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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scarlet pimpernel

My Garden-Of Weedin'

April 29, 2021
Here I am again, with my tales of plant woes and the weeds which torment me! Only this time I come with a warning about a plant sold at the nurseries, big box stores, and helpful folk who feel that you cannot live any longer without a certain plant(s) that they must share with you! A good case in po...
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Cicada. photo by Jenni Dodini

Cicadas

April 28, 2021
Tyler and I were doing some yard work at his house the other day, and all of a sudden I hear "Gramma, HURRY!!! Come look -- HURRY!" So I go over to the olive tree he was supposed to be trimming the suckers off of and there sat a very pretty insect, clearly, not a grasshopper, but bigger.
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olive blog pic nforrest

Olive Harvesting

April 27, 2021
This fall I signed up at Be Love Farms[1] (which is an organic winery and regenerative farm) to assist with harvesting of Olives and making Olive Oil. It was a fascinating day. the fruits of my labor netted me a few bottles of their Olive Oil and a wonderful lunch.
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photos by Janet Snyder

Bees!

April 26, 2021
We are lucky enough to live at the end of a court with an empty lot next to us. My son was mowing the weeds on the lot today, so I was able to walk around the back half and take a look around at what other cleanup needs to be done.
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Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Green Creepy Crawlies in the Garden

April 23, 2021
A couple of years ago I had a bad time with the cucumber beetle eating away at my beloved Dahlias. They were flying around eating up my flowers every day. Arrrrg. So, I decided to come up with a solution for the following year.
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