Napa Master Gardener Column

Every year at this time, deciduous trees drop their leaves. This natural phenomenon has many benefits. For one thing, trees don't really need their leaves now that the days are shorter and there's less sunlight for photosynthesis.

Several decades ago, I went hiking on Mount Tamalpais with the mother of a good friend. She handed me a burlap bagreason unknownand off we went. I soon found out why she wanted me to carry a bag.

I was lucky enough to buy a small Napa house in 2008. Trees, shrubs, and a lawn dominated the large backyard. Mowing the lawn took a long time due to the rocky terrain and poor shape of the lawn. Not what I wanted to do on a Saturday. Then there was the weeding and watering.

The Napa County Master Gardeners hosted a Fall Faire last month. The event turned out to be very successful even though Mother Nature paid a visit and gave us a downpour.

When I moved to a house on Napa's Dry Creek Road in 2009, I found myself living in the middle of a meadow surrounded by forest. The house looked bare sitting there in a grassy field. I wanted to add some color and make it look more inviting.