Last night at the meeting of the Santa Barbara Rose Society, we had a
speaker from Rincon-Vitova who shared a lot of info on beneficial insects and
other organic methods.
One I thought people might be especially interested in is Gopher Stopper
Clover (Melilotus indica or sourclover) which can be ordered from
Rincon-Vitova. It's a winter-annual legume in Calif and flowers April -
October. Contains coumarin, which is toxic to rodents (and livestock, if
you happen to have any -- so care is required).
It's definitely what permaculturists call a "stacking" plant - multiple
functions. It has been used as a green manure and cover crop in citrus and
other orchards. It improve heavy soils because of its deep roots and
increases the water-holding capacity of all soils.
Linda
Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you now.