The Cupertino Courier

Gardening

Big, bountiful suburban gardens can still be achieved in valley

By Tony Tomeo

It is amazing how productive gardens can be in the Santa Clara Valley. I can remember when I was about in kindergarten, my grandfather's suburban backyard garden in Santa Clara provided enough fruit and vegetables for his family, friends and many of the neighbors. He grew tomatoes, corn, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, squash and just about any vegetable that I can think of. There were also abundant cherries, avocados, lemons, raspberries and blackberries.

My great-grandparents' backyard garden on N. Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale provided nearly as much produce, including oranges, peaches, grapes and, of course, overly abundant walnuts from two English walnut trees. At that time, most of the homes in the neighborhood still had walnut trees that remained from the orchard that occupied the site prior to the late 1930s.

My great-grandparents' garden also included many ornamentals, such as fuchsias, dahlias, nasturtiums, agapanthus, camellias, geraniums, callas and a few roses.

Although this sort of gardening is not nearly as common as it once was, it is still possible where space is available. The "Spring Gardening Ideas" class at Common Ground Educational Center is a good way to learn how to do it, making the most of local climate and soil. "Spring Gardening Ideas" will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on March 22 at the Common Ground Educational Center, 559 College Ave. in Palo Alto. Admission is $22. Call 650.493.6072 to make reservations or for more information.

About two weeks later, Common Ground will offer a three-day "Home Farming Workshop," beginning on April 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and continuing t April 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This workshop explains biointensive farming techniques, garden design, compost, seed propagation, bed preparation, plant care and soil fertility. Registration is $145. Like "Spring Gardening Ideas," more information about the "Home Farming Workshop" can be obtained, or reservations made, by calling 650.493.6072.

The Native Plant Society's spring native plant sale is another horticultural event that should be added to the calendar. Many specie of native plants, including bulbs, perennials, wildflowers and grasses, will be available, as well as books, posters and note cards. (Only cash or checks will be accepted.) This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12 at the California Native Plant Society Nursery at Hidden Villa Ranch, 26870 Moody Road in Los Altos Hills (about 2 miles west of Highway 280.) More information can be found at www.cnps_scv.org, or by calling 650.941.1068.

Finally, perhaps my favorite horticultural event, Spring in Guadalupe Gardens takes place April 26 in Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, between Coleman Avenue and Taylor Street in San Jose. There will be plants and garden accessories for sale, information about garden clubs, gardening demonstrations, tours of the various gardens and expert gardening advice. I will actually be working at the garden advice booth all day, so expect to see many of you there. More information can be found at www.grpg.org or by calling 408.298.7657.

Fern of the Week:
Southern Sword Fern

The Southern sword fern, Nephrolepis cordifolia, is something like a Boston fern for the garden. It is somewhat sensitive to frost if too exposed, but is still much more resilient than Boston fern. It actually often thrives a bit too well, and becomes invasive, spreading by fuzzy, wiry runners. Southern sword fern can be useful in areas that are too shady for other plants, and can also adapt to inferior soil. It likes regular watering in sunny areas, but is not so demanding about watering where partly shaded.

Foliage is rather yellowish green. The 2- or 3-foot-long and about 2-inch-wide fronds typically stand upright, and sometimes fall over where crowded. Individual leaflets are very finely serrate. Small, round tubers develop among surface roots. Mature plants that are damaged by frost, or that accumulate enough old foliage to become unappealing, can be shorn to the ground in spring. New growth regenerates well as weather gets warmer.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be reached at lghorticulture@aol. com or 408.358.2574.