Workshop Schedule & Chalkboard Garden Q&A’s at Qualcomm

Can I eat Aloe Vera from the garden?

Yes! Aloe Vera gel (also known as Mucilage) is a very healthy substance packed with vitamins and minerals that is good for skin and treating burns. To prepare, you will need to drain the latex (Aloin) within the gel due to its bitterness and laxative effects.

To do this, begin by taking your aloe leaf and trimming off and removing the two thorny sides. Leave the skin on, and place the aloe in a bowl of water with the cut side down to drain the latex (you can cut in smaller pieces before, if needed). Over time, you’ll see a yellow-brownish color emerge which shows the latex is beginning to drain.

After all the latex is removed, you can peel the skin with a tool such as a spoon or knife. From here, you have edible aloe vera and can eat raw, add to smoothies, or apply to your skin and hair. You can also get creative and enhance the benefits of aloe vera gel by blending it with other ingredients such as lemon, ginger, honey, citrus, cucumber, etc. To store, it is recommended to freeze in trays and thaw or add to blender as needed.

How do I re-pot a rubber plant?

If you’re able to see the roots of your rubber plant - or the soil continues to dry out and deplete - it is a great time to re-pot your rubber plant! When choosing a new pot, you’ll want to choose something bigger than the previous one with good drainage holes that can support the height and weight of your current plant. For soil, use a base of potting soil mixed with something well-draining, such as perlite or cactus mix. When it comes time to transfer the plant, pre-mix and water your soil ahead of time in a separate container to allow the roots of the plant to have moisture. Then, take your plant out of the old pot and shake off the old soil, while also loosening up the root ball. Loosening the root ball will promote root growth and help prevent root rot. Once your plant is transferred to your new pot, add more soil mix and lightly water in.

What do I treat aphids and spider mites?

It is important to catch an aphid or mite infestation in its early stages. To give your plants the greatest chance of fighting off an infestation, make sure they are receiving sufficient water and nutrients and ensure there is proper airflow within the plant canopy. Aphids and mites can be physically removed by plants by hand or by spraying with a strong stream of water. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be sprayed to kill the aphids on the plant, just make sure you follow the instructions on the product carefully. Once the problem is under control, some great ways to manage insect populations is by planting crops that deter pests such as marigolds and alliums (garlic, onion, etc.). You can also hang sticky traps around the garden to trap pests before large infestations spread. Continuing to monitor your garden will ensure the aphid and mite populations do not have a chance to reestablish itself. 

How often should I water basil?

Basil should receive at least 1 inch of water every week. You can test the soil dryness by sticking your finger into the top 1-2 inches of soil, or grab a fistful of soil and squeeze… if water drips out, it's still too wet; if it crumbles, it's too dry; but if the soil holds its squeezed shape, it's just right! During the Summer, basil will require more water - especially if outdoors. When watering, it is best to keep the soil moist but not soggy as overwatering can lead to pests, fungus and rot. To promote good drainage, you can add compost to soil or plant in pots with holes in the bottom of them. If basil has been overwatered, cut off watering and let the soil dry out for a few days.

Do you grow strawberries at Qualcomm?

Yes! Over the years we’ve planted strawberries around the garden, but currently we have wild strawberries that have spread across one of the raised beds in the second-level herb garden. About 15 strawberry plants are fruiting in the bed and they produce strawberries about two to three times a year, hopefully with an upcoming harvest in the next few weeks. These strawberries will be given to the kitchen at Qualcomm and make their way into the foods you know and love.

Can you re-grow tomatoes (and other plants) by burying them in the soil?

Technically, yes… but we usually don’t recommend it. It can lead to uncontrolled factors that limit growth, such as rotting, stunted or odd growth, and even attracting critters into your yard. Instead, we would recommend removing the seeds from a ripe tomato, washing them through a mesh strainer, drying them, and then planting them in a small pot placed in a controlled environment until they sprout. Once they are a few inches tall, they’re safer to plant in the garden. It’s best to plant tomatoes deep, burying the bottom few branches (these will produce more roots to expedite growth and stabilize the plant). The process is risky and time consuming, which is why we typically recommend to novice and beginner gardeners to buy plant starts from the local nursery.

How do I drain very moist soil?

If your in-ground garden beds are oversaturated, the best thing to do is make sure your irrigation is turned off until the soil dries out. If your raised bed or potted soil is oversaturated, not only do you want to turn the water off but also check or install drainage. You can do so by drilling drainage holes in the bottoms or sides of your pots or beds.

To prevent this in the future, first check to make sure your irrigation system is not watering too frequently or that there is a leak. Adding more dry material like soil, compost, mulch, or peat moss can help soak up excess moisture. And finally, make sure the top of your soil is not over-mulched.

What’s a good starting point for home gardening?

While the prospect can seem daunting at first, the internet and your local library are bursting with resources for first-time gardeners! You can start by browsing the California Farm and Garden website, specifically the Learn pages for some valuable tips and tricks. You may also swing by the Qualcomm farm to speak to any of our farmers with questions! Finally, the local San Diego Master Gardener’s website has a number of helpful resources.

Before getting underway, things to consider include but are not limited to: What are your gardening goals (beautifying your yard, connecting with nature, producing enough food to support you and your family, a new hobby, etc.)? What areas of my yard get sunlight for at least three quarters of the day, and what is my growing zone? What type of soil do I have, and should I install raised beds or in-ground beds? Which plants will meet my needs and fit within my space? Happy gardening!

Where can I buy marigolds?

We always prefer shopping at our local nurseries like Walter Anderson Nursery, City Farmers Nursery, or Green Gardens Nursery because of their reliable plants and dedication to assisting beginning, novice, and advanced gardeners. These nurseries usually sell marigolds in six-packs (smaller starts), 4-inch pots (larger starts), and 6-inch pots (full plants that could be left in the container if desired). For a challenge, you can also seed marigolds! Those nurseries usually carry seeds, or you can check out our favorite Johnny’s Selected Seeds online. Marigolds are typically planted in spring, but in Southern California’s modern climate, you can plant them well into fall too.

Are strawberries being grown in the Qualcomm garden?

Yes! We have strawberries that have spread across one of the raised beds in the second-level herb garden. About 15 strawberry plants are fruiting in the bed and they produce strawberries two to three times per year, hopefully with an upcoming harvest in the next few weeks. These strawberries will be given to the kitchen at Qualcomm and make their way into the foods you know and love.

How do you keep possums (and other critters) from eating fruit from trees and vines?

The first line of defense is to try keeping critters out of your yard in the first place. This can be attempted by eliminating easily accessible food sources (like pet food, unsealed trash cans, fallen fruit, etc.) and installing adequate fencing. Placing unattractive scents (ammonia, vinegar, mint, predator urine, etc.) or products like Critter Ridder around the perimeter or around trees can also assist. To deter critters from climbing, there are a variety of tree guards and baffles that can be installed. Ultimately, ff you find yourself with persistent and determined critters, calling a professional animal trapping service to humanely trap and remove critters from your property is always an option!

Does reaping mint help it grow better?

Reaping, or cutting back, mint can encourage new growth to form. Because mint reproduces from rhizomes under the soil, you can cut it back pretty much to the soil without killing it. Just make sure you’re always using sharp, clear shears.

Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable?

Tomatoes are a fruit! While many associate "fruits" with crops that are sweet, the botanical classification of a fruit or vegetable comes from what part of the plant you eat. Fruits come from the flowering part of a plant and contain seeds while vegetables are the edible parts of a plant, such as the leaves, stem, roots, and bulbs.

What plants are best to grow on a patio?

You should first consider how much light and space are available. Referencing the tag on plant starts is a good starting point to determine the light needs of plants you want to grow. Sunnier spots can be a great place to grow peppers, bush beans, and small varieties of tomatoes. Shadier spots are perfect places to grow lettuce, kale, and leafy greens. The roots of plants tend to grow to the width of the leaf canopy, so make sure plants are grown in pots or containers that will allow for proper root growth. Vining and climbing plants like winter squashes and tomatoes are typically more challenging on patios.

What causes leaves to curl on peach trees?

Peach leaf curl is caused by a fungus infecting the leaves and shoots of peach and nectarine trees. It can cause leaves to fall prematurely resulting in diminished fruit production. To reduce the effect of leaf curl, apply fungicide sprays once the trees have entered dormancy. This has shown to be the most effective method of reducing peach leaf. You should also remove infected leaves while they are present and clean up leaf litter to reduce the leaf curl pressure for the following season.

The leaves of my jasmine are turning yellow; what should I do?

Yellowing of jasmine leaves can be an indication of too much or too little water, high pH, or nutrient deficiencies. Jasmine typically needs to be watered once a week in well-draining soil. Jasmine prefers more acidic soil, so if your soil tends to be more basic, reduce the pH to a more favorable range. This can be achieved by applying compost or peat moss to the soil. Nutrient deficiencies can show on different parts of the plant depending on the nutrient so some extra research could be needed, but applying regular applications of compost tea can help supply basic nutrients to the plant.

What do you do about aphids?

It is important to catch an aphid infestation in its early stages. To give your plants the greatest chance of fighting off an infestation, make sure they are receiving sufficient water and nutrients and ensure there is proper airflow within the plant canopy. Aphids can be physically removed by plants by hand or by spraying with a strong stream of water. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be sprayed to kill the aphids on the plant. Continuing to monitor plants will ensure the aphid population does not have a chance to reestablish itself.