale which I read each year. Hope YOU enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BTSQYdBuZY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kathy Vilim
@nativegardener

No More Cash for Fake Grass- Whole Life Times

Los Angeles Native Plant Garden Replaces Lawn
Sticky Monkey Flower, (Mimulus aurantiacus) Photo by Kathy Vilim

As published in Dec/Jan Issue of Whole Life Times (pg 9-10)


For years now, devoted native plant gardeners have been pleading with folks to "Ditch Their Lawns" in favor of landscapes with native plants that would attract bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators. When it comes to living ecosystems, there simply is no place for lawns.. they are dead-zones without insects needed to feed the birds... and without flower blooms to provide nectar to feed bees and butterflies. But people have been slow to come around to the concept of native plant gardening and the importance of a balanced ecosystem, despite discussions on all of the research out there.

But now, with the California drought going on its Sixth season, this is a perfect opportunity to revisit the subject.  There is now a monetary incentive for "Ditching Your Lawn". Besides saving money on your water bills when you cut back on water use, there are rebates available from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (or the water agency where you live) when you remove traditional lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant native plants.

Unfortunately, due to the unexpected success of the Turf Removal Rebate Program, funding has dried up for most regions in California as of this writing. However the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (and also the City of Anaheim) are still accepting applications. To get an estimate for a turf removal rebate and get an application, visit this link

• https://mwdturf.conservationrebates.com/to apply and get a turf removal estimate

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's rebates have not gone away. However, in July the Board of Water and Power Commissioners voted to eliminate the rebate for plastic (artificial turf) lawn installation.  No more cash for fake grass. Why? They are still a water-wise move, you might say. But there are a few problems with them: besides plastic retaining heat, there is nowhere for the runoff of rain or irrigation to go.The garden's rainwater or irrigation water needs to soak into the ground, not go off to storm drains and the ocean. A drainage fix can be as simple as impressions dug around native plants, or smart use of decompressed gravel. Homeowners are encouraged to be proactive in saving any excess water by installing underground cisterns, although this is not necessary to be approved for rebates.

Under the new rules, in order to be eligible for lawn removal rebates, homeowners must show that their new yard will be at least 50% drought-tolerant plants. They must also limit their use of gravel. Both plastic lawns and gravel contribute to heating up the ground on sunny Southern California days.

Not sure what can be done? Put on your walking shoes and take a walk around your neighborhood. Seems everyone is getting in on the new lawn-less, drought-tolerant front yards. I highly recommend checking the California Native Plant Society's website, where they have a comprehensive list of plants that are native to your area, as well as contractor resources. It is important to get a contractor who really knows natives, as not all drought-tolerant plants are actually native to your area. Many plants that I see in all the new gardens are actually native to Australia, for example, as their climate is very similar to ours.  But, if you are going to re-do your yard, why not plant California plants instead of those from other places? Here, for example, is a list of popular natives in the Santa Monica/West Los Angeles area.

Another lawn replacement option is Native Grass & Wildflower Seeds. Few people realize that there are drought-tolerant, low-growing wildflowers and grasses that create a meadow-like look in the California garden. With native seeds, you can have a lawn and still be water wise. The DWP rebate program, does not allow for ANY turf, even if it is native and drought tolerant.  However, if you are replacing your lawn and are not applying for a rebate, this is another option for you. The Theodore Payne Foundation, in Sun Valley, is a tremendous source of native California wildflower seeds.

I applaud these additional rules by the Department of Water and Power. They show the discussions about maintaining healthy, living and balanced ecosystems in our gardens is alive and well. I look forward to the time when our gardens are recognized as ecosystems and folks welcome in the whole host of creatures that should be living there.

As published in Dec/Jan Issue of Whole Life Times (pg 9-10)

My Lil Traveling Christmas Tree

It’s the Winter Holidays, that Magical Season when we celebrate the wonder and beauty of Nature, the balance of life on earth: between plants and animals, people and trees… It is also a time for reflection, as the days grow shorter and cooler, and we spend more time looking out the window at the landscape of our gardens. I reflect that we have taken so much from this planet; isn’t Christmastime a perfect time to give back to wildlife?

So then, why is it that people are celebrating this Season of Life by taking life, by chopping down healthy young trees? Why is this a standard tradition?  To me, a tree is a powerful living thing. It gives of itself without complaint all year long. A tree gives us shelter from the rain and summer’s hot sun; it gives food and makes a home for wildlife. So in this Magical Season affirming life, I cannot chop down a tree to decorate! When Christmas Tree Stands start to appear, I have to turn away. I cannot celebrate with the shoppers.

Now, I do love a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments collected over the years. I love to stare into the tree lights and remember all of the other Christmases that have gone before.  Yes, I want a Christmas tree, too.  So, I have my own tradition: I decorate a Living Tree each year, complete with Roots in a Pot! I usually buy a small tree that lasts 2-3 years. I put it out on the patio after the holidays are over.  And in the Spring I re-pot it into a larger pot.  So the little tree can come in for a second Christmas the following winter. This is fun because the tree has grown some, and the ornaments all fit differently. This also means the cost of the tree is absorbed over two years instead of one.

Now, my tradition isn’t for everyone. Maybe you don’t have room to plant large trees.  Well, in some areas the National Forest Service welcomes folks  to bring their trees out after the holidays to replant in forest areas that have suffered severe burns from wildfires! Families can put a name tag on the tree, and when children come back to the forest, years later, they can see how much their tree has grown! Wonderful.

Another option for folks who want a Living Tree with roots and soil in a pot, but have nowhere to plant it, is to rent a tree (click link for tree rental programs across the states)! Yep, here in So Cal there are a number of places gaining popularity for renting living trees at Christmas! They will come and pick up your tree when your holiday celebrations are over.  They say, “Why drag a dead tree into the house?” In Los Angeles, the Living Christmas Company will rent you a tree. And when it becomes too large, they donate it to the Urban Reforestation Project.

Another pretty alternative to evergreen trees is Rosemary.  A lot of nursery centers are now trimming rosemary into topiary tree shapes for the holidays. Jesse Elwert of BWG mentioned recently that this is her newtradition: a rosemary Christmas tree.  After the holidays are over, almost everyone has room for rosemary in their herb or cutting garden.

When I started traveling, Christmas of 2012, I got my first 4" potted traveling tree because it would fit into my car cupholder! Perfect for my lifestyle. I planted that tree in a state campground on the Central Coast of CA.  This year, my Living Tree is once again a small pine (Pinus pinea) that fits into the car cup holder, and, you know he is the cutest thing!  After the holidays, I plan to plant him in a California State Park where he can grow big, live wild and be a home to wildlife. 

This Christmas, as you gaze out across the darkened garden landscape under starry skies, whatever your traditions are for celebrating this Magical Season of Life, I hope you will affirm to be a good steward to the gentle creatures of this earth in the new year.

What is your tradition for celebrating this Holiday Season? Please share~

Currently, I am writing a California travel memoir. You are invited to visit www.gypsygardenermemoir.wordpress.com~

Laundry to Landscape: Hands-on Graywater workshop

Greywateraction.org Workshop Event in Topanga Canyon


Save water with greywater!

Laundry to Landscape: A Hands-on Greywater workshop

Learn how to divert greywater from a washing machine to irrigate the landscape with a laundry to landscape greywater system. This type of greywater system is low cost, does not require a permit, and is easy to install in most home applications. This is a hands-on class, participants will be learning about and participating in the construction of a real greywater system. No prior experience is required.

The class will cover:

• Greywater principles
• Best plants to water with greywater,
• Common 
pitfalls and how to avoid them
• How to install a simple greywater system from the washing machine

Cost: Sliding scale $30-$100, limited work-trade positions available.

Instructors: Sergio Scabuzzo and Laura Maher

Lunch will be provided to workshop participants.