Garden & Pesticides – Page 3

Pop quiz, hot shot! Test your knowledge of pesticides and their effects on our community. Answers and quiz winner are announced below!

Question #1: True or False: Pesticides only target bad insects in the garden and leave the other bugs alone.

Question #2: What percentage of the insects in your garden are “pests?” (pests = insects that hurt, damage, destroy, or make us or animals sick)

Is it less than 2%, 10%, 25%, 50%, or 80%?

Question #3: How many aphids (a pest) can a ladybug eat in its lifetime?

Is it 800-1200, 2000, or 5000?

Question #4: True or False: In California, reports of pesticides applied for “agricultural use” include golf courses and cemeteries.

Question #5: How many pounds of pesticides were reportedly used in California in 2016?

Is it 75 million lbs (2 lbs/person), 209 million lbs (5 lbs/person), or 1 billion lbs (25 lbs/person)?

Question #6: True or False: Bifenthrin (a common ingredient in some over-the-counter pesticides) is toxic to aquatic life at 4 parts per trillion. (That’s like 4 square feet of tile on a kitchen floor the size of Indiana.)

Question #1: True or False: Pesticides only target bad insects in the garden and leave the other bugs alone.

Answer: False, pesticides do not discriminate!

While you may mean to target a single garden bug that’s being a nuisance, pesticides can have a negative effect on many of the beneficial organisms that make your soil and water healthy. Food chains and water movement spread pesticides far and wide, amplifying their effects on the environment. In addition to killing good bacteria, worms, ants, beetles and other pollinators, the longer a pesticide persists in the environment, the further it may travel up the food chain. A chemical that was initially applied to a plant can quickly move through the body of a beetle to a bird or fish, and then to the things that eat them, like humans.

Question #2: What percentage of the insects in your garden are “pests?” (pests = insects that hurt, damage, destroy, or make us or animals sick)

Answer: Less than 2%. That’s a lot of good bugs that might be affected by your pesticides! Want to learn more about beneficial bugs? Read our 10 Most Wanted bugs In Your Garden Guide.

Question #3: How many aphids (a pest) can a ladybug eat in its lifetime?

Answer: 5,000! Lady bugs and other native species can serve as great alternatives to pesticides in your garden. Not only are these “biological controls” safe for your health, but there’s more for you to look at!

Question #4: True or False: In California, reports of pesticides applied for “agricultural use” include golf courses and cemeteries.

Answer: True. While most people think that agricultural use pertains to farmland, large stretches of grass such as golf courses and cemeteries also count. Something to think about the next time your teeing off at Peninsula Golf Club or visiting a dear departed at Union Cemetery.

Question #5: How many pounds of pesticides were reportedly used in California in 2016?

Answer: 209 million lbs, or about 5 lbs/person. If it were up to you, would you spread 5 pounds of pesticides on your food? More importantly, what happens to that pesticide when it rains or when you water your garden? More likely than not, those pesticides (along with anything else the water carries with it) find their way to the storm drain and into our creeks, streams, ocean and bay!

Answer: True! That’s why it’s so important to avoid pesticide application when we can, and to closely manage pesticide use when they are necessary. A little pesticide goes a long way.

Click here for more information about pest control and ways to manage pests without harming people, pets, or our environment.

OUR FACEBOOK QUIZ WINNER IS ANNOUNCED!

Congratulations to Liz of San Mateo! Liz is the winner of our Fall Pesticide Quiz and Flows To Bay goodie bag. She got every single question correct!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook for more chances to enter and win one of our stormwater-friendly polls and quizzes.

We have arrived at the final quarter for the FlowstoBay Challenge! In our last quarter, we are challenging you to take action in your garden and your community. Interested? Read on for great eco-friendly gardening tips and opportunities to get involved in exciting community events.

In the Garden

April showers bring May flowers, and the opportunity to revamp your garden with green products and gardening methods! Gardening is a great way to release stress, beautify your home, and to grow your own produce. Here are some tips to keep your garden eco-friendly and safe for your family and friends!

Eco-Friendly Pesticides:

Pests in the garden are a pain to deal with, so many people resort to harsh pesticides to ward off pests. While sometimes effective at handling pests, pesticides are a threat to your family’s safety and the environment. Commonly known pesticides, like Glyphosate (commonly found in Roundup), Atrazine, and Chlorpyrifos, are heavily used throughout large-scale agriculture and evenin households. However, the harsh chemicals in these products can cause birth defects, neurological damage, and other milder symptoms like headaches and nausea. These chemicals can also contaminate water sources that eventually flow to the bay, endangering marine wildlife and the safety of our oceans.

Fortunately, eco-friendly alternatives exist and are a great way to use natural solutions to keep your garden pesticide-free. You can even make some of these natural pesticides, like vinegar spray, at home and save yourself a trip to the local gardening store! Next time you’re shopping for pesticides, ask for the natural pest control alternatives and save your family and the environment from exposure to toxic chemicals. There are also great options for managing pests without spraying your plants, like watering and composting properly, planting native species that are pest tolerant, and more.

More Eco-Friendly Gardening Practices:

Aside from finding alternatives to chemical pest control, here are a few additional ways to “green up” your garden this spring.

Rain Barrels: Rain barrels capture water runoff from your roof and store it for later use on your gardens and lawns. Using rain barrels is a great way to help conserve water-use in your home and reduce overall water demand. These are also great for saving money on water bills and if you’re operating on a budget we even have a rain barrel rebate!
Rain Gardens: If you’re looking to transform a normal lawn into a beautiful garden, consider building a rain garden. Rain gardens are a depressed area in the landscape that can soak up water from your roof, driveway, or other areas around your home. They are great for reducing and filtering runoff from your property, preventing pollutants in runoff from reaching the bay!
Mulch: Using mulch or compost in your garden helps soil retain its moisture, fight weed growth, increase soil fertility, and keeps soil cooler, which can help your plants thrive. All you need to do is spread a thin layer of mulch over your soil and let the mulch work its magic!
Native Plants: When seeking new plants for your garden, native plants are the best way to go! Because these plants are already adapted to the local climate and soil conditions in our region, they require less water, fertilizer and pesticides to thrive in your garden. Not only are they less resource-intensive, but they’re also beautiful additions to your home that promote the existence of local flora like butterflies and other pollinators.

In the Community

Volunteering and giving back to the community can be fun for everyone, including the family, and really rewarding. Volunteer gardens, beach cleanups, habitat restoration, and advocacy movements are all great examples of community events you can get involved with. Fortunately, the springtime is filled with these events, where you can go outside, learn more about how to help our planet, and get your hands dirty for a good cause! Check out these local Earth Day events this month that you and your family can attend near you as part of the spring Flows to Bay Challenge:

College of San Mateo Earth Day: 4/18/18 9:30am-1:30pm, College Center Plaza, San Mateo: This event is focused on helping expose students to sustainable and green jobs. The featured exhibitors and student clubs will be focused on biodiversity, water, waste, energy and social justice issues.
Pacifica Beach Coalition Ecofest and Earth Day of Action: 4/21/18 9am-2:30pm, Pacifica: From 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, there will be cleanups, gardening, and habitat restoration at locations around the city. From 11:00 AM to 2:30 AM, EcoFest will be held at Linda Mar State Beach to highlight and educate residents about our coastal environment.
Earth Day at the Shoreway Environmental Center: 4/21/18 10am-1pm, San Carlos: This Earth Day event is fun, family oriented event that includes a petting zoo, free food, recycling site tours, free compost, face painting, and much more.
Earth Day Clean-up at Coyote Point: 4/21/18 9:00am, Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo: This event focuses on cleaning up San Mateo’s beaches and coastside parks. There will be volunteers out at 9 AM at the Beach Parking Area. Click here for more information!
Belmont Earth Day Celebration: 4/21/18 9:00am-12:00pm, Twin Pines Park, Belmont: This event will have environmental booths, informational displays, live music, and fun activities for children. There will also be e-waste drop-off and compost giveaways.
Tree Workshop & Giveaway: 4/21/18 9:00am-10:30am, Twin Pines Senior & Community Center, Belmont: Belmont’s contract city arborist and parks manager will lead this workshop. They will cover topics on how to select and properly care for trees, what a healthy tree should look like, and the Belmont Tree Ordinance.
Earth Day Taste and Talk: 4/18/18 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, San Mateo Library – Oak Room, San Mateo: This event provides opportunities to join the discussion on transportation priorities, programs, and solutions for other issues in the community. Sample food from San Mateo restaurants will be provided. Commute.Org will present on their 2018 Commuter Challenge. This event is a Spare the Air Active Trip Incentive event.
Teen Program – Planting for Earth Day: 4/21/2018 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Downtown Library – Teen Center – 2nd Floor, Redwood City: At this event, participants will decorate a plant pot and use it to plant a flower in celebration of Earth Day. This event is for teens grades 6th through 12th. Click here for more information!
Marine Science Institute’s Earth Day on The Bay: 4/14/2018 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Marine Science Institute, Redwood City: The Banana Slug String band will play from 11:30am – 1:30pm, boat rides will be available at 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm, there will be children activities, and an opportunity to touch live sharks! This event is free.
FREE! “Do the Math” – Earth Day Movie Showing: 4/17/2018 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, San Mateo Public Library, San Mateo: This event is open to the public. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. This documentary is about one of America’s leading environmentalists, Bill McKibben’s battle to fight the fossil fuel industry and change the terrifying math of the climate crisis.
Spring Cleanup 2018: 4/21/2018 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Public Works Services, Redwood City: Free breakfast will be provided at 8:30am before your cleanup team sets out to one of Redwood City’s cleanup sites . A free barbeque lunch will be provided for all volunteers afterwards. There will be free composts for Redwood City community members.
County of San Mateo Sustainability Film Series – “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”: 4/18/18 5:30pm, Century Theater Redwood City, Redwood City: This event is part of a month long initiative aimed at celebrating Earth Day through free Sustainability Film Series, showcasing inspirational award-winning films. Through these films, learn how issues in climate, energy and food have been solved locally and globally. There will be an opportunity to interact with San Mateo County organizations and ask about ways to take action and protect Earth’s resources. First 150 registrants receive popcorn and a beverage!
County of San Mateo Sustainability Film Series – “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution”: 4/26/18 5:30pm, Daly City Council Chamber, Daly City: This event is part of a month long initiative aimed at celebrating Earth Day through free Sustainability Film Series, showcasing inspirational award-winning films. Through these films, learn how issues in climate, energy and food have been solved locally and globally. There will be an opportunity to interact with San Mateo County organizations and ask about ways to take action and protect Earth’s resources. Light refreshments provided.
County of San Mateo Sustainability Film Series – “Of the Sea”: 5/3/18 5:30pm, Ted Adcock Community Center, Half Moon Bay: This event is part of a month long initiative aimed at celebrating Earth Day through free Sustainability Film Series, showcasing inspirational award-winning films. Through these films, learn how issues in climate, energy and food have been solved locally and globally. There will be an opportunity to interact with San Mateo County organizations and ask about ways to take action and protect Earth’s resources. Light refreshments provided.
Daly City’s Earth Day Recycling Event & Community Clean Up: 4/21/18 9:00am-12:00pm, City Hall Parking Lot, Daly City: There will be secure document shredding, e-waste drop-off, compost giveaways, used tire take backs, and environmental programs. These free services will be performed in a drive through format.
Celebrate Earth Day: 4/21/18 8:00am-11:00am, San Bruno Park, Beckner Shelter Parking Area, San Bruno: There will be FREE compost giveaways available for all San Bruno residents to help enrich their gardens while learning about the benefits of composting. Residents must bring their own bucket.
Atherton Earth Day Event: 4/21/18 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Menlo-Atherton High School Performing Arts Center, Atherton: There will be a film screening for the film “The New Fire.” This film is about how technological advances in nuclear energy can help combat climate change. Admission is free. A light lunch and beverages will be provided. After the film, there will be a panel discussion, desserts, Q & A, and a networking reception.
East Palo Alto Earth Day: 4/14/18 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Bell Street Park, East Palo Alto: At this event, there will be bike repairs, safety lessons and learning to ride bike lessons, electronics recycling, tree planting, and a bike raffle!

Additionally, the Flows To Bay team will be co-hosting a joint programs on May 19th. We invite you to join us for one of three fantastic opportunities to get outside and enjoy our local environment while getting to know our local community partners who are holding hands-on environmental activities for San Mateo County residents. These activities and partners include:

Pacifica Beach Coalition: This event will be a beach cleanup at Linda Mar State Beach.
San Mateo Arboretum: During this activity, our partner will be holding a native plant talk and planting class at the Greenhouse and Nursery in San Mateo.
Friends of Edgewood: Residents will be able to explore the park through a nature walk at the Edgewood Park and Nature Reserve.

*Further details such as event times will be released shortly.

UC Master Gardeners are volunteers trained and certified by the University of California to provide community service and educational outreach that helps home gardeners and community organizations garden sustainably and create a healthy environment. Flows To Bay has partnered with the UC Master Gardeners for our current Flows To Bay Challenge to bring you eco-friendly gardening classes with their extensive horticulture expertise. Check out some of their amazing workshops to help you kick off your eco-friendly gardening efforts.

When and Where	Event Type	Why You Should Attend	Details
Date: 4/21/18 9am-1pm Location: San Mateo Co. Event Center – Sequoia Hall (FREE PARKING), 2495 So. Delaware Street, San Mateo 94403	Spring Garden Market	The annual Spring Garden Market is a plant sale and educational fair brought to you by the UCCE Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties.	The Spring Garden Market will offer more than 5,000 vegetable plants, herb starts, and succulents to get your home garden started. You’ll discover a wide variety of heirloom tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, other vegetables and herbs that have been expertly selected and lovingly grown by us for you. We’ve carefully chosen top-performing varieties for each microclimate, ensuring that you’ll have a productive and flourishing garden this year. There will be educational tables to help you select the best plants for your garden, and we’ll provide tips on how best to plant, grow and care for your new seedlings. Don’t miss our other activities and features too, including our exhibit and sale of beautiful succulent arrangements.
Date: 5/19/18 10am-12pm Location: Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc. 345 Shoreway Road, San Carlos 94070	Citrus Trees Care and Maintenance Workshop	Everyone should have at least one citrus in their landscape. You will learn which trees will thrive in our area, how and where to plant them, common problems and diseases, and a discussion about the Huanglongbing disease and the threat it poses to your citrus trees. Register at lyngsogarden.com/community-resources	Co-Presenter Master Gardener Lisa Putnam: Lisa has a BS in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis, and also studied nutrition science. She currently operates a small sustainable organic farm in Woodside and is a lifetime gardener, a UC Master Gardener (2009) and Master Composter (2010). Lisa’s passions are composting and the soil food web. She teaches both summer and winter vegetable gardening at Lyngso, Common Ground and several local garden clubs. Co-Presenter Master Gardener Kathleen Putnam: Kathleen is a professional organic vegetable gardener serving the Mid-Peninsula, is an Int’l Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, a UC Master Gardener (2008), and has a degree in Environmental Horticulture from City College of San Francisco.
Date: 5/19/19 1pm-3pm Location: Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc. 345 Shoreway Road, San Carlos 94070	Backyard Irrigation Workshop	Learn about and participate in a hands-on demo to create a basic drip irrigation system using tubing, fittings and emitters. Register at lyngsogarden.com/community-resources	Presenter Master Gardener Pete Cerri: Pete has over 50 years experience with the Pipefitters & Sprinkle Fitters Union, experience with installing automated irrigation systems for yards, greenhouses and farm fields, loves to garden, and was certified as a UC Master Gardener in 2009.
Date: 6/16/18 10am-12pm Location: Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc. 345 Shoreway Road, San Carlos 94070	All About Herbs and Edible Flowers	Learn the basics of growing, harvesting and using culinary herbs and edible flowers. Propagate your plants from seeds, cuttings, transplants and divisions. Integrate your herbs and edible flowers in your native landscapes, vegetable gardens and containers. Maintain your plants with sustainable methods, and harvest your herbs to use them fresh or preserve them for future use. Have fun while sharing the many ideas for using herbs. Register at lyngsogarden.com/community-resources	Presenter Master Gardener Kathy Fleming: Kathy loves creating a balance at her Peninsula home by growing culinary herbs and flowers in containers and her perennial landscape for more than 30 years. She uses the herbs and edible flowers in many recipes, either fresh and/or dried, and loves sharing them with her friends and neighbors. Kathy has been a San Mateo/San Francisco UCCE Master Gardener since 2006 and has always enjoyed speaking and sharing ideas about this passion. Co-presenter Master Gardener Cindi Morris: Cindi’s affinity for plants began when she was in the fourth grade. She used to visit Ferry Morse Seed Company where her father worked. She loved peeking into the labs and seeing all of the experiments, and the best part was picking out some seed packets to take home to grow. Cindi was always amazed by the wonderful transformation of seed to flower. Over the years Cindi has continued her interest in growing plants, and today as a Master Gardener she loves assisting the home gardener with their gardens.

Visit smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu for more information and check out the Flows To Bay Challenge to learn more about eco-friendly gardening and community events.

Hassett Hardware is a family-owned and operated local hardware store that carries a large selection of organics and eco-friendly supplies for your gardening needs. Flows To Bay has partnered with Hassett Hardware for our Flows To Bay Challenge this spring to bring you expert gardening advice on how to make your garden or yard as (eco)green as it can be:

Water at night. When you water at night, less water is lost to evaporation from wind and sunlight. This means you can water less often, and your plants can use that water more efficiently. As a bonus, you’ll get to better enjoy the fresh aromas of your garden first thing when you wake up on those hot summer mornings.

Use organic soils and fertilizers. We recommend Dr. Earth Home Grown Concentrated Spray, E.B. Stone Organics Soil, Planting Mix or Bat Guano (yes, bat guano!), Soil Science, Happy Frog, Whitney Farms Organic Bone Meal or Jobes Organics All Purpose Plant Food. These soils and fertilizers are natural and effective, allowing you to give your plants a boost without all the added chemicals. Tip: If you notice an OMRI logo on the packaging, which many of these products have, it means they have been third-party certified as organic.

Consider native plants for your yard. Most native plants are drought tolerant, naturally pest resistant, and generally need much less attention in all areas: watering, pest control and fertilizer. Some examples are yarrow, mallow, mountain lilac, white sage and lupine.

Plant butterfly- and bee-friendly flowers. There are many plants that bees and butterflies and even butterfly larvae like! Bees like lavender, all the basic herbs (like basil, sage, rosemary and thyme), geranium, helianthus, lupine (also native), verbena, zinnia and globe thistle. Butterflies like alyssum, yarrow (also native), cosmos, delphinium, fennel, lavender, marigold and nasturtium. If you don’t have a big garden or yard or don’t want the work of re-landscaping an area to include these lovelies, you can easily grow them in pots.

Use organic pesticides and fungicides. It’s best to use herbicides, pesticides and fungicides as a last resort via Integrated Pest Management. But if you need to switch to chemical controls, we recommend using organic and less-toxic products, like Safer Brand which has a whole range of organics to choose from: Organocide 3-in-1 Garden Spray (fungicide, miticide and insecticide), Bonide Neem Oil (which is also a three-in-one), Monterey Liqui-Cop (the active ingredient is Copper diammonia diacetate complex), Espoma Earth-Tone and Dr. Earth products.

Let your grass grow a bit longer. This helps the roots dive deeper and need less water, strengthening your lawn against pests and disease.

Pull weeds as soon as you see them rather than using a chemical weed killer. This is good exercise and can be fun for kids too.

We encourage you to participate in the Challenge and visit Hassett Hardware for your gardening supplies. Visit hassetthardware.com for more information or check out our Challenge page for a coupon for a Hassett Hardware store near you.

Are you looking to update your garden to be more lush and eco-friendly this summer? We have a few tips to ensure your garden will be healthy and thrive in our northern California conditions.

With warm, dry summer months in Northern California’s unique climate zone and our proximity to local waterways in San Mateo County, it is important to take into consideration Bay Friendly gardening. Bay-Friendly gardening is a holistic approach to gardening and landscaping that works in harmony with the natural conditions of the San Francisco Bay Watershed. Bay-Friendly practices foster soil health, conserve water and other valuable resources while reducing waste and preventing pollution. For many of us, growing a blooming garden while conserving water, can be a challenge to say the least. Add in concerns about water quality impacts from fertilizers and pesticides, and even the greenest of “green thumbed” gardeners may feel discouraged to get started on a new project. Fortunately, Bay-Friendly practices offer simple solutions to grow a beautiful garden in the Bay Area while protecting the environment.

Rescape California, also known as the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition, provides seven principles you can use to have a more Bay-friendly landscape:

Landscape Locally, recognizes that built landscapes are a part of the larger ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Watershed and that they can contribute to its health if designed and maintained using sustainable practices.
Landscape for Less to the Landfill, means that we should reduce waste by choosing the right plants, avoiding invasive plant species, using recycled and salvaged products in the landscape and by composting, mulching and grasscycling plant debris.
Nurture the Soil, soils are living ecosystems and when landscape practices allow the soil food web to thrive it can filter: pollution, store water, provide plant nutrients, and help plants resist pests naturally.
Conserve Water, means using a holistic approach of creating drought resistant soils with compost and mulch, selecting plants naturally adapted to summer-dry climates, using stormwater, greywater and recycled water in the landscape as much as possible and using efficient irrigation systems that include self-adjusting, weather-based controllers.
Conserve Energy, by reducing the need for mowing and shearing, by shading buildings and paved areas, using efficient outdoor lighting, and buying local landscape products.
Protect Water and Air Quality, through maximizing permeable surfaces and minimizing stormwater runoff, using integrated pest management, minimizing the use of synthetic pesticides and avoiding overuse of fertilizers, reducing fossil fuel consumption, and planting trees to remove CO2 and absorb air pollutants.
Create Wildlife Habitat, recognizes that biodiversity is crucial to the health of natural ecosystems and that by using native plants and increasing the diversity of plant palettes, our built landscape can provide food, water and shelter for birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and other creatures.

Additionally, choosing California native plants can help your Bay Area garden thrive in all conditions — especially in a drought. Plants native to California are accustomed to the natural soil conditions in our region. Over time, however, and with increased rains as seen this past winter season, soil can become depleted and unable to supply plants with necessary nutrients. You can replenish your soil’s nutrients by adding organic material to it every year. Mulching and composting are great ways to do this. Not only will mulch prevent water loss by trapping precious water in the ground, it also reduces the amount of water runoff and decrease your water bill. Mulch and compost will provide nutrients and conserve water, but what about pests? By planting Bay-Friendly native plants, you can refrain from harsh chemical pesticides, as Bay-Friendly plants are naturally tough once they are established and tend to resist pests without chemicals. However, if you do notice pests, check out this website and use the plant problem diagnostic tool to identify the problem and find the best solution.

Another change you can make in your garden is to take out your lawn. The typical grass species you see in neighborhood lawns are not native to Northern California and can be real water guzzlers. If you replace your lawn with a beautiful, drought-tolerant landscape, you can even get a rebate! Check out BAWSCA’s Lawn Be Gone rebate program and find out more here.

For more information on Bay Friendly Gardening, check out these resources:

Rescape California’s Bay Friendly Gardening Guide
Resources for hiring help
Bay area information, news, and events around the Bay from San Mateo UC Master Gardeners
Our Water Our World

Hummingbirds are welcome visitors to many gardens, but can be challenging to attract. Hummingbirds prefer native species for nesting, so it is a good idea to use native plants in your garden if you want attract these beautiful creatures in your backyard. Besides their good looks, Hummingbirds also serve an important purpose by pollinating the plants in your garden. While some plants are pollinated by the wind or are self-pollinating, the vast majority rely on species like hummingbirds to carry pollen from one individual plant to another. When a hummingbird inserts its beak into a flower to drink the nectar, sticky pollen grains cling to the side of its beak.They then move from flower to flower, pollinating the other plants in the garden transferring the pollen grains on their beak as they fly about, allowing plants to reproduce and bloom. Hummingbirds also have great memories and will remember food sources from previous years!

San Mateo County has several Hummingbird species native to the area, including:

Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird

Here are our plant recommendations and tips for attracting these beautifully vibrant visitors into your garden:

Plants: Birds have naturally fast metabolisms so plants that produce many flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds since the food supply will be large enough to feed them. Plants with long tubular flowers and within the red color range are especially prized by hummingbirds. Our top plant choices include California Fuschia and Hummingbird Sage. Other plants that are favored by hummingbirds include:

Coral Bells
Monkeyflower
Coyote Mint
Bush Snapdragon
Penstemon
Cleveland, Autumn and Summer Sage
Baja Fairy Duster
Wooly Blue Curls
Native honeysuckle vine

You can find these plants at our, Our Water Our World partner nurseries, listed here.

If you want the perfect hummingbird sanctuary, be sure to also include a rain garden, bird bath or source of trickling water! Rain gardens can soak up as much as 30 percent more water than conventional lawns, and if planned right, they also provide a natural habitat for hummingbirds. Another water-wise way to maintain your hummingbird sanctuary is with a rain barrel. You can even get a rain barrel rebate on our website here!

Follow these recommendations and expect to see some hummingbirds visiting your garden soon!

Even with recent record rainfalls, Californians suffering through the drought have come to understand that water is a precious resource. There are many small ways to make your home more water friendly here in the San Mateo area. You can also save money by cutting back your monthly water bill.

1. Rain barrels

When the rain comes, collect it. Just one inch of rain on an average roof can equate to 625 gallons of water that will take its course through a vast network of pipes and channels, eventually draining untreated to the Bay. But did you know you can actually save that rainwater and use it for watering your garden before it goes down the drain? Rain barrels can help put rainwater to good use, lighten your water footprint and even reduce flooding. San Mateo residents who buy and install qualifying rain barrels can collect rebates of up to $100 per barrel. Learn more about installation, upkeep and rebate information here: rain barrels.

2. Faucet fixes

A leaky faucet that drips just five times within a minute may be wasting more than 200 gallons of water a year. A quick repair to stop the dripping can help conserve that water. It is also possible to save as much as 70 gallons per month by adding water-saving faucet aerators.

3. Update the washer

Older top-loading machines use 40 gallons of water for a full load of laundry. A high-efficiency washer may use half the water and energy of traditional washers. Update to a high-efficiency model and a rebate may be available through Cal Water. Check for rebates here.

4. Rip up the lawn

Shut off the sprinkler and remove the grass on your property. Replace it with a drought-tolerant landscape. Not sure how to do that? It’s easier than you might think. Attend a free water-efficient landscape class offered by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency.

5. Permeable Pavements

One of the best ways to reduce runoff is to direct it into the ground. There, it can be filtered by plants or soil instead of running onto sidewalks, streets and into storm drains. Water is absorbed by the plants and trees. Learn more about permeable landscaping here.

Conserving water can save money and the environment. Take one action this week to make your home more water-friendly!

Fall and winter are great times to have some “Edventures” with your kids!

Laying a strong conservation foundation now when children are young helps to ensure future water saving efforts. Here are some helpful tips to show your child that water conservation can be fun and engaging:

1. Get a Jump on Some Spring Plantings.

Kids love to get their hands dirty. So tap into that behavior and plant some spring bulbs now. Plants set in the fall require less water and will look better in spring.

2. Small Investment, Big Benefits.

Show your child that saving water is as easy as catching water in a barrel…literally. A rain barrel can be used to collect and store rainwater runoff, which can be used to water your plants or garden.

3. Encourage your Child to be a Drain Ranger, a Leak Detective or Deputy Drip!

Task your child to go sleuthing for leaks or ways to save or protect water around the house. Have them look for dripping faucets or together you can try the “dye test” to see if any of your toilet tanks are slowly leaking. Once found, fix the leak or clean up the potential pollutant with your child and show them that they can be part of the solution!

4. Saving Water is a Family Affair

Organize a family meeting with your child and help them make a list of ways they can help save water like the one below:

a) Keep showers to 5 minutes (a shower timer is handy).

b) When washing hands, turn off water when lathering hands with soap.

c) Fill the sink when hand washing dishes—don’t let the water run.

d) Turn off water while brushing teeth.

5. Go On a Watershed “Edventure!”

Drive, hike, walk or bike to explore creek, bay and ocean habitats. Take the time to show your child that pollution affects our rivers, lakes and oceans.

Teaching your children about water conservation shouldn’t be boring and dull…make it an “edventure.” Trust us…your kids will thank you for it!

With California still facing the effects of a record-breaking drought, Earth Day is the perfect time to teach your kids to take care of our water. Get going now with these family-friendly water-protectors:

1. Build a rain barrel. Capturing rain in a barrel keeps it from flowing through the streets and dirtying the bay and ocean with pollutants picked up along the way. By working with your kids to harvest rainwater—and then using that water to irrigate your lawn and garden—you can also lower your utility bill. For a quick video on installing your rain barrel, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1i4zMlMSd0&list=PL4FACE8960D56BFF5

2. Go native. Talk to your children about how native plants require very little water to thrive (and therefore go a long way in helping California deal with the drought). Then, head to the nursery and have the kids pick out a native plant (such as California redbuds or California lilacs) for you to bring home and plant together. Check out this resource from UC Davis for a great list of everything from plants to great planting techniques: http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum_all_stars.aspx

3. Green your pet care. When it’s time to give your dog a bath, head outdoors with your kids and hose him down in a patch of lawn that needs watering. And instead of dumping leftover water from your cat or dog’s dish, encourage your children to use that water to feed thirsty houseplants.

4. Head to the farm. Visit a local farm to teach kids about efficient irrigation — and to boost their appreciation for locally grown fruits and veggies.

5. Buddy up with bugs. Since pesticides are major water pollutants, pair up with your kids to ward off pests by planting some plants that will lure “good bugs” like ladybugs into your garden. Here’s our look at the top ten bugs you actually WANT in your yard: https://www.flowstobay.org/files/publications/10mostwanted.pdf

6. Plant an organic pest-fighter. Another way to fend off pesky insects without resorting to pesticides: help your kids plant garlic near your tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, or kale. Garlic naturally repels aphids, plus it’s rich in fungus-zapping sulfur.

7. Sign on for a beach cleanup. Taking part in a cleanup with your kids not only keeps the shore in good shape for your next family beach trip: it’s also essential for getting rid of cigarettes, plastic bags, and other trash before they end up in the water and hurt marine life. Feel like helping? Find an event near you.