This is a blog by Thomas Wang, gardener and professor at City College of San Francisco. Each post is a nature story with teaching diagrams. The posts range the gamut of Thomas’ research interests from the qualities of soil and water to food and drug plants; from butterflies around San Francisco to the caterpillar within.
The goal is a stronger bond to the world that surrounds us, and an inner metamorphosis. Good luck in your journey!
Note regarding City College of San Francisco Horticulture online class curriculum:
In addition to, or sometimes in lieu of, the text book and reader assignments, students are asked to read selected entries here. There are also a handful of youtube videos. Due dates will be assigned in class. These entries are grouped according to the classes taught.
Granted, there is some repetition from one class to another, and there is also material which builds upon the foundation of introductory classes. As students, you are welcome to ‘jump ahead’ or read up on any topic, no matter what classes you are enrolled in. The following sections are organized by Class, Topic, Numbered blog entry at missionazul.com, and Youtube link.
OH50 Introduction to Horticulture
This class is the first class any student ought to take in our department. It gives a good overall introduction to the science and art of plant work. The topics are listed in the order we follow based on the contents of the California Master Gardener Handbook.
Introduction:
Work opportunities: https://missionazul.com/2017/03/23/95-gardening-horticulture-opportunities-in-san-francisco/
Fuels: https://missionazul.com/2017/02/14/91-energy-fuels/
Climate and weather: https://missionazul.com/2020/01/09/119-gardening-climate-and-weather/
Climate: https://missionazul.com/2015/11/16/73-gardening-climate/
Taxonomy and origins:
Centers of diversity https://missionazul.com/2016/08/13/86-plants-centers-of-diversity/
Structure, function, & processes:
CMGH Chapter 2 supplement
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/24/139-gardening-cmgh-chapter-2-supplement/
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/25/140-gardening-cmgh-chapter-2-supplement/
Flower parts: https://missionazul.com/2020/09/09/147-gardening-flower-parts/
Hormones and alkaloids: https://missionazul.com/2016/09/27/89-plant-chemicals-hormones-and-alkaloids/
Roots stem leaves flowers seeds: https://missionazul.com/2016/09/27/88-plant-structures-roots-stems-leaves-flowers-seeds/
Chemicals: https://missionazul.com/2015/11/25/74-plants-chemicals/
Abscisic acid, pollination, fertilization: https://missionazul.com/2015/02/20/63-plants-abscisic-acid-pollination-and-fertilization/
Plant parts: https://missionazul.com/2014/06/24/53-plants-parts/
Seeds, stilt roots 10
Soil and compost https://missionazul.com/2020/05/12/126-soil-types-of-soil/
Composition and function
https://missionazul.com/2015/12/04/77-soils-composition-and-function/
Cation exchange capacity & colloids https://missionazul.com/2015/02/20/62-soils-cation-exchange-capacity-and-colloids/
Food webs and organic matter https://missionazul.com/2015/02/17/61-soils-food-webs-and-organic-matter/
Basics and chemistry https://missionazul.com/2015/01/29/60-soil-basics-and-a-little-chemistry/
Profiles etc https://missionazul.com/2014/01/25/41-soils-rainforest/
Serpentine soils etc 8
Fertilizer and amendments:
https://missionazul.com/2017/02/18/93-gardening-nitrogen/
Water & irrigation: https://missionazul.com/2020/10/16/159-gardening-water-soil/
Soil water and tree relations https://missionazul.com/2014/02/02/43-soil-water-trees-relationships/
Irrigation notes https://missionazul.com/2012/09/14/irrigation-notes/
Pathology:
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/19/151-gardening-plant-pathology/
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/26/153-plant-pathology-addendum-quiz/
Vectors viruses & bacteria https://missionazul.com/2016/09/27/87-vectors-viruses-and-bacteria/
Fungus basics https://missionazul.com/2015/03/29/64-fungus-basics/
Propagation:
Cuttings https://missionazul.com/2016/03/04/80-plants-making-cuttings/
Entomology and invertebrates:
https://missionazul.com/2020/10/04/156-gardening-addendum-to-chapter-7-insects-cmgh/
Bee love 32; Larvae 31; Invertebrates rule 29; Insect pests 9
Weeds https://missionazul.com/2018/06/30/105-plants-weeds/
Pesticides: Nerves & acetylcholine, poisons & horticulture
https://missionazul.com/2018/04/14/103-plants-nerves-acetylcholine-poisons-horticulture/
Integrated Pest Management
https://missionazul.com/2018/07/19/106-gardening-integrated-pest-management-ipm/
Indoor plants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0gkjopIAgs
Lawns and turf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSx8rc3aYQI
Woody plants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WEc6QILdco
Vegetables and fruits: Challenges 20; Day length etc 13
Vegetables and fruits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Ik6m5njvM
Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwvYhXLf_-A
Design: https://missionazul.com/2020/11/26/169-gardening-landscape-design/
Poisons and medicines::
https://missionazul.com/2014/03/29/50-plants-coca-and-cola/
https://missionazul.com/2012/12/28/25-healing-with-plants/
https://missionazul.com/2012/07/02/betel-nuts-and-dosage/
Golden Gate Park field trip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdtnbgfTLUU
OH53 Landscape Horticulture
The notes here are from two classes I have been teaching with Gus Broucaret for the past dozen years +. Landscape horticulture class concerns basic maintenance in the garden. Gus has owned his own landscaping business for over forty years – planting tulips, doing fine pruning, and mowing lawns in gardens all over town. The class focus is primarily hands on and practical – to help and guide gardeners and landscapers in their day to day work. The class is significant in our emphasis on safety and small machines.
Fall semester:
Work opportunities https://missionazul.com/2017/03/23/95-gardening-horticulture-opportunities-in-san-francisco/
Approaches https://missionazul.com/2020/04/16/124-gardening-approaches/
Safety
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/27/142-maintenance-safety-and-pesticides/
Safety, insects & fungi https://missionazul.com/2019/09/09/111-oh53-class-notes-day-2-3/
Miscellaneous https://missionazul.com/2019/02/02/110-gardening-miscellaneous/
Pruning trees and woody plants
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/03/145-maintenance-seeing-the-world-as-a-tree/
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/21/137-gardening-pruning/
Tree pruning and planting 46
Herbaceous perennials
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/15/150-maintenance-herbaceous-perennials/
Drainage, erosion control, and mulches
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/20/152-maintenance-drainage-erosion-control-and-mulches/
Field propagation
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/26/154-maintenance-field-propagation/
Drip irrigation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZVVw_TrA24
Compost and recycling in the garden
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/03/131-maintenance-compost-and-recycling-in-the-garden/
Humans and small engines
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/02/130-maintenance-humans-and-small-engines/
Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7NH4LTuRVE&t=154s
Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Mt0nj5-70&t=115s
Roses
Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVrcBirJUXc&t=13s
Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7Hi4CSSAA&t=31s
Fixing irrigation
Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R7RFLNoUVw&t=3s
Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_3RjJIjnEM&t=3s
Erosion & drainage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-oolQJb2jg
Building rock walls https://missionazul.com/2020/07/20/128-gardening-building-rock-walls/
Tool final fall semester: https://missionazul.com/2021/12/06/191-maintenance-tool-final-fall-semester/
Spring semester:
Gardener conduct: https://missionazul.com/2021/01/17/172-maintenance-gardener-conduct/
Fences and hedges: https://missionazul.com/2021/01/20/174-maintenance-hedge-and-fence-notes/
Grasses and turf: https://missionazul.com/2021/02/01/175-maintenance-turf/
Working as a gardener https://missionazul.com/2014/05/07/51-plants-working-as-a-gardener/
Body mechanics and injuries
https://missionazul.com/2015/04/23/66-gardening-body-mechanics-and-injuries/
Gardening approaches https://missionazul.com/2020/04/16/124-gardening-approaches/
Irrigation valves: https://missionazul.com/2021/02/22/177-maintenance-irrigation-valves-etc/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vbW_yBq6fs
Tool handles: https://missionazul.com/2021/04/05/181-maintenance-tool-handles/
Mammalian and bird pests: https://missionazul.com/2022/02/25/193-maintenance-mammalian-bird-pests/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLSVBzOy9MI
Maintenance schedule https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXwugF2M8PQ
Safety and injuries: https://missionazul.com/2022/05/08/196-maintenance-safety-and-injuries/
Tool final: https://missionazul.com/2021/05/14/183-maintenance-tool-equipment-supplies-final-exam/
OH55 Tree Care:
Tree basic vocabulary https://missionazul.com/2014/01/22/40-tree-biology-some-basic-vocabulary/
Tree selection https://missionazul.com/2014/02/25/45-trees-selection/
People are walking trees https://missionazul.com/2012/08/02/people-are-walking-trees-street-trees-pruning-and-topping/
Tree death and disease https://missionazul.com/2014/03/24/48-trees-death-and-disease/
OH58 Greenhouse production
This class, along with the following class OH65 Propagation, are taught by Tom Perlite and myself. Tom is the owner of Golden Gate Orchids, and runs the last and only commercial greenhouses left in San Francisco. He is awesome, and shares a wealth of knowledge with the students about growing orchids, vireya rhododendrons, cycads, ferns, and on and on. A fountain of spring water he is!
Greenhouse history https://missionazul.com/2020/08/08/134-greenhouse-production-history/
Greenhouse location https://missionazul.com/2020/08/27/141-greenhouse-location/
Day length and plants:
Poinsettia crop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSpkF4-6qA4
Crop update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfU5woPL5tY
Another update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfU5woPL5tY
Potting soil ingredients
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/14/149-greenhouse-about-potting-soil-ingredients/
Coverings
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/05/146-greenhouse-coverings/
Conservatory of Flowers tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMa9ilZciuE
Park Nursery tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5m8tMUMF3A&t=513s
Heating and cooling systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CbvbRs-eu0
Humidity & poinsettias update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5BeY-kECqU
EC Meter and the Dosatron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10r59l-MyP8
Salts https://missionazul.com/2020/10/20/160-greenhouse-salts/
OH65 Propagation
Society and plant use: https://missionazul.com/2021/01/18/173-propagation-introduction/
Society and plant use https://missionazul.com/2020/01/16/120-gardening-propagation-1/
Life cycle and genetics https://missionazul.com/2020/01/27/121-gardening-propagation-2/
Growing environment https://missionazul.com/2020/01/27/122-gardening-propagation-3/
Seeds https://missionazul.com/2020/02/05/123-gardening-propagation-4-seeds/
California natives: https://missionazul.com/2021/03/02/178-propagation-california-native-plants/
Cannabis https://missionazul.com/2020/01/08/118-plants-cannabis/
Cuttings https://missionazul.com/2016/03/04/80-plants-making-cuttings/
Mimic natural habitats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96GmMz8YnE
Magnolias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re95IT9Qksk
Geophytes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8OVsQqxOAY
OH70 Landscape design
If you want to design gardens or landscapes, this is a good series (two classes) to take. Some people who have design experience from interior or industrial or art related realms jump right in. Others wait till the end to take the design classes – learning plant Identification, construction, characteristics of soil and water – before committing. Either way, you will learn how to draw a good set of plans. Afterwards, students tackle either residential yards and public spaces, or go on to graduate school if they want to become a landscape architect. We focus on the importance of knowing your plants and their ecology in relation to the overall design. We teach you to see the garden as a dynamic multi dimensional creature that requires care and maintenance over time. Heres the reading list according to our curricula itinerary:
OH 70A Beginning design:
Site inventory and basic drafting
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/31/143-design-site-inventory-and-basic-drafting/
Site survey https://missionazul.com/2020/08/18/136-design-site-survey/
Site survey https://missionazul.com/2014/01/21/39-landscape-design-site-survey/
Garden styles https://missionazul.com/2020/07/28/129-design-styles/
Miscellaneous styles https://missionazul.com/2014/03/08/47-miscellaneous-trees-and-landscape-design-styles/
Hardcape
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/10/148-design-hardscape-over-time/
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/04/132-design-hardscape-design/
https://missionazul.com/2019/09/09/112-gardening-oh-70a-class-notes-day-3-hardscapes/
Hardscape materials
https://missionazul.com/2015/09/30/71-landscape-design-hardscape-materials/
Section elevation https://missionazul.com/2020/08/06/133-design-section-elevation-drawings/
Slopes: https://missionazul.com/2021/02/15/176-design-slopes/
Plant selection and placement
https://missionazul.com/2020/08/21/138-design-what-plant-where/
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/29/155-design-more-what-plant-where/
https://missionazul.com/2016/03/12/81-landscape-design-plant-placement/
San Bruno Mountain field trip
https://missionazul.com/2019/09/28/113-gardening-san-bruno-mountain-field-trip-oh70a/
Drawing plants https://missionazul.com/2017/03/23/94-design-drawing-plants/
Hatching https://missionazul.com/2015/11/25/75-landscape-design-hatching/
Basic principles https://missionazul.com/2020/08/15/135-design-basic-principles/
Gondwanaland designs
https://friendsofstrybingarboretum.wordpress.com/2020/07/23/gondwanaland-designs/
SFBG field trip
https://missionazul.com/2020/10/26/161-design-field-trip-to-san-francisco-botanical-garden/
Isometric drawing
https://missionazul.com/2020/10/10/158-design-isometric-drawing/
One point perspective drawing
https://missionazul.com/2020/10/07/157-design-one-point-perspective-drawing/
Hand drawn plans
https://missionazul.com/2020/09/01/144-design-hand-drawn-plans/
Filoli field trip:
OH70B Advanced design:
Water features:
https://missionazul.com/2016/03/01/79-landscape-design-water-features/
Chinese gardens https://missionazul.com/2012/10/04/notes-on-chinese-gardens-design-and-construction/
Plant ecology and community
Structures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwkbaGzSIQY
Maintenance and design
https://missionazul.com/2019/02/02/109-gardening-maintenance-and-design/
Sacred gardens: https://missionazul.com/2021/11/18/190-design-sacred-gardens/
OH76 Plant Identification
These notes have little to do with the actual plant identification classes offered at CCSF. Plant ID (OH 76 & 77) teach another set of about 300 commonly planted ornamental plants around here. Nevertheless, this seemed like the best heading to place the following entries. Observing plants and learning their names and habits will make the world come alive for you, and sharpen your senses and mind.
Chaparral https://missionazul.com/2020/07/04/127-plants-chaparral/
Bromeliads https://missionazul.com/2017/02/14/92-plants-bromeliads/
Camellias https://missionazul.com/2016/12/01/90-plants-camellias/
Cactus https://missionazul.com/2016/06/27/85-plants-basic-cactus-identification/
Piperaceae https://missionazul.com/2016/05/19/82-piperaceae-kava/
Grasses https://missionazul.com/2014/11/13/59-plants-grasses/
Conifers https://missionazul.com/2014/10/19/58-plants-conifers/
Tree identification and classification https://missionazul.com/2014/01/31/42-trees-identification-and-classification/
Xeriscape gardens
This concerns dry land gardening. How to select proper plants, when to plant, and how to plant in seasonally dry and drought prone regions such as ours here in California.
Miscellaneous garden posts
School gardens
https://missionazul.com/2018/08/09/107-gardening-school-gardens-and-curriculum/
Story cards
https://missionazul.com/2017/08/01/102-plants-story-cards/
Basic curriculum
https://missionazul.com/2017/06/12/101-plants-basic-curriculum/
Botanical gardens
https://missionazul.com/2019/10/23/114-gardening-back-in-the-day-at-the-botanical-garden/
https://missionazul.com/2017/04/09/98-gardening-botanical-gardens/
Glen Canyon, San Francisco
https://missionazul.com/2015/06/30/70-parks-glen-canyon-san-francisco/
Weeds: https://missionazul.com/2021/03/02/179-weeds-blackberry/
Mission Azul 
Thanks for keeping us in touch with our inner vegetable. Your woods are golden!
You are awesome!
I will have fun on this blog, scrolling on!
Hi! This is a wonderful blog! I would like to request permission to use two of your illustrations for a plant I.D. class I am teaching tomorrow. I would be providing a copy to anyone who wants one, and would of course provide the source reference. I am specifically interested in using the following two illustrations:
I think they would be an excellent teaching tool. Thanks for your consideration, and for your blog!
Hi Chrystie
Great, teach plants!!!
Thank you!
Hi! I love your posts! Actually, I would like to ask you about use with your permission some illustrations of urban forestry. However I live in Uruguay, we have the same problems with Arborists and his type of pruning! I am teaching Urban Forestry and I would like to use your illustration but I have to translate it! Would you mind?
Thanks!
Esta bien Gabriela. Utiliza los dibujos si quieres. gracias por visitar mis paginas
Just came across your blog for the firzt time. Wow. Amazing work. I work with schools and rural villages in South Africa setting up food gardens. May I please use some of your illustrations. You have a knack for simplifying information and making it accessible which would work really well with my kids and community members.
Sure, you are welcome to use the pictures. ! Good luck with your gardens; work together for health and safety of peoples and communities!
I love how generous you are with your work (see the above three people who asked to use them). I, too, would like to utilize your work. I teach 5th grade Science in FL, and I think the illustrations are a lovely compliment to our science work. May I, please? Your San Francisco Animal Adaptation curriculum you made for your friend is an inspiration for me to work and create one for the Tampa Bay region.
Hi Charlene thank you for asking. That would be awesome. I would love to see Florida one day – the plants, reptiles, fish, people, the land, everything. Go for it!
Hi there Thomas! You are the man! long time no see. miss you bunches. I wish you were on Facebook. I just posted a link you your book. Love!
sorry you dont need to post my comment which i realized had a typo anyway. I just miss you okay?! 🙂
I hope the Sphinx Moth was already dead before its wings were torn apart in the middle of laying eggs. It has nerves in its limbs like birds and humans do.
Thank you for your concern and compassion for other living creatures. When I met the moth and the kids the torture had already gone on for quite some time. The kids held the moth by its wings, but they did not tear the wings apart. The kids yes they can be rough. After the picture the moth was placed back on the willows and the ruckus and commotion in the garden continued. Death and gentleness they are both difficult lessons to learn. Thanks for noticing.
Wow amazing diagrams, would I be able to use one about garden safety. From Rob in New Zealand
Hi Rob
yeah for sure. thanks for asking. we get a lot of good stuff from NZ – our monterey pine bark for orchids, excellent sphagnum and tree fern trunks for epiphytes, and some nice lingcod filets too at costco… safety first!