Under the Solano Sun

We love to visit an extraordinary spot in the Sierra Nevada mountains and hike among the majestic Sequoia sempervirens (redwood) trees, located in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Do you ever experiment with growing fruits and vegetables that have sprouted in your kitchen? An avocado, garlic, or onion perhaps? I purchased a chayote squash and didn't use it before it started sprouting. Out of curiosity, I planted it to see what would happen . . . .

It may not be too late to check out this little gem in Woodland. I had heard of the Mezger Zinnia Patch but had never been. I have a fondness for zinnias ever since I used them in my student project at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

I always grow Scotch Bonnet,' a Capsicum chinense like the Habanero.

This year I decided to try my hand at growing seeds. I have never actually done this, even though I have done so many other projects in the garden over the years. I picked up packets of cosmos and bachelor's buttons from my local nursery.