Be a Partner in Tahoe Conservation LandscapingSummer Volume 2, Quarter: Summer 2011, Compiled by: Tahoe RCD

Upcoming Events

Birds, Bees and Beardtongues? August 23rd, Green Thumb Series, Tahoe n our mountain ridges and in our City Historic Fish Hatchery, Omeadows (and, hopefully, our 5:30pm - 6:45pm gardens) summer is painting its colors across the Tahoe landscape. We move August 24th, through purples and scarlets, pinks and US Dept of the Interior Green Thumb Series, LT Demonstration Garden, yellows as the wildflowers blossom. But among this colorful crowd none are so gracilentus 5:30pm - 6:45pm diverse as the . August 30th, onsisting of nearly 300 elegant Green Thumb Series, Tahoe Cspecies, penstemon is the largest City Historic Fish Hatchery, wildflower genus found exclusively on the 5:30pm - 6:45pm

North American continent. Their size and NurseryLas Pilitas appearance vary from low and bushy to August 31st, slender and tall, and exhibit a wide range Green Thumb Series, LT of leaf, blossom and stem structures. Still, Demonstration Garden, they’re easy to spot once you know a few of 5:30pm - 6:45pm the genus’ distinct characteristics. Penstemon speciosus September 25th, oremost, all penstemons have a Autumn Fest, Ffifth sterile stamen, sometimes LT Demonstration Garden, fuzzy—hence their common nickname, 11am-3pm beardtongue—sometimes smooth. The blossoms of most penstemons also have FOR MORE INFORMATION ON a tubular, tubular-funnel or tubular-bell ALL OF THE EVENTS VISIT:

shape in racemes or panicles. Their primary NurseryLaporte Avenue www.TahoeRCD.org pollinators—bees and hummingbirds—are attracted both to this distinctive shape and Penstemon davidsonii Volunteer? to their bright colors. The Tahoe RCD is looking f you’re hoping to find wild for volunteers to help out Ipenstemons, choose one of the with planting, weeding, nearby hills or meadows for your next and new developments hike. Penstemons are typically adapted by species to thrive in specific habitats in our demonstration gardens. If you or a group ranging from low, open landscapes to forest Copyright Ginger Farm Wild clearings and exposed mountain tops. are interested, contact us at There are eight penstemon species in the 530-543-1501 ext. 113 or Tahoe Basin: azure (P. azureus), Davidson’s (P. [email protected] davidsonii), hot rock (P. deustus), slender (P. gracilentus), mountain pride (P. newberryi), gay (P. roezlii), meadow (P. rydbergii), and showy (P. speciosus). Continued on Page 2 Penstemon rydbergii Page 2 s its name suggests, the meadow enstemons are wild but Apenstemon is the water-loving Plike many of our native Tahoe variety among the Tahoe penstemons wildflowers, they can thrive in your own and is found in moist meadows. The US yard. Penstemons make an excellent Forest Service meadow area off of the additionUC-Berkeley to gardens; not only do they bike path to Pope Beach is a good bet for produce a beautiful floral rainbow and meadow penstemons. At the opposite provide habitat for pollinators, they are end of the spectrum, the Davidson’s and also low-maintenance! The American showy penstemons thrive in exposed Penstemon Society—a fantastic resource UC-Berkeley areas on sandy to rocky slopes and for all things penstemon—recommends Penstemon azureus: Azure Penstemon peaks. You’re likely to find these species starting from seedlings rather than in high alpine areas. All the remaining seeds for beginners. Fortunately, Shrubby or dwarf varieties grow best in varieties can be found in areas ranging cultivated penstemons are easy to rock gardens or at the front of borders from dry to rocky and semi-protected come by through several nurseries in in full sun and strongly prefer poor to slopes, to forest openings and roadsides, the Basin including our partners, Aspen moderately fertile soils that drain very typically favoring drier soils. Hollow Nursery and Tahoe Outdoor well. Not all hybrid cultivars are hardy Living. Collecting wild specimens is in Tahoe, however; be sure to choose a not recommended; the root systems variety that is winter hardy to -20°F. of established penstemons do not survive digging and in many places the hether in our gardens or wild collection of seeds is illegal or requires a Wmountain backyard, penstemons special permit. are a special and valuable part of Tahoe’s landscape. After the long winter they hough penstemons are easy brighten and color summer days, Tto care for in gardens, they still benefiting wildlife and humans alike. require conditions similar to those in the Let’s protect our Tahoe penstemons— n to ou wild. Larger cultivars grow well planted by enjoying and respecting them in Bill B in a garden border in fertile, well- the wild and by nurturing them in our : Mountain Pride drained soil in full sun or partial shade. gardens!

Thank You Volunteers!

he Tahoe Resource for the students to learn about TConservation District the Lake Tahoe environment, has been busy working in the forest health and gardening. Angora Community Garden (Evans Family Garden), located at 1383 Mt. Olympia Circle in he Tahoe RCD was South Lake Tahoe, and the Lake Timpressed by how Tahoe Demonstration Garden much this group was able at the Lake Tahoe Community to get accomplished in such College. a short amount of time. We plan to work with another wonderful group from Epic n July 14th and 28th the Sierra Adventures next year! To OTahoe RCD partnered learn more about Epic Sierra with the American River American River Conservancy volunteers Adventures, visit their website: Conservancy and their Epic Sierra http://www.epicsierra.org. Adventures groups. Two groups of creating paths and common areas at the twelve high school students from around Angora Community Garden. After a bust the world came to complete service morning everyone headed to the Lake nother special thank you to the learning projects in the two gardens. Tahoe Demonstration Garden to repair a Amembers of the South Lake Tahoe This energetic group of volunteers rock lined swale to improve water quality Garden Club for their hard work on spent the morning planting ground and did some general maintenance of July 12th removing debris and clearing covers, pulling weeds, mulching and the garden. This was a great opportunity pathways. ~ From All Tahoe RCD Staff Page 3 Reduce Your Use: Residential Irrigation Efficiency Rebate Program Contributed by: South Tahoe Public Utility District

Since more than 50 percent of residential What does the rebate cover? water use takes place outdoors, water The program offers a rebate of efficient gardens and landscapes up to $400 which covers 50% of translate into significant water savings. the irrigation equipment cost It is possible to have beautiful gardens and 25% of the labor to install it. and landscapes and still be water Itemized receipts are required. efficient. The South Tahoe Public Utility Eligible irrigation equipment District is offering up to a $400 rebate to includes equipment that encourage residents to use water wisely improves irrigation efficiencies as in your home landscaping by upgrading determined by a South Tahoe PUD to a more efficient irrigation system. representative. What is Irrigation Efficiency? Efficiencies may include: Irrigation efficiency is a critical measure • Drip irrigation systems Water efficient drip irrigation of irrigation performance in terms of the • Replacing mis-matched sprinkler Common types are: water required to irrigate a landscape. heads with like-kind heads • Precision nozzles: Spray nozzles that It can be defined in terms of a) system • Water pressure regulating devices distribute < 1.20 inches per hour, performance, b) the uniformity of the • Check valves high efficiency- variable arc (HE-VAN) water application, and c) the response of nozzles the landscape to the irrigation. Having • Low precipitation, high distribution uniformity or multi stream rotating • Drip irrigation systems: each emitter an efficient system is better for the distributes < 2.5 gallons per hour landscape and saves water. Irrigation nozzles • Micro-sprays: each micro-spray systems/equipment that are poorly • Rain shut off devices, moisture sensor distributes < 2.5 gallons per hour designed, inefficient or not maintained or smart controllers reduces the degree of control over the • In- Line irrigation systems: drip line How do I know if the parts are eligible water application. to distribute water at < 1.0 gallon per for the RIE Program? hour per built in emitter. What is the purpose of the Residential Eligible parts are those that reduce water • Multi-stream rotating nozzles: nozzles Irrigation Efficiency (RIE) Rebate use in the landscape by operating at that distribute < .92 inches per hour Program? a lower volume, have a more uniform For more information or to obtain an The RIE program was developed to spray pattern or have high distribution application contact Sarah Jones, Water help customers upgrade their irrigation uniformity. Conservation Specialist at 530-543-6268, systems to make them more efficient. [email protected]. Examples of efficiency improvements can include replacement of existing systems with alternatives such as: South Tahoe PUD: Right Way - Right Day • low volume drip irrigation system; • Homes with addresses ending in an even number, water on • high distribution uniformity or multi- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. stream nozzles with a flow rate of • Homes with addresses ending in an odd number, water on 1.20 inches per hour (In/h); Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. • pressure regulators for optimal • Do not hose driveways, decks, or other impervious surfaces. Use a system performance; broom instead. • check valves or low lying sprinklers at • Hand-watering, with an automatic shut-off nozzle attached to the the bottom of a slope to stop excess hose, is acceptable at any time. drainage. • Exemptions exist for those installing TRPA BMPs, however, you must call the district to request an exemption. To request a free landscape • No landscape irrigation on Saturday. It is our peak demand day. water efficiency evaluation or • Drip and low flow irrigation systems are exempt from designated obtain advice on Tahoe friendly watering days. landscaping practices, contact the For information on South Tahoe PUD’s water Tahoe RCD, www.TahoeRCD.org, conservation programs contact 530.543.6268 530.543.1501 ext 113 www.stpud.us Page 4 Join Us! 2011 Conservation Landscape Tour The Tahoe Resource Conservation District adapted selection, water is hosting the 4th Annual Conservation conservation techniques, Landscape Tour on Sunday, August defensible space methods, Best 21st from 1pm-5pm. Come enjoy and Management Practice (BMP) explore eight beautiful gardens in the demonstrations and wildlife Montgomery Estates area that highlight enhancement features. The Tahoe Basin conservation techniques. tour ends at the Lake Tahoe This FREE tour highlights native and Demonstration Garden at the Lake Garden enthusiasts at Tahoe RCD’s 2010 Tahoe Community College. Conservation Landscape Tour available to answer your questions Last year’s event brought related to the conservation landscapes together over 150 Tahoe and plant identification. residents to enjoy a delightful summer afternoon learning Pick up your tour map between 1pm- about water efficient 3pm from Sierra House Elementary irrigation techniques and School. The gardens are nearby and examples of defensible we encourage carpooling, bicycling or space through proper plant walking. Music and light refreshments at selection, arrangement and last stop from 2-5pm. Please leave your management. As you explore pets at home. For more information, the gardens, garden stewards contact Courtney at 530-543-1501 ext. Garden showcasing an elegant water feature and homeowners will be 118 or visit www.tahoercd.org/connect

Sweep Broom Out of Your Yard

Don’t be fooled by this seemingly Scotch broom is innocent ornamental plant! It can native to central and escape from your garden beds and southern Europe. invade adjacent areas, expanding It is believed that rapidly and forcing out native plants. It the stems of the also grows in dense patches, creating a plant were used huge fire hazard. to make brooms. Scotch broom was introduced to the United States for use as an ornamental and later to control erosion and stabilize coastal dunes. It soon escaped cultivation and by Large mounds of Scotch broom in a Tahoe planter bed 1985 had infested an estimated 600,000 Scotch broom can grow in pastures, acres in alone. fields, grasslands, forests and gardens. Typically it is found growing along Today, it has become firmly established roadsides where soils are frequently as an invasive weed. Invasive weeds disturbed, dry, sandy and full sunlight is displace native plants, decrease available. A single mature Scotch broom wildlife habitat, alter normal ecological plant can produce about 15,000 seeds processes, reduce recreational values per year, about 40% of which will sprout and uses and cost us millions of dollars in the first year! each year in treatment costs, decreased land productivity, and decreased land value. The coarse root structure If you think you may have this plant in of broom plants fails to stabilize soil, your yard, contact the Tahoe RCD for resulting in increased erosion and our free invasive plant identification Scotch broom has a pea-like flower stream sedimentation, which can and removal services at 530-543-1501 damage Lake Tahoe’s famed, clear water. ext 113 or [email protected]. Page 5

Thanks to Green Thumb Presenters and Participants The Green Thumb Gardening Autumn presentations have been full of useful information this summer. Many thanks to our presenters who have taken time out of their busy summer Fest schedules to share their knowledge Sunday and experience with Lake Tahoe gardeners. Many of the presenters volunteered their time to prepare Sept 25th and present. Special thanks to these dedicated community members: 11-3pm Anna McLeod, Fiona Cowan, Albert Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden Stevensen, Sharon Buss, Kevin @ One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe Marini, Mimi Kimoto, Lesley Higgins, Kit Veerkamp and Kathy Maston. I’d also like to thank our gardening Presentations Featuring Alicia Live Music, Pumpkins, community for participating in Funk (author of Living Wild), Storytelling, Dance this program and enriching the and Vermiculture with Performances, Local Artists, discussions with your questions and your personal experience. Lastly, a “Mr. Soil” Craig Witt Kids Activities, and big thanks to Lake Tahoe Community Much More! College and UC Davis for sharing their beautiful demonstration gardens to Silent Auction Sponsored by: be used as our outdoor classrooms. For More Info: www.TahoeRCD.org (530) 543-1501 x 127, [email protected]

Test Your Garden Savvy! Our last edition focused on spring-cleaning and irrigation tips for your yard and garden; we hope you were able to put some of those into action! Stretch your memory and Tahoe gardening know-how in our quiz below. Hint: you can find all the answers in the Spring edition.

1. To avoid a garden nibbled down to the nubbins by rabbits, what native and Tahoe-adapted species can you plant that are less likely to be eaten by garden pests? 2. Why are over-watering and over-fertilizing particularly harmful in Tahoe soils? 3. What is the minimum buffer zone distance you should allow between fertilized areas and stream environments? 4. How can mulching after spring cleaning benefit your landscape? 5. How do excess nutrients affect Lake Tahoe’s water quality? 6. Are residents who are installing BMPs exempt from South Tahoe PUD watering regulations? ANSWERS 1. Pentstemon, columbine and blanket flower 2. Tahoe soils are primarily made of decomposed granite, meaning that water quickly drains through the soil past the plant root zone and flushes nutrients into the Lake. 3. 25 feet 4. Mulching reduces soil moisture loss and temperature fluctuation, inhibits weed seed germination, and just plain looks snazzy. 5. Excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, stimulate algae growth in the Lake, leading to unpleasant blooms that cloud the water. 6. Land-owners installing BMPs can receive an exemption by contacting South Tahoe PUD.

Thank you to all Tahoe RCD contributors and partners for providing information for this issue. 870 Emerald Bay Road, Suite 108 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530.543.1501 ext 113, Fax 530.543.1660, www.TahoeRCD.org