Falling leaves
Care for Your Garden
Early this month, as leaves began their seasonal behavior, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that prohibits “engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines” produced in 2024 or later. This applies to gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers, chain saws and other garden equipment. These small off-road engines (SOREs) are well-documented as sources of air-polluting ozone, health-threatening particulate matter, and peace-destroying noise.
This California action to protect our environment is the first of its kind in the United States, and a broadly designed move away from fossil fuels and toward green energy. Still, it applies only to SOREs produced in 2024 or later. All the existing gas-powered devices continue in use, and probably could be functional for several years beyond 2024.
Several environmental groups have supported this legislation. While many also would have applauded a phase-out of existing SOREs, the state’s long-term approach responds to the whining of groups like the California Landscape Contractors Association and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. In fairmess, some landscapers have been transitioning to electrical or manual equipment (including leaf rakes), and none have reported financial duress from local bans on leafblowers. Some green landscapers likely have attracted new clients.
At least 100 U.S. cities (including Monterey) have already restricted uses of gas-powered leaf blowers, which are significant polluters and probably the most annoying SOREs.
The Santa Cruz Coalition for a Healthy & Safe Environment has for years advocated a local ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, and even raised funds to ease the transition to battery-operated blowers.
Here are steps individual gardeners could take toward a green gardening environment:
Buy only electrical or manual garden equipment and replace any gas-powered devices you might already have with electrical devices. (Battery life has been improving.)
Contract only landscapers who use only electrical or manual garden equipment. If you own electrical equipment, require them to use only your equipment in your garden.
Contact your local government elected officials to ask them to restrict or outright ban SOREs. There are several model ordinances that could be adapted locally.
Advance your gardening knowledge
Here are resources about SOREs:
Visit the California Legislative Information website (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/) and search for AB 1346, California’s new law.
Visit the California Air Resources Board website (ww2.arb. ca.gov/) and search for SORE.
That site has loads of information about the impacts of these devices.
Visit the Santa Cruz Coalition for a Healthy & Safe Environment website (chasesantacruz.org) and browse their extensive and thoughtful information on this topic. And support their work!
Here are upcoming webinars on gardening topics.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of America will present the webinar, “Plant Candy for Hallowe’en: An Examination of Undiggable Mesembs and the Breeders Who Dig Them,” at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Mesembryanthemums include highly succulent species, e.g., Lithops, that resemble stones, and are called Mimicry Succulents.
Presenter Steven Hammer is the owner of Sphaeroid Institute in Vista. His nursery is “ground zero” for thousands of rare mesembs and many aficionados who travel far and wide to delight in his extensive succulent collection, personal charm and knowledge. Hammer has traveled often to South Africa and is one of the world’s elite mesemb experts. He has written several books about succulents and conducted several grant-supported research projects.
For more information and to register for this free webinar, visit cactusandsucculentsociety.org/.
The Berkeley Botanical Garden will present two webinars early in November.
“Taming Fruit: From Fruit Forests and Oases to Orchards,” at 11 a.m. Nov. 3. Author Bernd Brunner will discuss his new book about the history of fruit cultivation, which is a story of how humans have shaped and bent nature according to our desires for millennia.
“Sustainable Herbs and The Business of Botanicals,” at 10 a.m. Nov. 7. Author and anthropologist Ann Armbrecht will speak about her work following medicinal plants to the source, documenting the stories of the people and places behind finished herbal products.
For more information and to register for either of these free events, visit botanicalgarden.berkeley. edu/public-programs/special-events, click on “Calendar,” then search for the event title.
The Ruth Bancroft Botanical
Garden will present the webinar, “Landscape Design as a Career,” at 10 a.m. Nov. 5. Creating beautiful and long-lasting successful garden spaces take more than just having an eye for detail and a creative vision; practical expertise in fundamental design principles, horticultural knowledge and many other skill sets are critical to success when creating residential or commercial outdoor spaces. Landscape Designer, Cricket Riley, will discuss different ways you can be a designer (ex. landscape contractor, maintenance gardener, garden coach, consultant, landscape architect, etc.) and what the related legal parameters. This session also could be of value to prospective clients of garden designers, who could know what to require of an arrangement with a designer.
To register for this feebased event, visit ruthbancroftgarden.org/ and scroll to the event title.
The California Garden and Landscape History Society, will present two webinars early in November.
In partnership with the California Preservation Foundation, the CGLHS will present “An Introduction to Landscape Photography,” at 12-1 p.m. Nov.
10. Using a camera to capture the beauty of a plant or place is just one aspect of photography. Capturing a historic landscape requires an intentional approach behind the camera, whether the goal is exhibition or documentation. Landscape photographers Millicent Harvey and Stephen Schafer will share insights into their distinct professional practices and examples of their work.
Also, the CGLHS will present the webinar, “San Francisco’s Golden Gate
Park: A Thousand and Seventeen Acres of Stories,” at 6 p.m. Nov. 17. In 2020, the City of San Francisco celebrated the 150th anniversary of Golden Gate Park. Rec & Park Historian-inResidence Christopher Pollock will discuss the significant update to his 2001 book of the same title. Pollock will review the process of building a verdant park on a foundation of arid sand dunes and early efforts to construct the Conservatory of Flowers, Sharon Quarters for Children (America’s first public playground!), and de Laveaga Dell, home of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. This event requires small fees for members and non-members.
To register for either of these events, visit cglhs. org/upcoming-events.
Enrich your gardening days
Next week’s column will be about beautiful but dangerous plants. Prickles and spines and thorns, oh my!
Enjoy your garden!
Tom Karwin is past president of Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society, and Monterey Bay Iris Society, and a Lifetime UC Master Gardener (Certified 19992009). He is now a board member and garden coach for the Santa Cruz Hostel Society. To view daily photos from his garden, https://www.facebook. com/ongardeningcom566511763375123/. To search an archive of previous On Gardening columns, visit http:// ongardening.com. Contact him with comments or questions at tom@karwin. com.