Under the Solano Sun

During excessively hot summer days it's not only humans that can suffer from heat stress. Your plants can suffer from heat stress as well, especially when there is an abrupt spike in the heat.

SUMMER TREAT! Six little words to get make your summer perfect: Go see The Biggest Little Farm! Then, check out http://thebiggestlittlefarmmovie.

Basil reminds me of springtime. The freshness of the fragrant crushed leaves is so enticing. Fresh basil is such a welcome ingredient in so many recipes, adding a bright spiciness from pesto laced pasta to those intoxicating Thai soups and curries.

Yeech! Who threw up in my front yard? A gooey flat yellow blob of something lay on the ground in front of my house. Hmm, it didn't seem to smell but what was it and who got sick? I scraped it up and immediately threw it in the garbage bin.

I have long been a fan of Hot Poker, Kniphofia uvaria. I love their tall, dramatic structural presence in the garden. They are low maintenance, as well, which is a huge plus. Because of their height, three to six feet tall, they are generally planted towards the back of the garden bed.