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 […]
Down and Dirty
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Plant a Living Playhouse
It’s the middle of May and time to plant sunflowers! There are many beautiful varieties to choose from, and they are easy to grow — just work up a spot in the soil, poke some holes with your fingers, and toss the seeds inside. Generally, the more space you leave between them, the larger the […]
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
Food Not Lawns
Growing food at home is hardly a new idea. But in this culture, where more people know how to take the perfect selfie than how to grow a potato, urban agriculture has become a form of activism. The slogan “Food Not Lawns” is spreading like wildfire. Here are some reasons why: Lawns are the largest […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Organize Your Own Seed Swap
Whether you save your own seeds or just have a bunch of leftover packets from years past, a seed swap is a great way to expand the diversity of both your garden and your community. But don’t limit yourself to just seeds! I have been organizing events like these for close to 20 years and […]
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
The Three P’s of Spring
It’s February again, and time to start planting. Growing a garden is one of the best ways to get exercise, spend time outdoors and improve your diet and sense of food security, but sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation. To get back into the swing of things, I like to start with […]
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 […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
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 […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
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: […]