Under the Solano Sun

Of the roughly six thousand different plants once consumed by human beings, only nine remain major staples today. Just 3 of these rice, wheat, and corn provide 50 percent of all our calories.

Looking for a drought-tolerant, fast-growing, plant that likes clay soil? Plant a ceanothus. Many species of Ceanothus are California Natives. The California Native Plant Society lists 136 ceanothus species native to California.

Summer heat is here All must water plants wisely Conscious of our drought...

On a recent trip to the California Central Coast, we happened upon a magical wonderEl Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area. It was an especially wonderful surprise for us, as we had lived in Santa Barbara for over 20 years, and had been to the Central Coast many, many times over the years.

Inheriting a mature garden has been a rewarding and surprising experience. It seems as if every day something shoots from the soil that I had no idea was there, or something blooms revealing itself in its floral glory.