Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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view of the earth

Gardening Challenges

August 12, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog Article by Lorenza Gibson Seasons come and go. As gardeners, we’re constantly racing against time, always at the mercy of changing conditions. With climate change*, the seasons we once thought we could rely on no longer follow predictable patterns. Winters may stretch longer or feel unexpectedly…
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gray and white cat on a rug with a spot of blood on his paw

Nature’s Velcro®

August 11, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Brenda Altman Snugs came into the house one afternoon with a boo-boo on his left paw. There was a speck of blood, but it turned out to be nothing. Since he was already in my hands, I started to groom him and found these small seeds attached to his body! Snugs, the gardener, is spreading seeds to…
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close up of a chicken with a bunch of feathers on its head

Chicken Care and Herbs

August 7, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Peter WilsonI began the Wilson Flock of Cluckers after a family reunion in Kauai, HI, in July of 2013. By August, I had baby chicks arriving. I began researching the best way to raise chickens naturally. I…
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white star magnolia flower

Thoughts from Weedy Acres

August 6, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Betsy BuxtonIt’s been a while since I last wrote from Weedy Acres, and I hope you remember me.  The wind is still blowing and the weeds are still thriving, BUT something new!  As I looked out the window for inspiration, what should I spot but a bloom on my Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata)!…
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Carosello cucumber on the vine

When is a Cucumber Not a Cucumber?

August 5, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Melinda NestlerodeLast year, I was fortunate to attend a presentation by Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop, who gave each of the attendees a packet of 24 cucumber seeds. I chose a packet labeled “Carosello Leccese Striped”, because Jay said it was his all-time favorite cucumber. That meant a lot coming…
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