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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Creating a Birdcage Planter

July 2, 2026
By Jennifer DeDora
After watching an old, extra-large birdcage sitting on my side yard for years,  just rusting, I decided to try to make it beautiful again by planting it with flowering vines and other plants. I knew this would be a challenging but very fun project, as it needed paint and a lot of TLC. On day one, I…
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A Puff of Smoke, or Something Sweeter?

July 2, 2026
By Karen Metz
In mid-June, we had another opportunity to visit the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, Oregon.  We were able to go in early to enjoy the beauty. This time, what caught my eye in the morning light was a small tree with lime-green leaves.  It was covered in puffy plumes.  Even my non-gardening…
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The Seasons of My Gardening Life

July 2, 2026
By Melinda Nestlerode
I’ve always been fascinated by plants. As a young child, I wandered my neighborhood in Hayward, California, admiring colorful flowers and the insects that were attracted to them. As an older child in New Jersey, I played among the whimsical columbine and watched in wonder when the first crocus emerged in the…
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Curious about the Health Benefits of Nature, Big or Small?

July 2, 2026
By Paula Pashby
I love being close to nature and will seek any place I can find that good-feeling connection.  I have felt great standing in a huge palatial forest or at a smaller nature preserve, or making a discovery in a small park surrounded by concrete in a large city; always in my backyard, or even…
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