Practical advice & moral support for the small-scale gardener
February flew by fast. After the leisurely pace of December and January, it felt like my gardening to-do list exploded, while my available time to do said gardening dwindled. But I needed to get ready: the spring equinox is only a few short weeks away (on March 19 this year). Urged on by the spring-like…
It’s June Gloom in California, right on the heels of May Gray. These distinctly un-summery weather patterns are caused by cool air getting trapped under warm air between the ocean and the mountains, creating weeks of overcast skies while the rest of the northern hemisphere enjoys the arrival of summer. While some of my plants have…
Last week, I wanted to write a post about roses. But, finding myself defeated by work and life, something on my to-do list had to go. To be honest, roses are pretty intimidating and not the best topic to tackle if you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Experts devote their lives to becoming certified rosarians. An ancient flower laden with…
Mid-May is a great time to stand back and admire the progress our gardens have made since the start of spring, even if it hasn’t felt like spring. The month kicked off with a week of rain and highs in the 50s! On my balcony and around the region, many plants are behind schedule due…
Happy Vernal Equinox! This has been a historically wet and chilly winter in the Bay Area, and it looks like more clouds and showers are in store. But, at least I know that from tomorrow, March 20 until the summer solstice, every day will be longer than the last. I never fully appreciated spring until I started appreciating plants;…