Under the Solano Sun

EDITORS NOTE, I was on leave when this blog was created-it should have run sooner. However, I think it will help for future reference. I just brought home my first Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrina) of the season, and with any luck, they'll add holiday cheer to my home thru the New Year.

Photo by D.Bellamy (A front door rock garden) This blog will discuss why so many people use rock art to enhance the appearance of their gardens, and specifically, stacking rocks. If you have some property with lots of rocks, you may be more likely to remove rocks to make room for planting.

Years ago, long before I became a UCCE Master Gardener, I planted an herbal tea garden in a west-facing sunny area of my backyard. I haven't used most of the herbs so much for the purpose of making tisanes or cups of tea, but I have really enjoyed the scent while working in that area.

You would surmise from the name that Weedy Acres was up to its neck (if it had one) in weeds of all kinds right now. Since moving here in 1991, I've only had what I call the 4 stages of weed growth.

This last fall my sister gave me the wonderful gift of several succulents. Two were similar in size and appearance, each having very plump leaves coming off a central stem. One was a very pale green, the Pachyphytum bracteosum, also known as Moonstone.