By Tamara Galbraith

As your fall garden clean-up gets underway, don't sabotage your efforts by using dirty tools.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of fungus and other plant diseases is to prune out infected parts. However, seemingly healthy wood can also be infected, so disinfecting your pruning tools between cuts becomes very important as you trim.

In 1992, scientists at Kearney Agricultural Center in California's Central Valley tested various readily available and commonly recommended disinfectants. The disinfectants tested were chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, Listerine, Lysol concentrated disinfectant, Pine-Sol, and rubbing alcohol.

The scientists found that soaking or spraying pruning blades for a minute or longer in either a full-strength or a 1-to-5 solution of chlorine bleach, Lysol, or Pine-Sol brought the most consistent protection. Interestingly, just dipping the blade quickly often did not disinfect properly. Chlorine bleach generally did a better job for quick dips, although none of the disinfectants proved completely effective.

Although chlorine bleach is the least expensive and generally most effective disinfectant, bleach corrodes tools quickly and--as many of us know from clumsy experience--can splash up and ruin clothes. Lysol caused the least damage to clothes and tools; keeping a small can of Lysol and an old rag in your gardening bucket is a good idea as you work your way through fall pruning.

Across the country, more and more people are discovering the satisfaction of landscaping their homes with native plants. Many native plants are attractive ornamentals and adapt easily to local gardens. Now you can easily create a woodland, wetland, or meadow in your own back yard.

Native plants are those that evolved naturally in North America and which occurred within the state before humans introduced plants from distant places. Native plants typically grow in communities with species adapted to similar soil, moisture, and weather conditions. Native plants include ferns, grasses, flowering perennials, woody trees and shrubs.

Native plants are naturally adapted to perform well in our local climate. They require less water than most non-natives once they are established and resist native pests and diseases better. Many help to enrich the soil. Their root systems help rainfall percolate into the soil, reducing erosion and runoff. A side benefit of using native plants is that they improve water quality by needing less fertilizer and no pesticides.

Many native plants attract beneficial insects which help control pests, creating habitat for "good bugs." Native plants also provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat favored by our local wildlife. This can help you make your garden a sanctuary for songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other desirable wildlife.

Native plants are fairly easy to care for. Using slow release or (preferably) organic fertilizers will keep plants healthy without providing a flush of nutrients that would give weeds a competitive edge. As with any other plants in your garden, keeping the soil covered with decorative mulch will keep your plants happy and provide some extra control of weeds. When landscaping with native plants, it is important to choose plants that will grow well in your garden: wet or dry, shade or sun, acid or neutral soil.

Native plants not only suit today's interest in low maintenance gardening but they also can provide us with a tangible link to the past. Many species have reported value as food, medicine, textiles and other domestic purposes. Our staff of nursery experts will be happy to make recommendations for your particular needs.

Almaden Valley Nursery has an excellent selection of native plants in our Collections Corner area!

Regardless of whether they are created out of desire or necessity, rock gardens provide a unique opportunity to tame difficult landscape terrain or add interest to a garden setting. Whether set in naturally rocky terrain or in a man-made area, there are a couple of considerations that will add to your overall success.

Because of the relatively shallow pockets of soil, water can drain away very quickly. The most exposed and shallow places are excellent sites for planting drought-tolerant creeping or trailing plants, especially where they can cascade over a ledge. Plants that prefer a little more moisture will be happier around the base of the rock garden, where water will not drain or evaporate so quickly.

Many rock garden plants are beautiful bloomers, so you can enjoy loads of color throughout your rock garden. The plants suggested below are mostly sun lovers. If your rocky site is in a woodland or other shady area, our staff of nursery experts will be happy to make suggestions for substitutes.

Every rock garden is a unique setting. The rule of thumb is to plant single plants of separate varieties for smaller space gardens, and groupings of three or more of particular varieties for larger areas. Anytime is great time to plant a rock garden, so we invite you to come into the nursery and get started today. We promise you'll have a rockin' good time!

With our days getting cooler, many trees are beginning to show their spectacular fall color. Autumn is a great time to plant trees because the ground is still warm enough to promote root growth without the stress of summer heat watering requirements. Plus, a tree planted in fall will be able to take advantage of winter and spring rains and be fully established by next summer, enabling you to benefit from the cooling effect its provided by its shade.

When planting your tree, consider how it might provide the maximum shade effect for your home. A shade tree planted on the east side of your home will block the heat from the morning sun. Planting on the west and/or southwest side of your home shields the hot afternoon sun. And finally, a tree planted on the south side of your home can provide year-round sunblock protection. All three examples will help to keep your home cooler in the summertime.

If you select a deciduous tree, you will benefit in the winter from the opposite sun shielding effect. Minus the foliage, the sun's rays can shine through the empty branches and help you warm the inside of your home. You certainly can't argue with that!

Along with the energy benefits, shade trees provide beauty to your landscape year-round. They offer habitats to birds, squirrels and other backyard urban creatures. Trees increase the value of our homes and the beauty of our neighborhoods. They also give back oxygen to our environment. If you choose a deciduous tree, pick one with majestic winter form.

When you plant your shade tree, do not plant it too close to your home, patio or walls. Remember, many of the best shade trees grow to heights of 30-50 feet and taller, which means they will also have a good spread and substantial root systems. So come on in, and our staff of nursery experts will help you pick out the perfect shade tree(s) for your home. Then get ready to enjoy their fall foliage and the pleasing shade they will provide for many summers to come!

Ferne was born in Iowa and spent many summers there at her grandparents' farm after her family moved to Colorado. She learned to love gardening, canning, quilting, and sewing from her grandmother but claims her most important life lessons have been learned from raising her two boys.

This week's featured recipe comes from Jeni's Grandma Marge Ryan.  It is so easy and so delicious and perfect on a cold day.  Grandma Marge is no longer with us but her great recipes live on forever throughout our family.  Marge loved to collect cookbooks, tear out recipes from magazines and try recipes from her friends.  Then she would tweak them until they were just right.  The obsessed-with-recipes gene has definitely been passed on to Jeni!  We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

What You'll Need:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 can baby peas
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• Dash of pepper
• 1 can cream of tomato soup
• ½ can water
• 1 large peeled and sliced potato
• 1 bay leaf

Step by Step:

Mix all the ingredients.  Put into a casserole dish with a tight lid.  Bake at 275 degrees for 5 hours.

Tip:   You can also use Cream of Celery or Cream of Mushroom soups