Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

No RV, No Problem: Reimagining the RV Pad

July 2, 2026
By Patty Kang
I bought my house in November 2004.  The property would have brought a gleam into the eyes of any potential male owner as it had a huge RV pad with a double-wide gate and space for not only an RV, but a fishing boat to boot!  Since I had neither of the above, I have had to adapt.  Over…
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Accessible, Adaptive and Age-Resilient Gardening, Part 1

July 1, 2026
By Michelle Davis
Accessible, Adaptive and Age-resilient Gardening, Part 1Gardening exercises body, mind and spirit. But what happens when an illness or trauma, a pre-existing or worsening pre-existing condition or age throws a wrench in gardening activities? Does gardening cease? Fortunately, the answer can be a resounding, …
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Garden Therapy for Older Adults

June 26, 2026
By Nanelle Jones-Sullivan
There is no question that gardening improves the quality of life, as well as the physical and mental well-being of older adults. It is also true that some things get more challenging as we age. Many older adults have two or more chronic conditions. This could make gardening even more important and…
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Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) Companion Plants

June 26, 2026
By Pamela Muick
Blue oak, our most drought-tolerant native oak, grows throughout Solano and Yolo counties. In nature, blue oaks are mostly found on sunny, well-drained soils: “the wettest of the dry places and the driest of the wet places.” Nearby Rockville Hills Regional Park (Fairfield) and Lagoon Valley (Vacaville)…
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