CLCA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

With the title "The Birds and the Bees" we hope to catch your attention and get your to read further. First--and this blog really deals with the effects of the drought on wildlife and plants--is the birds. With plants stressed, birds are finding it hard to feed themselves. A good option is a bird feeder and they come in a variety of types. Cats, even indoor cats, have a great time watching birds. Hummingbirds are always looking for a food source. For hummingbird feeders, there are a couple of things to remember. First, the best nectar for hummingbirds is one that does not have any color in it. The recommended mixture is 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar and boiling the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves. The second important things is keep your hummingbird feeder clean and wash it out often. Mold can build up in the feeder and make birds ill. All of the birds are looking for water and need water as many of the water sources away from your yard are now dry. I'm making ...

We all love the splash of color that annuals bring to the garden from spring until the first frost, but we are also in drought conditions. Here are a few water thrifty annuals for 2022. Zinnias—long a garden favorite, Zinnias are a colorful and long-lasting addition to the flower garden.   Periwinkle—AKA annual vinca is drought tolerant and requires almost no maintenance to keep it looking terrific. Moss Roses—AKA Portulaca grandiflora, are a drought and heat tolerant annual native to hot, dry plains in Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay and has showy flowers that bloom all summer long with little care. Cosmos—Cosmos can tolerate warm, dry weather very well. They are even drought tolerant. Petunia—They tolerate lots of heat and are relatively undemanding when it comes to water. It is necessary to deadhead plants to keep them blooming.   Salvias—Their drought-resistant nature and low maintenance make them a perfect choice for an easy-care garden. Celosias—Is a pretty...