Napa Master Gardener Column

By Bob Niklewicz, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.  A gardener has many decisions to make when it comes to creating and maintaining a landscape. What do you want to plant and when and where should you plant it?  Do you want to create a feast for the tastebuds or a feast for the eyes as well? …

By Melanie Marshall, UC Master Gardener of Napa County. El Niño is coming. If, like me, you have a steep hill in your yard that slopes toward your house, you may be wondering how to keep heavy rain away from your home’s foundation.   I recently began clearing and planting my hillside. The…

By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.   I had some tedious orthopedic issues this year, and my garden did not get much care. I recently looked at my garden calendar, where I keep records of successes, failures and plans. My plans went sideways, but I am a fan of enjoying gardens…

by Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.  I love propagating plants and I have succeeded with several methods.  As I walk around my garden, I can see the results of this pastime. Some of my efforts have grown into full-size plants.  Whenever I prune plants, I take many of the snipped…

By Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County .  For years I have had a couple of butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii) in my back garden with milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) between them.  But now that I have discovered dwarf butterfly bush, I am in love. The flowers are so unusual. I have…