Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

Primary Image
iridiscent purple and purple-blue flowers of the Pride of Madeira plant

A Surprise Sighting

April 7, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Karen MetzRecently my family took a spring drive in the countryside in search of bluebonnets.  We had found some on Twin Sisters but decided to continue driving, enjoying the green hills while we could. At one point, my husband had to pull over to the side of the road to let traffic pass. …
View Article
Primary Image
scarlet pimpernel weed

Weeds

April 6, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Michelle DavisI enjoy most things about gardening, but weeding isn’t usually one of them. I do like how nice the gardens look when I am done, but that only lasts until the next weeds arise. Unseasonably warm weather this winter caused wild weed proliferation in my yard much earlier than expected…
View Article

WOW! What is THAT?

April 3, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Sharon LeosWe walk through our neighborhood nearly every day and are fortunate to experience the abundant flora and fauna of Solano County. We have lived here for thirty-plus years and every so often, we come across a novel observation. Today’s “WOW! What is THAT?!?” was the Tent Caterpillar, most…
View Article

Pruning Revisited

April 1, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Brenda AltmanBack in October, I wrote a blog on these trees being severely overpruned. As a result of that pruning, the tree got a chemical signal to grow new leaves immediately to replace the loss of photosynthesis. Around November, new leaves appeared all over the trees. But since it was winter,…
View Article
Primary Image
black oak leaves dangle down from branches

Creating Your California Native Habitat Garden: The Black Oak

March 31, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Article by Vincent HughesHave you ever thought about creating your own native habitat garden? Have you heard the term, native habitat garden, and wondered what exactly it was and how you could create one? If so, you’ve come to the right place!A native habitat garden is a landscaped area that utilizes native…
View Article