Under the Solano Sun

yellow sunflower closeup picture

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

Valley Oak Quercus lobata Companion Plants

August 31, 2026
By Pamela Muick
Valley oak, California’s largest and most majestic native oak, grows throughout Solano and Yolo counties. In nature, Valley oaks thrive in sunny locations where they have a year-round supply of groundwater. Locally, the deciduous Valley oak is the iconic tree of Solano College and grows in most of our parks…
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Accessible, Adaptive, and Age-resilient Gardening, Part 3

August 28, 2026
By Michelle Davis
Plant SuggestionsMany years ago, I read a wonderful book by Sydney Eddison, Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as You Grow Older. Her main points were summed up on the book’s cover: “Use lower-maintenance plants, Prioritize garden tasks, Practice realistic lawn care, Accept imperfections, Learn…
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Snakes in the Garden: Friend, Not Foe

August 27, 2026
By Carl Mehlhope
Last weekend, I was working in my garden when something moved beneath a nearby shrub. Out came a California Kingsnake. You don't hear them coming, but with their striking bands of black and white wrapped around their bodies, they're hard to miss. I stopped for a moment, admired it, and smiled.Why? Because I…
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Educating Miku

August 5, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
farmers markets now Offering everything fresh MG ‘s educate here 
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