Four years ago, I wrote a column about my newly planted Ceanothus ‘Concha.’ I had chosen large plants over less costly small ones because, at my age, deferred gratification didn’t make much sense. Well, I am still here, and so are my Ceanothus, which are now four feet tall and three feet wide and currently […]
Calistoga
Posted inHome & Garden
Defending the garden: Protective and soil prep strategies
Many gardeners in Napa County have observed a rise in ground squirrel activity in their neighborhoods. If you are concerned about how this may impact your vegetable gardening efforts, there is no need to lose hope. After careful research and planning, I found an effective method for managing ground squirrel issues and am pleased to […]
Posted inHome & Garden
Small garden, big harvest: surprising success with corn
Last summer the Napa County Master Gardeners field-testing group agreed to try growing corn. I think I must have missed the meeting when this was decided as I have avoided growing corn for many years. In my view, corn takes too much space for a small garden. Because it is wind pollinated, it needs to […]
Posted inHome & Garden
In Scotland’s gardens, a Napa arborist finds lessons in letting nature lead
My recent visit to the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland offered a pleasant reminder of how climate shapes not only what we grow, but how we maintain and design landscapes. In Napa Valley, much of my work as a garden consultant centers on water conservation, irrigation efficiency and helping plants survive long dry summers. […]
Posted inNews
Pawsitive outcome for Calistoga’s lost ‘friendly neighborhood cat’
Woman who picked up Liam the ‘Pool Cat’ returns him to police station Saturday Residents of Calistoga’s Logvy Park neighborhood sensed something was amiss when their loyal greeter – distinguishable by his petite, furry frame and friendly disposition – hadn’t been seen at any of his regular haunts. Following a weeklong investigation into the whereabouts […]
Posted inHome & Garden
Gardens are alive – sharing space with nature’s creatures
I was just out in my garden where many flowers are in bloom. While looking at a flowering lavender, I counted six or seven honeybees feasting on the nectar in the blue flowers as well as a bumblebee checking out the whole garden. Butterflies were also flitting around, inspecting the flowers. I spotted both pipevine […]
Posted inFirst Person
Reduce, reuse, read: Earth month at the library
Each year, we celebrate and reflect on the beauty and abundance of our planet—and the importance of considering our impact through the lens of three pillars: reduce, reuse, recycle. From an early age, these three “R” words were ingrained in my mind. The alternate three “R’s” (reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic) never made much sense to […]
Posted inHome & Garden
Planning for a hotter future: Rethinking trees in Napa County’s cities
Urban trees provide shade, improve air quality and help moderate temperatures in California’s cities. Yet as climate change brings hotter weather and longer periods of drought, many commonly planted tree species may struggle. In a recent lecture, Dr. Igor Lacan, interim county director and Bay Area environmental horticulture and urban forestry advisor with UC Cooperative […]
Posted inHome & Garden
Lilacs reward gardeners with scent, color — and a short-lived show
The lilac is a classic English cottage-garden plant, yet it is native to southeastern Europe. That means it can be a successful garden plant in sunny, dry California, although it appreciates rain and cool summers. I have a couple of lilacs in my yard, and they emerge at the same time each year in March, […]
Posted inNews
Thousands rally in Napa County as ‘No Kings’ protests draw crowds across U.S.
About 4,000 people gathered downtown in Napa on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s policies as part of the third national “No Kings” rally. Elsewhere in Napa County, 400 people rallied in Calistoga while about 70 people protested in American Canyon. The Napa Takes Action coalition helped organize the No Kings rally at Oxbow Commons- […]