Bare-Root Stock Arrives For Winter, By Tony Tomeo

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Bare-Root Stock Arrives For Winter

By Tony Tomeo

Spring is overrated. It is obviously the best season for planting warm season vegetables and bedding plants. It is the most colorful season with more flowers in bloom. There is so much more to gardening, though. Most plants prefer autumn planting. Some prefer winter planting. That is why this present bare-root season will be so relevant all through winter.

Dormancy is an advantage to stressful procedures such as planting. Spring bulbs prefer autumn or early winter planting while they are most dormant. For the same reason and to avoid late frost, summer bulbs prefer later winter planting. It should be no surprise that so many deciduous woody plants likewise prefer dormant planting during bare-root season.

Bare-root season is simply when bareroot stock becomes available for planting through winter. Unlike more familiar canned (potted) stock, bare-root stock lacks the medium that it grew in. Their roots are literally bare. Most bare-root stock awaits purchase at nurseries with its roots resting within damp sand. Roots of some are bagged within damp sawdust.

Bare-root stock is innately more practical than typical canned stock. It is significantly less expensive. It is much less cumbersome, and therefore easier to transport from nurseries. Planting is easier within much smaller planting holes. Formerly bare roots disperse new roots into their garden soils more efficiently than crowded formerly canned root systems.

Deciduous fruit trees and roses are the most popular of bare-root stock. Most of such fruit trees are stone fruits and pomme fruits. Stone fruits include almond, apricot, cherry, plum, prune, peach and nectarine, as well as their unusual hybrids. All stone fruits are species of the genus, Prunus. Pomme fruits include apple, pear, Asian pear and perhaps quince. Fig, pomegranate and persimmon trees should also be available. So should grapevines, currants, gooseberries, blueberries and various cane berries. Strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus are perennials that are available bare-root. Except for almond, most nut trees, including English walnut, pecan, filbert or chestnut, may be available only by mail order. Most mail order catalogs are online now. •••

English Walnut

It has been in cultivation for several thousands of years. Throughout that time, it escaped cultivation to naturalize in many regions between the Balkans and the Himalayas. It most likely originated from a much smaller natural range within Persia. An interesting certainty of its dubious original range is that English walnut, Juglans regia, is not actually English.

English walnut likely arrived at Spanish Missions of California prior to 1800. It became a major agricultural commodity of both the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. A few old trees survive within urban areas that were formerly orchards of the Santa Clara Valley. Newer trees are unfortunately rare within home gardens because they get messy.

English walnut trees rarely grow more than forty feet high and wide here. Their abundant foliar, floral and fruit debris is toxic to young plants though, and stains hardscapes. Each type of debris sheds during a different season. Squirrels might claim most or all nuts, but drop shredded hulls. The deciduous and pinnately compound leaves can be a foot long. n •••

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.

English walnuts are popular among squirrels.

SEACLIFF

Hybrid Repair and Service Toyota / Lexus Specialist Serving Aptos for Over 40 Years Complete Auto Repair Saturday Smogs

Seacliff 76 • 831-688-7600 • seacliff76@live.com • 201 Searidge Rd.

We CARE about COLLABORATION

Collaboration with our neighboring communities and agencies remains a fundamental priority.

THE U.S. & THE HOLOCAUST

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries plans a screening and discussion of the Ken Burns documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust, in partnership with Temple Beth El, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and Santa Cruz County United for Safe and Inclusive Communities from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola.

This is the day before International Holocaust Remembrance Day Jan. 27.

Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is recommended but not required. Register at https:// santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/10067554.

Discussions will focus on lessons learned and how to eliminate hate and violence from society. Facilitated small-group discussion followed by report-outs will provide a framework for attendees to glean lessons from the documentary and how those lessons can be applied here and now.

Attendees are encouraged to watch the entire 3-part documentary in advance of the discussion, which will air on local PBS Station KQED at 9 p.m. on Jan. 6, 13, and 20 and will be available to stream on the PBS website through Feb. 3. On Jan. 26, attendees will see a 40-minute screener from the series provided by PBS Books, who is supporting programming around the documentary for libraries nationwide. Art at https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/us-and-the-holocaust/

VOLUNTEER FOR MILES FOR SMILES

The independent nonprofit Partnership for Children, which increases access to medical care for children with serious illnesses and supports their families, needs volunteers for its Miles of Smiles holiday giving program.

Volunteers are needed at the organization’s “toy room” in Salinas, where they will wrap gifts from which Partnership for Children, children, will be able to select during the holidays. To volunteer or for information, call (831) 422-3002.

OPEN STUDIOS SURVEY

Do you love Open Studios?

If you experienced Open Studios this year, we’d love to get your feedback. What worked well? What could have worked better?

Whether you visited one location or many, we’d love to hear from you. The survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ OS_Visitor_Survey

GETVIRTUAL: LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

A popular UC Santa Cruz entrepreneurship class that pairs students with local business owners wanting to pivot from foot traffic to sales online is expanding beyond Santa Cruz. The recently launched Coursera version, GetVirtual: How to Launch your Online Business, is available to students at other UC campuses as well as anyone with an internet connection. For people outside the UC system, it’s free.

Students help participating businesses redesign their websites for e-commerce, list product catalogs in virtual marketplaces, and offer other technical assistance as needed. Much of the website creation curriculum comes from Wix, a no-code website building platform.

In the Coursera class, those in the class build a website for themselves.

The GetVirtual program already has partnerships with the city of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center.

The GetVirtual team is now working on a Spanish version.

Nada Miljkovic, a continuing lecturer at UCSC co-founded GetVirtual two years ago with serial entrepreneur Toby Corey.

“Students can be anyone from those about to graduate to young professionals wanting to go out on their own to retirees wanting to continue having a purpose in life,” she said.

GetVirtual has completed more than 150 client projects with 70% of those businesses in the city of Santa Cruz, all at no cost to the clients.

Nonprofit Santa Cruz Works honored Miljkovic as one of its 2022 Titans of Tech for contributing to the growth of the local tech and entrepreneurial community. See: https://www.coursera.org/learn/getvirtual

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by January 9

WINTER ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with native Italianspeaking Instructors. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in be-tween, the classes the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz is offering are for you!

The 10-week session begins the week of Jan. 23. Pricing & location (on-line & in-person) varies; see individual class descriptions for more information. The last day to register is Jan. 20. See: https://www.dantesantacruz.com/classes. For information email: dan-tesantacruz1265@gmail.com

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS

Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More info: 831-423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org

CUP CHARGE STARTS JAN. 1

The County of Santa Cruz reminds local retailers, restaurants, food trucks, conven-ience stores, hospitality establishments and event planners that new rules for the collection of single-use cup taxes take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

In June, county voters passed Measure C, the Santa Cruz County Clean Wa-ter/Beaches, Public Health, Environmental Protection Measure. This measure mandates that businesses subject to the County’s single-use cup charge remit half of the $.25 collected for each cup — $.125 — to the County of Santa Cruz as a tax with the remainder retained by the seller.

Payments are due to the county quarterly. Due dates are: April 30, July 31, Oct. 31, and Jan. 31.

Businesses using the online form online on the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website will not need additional documentation. Those paying with check or cash will need to submit a reporting form with each payment. For an FAQ, see https://www.co.santacruz.ca.us/Departments/TaxCollector/SingleUseCupTaxFAQs.aspx

CONSIDER FOSTER CARE

Foster care is a critical program provided by the nonprofit Pacific Clinics with dedicated resource parents (formerly known as foster parents). Thousands of children and youth in California of varying ages, backgrounds, and need are looking for a temporary home with a nurturing family. Resource families provide the stable, supportive environment these youth need to be successful in school, their communities, and beyond.

Ready to get started on your foster care application?

Pacific Clinics, based in Loangeles and serving 18 counties, makes it easy to apply, with its online Foster Care and Adoption portal at https://family.binti.com/ users/signup/uplift-family-services-rfa You must create a log-in with a password to get started. The application includes a criminal record statement, agreement forms, and policy and procedure forms. Once completed, a resource family recruiter will contact you to set up an informational interview, start a family and child profile, complete a background check, and, finally, a home study interview is conducted to evaluate your readiness to foster. Your resource family recruiter will also coordinate with you to complete all required training, such as CPR and First Aid. The entire process typically takes two to four months to complete.

IS YOUR PHOTO TOO SMALL?

FOR NEW MOMS

The Santa Cruz County Nurse Family Partnership is a program to support pregnant women expecting their first baby and new moms with their first baby. For information, call 831-454-4339 or text 831-566-3592.

HELP MATCHINGDONORS.COM

Currently, 270 people die every day in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant; those that live wait 7 to 12 years to receive a kidney transplant through the government’s deceased organ donor waiting list.

Many patients receive their kidney transplant within only six months of registering on MatchingDonors. com, which is appealing to people to help by becoming a living organ donor or donating cars, boats, RVs, real estate, or planes to support the nonprofit organization, founded in 2003 and based in Boston.

Supporters include NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who raises money in the memory of his College of San Mateo coach Tom Martinez, who died of a heart attack in 2012 while waiting for a kidney transplant. Visit https://www.matchingdonors.com/life/ for more info.

RED CROSS JANUARY BLOOD DRIVES

Aptos Jan. 4: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Drive Jan. 7: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive Ben Lomond Jan. 20: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Love Creek Road Santa Cruz Jan. 5: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Jan. 18: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Jan. 20: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santa Cruz Firefighters at Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. Scotts Valley Jan. 14: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive Watsonville Jan. 17: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

OPERATION GRATITUDE

Operation Gratitude gives Americans the opportunity to go say “Thank You” to all who raise their hands to serve.

Writing a letter is a meaningful way for Americans to say “Thank You” support for all who serve. It only takes five minutes of your day but will bring lasting joy to the recipients.

Operation Gratitude includes handwritten letters in every Care Package sent to Military and First Responders. In these unprecedented times, our heroes need our unwavering support.

Fill out the form with detailed instructions and labels for shipping. You pay the postage. For more information and ways to show support, see https://www.operationgratitude.com/volunteer/anywhere/ letters/

RESOURCE FOR CAREGIVERS

As families gather for the holiday, people may see grandma or grandpa, their mom or dad, or their aunt or uncle more forgetful or frail and in need of care.

Since 1988, Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center has

HELLO DEAR READERS, One of my new year’s resolutions for 2023 is to help you get news into our community calendar.

You’ve probably noticed every issue has a “photo box,” a photo of an upcoming event with a description, what where, how much it costs to attend.

How does your event get into the photo box?

Step No. 1: Email me a photo with enough bytes so it doesn’t turn into pixels. This means actual size on a cellphone, or minimum 1 MB, for optimum picture quality.

I’ve seen too many small photos, 33 kb, or medium, 88 kb or 250 kb, which might be acceptable on our website, www.tpgonlinedaily.com but not in a print publication. We do both!

If I have to request a larger photo, that takes time, and often, we’re up against a deadline, and sadly the larger photo does not arrive in time.

You’ve seen photos accompanying other calendar events. Again, I recommend emailing a larger photo, actual size, 1 MB.

Step No. 2: Include a caption.

Step No. 3: Check the calendar of each issue for the next deadline. That way, your announcement will get to us in time!

Pro tips: To expedite your announcement, put it in the body of the email instead of an attachment. That way, I see it immediately — no waiting for a sluggish computer. For the subject line, put the date of the event first, followed by the name of the event.

Best wishes in 2023!

— Jondi Gumz, editor