Sherida Phibbs, UC Master Gardener Recently, my quiet neighborhood became an unintended classroom in what not to do with trees. In a short time, several neighbors made choices that seriously harmed mature trees—whether by topping, removing, or poorly pruning them. Watching these beautiful shade trees…
Constance Starner, UC Master Gardener When you see leaves shriveling and turning black after a freeze, the plant is obviously damaged, but you may wonder exactly how that damage occurs. With a freeze, it’s the ice that forms in the plant cells when temperatures fall to 32°F or less, making water…
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a hardy perennial in the mustard family (Brassicaceae, or Cruciferae) admired not only for its pungent character but also for its deep cultural and botanical roots. Though most often thought of in its culinary context, horseradish’s story spans geography,…
After a cool, crisp fall day, there is nothing as comforting as a warm, hearty meal. One-pot meals are an answer to the perfect fall dinner. With no use of multiple pots and pans, there is the additional bonus of cleanup being a breeze. You can just toss all your ingredients into one pot, sheet pan, skillet,…
Here are a few plants that are blooming in my garden now or were until very recently. Layia platyglossa, or tidy tips, is an annual California native with a sweet scent and sunny innocence. It is easy and quick to grow and you will be rewarded with a profusion of 2-inch blooms…
