Anyone with pets knows what integral parts of the family they become, yet Fluffy and Fido’s antics in the landscape — the digging, peeing and damaged plants — can try any gardener’s good nature. Here’s how to create a backyard refuge that all the members of your family can enjoy. Dogs in the garden The […]
Genevieve Schmidt
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Go Mediterranean
Colorful yet refined, Mediterranean garden design seems to touch on so much of what’s right in the gardening world today: an emphasis on tough, unthirsty plantings which thrive in our California climate, a nod to the importance of food and edible plants in the garden and an invitation to enjoy that Sunset-inspired indoor-outdoor lifestyle that […]
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A Recipe for Popularity
Though I think of myself as a reasonably pleasant person, I don’t attempt to fool myself as to the source of my popularity every summer. No, it’s not my vivacious personality or sparkling wit, but the profuse abundance of cut flowers with which I bless my friends and acquaintances come June. Though most gardeners find […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Can’t Get No Love
In the big-money world of plant breeding, where prima donna perennials are primped and photographed for their PR launch, a number of truly stellar plants are flying under the radar. Just because a plant doesn’t have its own Pinterest page doesn’t mean it’s not a winner, and though I love Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Digiplexis ‘Illumination […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Kicking Gophers and Moles to the Curb
Whether you live in central Eureka or in the wild outskirts of Trinidad, gophers and moles can be found in just about any North Coast garden. While I would not recommend killing them, as they have as much right to the land as we do, after having hundreds of dollars of bulbs (true story) snarfed […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Gardening Under the Redwoods
On a visit to Arizona some years ago, the sculptural beauty of the dry landscape was a huge highlight of my trip. Given that, I was taken aback by the sheer number of front yards that featured lush plantings of ferns, fuchsias and lawn. They stood in such stark contrast to the sweeping vistas of […]
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Shelter for Critters
As the winter weather becomes cold and wet, many of us are retreating indoors with a good book, a hot cuppa and a crackling fire, but what about the birds, pollinators and other wildlife that visit our gardens? If you enjoy hosting a variety of living things in your garden, providing shelter is an important […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Gifts for Every Gardener on Your List
Though Black Friday and Cyber Monday have already passed, I’m guessing many of the deliciously materialistic pleasures found on those days seemed to fall a little short for the gardener on your gift list. I admit it, we’re a tough crowd to buy for. One gardener I know with a really stellar husband manages to […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Autumn colors year-round:
Though I’m usually attracted to cooler colors in the garden like blues, purples and silvers, there is something about the fiery tones of fall which make me appreciate the warm browns, rich oranges and bright yellowy golds which make up the autumn palette. Pumpkins and apples, fallen leaves and exfoliating brown bark; if the colors […]
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October Gardening To-Do List
Autumn seems to be coming earlier this year, with the spring and summer drought causing deciduous plants to show fall color and drop leaves about a month ahead of schedule. We also seem to have gotten a jump start on our rainy season, which means the time we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived: […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
September Gardening To-Do List
Though the days feel hot, humid and long, a mild chill at night and streaks of vibrant color through the foliage of birches and maples let us know that winter is coming, and if you’ve ever watched Game of Thrones, you know you don’t want to be caught unprepared by that. It’s getting to be […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
August Gardening To-Do List
Welcome to August! At the moment, you’re probably still naively excited about every zucchini you harvest, but by the end of the month, don’t be surprised if friends start playing ding-dong-dash. You know you’ve been the victim of this little game when you answer the doorbell only to see a large basket of zucchini and […]