Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies

We try to create and nurture wildlife habitat gardens here on our five-acre Sonoma County property. And the California pipevine swallowtail is one of our favorite local fauna to provide support for. Their markings are so striking–with their mystical black color and iridescent blue sheen (on the males). The caterpillars are also eye-catching: black withContinue reading “Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies”

Protecting Shrubs and Trees from Gophers

Gophers In Your Garden When I think of gophers, in my mind’s eye I see the flyer for JAWS, only instead of the shark there is a Monster Gopher coming up from the soil depths (with ominous music) to ravage a poor tree. My oft-mentioned gopher casualty is in the photo to the right: aContinue reading “Protecting Shrubs and Trees from Gophers”

Burgeoning Spring

Happy Spring! It’s officially Spring and there is so much happening in the garden that there is little time to write about it. The plum and nectarine blossoms of last month are doing a slow fade-out and I almost don’t notice because perky young leaves are taking over the show. While carting around plants orContinue reading “Burgeoning Spring”

Asparagus and Oyster Mushroom Harvest

The asparagus is starting to pop up! And not a minute too soon, as the winter broccoli is starting to flower and frankly, I was getting tired of eating it. This is nice timing with some King Oyster mushrooms just now fruiting. They are being grown from a kit by Field & Forest Products —Continue reading “Asparagus and Oyster Mushroom Harvest”

Escape the pandemic in a virtual tour of the back-roads of Sonoma County, California

Escape lockdown for a moment, into the refuge of a virtual tour of Sonoma County, California back-roads. Can you smell the wet moss and bay leaves? Enjoy the pastoral scenes of West County farms and redwood lined roads, of vineyards and sheep, apple orchards and some local favorites.

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