Napa Master Gardener Column

By Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.  Many of us have the variegated spider plant as a houseplant.  It is fascinating how this plant produces new plants and small white flowers at the end of a long stem.  Many years ago, a close friend planted her spider plant outdoors and…

By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.  Acanthus is one of my favorite plants. Right now, when my yard is mostly dormant—except for camellias and wild onions—it is a pleasure to see the acanthus unfurling its shiny dark green leaves .I see acanthus all over my neighborhood. It is an easy…

By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.   One of the advantages of living in Napa Valley is that we can garden year-round, not counting floods and fires.  That is also a disadvantage for the indolent gardener, who, unlike his or her East Coast counterpart, does not have down time…

Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener. December through March is the best time to plant fruit trees in Napa.  We have had some winter rains, the ground is soft, and the temperature is still cool.  I planted three apple trees a few years ago this time of year, and they are doing well, despite my…

By David Shubin ISA Certified Arborist and UC Master Gardener of Napa County.As a garden consultant, I get a lot of calls at this time of year to advise on pruning fruit trees and roses.  When I’m asked to look at struggling roses, the symptoms are often familiar: lower leaves yellowing and dropping;…