The Coastal Gardener

Our main problem here on the coast in USDA Cold Hardiness zone 9, is not heat, but lack of it and also lack of what is known as chill factor, the time below 45F and above 32F.

At Humboldt Botanical Garden we find ourselves weeding and trying to prevent weeds. One way to prevent weeds is to plant ground covers. Ground covers can be shrubs, bushes and herbaceous plants.

California is in a drought...again. California water precipitation is measured from October to the end of September each year. Since 1966, the average rainfall has been 51.8 inches. In the last few decades, with the exception of 1982-1983, 2016-2017, and 2018-2019 rainfall has been below average.

I can't begin to count the mistakes I have made throughout my years of gardening.

When just starting out, you will find there are many ways to preserve food. So, how to know which one to use? Without preservation, food begins to spoil soon after harvest. Spoilage affects the quality, nutrition, flavor, and safety of the food.