Newspaper Articles

Shrubs are important additions to every landscape. They are defined as woody perennial plants and are smaller than most  trees, and lack a well-defined central trunk. Shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous and come in many sizes and shapes. If you are considering using shrubs in a landscape, you need…

All I want for Christmas this year is rain, more rain, healthy soil, and a biodiverse garden! But, just in case you can't put that in my stocking, here is a list of what I need and want. Some of the most helpful items would be:  1) A Japanese Hori-Hori digging tool/knife to weed and divide my…

December is the coldest month of the year in our area, but there are a few activities that will get you out in the garden this month. Maybe taking a break from holiday crowds and festivities? Winter begins with the solstice on Sunday, December 21, at just after 7:00 a.m. in our time zone. This is the…

If you are going to have only one bulb in your garden, daffodils are the world's most popular choice. Why? They are perma nent and increase from year to year. They are colorful and come in a fascinating array of colors and sizes. Also, they are very hardy, able to withstand hot summers and cold winters…

 When is a group of plants a hedgerow instead of just a planting bed?A hedgerow is mostly defined by its purpose, more than by the types of plants or even the shape of the planting area. The word comes from the Old English word "hegg," meaning boundary, generally formed by plants that are close…

Coral bells (Heuchera) are an excellent border plant and an old favorite of many gardeners. The plants are compact, bushy, and grow in tufts; the flower stem grows 1½ or 2 feet high. You've probably noticed their delicate, wand-like flowering stalks lined with small, bell-shaped red, pink, or white flowers…

Air and soil temperatures are dropping, signaling that fall is finally here! Now is the time to beware of winter weeds. Buried in the soil are winter weed seeds lying in wait for rainfall to trigger them to germinate and grow.  Weeds occur in all lawns but seldom become problems in ones that are…

We've had a perfect start to autumn this year, and in November the season is in full gear. We can feel the transition: gone is summer; winter is coming. This is a great time to plant almost any tree, shrub, perennial, ground cover, wildflower seeds, and the last of spring-flowering bulbs. It's also a good…

 "It's not your mother's Brussels sprouts," I heard the UC Farm Advisor from Monterey County say. "The flavor has changed over the past ten years. You should try some." Right, I thought, thinking back to the mushy, yellow-green orbs my mother used to serve. But, with his comment and the profusion of…

A week ago, it felt like fall would never arrive. But sure enough, the days have shortened, the temperature has cooled, and fall is finally here. So that means, it's time for a Fall Cleanup! A little effort now results in less garden work in the winter and early spring. Plus, your garden will look more…