The update on “The Rockery” — a redesigned entrance garden featuring a rustic dry-stacked stone wall made from a repurposed concrete sidewalk. We chose plant selections for shade and deer resistance. Bask a bit in the healing power of nature amidst challenging times.
Tag Archives: California gardening bloggers
Finding Peace in the Garden During Dark Days
To immerse myself in the healing garden, I’ve started a new project–reviving a neglected front garden, using repurposed cement “stones” from an old sidewalk to build a rockery and creating a more welcoming entry. I’m also connecting with fellow gardeners around the world as we share six garden elements, including daffodils and rosemary.
December Gardening: seasonal tasks and harvests
As the crispy dry autumn morphs into wet green winter here in our summer-dry climate zone, I start to awaken from hibernation along with the frogs and salamanders. Evergreen leaves are glossed up with the first rains, the air is freshened and the Northern California hills go from dusty beige to vibrant green again. DecemberContinue reading “December Gardening: seasonal tasks and harvests”
Scented Garden Plants for Mediterranean, Summer-dry Climate Zones
Take a calming moment to envelop yourself in the scented garden. Get recommendations for aromatic plants that do well in summer-dry, Mediterranean climate zones. Cleveland sage and rockroses for example. Learn which aromatic, drought tolerant plants have done well in our Sonoma County, California garden over the years. American garden blogs
Late-Summer Garden Photo Gallery: Sunflowers, Cosmos, and Heirloom Varieties
Photo gallery of the organic garden in late summer. Lots of heirloom veggies, sunflowers, cosmos and butterfly plants. Time to get the winter garden started!
Hot Gardeners (the literal kind) and Hoof Prints In the Veg Patch—a summer update
Be safe while gardening in the heat! Heat illness can be serious, so please take steps to prevent danger to your health while working in the garden or outdoors. Plus, an update from the organic garden in summer and the inter-planted vegetable beds–with deer netting! California garden blogs
‘Tis the Season for The Olive Harvest, Persimmons and Winter Warmth Without Fossil Fuel
In our garden here in Sonoma County, California, the holiday season also marks festive activities like harvesting the olives for milling into oil, picking persimmons and feijoas and admiring the fall color of the parrotia persica. Winter pruning, wildflower seed scattering, tree planting, and a reflection on going carbon neutral are on the winter garden tasks list.
The Heat Is On–in the garden and on the planet
Today is a toasty 92°F (33°C) but that is normal for this time of year for us. We’ve actually had an unusually cool summer so far and our tomatoes and zucchini are only just starting to ripen. I’m grateful that our area has been spared the intense heatwaves so many areas of the world haveContinue reading “The Heat Is On–in the garden and on the planet”
Baby Foxes Afoot! (cuteness warning)
An adorable family of gray foxes has taken up residence under the ruins of the old barn. I suspect the call of the nearby compost pile and worm bin full of juicy morsels from the kitchen is a great attraction. The first encounter was surprising. Imagine having a nice quiet meditation in the house oneContinue reading “Baby Foxes Afoot! (cuteness warning)”
Spring Awe–Buds and Bugs
Nature does not stand still and wait for us to catch up. It’s a glorious spring after all the winter rains we finally enjoyed after so many drought years. Verdancy is erupting in the garden and the air is abuzz with activity. There are summer veggies to plant and damselflies to admire. The ladybugs areContinue reading “Spring Awe–Buds and Bugs”