Under the Solano Sun

Blog by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan Inspired by a recent visit to my in-laws, I bought this Hibiscus ‘Roselle.’ While with them, I enjoyed it as ‘Jamaican sorrel,’ ‘Roselle’ is one of many common names for Hibiscus sabdariffa, a member of the Malva family. You have seen it at taquerias as Agua de…

Blog by Tina SaraviaAlong a well-maintained trail off the parking lot of our first stop on the Sonoma coast, I eyed an old, familiar-looking plant - the bright yellow sticky monkey flower (Diplacus aurantiacus). My first excited response was to touch it to check if it was indeed sticky. Upon contact and…

Article and photos by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan ContainersContainers allow gardeners to garden with whatever space we have available, improve accessibility for gardeners with unique needs, and are an alternative for gardeners with difficult soil conditions, such as sand, clay, soil-borne disease, or steep…

Article and photos by Patricia MattesonAt Christmas 2023, my cousin Jenifer surprised me with a gift of 18 corms of saffron crocus, Crocus sativus L. (family Iridaceae). Her gift was loaded with emotional resonance. The recipe for bright yellow saffron cake, generously dotted with raisins and other dried…

Photos and Article by Melinda NestlerodeSummer may be winding down, but my vegetable garden is still in full production. The sugar pie pumpkins continue to sprout huge blossoms and set fruit, the peppers are displaying brilliant colors, and the tomatoes are out of control. As healthy as the garden looks…