Napa

One of the pleasures of being a UC Master Gardener is our monthly seminars. Not only are they varied and interesting, but it is always a pleasure when the local members are present. I enjoy being reminded of how smart my colleagues are.

It is well known that the Napa has many vineyards. Wine is what made this area famous. But did you know that there is another remarkable collection of plants from all around the world right in downtown Napa? Fuller Park is home to dozens of varieties of trees, both native and extremely exotic.

It's that time of year when lots of potting and repotting is going on. I was potting some seedlings a few days ago when I had started in seedling mix. Seedling mix is good for seedlings, because it is sterile, drains well and the seeds can readily make new roots.

There is a beautiful house for sale in my neighborhood, and it was recently featured in the New York Times. Among its abundant selling points is a magnolia tree. It is indeed a lovely tree, and it is in bloom right now.

When my husband and I first started gardening at our new Napa home, we made many errors. One of the big mistakes was planting invasive plants. We really wanted bamboo, but we did know it had a reputation for taking over gardens.

Shakespeare may have believed that a rose by any name would smell as sweet, but a well-considered plant nameor an ineptly chosen labelcan significantly enhance or tarnish its subject forever.

Saturday, May 18, is the date for this year's Climate-Friendly Garden Tour, a partnership between Napa County Resource Conservation District, City of Napa Water Division, and the University of California Master Gardeners of Napa County.

Have you ever wondered how you can learn about plant care, water conservation, botany, tree pruning, soil amendments, lawn alternatives, pollinators, pest management and more while making friends and being part of a mission driven team? Become a Napa County Master Gardener, and you'll see.

As the lead of the Low-Maintenance, Low-Water Garden at the Las Flores Learning Garden at Napa's Las Flores Community Center, my job is to keep the plants heathy and appealing. This includes seasonal pruning and, at this time of year, weeding, weeding and weeding.

I find great pleasure in planting and growing perennials. In contrast to annuals, perennials are the vines, bushes, trees, and other plants that come back year after year. Planting in spring, the season of rebirth, is particularly gratifying.