Under the Solano Sun

golden yellow sunflower highlighted in a field of sunflowers against the blue sky

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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Mangaves. photo credit Jeanine McAnaney

Mad about Mangave

June 14, 2022
Mangave are a fairly recent phenomenon. An exciting hybridization of Agave and the former genus Manfreda. (Manfreda is now considered part of Agave) In 2005, Tony Avent and Carl Schoenfeld coined the term x Mangave to describe two plants growing at Yucca Do Nursery in Texas.
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Young Japanese cucumber plant. photo by Kathy Low

Growing Japanese Cucumbers

June 13, 2022
Every year I like growing a variety of a vegetable I have never grown in the past. It gives me the opportunity to grow and taste something new. This year I decided to grow Japanese cucumbers (Cucumis sativus).
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Peter's Sunflower Paver. photo by Betty Victor

Sunflower Paver

June 7, 2022
I had an unsightly place in my backyard where the four fences came together. At one time, I had wooden planter boxes growing herbs and flowers. But over the years the planter boxes finally gave away, and I forgot about that corner.
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succulent plant with dangling reddish bell shaped flowers

Kalanchoe manginii

June 3, 2022
Whenever we visit the coast, I admire the various succulents flourishing in front yards of homes, businesses downtown, the Mendocino Botanical Garden, and at the nurseries.
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