Napa Master Gardener Column

Few other vegetables are more representative of fall than pumpkins. Come October, mounds of pumpkins of various shapes and sizes are a common sight in Napa Valley. While they may seem to suddenly appear, pumpkins have a fairly long growing season.

By T. Eric Nightingale, U.C. Master Gardener of Napa County Gardening and a love for nature is on the rise these days. Many people I know would like to garden more but believe they can't because they live in an apartment or have only a small yard. That's not so.

When we look at a plant or tree, the bright foliage, tempting fruit or majestic stature might be the first thing we notice. But quietly humming along are the root systems that make all of these things possible. Most roots live below ground and are difficult to observe firsthand.

By Pat Hitchcock, UC Master Gardener of Napa County Napa County Master Gardeners recently had the opportunity to hear a wildlife specialist talk about managing vertebrate pests in gardens and landscapes. Participants were asked to list their five most troublesome vertebrate pests.

An Iris Primer, by Iris Craig My mother loved flowers: she named me Iris. Having a flower name has affected my life and perhaps led me to be a Master Gardener. When I purchased my house 40 years ago, friends arrived with iris rhizomes for my garden.