Joshua Siskin writes about gardening each week.
Just the other day, at the base of the trunk of my neighbor’s eucalyptus tree, I spotted a laurel sumac seedling that had only recently sprouted. I have frequently seen volunteer seedlings of Mexican fan palm, Shamel ash, mulberry, Brazilian pepper, and fig trees in my neighborhood, but never a laurel sumac.
Years ago, I learned that laurel sumac, a California native, is an indicator plant where avocado trees are concerned. In other words, wherever you see laurel sumac growing, you can plant avocado trees with confidence that they will thrive in that environment. Since laurel sumac is frost sensitive, you can assume that frost is not an issue where it grows, an important factor in deciding where to plant avocado trees, since they are frost sensitive, too.
Indicator plants serve a variety of purposes. Dandelions and spotted spurge thrive in compacted soil so where you see them you know that soil improvement is necessary, while wild mustard grows in sandy soil and is an indicator of a good area for planting California natives. Clover is a sign of a nitrogen deficient soil while two weed species – chickweed and lamb’s quarters – indicate a soil that is nitrogen-rich.
When flowers on apple trees drop off it’s time to plant corn and we are rapidly approaching the deadline for planting it unless we are willing to accept unsightly gray smut fungus bulging out of our ripening ears. When jacarandas are in full bloom, as they are now, it is a sign that spring is ending and summer has arrived. all the more reason to make sure mulch is in place before the assault of sizzling heat.
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