Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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millions of yellow flowers in a superbloom at Jepson Prairie Preserve in Dixon, Ca.
Under the Solano Sun: Article

March Miku

March 13, 2026
Haiku by Mike GuntherMarch winds blow warm airSpring gives new life to plantsTake in a super bloom Banner photo: "Jepson Prairie Preserve" by Native Orchids is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
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hand reaching to pluck some olives from a tree

My Olive Tree Story

March 12, 2026
Blog by Jenni DodiniI spent hours trying to figure out how to take care of these olive trees that I have become responsible for on our property. I came to the conclusion that I might be overthinking the whole thing after poring through multiple sites, but I kept on and found that there are enough sites…
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foliage and flowers of cymbidium orchids

Orchids and Dandelions

March 11, 2026
Blog by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan Horticultural therapy teaches that in the garden, metaphors can bridge nature and human experience. One of my favorite metaphors is used in a theory called “orchids and dandelions.” This theory by W. Thomas Boyce explains that “children fall into two categories: resilient …
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closeup of Chinese elm bark with colors like cream, grey and red

Chinese Elm-Color and Texture Galore!

March 10, 2026
Blog by Michelle KrespiI so rarely write about trees, but this particular tree, Ulmus parvifolia, commonly known as Chinese Elm or Lacebark Elm, was up close and personal to me as I was having brunch at a Fairfield restaurant. I pay attention to the barks of trees after taking Plant ID at Solano…
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hanging plant with yellowing leaves

A Lesson Learned While Repotting Indoor Plants

March 9, 2026
Blog by Paula PashbyIt is early February, and I am delighted that the winter rain has returned. There are some plants in my garden that are budding early because of the warm days last week, but most are still nicely tucked in for the winter duration. Now that I have some downtime, I can shift my attention to…
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