Seven gardens created by Napa County Master Gardens will welcome visitors on Sept. 22. for the annual tour hosted by the local gardening wizards.
For the first time, this year’s tour is being held in the fall to showcase gardens in their late summer and early fall glory. The tour includes both large and small gardens that showcase water-wise and succulent gardens, lawn alternatives, food production gardens, roses, container gardens, shade-loving plants, and an innovative rain water capturing system.
Gardening on the Rocks
In the eastern hillsides beautiful home is surrounded by a challenging hillside garden. For the past 40 years, the owners of this property have found a way to successfully adapt to the space and its limitations, namely a natural oak forest habitat setting, along with lots of shade and rocky soil.
Originally, the property boasted bare rocky soil, some overgrown weeds and rock walls. Over the course of time, this UC Master Gardener and her husband built raised beds, brought in compost and terraced the hillside. They found ways to maximize their sun areas and planted shade-loving plants. Special features are the oak trees and rock walls, which create outdoor living areas.
An outdoor kitchen has a pizza oven, barbecue and a bocce court. Since the property is frequently visited by the wildlife, the sunny areas where fruit trees, summer vegetables and roses grow are all fenced for protection. Raised beds help protect the plants from moles, voles and gophers. The hillside area has several gardens, depending on the microclimates. The lower garden is lovingly called, “Giardino di Fratelli,” and is surrounded by olive trees.
This property is an inspiration and a great example of how challenging microclimates and poor soil conditions can be overcome to create a lovely outdoor living space and gardens that can be enjoyed year-round.
Lost the Lawn …
The front of this charming corner home in downtown Napa was formerly highlighted by a turf lawn shaded by mature elm trees. After the elm trees became diseased and were removed, this cool microclimate became a sunny, hot location. As a result, this UC Master Gardener elected to participate in the city of Napa’s “Cash for Grass” program in August 2012, replacing the water-thirsty lawn with 73 drought-resistant one-gallon perennials and a drip-irrigation system. The front yard is now in its first year of becoming a mature, water-wise garden.
Microclimates and soil conditions have challenged the owner of this property for
22 years. Trees planted to replace those that were lost will take years to grow to maturity. The soil surrounding the mature trees that remain is hard and difficult to dig or amend. Attractive plants in containers have proven to be the perfect solution.
Inside the courtyard, a small angel fountain is a focal point for a wrought-iron furniture grouping. Whimsical pieces of garden art are found throughout. Flower beds have been planted, and ivy and trumpet vines planted in containers cover the wall of the house. The overall emphasis of this garden is tranquility and easy maintenance.
Water wizardry
A restored 1928 California bungalow on a corner lot in downtown Napa is a perfect showcase for drought-resistant landscaping. When the owners purchased this property in November 2009, the lot was so covered with vegetation that the house could not be seen on the Google world map. Since then, the landscaping has been carefully transformed into a low maintenance, water-wise garden
Overgrown trees and shrubs were removed, followed by the lawn, which qualified for the Napa “Cash for Grass” program. New ornamental trees were planted, along with espaliered fruit trees. Native grasses, lavender and rugosa roses replaced the lawn and attract pollinators. Two raised beds along with a vegetable “corral” next to the chicken coop, provide a place to grow vegetables year-round. Whimsical garden art and birdhouses can be found throughout the garden. Perhaps the most important change this UC Master Gardener and her husband made is the installation of an impressive water harvesting roof run-off system that can collect 975 gallons of rainwater at a time.
Growing in microclimates
Walking into this garden is a delight to the senses. For the past three years, the owners, both Master Gardeners, have combined their gardening expertise and whimsical senses of humor to create a garden that is both fun and functional.
Microclimates play a big factor in this garden. A neighbor’s tall tree prevents the sun from reaching the south side of the yard. Thus, shade-loving azaleas and beautiful native currants are found in this area. The south-facing area not affected by the tree is a perfect place for heat-loving vegetables. Using non-traditional plant supports, such as mason’s ladders for the tomatoes, is not only clever but amazingly functional.
Everywhere you look in this garden, you’ll find something to rekindle the feeling of wonder that a special garden brings.
Focus on food
Imagine going to your garden to pick something ripe and delicious fevery day — and being able to share your abundant harvest with others. The owners of Big Dog Ranch are able to share year-round.
Wanting the freshest, most nutritious, organic and non-genetically engineered food possible, this UC Master Gardener and his wife have worked the past 12 years to transform this former prune orchard into a self-sustaining vegetable farm. Thirty-two raised beds grow an endless array of summer and vegetables. The property also boasts a multi-varietal fruit orchard, wine grapes and table grapes, along with annuals and perennials that attract pollinators.
Living with Nature
On this 3 1/2-acre property, what was once a dying prune orchard, consisting of five trees, is now a “nature preserve” alive with wildlife and livestock. Over the course of 37 years, this UC Master Gardener and his wife have transformed their barren land into a peaceful place where humans can observe and live harmoniously with many species of Napa Valley wild birds.
The land was graded and extensively altered, then planted with trees and drought-resistant perennials. Walls and fences were added to create natural “rooms” and a place for the owners’ two donkeys to graze. Beehives and owl boxes have been placed near the pond, an area that also attracts blue herons. Vegetable beds are made of corrugated plastic to prevent voles from invading.
In the back yard, a private, shaded sitting area has a small fountain. A home-made table near the pool creates a welcoming party setting. Scattered throughout the gardens are bird feeders, plants that attract birds and imaginative metal art pieces.
The Demonstration garden
The Master Gardener demonstration garden thrives on one of the only working farms dedicated to education in the city of Napa, on a hillside in the Browns Valley area where cattle once grazed. Here, we garden surrounded by trees and the sounds of our partners, the farm animals maintained by Connolly Ranch and the Napa Land Trust for children’s educational programs.
Our focus is showing Napa home gardeners how to make and tend various kinds of gardens using research-based good gardening practices. Raised beds demonstrate Mediterranean plants, fire-wise gardening principles, habitats for birds and bees, and succulent and rose gardening. We showcase vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and fruit trees. We field test different varieties of vegetables to determine best selections for Napa County. Composting and soil building techniques are practiced and taught.
Our garden is the site of public workshops and demonstrations. The garden constantly changes in response to interests and needs of our crew and the public.
This is idea central for the home gardener, a good place to soak up a little country in the city and let us show you the latest in gardening techniques.
Speak Your Mind