Under the Solano Sun

Hours of Preparation Getting Holiday Spirit Wreath Workshop Success...

Sometimes I just need a plant that serves a purpose. I need to put in a ground cover that will fill in an area on a downward slope where the front yard meets the sidewalk. This area gets direct sun as the sun swings across the Carquinez Strait throughout the day.

I said goodbye to an old friend this week. We had been friends and sometimes not so friendly but I always loved my friend. My old friend was a Salvia greggi (red), yes a plant. We had been together here at this house over 25 years. But as time passed my friend started to age and look old.

Last summer I lightly pruned my apple espalier to remove some wayward growth. A few months later, in late summer, I was surprised to see apple blossoms on the tree! This November, I was surprised to find two of my blueberry plants absolutely thick with blossoms. The photos don't do them justice.

Garden dragonfly Orange wings glisten as you land Honoring my yard. Traditionally a Japanese form of poetry, the Haiku is a non-rhyming set of three lines, with words counted by syllables - 5,7,5-. Haikus are often reflecting something from nature, and accompanied by delicate artwork.