Bird walk, farm tour and seed saving workshop offered at American River Ranch
Soil Born Farms' American River Ranch -- Sacramento's oldest working farm -- grows a wide range of crops using regenerative methods. Photo courtesy of Soil Born Farms Soil Born Farms
Celebrate the change of season while learning about local wildlife and gardening know-how.
Soil Born Farms’ American River Ranch – the Sacramento area’s oldest working farm – will host a variety of workshops and tours Saturday, Sept. 24. Register in advance.
At 8 a.m., enjoy a “Bird Walk” with naturalist Cliff Hawley and get to know the feathered friends that flock to the American River Parkway. It’s ideal for beginning and intermediate birdwatchers. Fee is $15 with proceeds supporting the American River Ranch Restoration and Development Fund.
At 9 a.m., learn about “Seed Saving” with Soil Borns’ Kellan MacKay. Class fee is $30.
“We will discuss the importance of seed saving, how to care for the plants to assure a good seed supply and how to create the right environment to save seeds,” say the organizers. “Learn the difference between open pollinated plants and hybrid seeds and get hands-on experience cleaning and storing seeds.”
Also at 9 a.m., take a “Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour” with Tyler Stowers. “See how our farmers implement regenerative practices that revitalize the land and restore the historic American River Ranch,” say the organizers.
Sign up in advance at www.soilborn.org. Soil Borns’ American River Ranch is located at 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova.
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Garden Checklist for week of May 5
Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:
* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.
* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.
* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.
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