Under the Solano Sun

I said goodbye to an old friend this week. We had been friends and sometimes not so friendly but I always loved my friend. My old friend was a Salvia greggi (red), yes a plant. We had been together here at this house over 25 years. But as time passed my friend started to age and look old.

Last summer I lightly pruned my apple espalier to remove some wayward growth. A few months later, in late summer, I was surprised to see apple blossoms on the tree! This November, I was surprised to find two of my blueberry plants absolutely thick with blossoms. The photos don't do them justice.

Garden dragonfly Orange wings glisten as you land Honoring my yard. Traditionally a Japanese form of poetry, the Haiku is a non-rhyming set of three lines, with words counted by syllables - 5,7,5-. Haikus are often reflecting something from nature, and accompanied by delicate artwork.

As you prepare for the holidays, it's also a good time to prepare for potential frost in your yard and garden. This preparation consists of having the knowledge and materials you need to protect your sensitive plants.

During the recent drought years, we've focused on filling our gardens with beautiful succulents. Even though they seem to be the easy child in the garden, they still need proper attention to grow and thrive in your home.