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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cover of the kids book "in a garden"

The Book Corner: Holiday Book Ideas for Kids

October 22, 2025
Blog article by Lanie KeystoneYes--Yes…I know—I hear you thinking, “It’s October and Halloween and Thanksgiving haven’t even come and gone! And, we’re already thinking about holiday gift-giving?  Talk about rushing time!” That’s all true, but you’ll be thankful beyond Thanksgiving when you’re taking out…
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jujube fruits in a sack

Jujube

October 21, 2025
Blog by Karen MetzIn early September, I had the opportunity to visit a friend’s house and pick Chinese Jujubes, Ziziphus jujuba.  Ziziphus jujuba is native to Asia.  The tree was about 12 to 15 feet high.  She had been growing the tree for about 12 years. She thought this was about as large as…
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snugs the grey dotted white cat with catnip

Catnip

October 17, 2025
Blog by Brenda Altman Snugs lives in a garden of earthly delights! His favorite snack of course, is catnip (Nepeta cataria). It grows well here in Vallejo. It’s a herbaceous perennial that thrives in full sun.  It has multiple stems and grows in a tight cluster. Here, it does not die back in our…
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Pumpkin Time!

October 15, 2025
Blog by Michelle Davis We are full on in Pumpkin Season, in which many beverages, entrees and desserts are made with the fruit. Pumpkins originated in Mesoamerica close to 10,000 years ago, though its name “pumpkin” comes from the Greek word “peopon”, translating to “large melon”. Pumpkins are a squash…
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cream and burgundy colored ixia flower with a background of green foliage

Fall Bulbs to Consider

October 14, 2025
Blog by Nanelle Jones-SullivanIt is fall and spring flowering bulbs are on my mind. What you can put into your garden is endless, but with the right timing, small projects have a significant impact. One example is this blog on using spring bulbs. I am not imagining Tulip mania era Darwin tulips, I am…
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