Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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photo by Kathy Low

Killer Plants

October 17, 2022
We all know carnivorous plants exist like the Venus Fly trap exist. But Hollywood likes to take the concept of the killer plant to the extreme. Since Halloween is just around the corner, it's a good time to recap movies with killer or menacing plants.
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Fallen leaves make a handsome mulch. photos by Patricia Matteson

Free Mulch

October 13, 2022
Mother Nature is making this generous offer. Many of my neighbors or their mow n' blow gardeners invest hours of toil cleaning fallen leaves out of their yards, and for years I have been observing city crews blowing leaves out of Suisun City landscaping beds and hauling away great bags of them.
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Lacy leaves made by leafcutters. Melinda Nestlerode

Disfigured Leaves? Thank Goodness!

October 12, 2022
Have you ever looked at a perfect specimen of a plant, only to discover that some insect has disfigured it by cutting circles into the leaves? Were you dismayed, or angry that some nasty insect was chewing on your plants?
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photo by Tina Saravia

Silty Soil

October 6, 2022
On our last spring road trip, I encountered something unusual on the drive home. We (meaning, I) like meandering around, taking the road less taken than what the GPS says is the closest and fastest way home. It's the best way to know the area, in case you get lost next time.
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