Under the Solano Sun

I'm always happy to see some rain arrive and give my plants a much-needed drink of water (because I'm pretty thrifty with water, even in the wintertime).

The three Master Gardeners signed up to staff our table at the Vallejo Farmer's Market today were emailing and texting back and forth this past week, will there be a break in the major rain storm so we can attend our booth at the market?

It's raining once again. Because I'm a plant enthusiast and I loooove going to see the little plants growing. My favorite thing to do is to visit wholesale plant nurseries. ESCHSCHOLZIA caespitosa 'Sundew' Most wholesale nurseries buy pre-ordered plug starts.

A dozen dark shapes silhouetted in the dawn tracery of our Chinese tallow tree.[1] As usual a few flickers[2] yanking fruits but what are those smaller? Robins![3] The first sign of spring in January already. Exhilarating but one of those endless clichs.

During these winter days, I appreciate the early- to mid-winter blooming plants that brighten even the rainiest of days. One of my favorite winter bloomers is a purple vine that I'm sure you've seen blooming in your neighborhood: the 'Happy Wanderer' vine, Hardenbergia violacea.