Under the Solano Sun

golden yellow sunflower highlighted in a field of sunflowers against the blue sky

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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ice or frost closeup

Baby It's Cold Outside-Protect Your Plants

January 15, 2026
Blog by Brenda Altman  When the temperature drops, you have to protect your temperature-sensitive plants. For myself, it’s my 4-year-old avocado tree.  To date, it has not flowered. I want it to survive another winter. Previously, I just put a plastic bag over it when the temperature was near…
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a bunch of harvested shallot bulbs

Growing Shallots in Containers

January 14, 2026
Blog and photos by Nanelle Jones-SullivanI live on a clay slope and rely heavily on containers for my edible gardening. Shallots are cool-season vegetables and meet my criteria for being easier/cheaper/ or more interesting to grow than buy. Shallots share with their allium cousins a preference for…
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a winter sunset looking through a chainlink fence to the marshlands and mountains beyond

A New Year in the Garden, Looking Ahead

January 13, 2026
Blog by Patti Brantley  A new year in gardening doesn’t start with perfect soil or full beds; it starts with curiosity. Maybe you’re imagining your first harvest (even if it’s just one tomato or zucchini), wondering if this is finally the year you remember to water regularly, or flipping through…
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greenish orange ripening oranges on a tree

Update: 3 Citrus Trees in 1 Pot

January 12, 2026
Blog by Loralei Dewe To refresh you on the subject, here are some of the important points I found:1) Plant trees of the same species. In other words, citrus with other citrus, stone fruit with other stone fruit, etc. 2) If you are doing a backyard orchard and not a commercial orchard, you don't…
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