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Now in Island nursery for Fall / Winter 2010
We propagate super-healthy seasonal herb and
veggie starts from seed in our on-site greenhouses.
All are organically
grown.
For special requests please call 805-967-5262 or email
to reserve selections.
vegetables herbs natives
oak trees
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Herbs & Vegetables
Fall / Winter Selections
singles - $1.00
4-packs - $2.50
6-packs or 4" artichokes - $3.00
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Special Tomato Section (avail. through August)
summer season varieties
4" singles $2.00
6-packs $5.00
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Vegetables
in alphabetical order
ARTICHOKE, GREEN GLOBE. Perennial plant with flower
spikes up to 4 1/2 feet tall. Grow in a moist rich soil with plenty of compost.
If planted in the fall or winter, artichokes will yield 3-5 harvestable
buds the following spring. Allow several feet of garden space per plant.
This is a favorite of gophers, we advise cages.
ARTICHOKE, ROMAGNA These vigorous plants can grow to
be 6’ tall. They will grow round to oblong shaped chokes that vary in color
from medium green with hints of purple to mostly purple with splotches of
green. The chokes are uneven in size and shape and have thick leaves and
large hearts. Plant these perennials in a safe place and they will come
back year after year. Mulch.
ARUGULA, (Roquette variety). A tangy, nut-like
flavored green that is guaranteed to wake up any salad. Plant 4-6 inches
apart. Seeds germinate easily and once a plant is allowed to go to seed you
will be forever enjoying arugula in your garden.
FAVA BEANS These sturdy legumes grow up to 5 feet
tall. Plant 8-10 inches apart. Favas like a rich, moist soil. The beans can
be harvested and steamed when young and tender, or harvested later in life
and dried so as to be used in soups and stews.
BROCCOLI,CALABRESE 58-90 days. Dark green, 18-30”
tall plants produce a tight 3-8” central head, followed by abundant side
shoots. Broccoli is easy to grow, requires minimal care and tastes better
when homegrown. Eat the heads raw or lightly steamed, An extended harvest
can be brought about by continuously picking the developing shoots before
they begin to open up and bloom.
BROCCOLI, DI CICCO 48-85 Days. This is a classic
Italian broccoli variety that makes up for its small head size by tasting
delicioso. We recommend harvesting the main head when it is 3” across. This
will encourage a steady and robust growth of 2” side shoots during the
following weeks. This compact, dark green plant grows up to 2’ tall, provide
18” between plants and mulch the soil.
BROCCOLI, NUTRI-BUD 60-80 days.
Vigorous plants grow to be 24” tall and produce a 4-6” head with plenty of
medium sized side shoots. This variety earns its name by being high in glutamine,
one of the building blocks of protein. In the cooler months plant these
seedlings in a full sun location and into a soil that is rich in organic
matter. Allow 24” of space for each plant.
BROCCOLI, ROMANESCO 75-100 days. First developed
along Italy’s Mediterranean coast, the 5-6”, light green spiraling
cauliflower-like heads have a pleasant nut-like crunch to compliment a
sweet broccoli-cauliflower flavor. Best when grown in the cooler months of
the year. Plant into a rich soil that is generously covered with mulch.
Give each plant 18-24” of space.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS (Long Island Improved variety) Grows
up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, so give plenty of room. A vigorous plant
that is loaded with round, tight dark-green sprouts that are succulent and
tender. While these plants will live and be productive for over a year,
however, the flavor of the sprouts is best in the fall and winter when the
weather is cool. Choose a rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter.
Harvest by breaking off the adjacent leaf and snap off the sprout. These
taste 1000% better than store bought.
CABBAGE, CHINESE An Asian green and stir-fry staple
with thick, succulent stalks and dark-green leaves that form a loosely
headed rosette. Plants grow
14-18 inches tall and do well in our cool fall and winter climate. Plant in a loose, rich soil.
CABBAGE, NAPA Produces crispy, mild flavored
leaves that form a solid cylindrical head 14-20” tall. Although cabbage will grow in
almost any conditions, the real good stuff is grown in fertile, rich soil
that receives regular moisture.
CABBAGE, SAVOY This is an early maturing, medium
green, round, 4-5 pound savoyed cabbage. The crinkly, dark green outer leaves give way to a
fine, crisp, yellow tinted interior.
Savoy makes a great cabbage salad and is used in stir-fry dishes as
well.
CAULIFLOWER, PURPLE This is an Italian heirloom variety
with bright purple heads and mild flavor. Healthy minerals give this cauliflower its purple color,
when cooked the vegetable turns green. Plant in a bright sunny area 18-24 inches apart. Mulch that soil around your plants.
CABBAGE, COPENHAGEN MARKET 65-85 Days from
transplant. This is the 100-year anniversary of this Danish original. Ideal
for small gardens, this is a compact tightly wrapped cabbage that grows to
between 6-8” in diameter and around 3-4 pounds per head. Adaptable to a
range of climates, resists splitting and stores well.
CABBAGE, RED ROCK MAMMOTH 95-105 Days. First
introduced in 1889, this old favorite produces solid heads that average 8”
in diameter and can weigh up to 7 pounds. Red throughout, vigorous and
uniform, small to medium core with a fine, crisp flavor. Excellent for
cooking, salads and pickling. Plant in a fertile, well-composted bed. Mulch
with straw or other suitable mulch and keep soil moist. Can take full sun
during most of the year.
CAULIFLOWER,BROCOVERDE 68 days. Is
similar to the typical white cauliflower, except that it is green when
fresh. Brocoverde cauliflower is sweet and this variety takes spring heat
better than the white, so it can be planted later into the spring. Plant
seedlings into a rich composted soil, allow 2 feet of space per plant and
water deeply when necessary. Serve either raw or slightly steamed.
CAULIFLOWER, SNOWBALL Large, solid, snow-white heads
are 6-8 inched across and well protected by the outer leaves. This variety
has smooth white curds and is known as being a heavy yielder. Cauliflower
likes a fertile and moist patch, give up to 18 inches per plant.
CELERY (Tall Utah variety) Celery is a slow growing,
cool weather crop. Though it can be difficult to grow, garden celery is far
superior to store-bought. Celery is a heavy feeder and will benefit from a
thick layer of mulch and moist conditions.
CELERY, RED STALK 120 Days to maturity. Red stalk is
a rare heirloom variety that was brought from England in the 18th
century. The crisp, 10-15” stalks are light green and tinged with red.
Overall, the plant will reach a height of 18-24” tall and produce an
abundance of harvestable stalks. I recommend picking the outer stalks when
they are young and tender. Plant in rich soil and mulch.
CHARD, BRIGHT LIGHTS The stems of this chard come in
a rainbow of colors- white, orange, pink, yellow, and red. The plants grow
up to 2 feet tall and have dark green leaves. Plant 12 inches apart in a
deep, rich, moist soil. Needs full sun when grown in the fall and winter.
CHARD, BROADSTEM GREEN This 24 inch tall plant has
large green leaves with broad white stems. A strong grower that can be
planted year-round. Makes an excellent steamed green, or can be eaten raw
in salads.
CHARD, RED RHUBARB A highly ornamental plant with
tender, sweet, rhubarb-like red stalks and dark green crumpled leaves.
Plant 8-12 inches apart in a deep, rich, moist soil. Needs full sun when grown
in the winter.
COLLARDS, GEORGIA SOUTHERN This non-heading member of
the cabbage family grows30-34” tall and has huge cabbage-like blue-green
slightly crumpled juicy leaves. Often overlooked, collards can grow under
adverse conditions and are very tasty when cooked. Plant 12 inches apart
and mulch heavily.
KALE, LACINATO Also known as Dinosaur Kale, Black
Kale or cavolo nero, this variety is prized by chefs and kale snobs from
Tuscany to Tucson. Highly nutritious and quite attractive as an ornamental
in the garden, a must for kale enthusiasts. Space 6-10 inches apart.
KALE, RED RUSSIAN This variety is known as the
sweetest and most tender of all the kales. The red-veins, wavy margins and
foliage that resembles oak leaves makes this an attractive addition to your
garden. Plant in rich, moist soil with 6-10 inch spacing, full sun in the
winter.
KALE, SIBERIAN Not a true kale, instead this is in
the canola family. Hardy, fast growing, with huge, blue-green
feather-shaped, slightly curled leaves that form non-heading, 12-16” tall
spreading plants. (Hey guys, this is a real popular one with the ladies;)
LEEK, AMERICAN FLAG Leeks prefer a fertile soil, with
regular water, for best growth. They are shallow rooted, so keep them well
weeded to prevent competition. Leeks have a delightful mild-onion flavor
that makes the perfect seasoning for soups and stews. Space plants 4-6”
apart.
LETTUCE, GOLETA VALLEY SWEET MIX Our very own blend
of seven different organic lettuces. Includes a red and green romaine, a
red and green oakleaf, a bi-colored leaf, a red leaf and a green
butterhead. Plant lettuces in a sunny location when growing in the fall and
winter, and give partial shade in the warmer summer months to avoid bitter,
bolting heads.
MESCLUN LETTUCE MIX A unique blend of spicy and sweet
lettuces. Includes arugula, red giant mustard, mizuna mustard, curly cress,
a red and green romaine, a red and green oakleaf, a bi-colored leaf, a red
leaf and a green butterhead. Plant in full sun and keep evenly moist.
MUSTARD, RED GIANT The unique spicy leaves of this
mustard are excellent mixed in salads, wilted like spinach or tossed into a
stirfry with ginger and Chinese cabbage. Plants grow up to 18 inches tall and will provide a
continuous harvest of purple hued leaves.
ONION,
CIPPOLINI 60-75 days. An Italian heirloom variety, these are common called
button onions and are a favorite at farmers markets. Typically harvested
when 2” around, the flesh is firm and extremely sweet and best when eaten
fresh out of the garden. Once seedlings have been thinned and are
established, top with 1-2” of mulch.
ONION, EVERGREEN BUNCHING These are non-bulbing green
scallions onions that grow 4-9 inches tall, and have slender silvery shanks.
Separate the individual onion from their packs and plant them into a
fertile moist soil one inch apart.
ONION,
MINI PURPLETTE 60-65 Days from transplant. These are an attractive
purple-red skinned mini-onion with delicate, mild flavor. Can be harvested
very young as a scallion type onion, or later, when mature as a pearl
onion. Flesh turns pink when cooked or pickled. Direct seed between
late-March and October. Thin seedlings to 3-4” apart. When weather is
cooler, start indoors and transplant out.
ONION,
RIVERSIDE 100-110 Days from transplant. A short-to- intermediate day onion
that produces a globe- shaped, slightly flattened 3-4” bulb. Yellow-brown
skin surrounds firm white flesh with a mildly pungent taste. Before
planting onions, prepare their bed with fertilizer and compost. Plant
seedlings 7-10” apart, mulch the soil surface with straw or leaves and then
keep the soil moist. Harvest when tops begin to brown. Stores well for over
5 months. Pink root resistant.
ONION, ROSSA DI MILANO 100-120 Days from transplant.
A very attractive, glossy, red Italian onion with medium-hot flavor. The
3-4” inch onions have a flat top that tapers to a barrel-shaped bottom,
they are uniform in shape and make excellent keepers. These are a long to
intermediate day type and can tolerate cool climates, so we here in
Southern CA can grow this variety year round. Allow 4-6” of space between
each onion and mulch the soil with straw or leaves. Moderate water.
ONION,
TORPEDO RED BOTTLE 105-130 Days from transplant. This is a rare, short to
intermediate day variety that has a spicy, hot flavor. These unique,
irregularly shaped bulbs are 6-8” long and up to 3” wide. Direct seed in
the warmer months, thin to 4-5” apart. When cooler start indoors and
transplant into your garden when seedlings are 5” tall. When both seeds and
transplants are established, mulch around the plants and keep the soil
moderately wet. Keeps moderately well.
ONION,
VALENCIA 105-130 Days from transplant. Large, 4-6” globes have a warm
yellow and brown kin and can weigh up to 1 pound. This is a Utah strain of
Yellow Sweet Spanish onion, is mild-flavored and keeps moderately well.
Grows well in both short and long day zones. Makes an excellent bunching
onion when young. We have the best results when we start the seeds indoors
and then transplant out into the ground when they are 5-6” tall. Allow
8-10” between seedlings.
ONION, WALLA WALLA A large, sweet Spanish onion with
light brown skin and mild white flesh. Not a storage onion. Transplant to
6-8 inches apart. Harvest when the green tops begin to fall over. Plant in
a moist and fertile bed, avoid too much water, as the onions will rot.
PEA,MAMMOTH MELTING 65-75 DAYS. Wilt resistant 4-5 ft
vines, can grow to 7’ and should be trellised. Thick , stringless pods are
early and abundant and are great when eaten fresh, out in the garden.
PEA, OREGON SNOW POD This is a dwarf variety of pea
that only grows to 30 inches tall, as a result, trellising is not required.
Plant peas in full sun and give them plenty of water, spacing 2-4 inches
apart. These peas are delicious raw, steamed,stir fried or frozen.
PEA, SUGAR SNAP This variety, known as Amish Snap,
produces 3-4 inch long, plump, stringless pods on wilt resistant vines that
can grow to be 6 feet tall. Peas like to be planted in a sunny location,
and will need to be trellised in order to keep the pods off of the ground.
Mulch
PEAS, SUTTON’S HARBINGER 52-60 Days. These are short,
bushy vines that are heavy producers of excellent eating quality shelling
peas. While the plants only grow 28-32” tall ,they will need to be
trellised or supported in some way in order to maximize harvest yields.
PAK CHOI The succulent leaves of this vegetable have a mild swiss
chard-like flavor. Used in stir frys, soups and steamed
like spinach, pak choi is very tender and tasty. Also called White Mustard Cabbage or Bok Choy. Grows 6-8 inches tall in under 55
days.
SPINACH, BLOOMSDALE Bloomsdale is an old time favorite
in the garden. It is quick to
produce bunches of crinkle-leaved rosettes that are packed with vitamins
and minerals. Plant 2-4
inches apart and pick the outer leaves as you go to sustain a longer
harvest period.
SPINACH,AMERICA 43-55 days. This is
a long standing Bloomsdale type that grows to 8” and produces thick, deep-green
savoyed leaves. The plants are slow growing, slow bolting and heat and
drought resistant. With America spinach it is possible to have a year round
harvest if you plant in a location that has mid-day shade during the heat
of the summer.
TATSOI
(Rosette Bok Choy) Tatsoi has tender, sweet spoon-shaped leaves that are
chock full of minerals and stuff. We’ve got
here a much stronger flavor than bok choy, yet those who know their
shit say that the flavor is far more ruling. So, ergo, you need to buy this.
newly delivered potatoes, onions,
garlic -- just add soil...
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TOMATOES
(in season through August – we leave them here online for next season
planning)
4" Singles $2.00
• 6 Packs $5.00
The following
is a list of the tomatoes that we here at Island Seed & Feed will be
growing this summer. The variety of options can be a little overwhelming,
so please ask for assistance. Indeterminate means that the plant will bear
fruit over a long season and are generally large, vine-like structures that
will usually need to be supported, either against a fence or with a
trellis. Determinate tomatoes will set and ripen their entire crop at one
time on compact plants that may need to be staked. The range of days that
are listed with each variety is the number of days that it will take for
your tomatoes to produce fruit from the day of transplant.
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Cherry / Small Tomatoes
Red
Pear- Indeterminate, heirloom,
70-80 days. Clusters of pretty
pear-shaped, glistening red 1” long fruits drape from these vigorously
virile plants. Each bite is a
delight! So, pop one in, and savor the flavor.
Sungold- Indeterminate, 75 days. These golden orange fruits are one of the best treats
that you can pull out of your garden.
The hard part of growing these tomatoes is getting them into your
house. If given support, this
plant will ramble out 6 feet.
Sweetie- Indeterminate, 60-75 days. Sparkling red, cherry
sized, has a nice, not-too-sweet taste and is highly productive and
vigorous in growth. These
proud gems dangle from the vigorous vine in a colorful cascade.
Yellow
Pear-Indeterminate, heirloom,
70-80 days. 1” long
pear-shaped, bright yellow
fruits hang by the handfuls from this very large plant. Sweet, mild
lemony flavor, low in acid produces into the fall months. Can grow up to 8 feet with
trellising.
Salad / Sauce Tomatoes
Principe
Borghese- Determinate, heirloom,
60 days. Traditionally grown in the south of Italy for sauces and sun
drying. Small egg-shaped fruits
average 1” in diameter, borne in heavy clusters. Graet fresh and in salads as well.
Roma- Determinate, 75 days. Roma is one of the best known paste tomatoes. It produces an abundant crop of
deep red, meaty fruits with few seeds. This variety is highly versatile and can be used both
fresh, in salads and sauces, or canned and saved for later.
San
Marzano- Indeterminate 80 days.
Early, large classic Italian variety. The tall vines of this plant produce
heavy yields of long oval fruits.
Delicious, balanced acidic flavor and meaty flesh makes for good
sauce. Fruits avg 5-6 oz.
Cooking brings out flavor.
In 2003, local plant nut Wayne Chapman had 10 plants produce 400
pounds of San Marzano tomatoes.
Tomatillo,
Green- Determinate, 65 days. A
relative of the tomato family, globe shaped, 2 oz, medium firm fruits
inside of a papery husk. More
vining and sprawling than tomatoes, they are great for sauces and salsas.
Tomatillos are a staple in Mexican and Southwest food.
Slicing Tomatoes
Ace
55- Determinate, 80 days.
Vigorous medium large plants, good foliage cover. Red thick-walled flattened globes, 5 x 6” diameter, 7 oz
fruit. Appreciated by home
gardeners for its tasty balance of sugars and acid and for its superior
disease resistance.
Amana
Orange- Indeterminate, 85-90
days. Amana Orange is
typically one of the earliest and tastiest of the Beefsteak variety
tomatoes. This mild flavored
beauty is originally from Iowa.
Arkansas
Traveler- Indeterminate, heirloom,
76 days. Rose pink, 6-8 oz, flattened globe tomatoes that are mild and
juicy. This pink heirloom has
truly traveled because of its dependability. Is crack and disease resistant as well as heat
tolerant. Medium sized vines.
Beefsteak- Indeterminate 95 days. These vines are so vigorous that they will definitely
need to be staked. Flat,
solid, meaty and juicy, the fruits are bright red and average 10oz, however
occasionally tomatoes can weigh in at 2 lbs. An old favorite of those who like large tomatoes for
slicing and putting on sandwiches or burgers.
Black
Krim- Indeterminate 70-90
days. This is a large growing
plant that will reach upwards of 6-8 feet, so long poles are recommended
for staking. An old heirloom from the Crimean peninsula that heavily
produces flattened globe shaped, 8-12 oz, dark red-purple fruits with a
delicate skin. Will take all
of the sun and heat that you can give it. Our best tasting tomato?
Brandiwine- Indeterminate, 80 days. An old Amish heirloom dating back to 1885. Large vines, deep red fruits and
excellent flavor. This
wonderful heirloom beats most other tomatoes with its truly luscious flavor
that is described as “rich, loud and spicy”. Not a great producer here in Goleta, but people say that
the great flavor more than makes up for the limited production.
Burbank
Slicer- Determinate, heirloom, 70
days. Stocky, 18-36” tall
bushes produce many 6-8 oz red
fruits that have the highest total free amino acids of any tomato. Developed around 1915 by plant genius,
Luther Burbank. Fares well in
drier climates.
Carmello- Indeterminate, 70 days. Bred in France especially
for fresh eating. Plump Carmellos will satisfy all your tomato
fantasies. The round juicy
fruits have the perfect sweet to acid balance that translates to exquisite
taste. Big 4-5” fruits are
borne in abundance.
Caro
Rich- Indetermine, 75-80 days. An
old variety with rich deep orange, 4-6 oz fruits that contain a high level
of beta carotene. A low acid type with a delicious, sweet flavor. These short, 18-24”plants produce
well in cooler climates. A good grower here in our coastal climate.
Celebrity- Determinate 72 days. Possibly the most common fresh market tomato grown
today. Productive plants yield
high quality, large smooth fruit with outstanding flavor. A vigorous grower that produces 8
oz fruit. Resistant to verticilium and fusarium wilts.
Cherokee
Purple- Indeterminate, heirloom,
80 days. This variety has relatively short vines, yet produces copious
amounts of 10-12 oz fruits.
The flesh is a unique red brick color with a rose-purple skin
color. A flavorful heirloom
variety that hails from Tennessee.
Costoluto
Genovese- Indeterminate, 80-90
days. An old, unimproved Italian variety that produces an abundance of
lumpy, flattish, convoluted fruits, which while not the prettiest of
tomatoes, continually rank high in customer taste tests. Fruits are red and
grow to be 6-8 oz. A good producer in the heat of summer, that keeps on
going when the weather gets nippy.
Double
Rich- Indeterminate, 65-70
days. Solid, meaty, medium
sized, deep red globes with a sweet, slightly tart flavor with more than
twice the vitamin C of other tomatoes.(as much as oranges) A mid-season
tomato that is blight and wilt resistant.
Early
Girl- Indeterminate, 55-65 days.
This is a popular variety with backyard gardeners because of its excellent
flavor and ability to keep producing throughout the growing season. Yields masses of 4-6 oz red fruit.
Early
Red Chief- Indeterminate, 65-70
days. These are stocky bush
plants that bear huge crops of early, 10 oz slicing fruits. Pendulous, globe shaped fruits are
red, firm and bountiful.
Green
Zebra- Determinate, 75-90
days. Yellow-green, 2-3”
fruits with dark vertical stripes, emerald green flesh with mild but not
bland flavor, very productive. Developed in 1985 by tomato husbandry expert
Tom Wagner. (…Yeah, exactly, who da @#%$ is that?)
Marvel
Striped- Indeterminate, heirloom,
90-110 days. A luscious, extra golden fruited tomato with a deep orange
marbled interior. Fruits may
reach 2 pounds, and the flavor just never stops coming.
Moskvich- Indeterminate, heirloom, 60 days. Extra early variety that produces
well in cool climates. This is a good selection for coastal and/or late
season plantings. Smooth globe
shaped fruits with small stem scar.
Nice texture, rich taste, from eastern Siberia.
Nyagous- Indeterminate 80 days. Great black tomato with baseball-sized fruits that are
borne in clusters of up to 6.
Excellent full tomato flavor.
Very productive vines will want to be supported.
Oregon
Spring- Determinate, 55-80 days.
This variety is a short, 18-24” plant that does not need staking and
produces 3-4 oz fruits. Great for large, early tomatoes with great flavor
and few seeds. Bright
red, flattened globes are produced even when nights are cold.
Pineapple- Interderminate 85-95 days. These are huge, 10-16 oz, yellow
beefsteak type tomatoes that typically have red streaks throughout the
interior. Very sweet, fruity
flavor with low acidity. Vines
will need to be supported, wants to be in a hot location.
Stupice- Indeterminate, 60-70 days. Early, prolific
variety with good taste. Sweet and juicy, 3-6 oz, fruits grow on compact, 4
foot, vines that do not need to be trellised. Produces well in cooler weather, so good for our cool
area. Introduced from
Czechoslovakia.
Super
Queen Bush- Determinate, 75 days. This is a hybrid tomato that has
been developed to grow in a small space or in a patio container and still
offer an abundant harvest. The 2-3’ tall bushes produce juicy, heavy fruits
with a great tomato flavor.
Use a small tomato cage for support.
Tigerella- Indeterminate, 55-65 days. These highly productive vines bear
huge crops of medium to small fruits about 1.5” in diameter The reddish-orange tomatoes are
striped with greenish-yellow and have a great, tangy flavor. This was the
2003 tomato of the year here at Island Seed & Feed. Disease resistant.
Yellow
Perfection- Indeterminate, 70-75
days. This has been a favorite
in England for over 150 years.
The juicy, thin skinned, 3-5 oz fruits are perfectly round, and will
ripen well in both cool or hot weather. Vining habit that will want to be trellised.
Zapotec
Pleated- Indeterminate, heirloom,
80-85 days. This variety produces large pink fruits that are ruffled or
pleated like a dress. They can
be stuffed and baked like a bell pepper, or eaten in the raw. Named for its creators, the
Zapotec people of Oaxaca, Mexico.
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vegetables herbs natives
oak trees
Natives
and Drought Tolerant
The UCSB Restoration Club and Island are
in partnership consignment-wise with multiple varieties of local Goleta
Valley native species. The club will receive funds from the sales of these
easy to grow natives...they are so easy because they live here!
From the bluffs above the beaches we have
some Sea Cliff Buckwheat, a hardy perennial.
Dudleya, a local succulent,
flowers on six inch yellow spikes in spring.
Blue-eyed grass, an iris actually,
that opens its flowers with the sun and closes in the eves. Purple colored
like its relative the douglasii,
blue-eyed grass is well-suited for the poorest soils and grows to a height
of about 10 inches.
Hummingbird sage, Salvia
spathacea, has tall spikes of
magenta flowers whose blooming is the call sign for hummingbirds. A Salvia,
it likes a moist environment, but will do well anywhere in your garden that
gets a bit of water
Hooker's Evening Primrose, is
named with the surname of a botanist, not a red-light district connotation.
This tall yellow flowered spike opens with or without regular water - very
hardy, it will grow in all conditions.
California Fuchsia, Zauschernia
californica, is a major
attractant for hummingbirds with its very bright scarlet flowers blooming
in later summer and into fall. Happy with little water it will spread out
rather thickly and act as an effective barrier against most weeds by
blocking out light underneath.
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vegetables herbs natives
oak trees
Oak Trees
We also have several Quercus Agrifolia, or coastal Live Oaks that are labled from
the watershed that they came from. Grown from acorns collected in
Carpenteria, Sycamore Canyon, San Jose Creek, Mission Canyon and elsewhere
in the local region, these potted oaks are a great addition to most any
yard. Because oaks send down a deep tap root, these potted versions will
likely start slow, though many an oak will explode with growth in its first
several years. Concientious gardeners would want to see oaks planted
locally from the watershed they have come from. There are many angles to
this argument and regardless the opinion, all agree that to plant an oak
rather than a pine, euclalyptus or otherwise is a giant step in the right
direction.
Island also offers services for planting
an oak or oaks in your yard.
Coming soon to the nursery will be Lemonade
Berry, or Rhus which can
be easily manicured to desired ends. It also is a great hedge or fenceline
plant. Its berries are sweet and desirable to local birds. The Chumash used
the berries for teas and edibles. There are many great stands of it in our
area. The entire cliffs at the end of Mesa Lane, or 1,000 steps on the Mesa
in SB, are covered with Lemonade Berry. Another location is at Picasso Road
and Camino del Sur in Isla Vista. At this small barrier park there is a 15
foot wide and high veritable tree of the stuff. Some folks in the area are
happy to use it instead of the overused Eugenia that we see
everywhere.
Saltbrush, or Atriplex, is a fantastic erosion-control plant. It grows
on the cliffs of the South Coast where the salts of the ocean do nothing to
slow its rapid and steady growth.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
A great location to see all of these natives is the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission
Canyon Road, SB 93105, 805-682-4726. A fantastic collection of plants and
trees, the Botanic Garden is a must-see for anyone who is interested in
gardening.
Isla Vista Parks District
Another location where all the aforementioned can be found is in Perfect
Park, Isla Vista, at the bottom of the loop where Embarcadero del Norte and
Embarcadero del Mar become one street. Perfect Park has been transformed
over the last four years from an open field of weeds to a great selection
of plants and trees set in and amongst hills and pathways. Weekends are
good times to visit. An on- site parking lot is is often full during
weekdays while school is in session. Many of the specimens are signed so
that the viewer can learn a bit about each one of them.
The entire IV Park District system of
parks uses no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. These parks
are worth viewing for any gardener or landscaper who wants to see an
organic program in effect. The IVPD plants many locally native plants and
trees and offers a nice guide to the parks at it office, 951 Embarcadero
del Mar. Call them at 968-2017, or check out their website at www.silcom.com/~ivpark to learn
about this unique County Special District.
An organic policy is a sound policy, and
can be an inspiration to other organizations or individuals. Island's
owners worked at the Park District for a total of 14 years and are proud
supporters of its policies and programs.
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