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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Viceroy on the Butterfly Bush by Benimoto is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Continuation of the Bicycling with Butterflies

March 10, 2023
PLEASE NOTE-part one was posted on 2/23/23. You might have missed it! Back in Kansas from Mexico, Sara Dykman author of Bicycling with Butterflies, stops at her parents' home to get ready to continue her journey following the Monarchs.
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photos by Tina Saravia
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I'm a New Grafter

March 9, 2023
My friend Ann invited me to the go with her to the scion exchange in Santa Rosa. The annual event was put together by the Redwood Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG). I've heard about this event for many years but this was the first time I've attended.
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Roman-era lemon pips from a votive deposit in the Carcer Tullianum by diffendale is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
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Archaeobotany

March 8, 2023
One of the responsibilities of being a UCCE Master Gardener is to obtain 12 units of Continuing Education each year. Some of this is accomplished on our own by researching answers to gardening questions the public brings us.
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Solitary bee (Hylaeus?), Sandy, Bedfordshire by orangeaurochs is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Is the Buzzing I Hear a Bee or a Bot?

March 3, 2023
Pesticide use. Climate change. Habitat destruction. Scientists report all these factors result in declining insect populations in general and in colony collapse for honeybees. As backyard gardeners most of us are observing fewer butterflies both in numbers and varieties.
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Grow a sunflower - Photos by Paula Pashby
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A Long-Stemmed Cut Flower Garden

March 2, 2023
I enjoy taking leisurely strolls through my garden, meandering among the flowers, and taking in the spectacular colors, textures, and scents. This delightful feeling does not need to end when it's time to go back indoors; just cut some of the blooming flowers from the garden and pop them into vases.
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