Under the Solano Sun

Do you have a plant or plants that you really find annoying or that you just purely don't like? I would guess that the question popped up a memory of some long-ago plant that you let die unceremoniously or that you, again long ago, put out of your (not its) misery.

We never pass a chance to explore any plant sales that we discover when out-and-about. Around 20 years ago, we stumbled upon a sweet sale in Sacramento to support people suffering from AIDS. The event included somewhat small and nondescript cuttings for sale.

Now that the nights have turned chilly, it's once again that time of year to start thinking about preparing to protect your frost sensitive plants from freezing temperatures.

One day while I was walking my dog, I noticed mothballs spread strategically around a neighbor's yard. We have tiny front lawns at our end of the street, and most maintain their lawns beautifully and take pride in their landscaping, or have switched to non-turf yards.

I understand that beans are considered boring, except by youth who celebrate their more odiferous side effects. But as gardeners, be advised, that the simple bean can be the highlight of your winter garden. To justify this praise, I will focus on the highly underutilized but extraordinary fava bean.