#Shasta Daisy Vineyards

[wine-porn]

Cascading

This vineyard burnt a few years ago and it appears no one has revived it. I always thought their Pinot on a level above even some of those from more-acclaimed regions in California, and getting down to my last couple bottles. This is Manton Valley AVA–way up north in Tehama County east of Redding–but before you go all: Sierra Foothills, which would seem logical–this is actually NOT the Sierras,…

[bethestaryouareradio]

Fire-Retardant and Fire-Resistant Plantings

Normally the sound of weed-whackers disrupts the tranquility of living the soulful country life, but this year, I am grateful to hear their constant buzzing. With a summer of historical dryness in front of us bringing a looming fire danger, cutting the grasses on hillsides, paths, and in backyards is imperative. I’ve been working on my property since early February weeding, cutting, pruning, mulching, repairing, and planting in preparation for a hot, dangerous year. You are encouraged to walk through your landscape and make sure you are also ready for whatever may transpire. We want to keep our community picturesque as well as safe. We all play a part in protecting our precious land and lives.

My articles on creating an Emergency Go-Bag (https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1507/Packing-an-emergency-Go-Bag.html) and Wildfire Protection through Landscaping

(https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1507/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Wildfire-protection-through-landscaping.html) elicited numerous emails and comments. The number one request was to supply a list of plants that would be fire-retardant and fire-resistant.

When planning a new garden or adding plants to an existing landscape, it is essential to be reminded that no plant is fire-proof. Everything can and will burn if the temperature is hot enough. Also, even if a plant tag indicates that it is fire-resistant, it must be properly maintained, pruned, irrigated, spaced, and positioned in the correct locations to thrive. Plants that have been infested with pests, are too old, or are stressed will be more flammable. Plants that are not nurtured could create a problem for other vegetation. Inspect your botanicals carefully. 

GARDEN ZONES

ZONE 1: DEFENSIBLE ZONE

Plants within 30 feet of a structure need to be considered for fire-retardance. This is Zone 1, the defensible space of your garden which will be able to withstand extreme heat and flying embers. Plants need to be watered thoroughly, trees are preferably deciduous, and the leaves of plants will be moist, fleshy, and broad.

Groundcovers for this area include:

Lawn grasses

Ajuga

Isotoma

Gazania

Alyssum

Moss

Nasturtium

Vinca

Dwarf Plumbago

Chamomile

Zone 1 Perennials include:

Acanthus

Agapanthus

Artemisia

Bergenia

Canna

Dusty Miller

Shasta Daisy

Chrysanthemum

Coreopsis

Foxglove

Ferns

Geranium

Daylilies

Impatiens

Hosta

Heuchera

Penstemon

Pelargonium

New Zealand Flax

Lamb’s Ear

Calla lilies

Bird of Paradise

Zone 1 Shrubs include:

Rose

Privet

Boxwood

Camellia

Photinia

Mock Orange

Gardenia

Hibiscus

Pittosporum

Azalea

Rhododendron

Lilac

Viburnum

Oleander

Zone 1 Vines include:

Clematis

Trumpet Vine

Grape

Jasmine

Bower Vine

Wisteria

Zone 1 Trees include:

Fruit trees

Magnolia

Maple

Redbud

Birch

Pineapple Guava

Dogwood

Crape Myrtle

Liquid Amber

Ornamental Pear

Pepper Tree

ZONE 2: FUEL BREAK

From 31 feet to 70 feet from a structure, and even further up on slopes, is the greenbelt area which is designed to halt the fire. Plants in this area are the most fire-retardant with low fuels and high moisture content. These plantings can withstand neglect, freezes, droughts, and even insect infestations and still be fire-retardant. Ground covers don’t grow over 18 inches. Trees and shrubs have space between them. In general, although succulents and cactus may not survive a fire, they are the best at retarding one.

Zone 2 Groundcovers include:

Succulents

Ice plant

Yarrow

Artemisia

Morning glory

Coreopsis

Santa Barbara Daisy

Wild strawberry

Gazania

Primrose

Osteospermum

Clover

Verbena

Zone 2 Perennials include:

Yarrow

Dusty Miller

California Poppy

Iris

Gaura

Euphorbia

Chrysanthemum

Coreopsis

Statice

Candytuft

Lupine

Red-Hot Poker

Sage

Yucca

Zone 2 Shrubs include:

Succulents

Cactus

Oleander

Pomegranate

Rockrose

Zone 2 Vines include:

Virginia Creeper

Lady Banks Rose

Honeysuckle

Nightshade

Senecio Confusus

Zone 2 Trees include:

Carob

Strawberry Tree

Redbud

Honey Locust

Chinese Pistache

California Black Oak

Sumac

Yucca

Joshua Tree

GENERAL FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS

Although no plant is 100% fire-proof, these plants are less likely to burn. Several are already listed for Zones 1 and 2.  

Bulbs (tulips, daffodils, iris, hyacinth, freesia, etc. Cut stalks to the ground when leaves are dry)

California redbud

Sage

Penstemon

Heather

Fuchsia

Columbine

Thyme

Poppy

Wild strawberry

Common yarrow

French lavender

Lantana

Lilac

Coreopsis

Ajuga

California lilac

Society garlic

Jasmine

Periwinkle

Alliums

Dianthus

Yellow or Purple Ice Plant

Creeping Phlox

Lamium

Sedum

Succulents

Veronica

Armeria

Agapanthus

Trumpet Vine

Daylily

Heuchera

Hosta

Red-Hot Poker

Lupine

Delphinium

Echinacea

Lamb’s ear

Yucca

Rose

Salvia

Evening primrose

Daphne

Boxwood

Rhododendron

Spirea

Dogwood

Mock orange

Azalea

Currant

Viburnum

Aloe

Primrose

Candytuft

African Daisy

Calendula

TREES:

Horse Chestnut

Liquid Amber

Honey Locust

Crabapple

Purple Robe Locust

Fruit Trees (varieties of cherry, plum, pear, peach, apricot, pomegranate, fig)

Black Oak

Hawthorne

Birch

Aspen

Poplar

Maple

Manzanita (prune without deadwood)

Walnut 

California Bay Laurel

California Pepper

Remember that deciduous plants are less flammable than evergreen. Gray and silver plants have a high mineral and ash content which makes them more fire-resistant. Vegetation with needles or fine, thin leaves is flammable. The more stored moisture a plant has, the more it can withstand a fire. Use less-flammable types of mulch, such as gravel or decorative rock, or a combination of wood bark mulch and decorative rock to dress your garden, retain moisture, and deter weed growth.

To burn, fires need fuel. By removing debris, planting and maintaining a fire-retardant and fire-resistant landscape, cutting down dead trees, thinning dried branches, spacing, pruning, watering, and keeping trees away from roofs, you will dimmish the chance of ignition, lower fire intensity, and reduce the spread of a blaze. Your home will have a better chance of surviving a wildfire. 

Best of all, you can still create a gorgeous oasis where you can entertain, relax, and socialize.

Firewise volunteers are available to offer advice in neighborhoods. The Orinda Firewise Council supports and educates the public about wildfire resilience. They are seeking landscapers and nurseries to assist with communicating ways in which homeowners can become more wildfire safe by making their property more fire-resistant. To work together with them to empower and beautify the community, go to https://www.orindafirewisecouncil.org/contact-us 

Website: https://www.orindafirewisecouncil.org

You don’t want fires to crawl fueled by unkempt low-lying vegetation, high grasses, or mounds of leaves.  Get out the weed whackers and go to work.  Be fire safe and enjoy a wonderful summer. 

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. Congratulations to the graduates and Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads.

Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1508/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Fire-retardant-and-fire-resistant-plantings.html

Press Pass: https://blog.voiceamerica.com/2021/06/15/what-plants-are-more-fire-resilient/

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.

Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

www.GoddessGardener.com

[wine-porn]

Volcanic Pinot

This winery was sold and I’m not sure who is producing from the vineyards or the brand. You *might* find a few bottles lingering on shelves in Redding or Red Bluff in Norcal, but that’s about it. From the now Manton Valley AVA, a tiny wine-producing region at the southern end of the Cascade Mountain range coming down from Oregon. NOT Sierra Foothills, though the comparison and confusion is…

[wine-porn]

Related by Marriage

Couple little pinot orphans tonight–one I knew I had and one I had forgotten about… both somewhat anomalies in the American market. Spatburgunder doesn’t exactly grow on trees in California wine-shops, and always presents an inexpensive expression of extreme–but pure–pinot characteristics a lot of American palates find *awkward*, but I adore it for those reasons. The Shasta Daisy is from a…

[wine-porn]

Fresh as a Daisy Okay all you label snobs you ready for this one? Yeah yeah yeah I know it's glossy it's got a dumb name it's got a flower on it and kind of a bad font too, not to mention round corners, but it's GOOD!

[wine-porn]

Okay all you label snobs you ready for this one? Yeah yeah yeah I know it's glossy it's got a dumb name it's got a flower on it and kind of a bad font too, but it's GOOD! Little tiny place up right above the 3000' line in Manton Valley AVA (this wine was produced WAAAAY before they got their AVA). They got really fire damaged a few years ago and then the place went up for sale, then they moved to another spot lower on the hill and then they sold that and I think someone recently bought it who isn't making wine. There's your soap opera. Manton has a grape-growing history back into the early 70's as contract growers for Napa & Sonoma discovered the micro climate and ridiculous volcanic soil. Manton Valley sits at the base of Mt. Lassen and the entire thing lays in the direct spit-path of Mt. Tehama's last eruption. I've had pinots 3X this price and pedigree not taste this well at 10 years. The color needs no description, and the nose is clean and spicy, no rubber band or toasted almond, fairly bright cherry and all kinds of floral and peat. Absolutely gorgeous smelling. In the mouth, cool, calm, and collected. Beautiful cherry bitter does a little sandpaper rasp on your tongue and throat after anesthetizing you with with a refreshing blast of sweet lubricating freshness. Steely in the middle, a stunning green-briar grows fervently under the supermodel-thin raspberry, becoming a totem of tannin carrying the long finish. I own one more bottle of the 09 and a few newer vintages and I wish I could share it with you or tell you where to buy it. And, like all undiscovered and out-of-the-way appellations, these were comfortably under 30 bucks. Just amazing. 2009 #shastadaisyvineyard (ONE POST!) #pinotnoir #mantonvalley #manton #SierraFoothills 13-4 (at Shasta Daisy Vineyard) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxq39eiHQKx/?igshid=1cdmkvuyjgx03