“No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails it. For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants its roots more securely; the fragile trees are those that have grown in a sunny valley.” So …
Lavender is a plant most everyone loves. Whether it’s the purple flowers, the fragrance, or even the images of a lavender harvest in French lavender fields, lavender is a loved plant. It’s also a great landscape plant for us in …
When leaves turn color and drop to the ground in fall, they’re going dormant. We think of them as going to sleep. But unless the soil is frozen solid—something that doesn’t happen here in western Nevada County—trees and shrubs stay …
It happens a lot. We grow and nurture our tomato plants, but sometimes we get no fruit. The flowers appear and after several days they wither and drop off…leaving no tiny tomatoes behind. What causes this? You may be thinking …
Have you been cursing your soil? Have you tried to plant something this past summer but struggled with rock hard soil? I hear many complaints about clay soil. People can’t dig into it. When it’s dry, it can be hard …
Landscapes and gardens are one of the biggest users of household water, up to 30% of it. We’re all trying to keep our plants alive in the heat while reducing water use and mulching is a perfect way help. But …
Have you noticed the California lilacs blooming this spring? Many are a beautiful blue, and some are white. The white ones that are abundant around here are still blooming and stand out. Erect, fountain-shaped shrubs with lilac-like clusters of white …
Grasses are popular landscape plants, offering a wonderful variety of textures, shapes, and colors. But we have unique California native grasses that offer more options for our landscapes. While the rest of the world is planting from the same palette …
With summer gardens winding down and leaves starting to turn color and fall, many of us have a great supply of materials for a compost pile. Previously I discussed how composting is perfect for turning kitchen scraps into a soil …
My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and buildings in the Jones fire. And my gratitude goes out to the firefighters who worked in such extreme heat and conditions. I can’t imagine what it’s like to …