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Most California native plants like this California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) are adapted to our summer dry/winter wet climate. Photo: Linda Stiles The best overall description of the climate zones in Marin County can be found in the Sunset New Western Garden Book.
Have you ever wondered why your neighbors tomatoes may be ready to pick while yours are still green? Or why you can grow citrus and they cannot? Across a single town or neighborhood there can be many microclimates. You might have various microclimates in your own yard.
Click on image to view or print full pdf Climate change refers to long-term alterations in our average weather patterns. Human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, have increased greenhouse gas levels in Earths atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses trap heat.
In the context of climate change, mitigation means reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The good news is that several home gardening practices can do just that. If we all take little steps to reduce CO2 emissions, our small differences can add up.
Earth-friendly Gardening is our advice for creating sustainable landscapes that benefit the broader environment and make things easier for the gardener. By adopting these practices, you can grow a healthy garden that is beautiful, in sync with nature, and less prone to problems.
Most successful gardens did not happen by accident. The gardeners who tend them developed a deep understanding, or analysis, of the site over time. Here's how to perform a site analysis for your garden.
Photo: Lukas, Pexals Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of inorganic and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition, that varies from one location to another.
Finding the right irrigation system for your garden is essential to saving our natural resources. Photo: Ivan Horvat, Pixabay Water is a precious resource; conserving it is a key to Earth-friendly gardening.
Water is a precious resource: use it wisely. Photo: Amritanshu Sirdar, Unsplash A well-designed landscape can not only add beauty to your home, but also can reduce your heating and cooling costs.
