“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Andersen This year, spring sprang into being in the Northern hemisphere at 2:37 a.m. PST March 20. Some plants in the garden decided it was spring in February, or even January. Some are just getting the… Continue reading Spring
Tag: Quercus
Winter Wonderland (California Style)
I love this season! Wait – didn’t I say that about Autumn? As I’m writing this it is raining, the first “real” storm of the season. In California’s Mediterranean climate, the normal is for us to receive the majority of rain and snow in winter and early spring. It’s been a dry fall. December… Continue reading Winter Wonderland (California Style)
A garden of another color
Our newer, water-saving landscapes are helping us break free of plain old green in the garden. With many plants, the traits that make them water-thrifty, also give them interesting foliage color and form. We can use this to our advantage by creating a “wow!” garden based on the monochromatic style. Monochromatic gardens have been around… Continue reading A garden of another color
Autumn is here, but do we care?
I should have paid more attention to the Autumnal Equinox, the day when day and night are the same length. For a few months, until the solstice, there will be a little more night than day. I should have posted something on facebook, sent out a tweet, posted pictures on Pinterest of what a typical… Continue reading Autumn is here, but do we care?
A New Era
This article first appeared in the April 4 edition of the Porterville Recorder newspaper. You’ve probably heard that on April 1, the state Water Quality Control Resource Board announced new state-wide water restrictions. This was no April Fool’s joke, however. Stricter restrictions were expected, so there was nothing surprising in the announcement, and nothing… Continue reading A New Era
Mother’s Day Spring Boutique – May 11, 2013
Hope to see you at this event, which combines my love of plants with love of animals and so is dear to my heart: Mothers’ Day Spring Boutique Garrison Gourd Farm – Saturday, May 11, 2013 – 10 a.m. – 1p.m. 12944 avenue 320, Visalia CA Raffle & Refreshment proceeds benefit Friends of Tulare County… Continue reading Mother’s Day Spring Boutique – May 11, 2013
California native plants during the Freeze
Plants that need help now, during periods of sustained low temperatures: 1) plants you found and bought at nurseries outside the area that originate –grow in the wild–in areas that don’t routinely experience freezing. 2) plants that originate in low elevation areas that you planted in your high (2000′ feet and above) garden. 3) plants… Continue reading California native plants during the Freeze
Native Plant Fall Festival
Nov. 17 & Nov. 18 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days — River Ridge Ranch, Springville, CA Wow! Our first day of the Festival was fantastic. Warm, fall beauty, no rain (cloudy and breezy, but just right). We listened to poetry and prose sitting around the fire pit, walked trails, planted some Cleveland… Continue reading Native Plant Fall Festival
Unusual CA Native Plants for your Garden
If you’re just getting started with discovering how wonderful, rewarding and easy-to-care-for (most of the time) our own State’s native plants are, you’re probably just falling in love with Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii), Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens), Toyon (Hetermeles arbutifolia), Howard McMinn Manzanita (Arctostaphyllos desiflora ‘Howard McMinn’) and Concha Ceanonus (Ceanothus ‘Concha’). In fact, these… Continue reading Unusual CA Native Plants for your Garden
CA native plant sales this fall
Opportunities to buy CA native plants this Fall! November is a great month to plant! Saturday November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (note early closing time) Springville Ranch Marketplace -The White Barn Hwy 190 & Balch Park Rd, Springville Monthly “first Saturdays” at the marketplace. **CA native plants **Climate-right, low-maintenance plants from around the… Continue reading CA native plant sales this fall