Snow days can offer some of the most stunning peaceful views you will ever see in your garden – but snow and its accompanying frost and ice is difficult to predict and impossible to control. To re-work an old saying… Continue Reading
On January 26th, 2008, Northstate Public Radio aired its first segment of In a North State Garden, a locally-conceived and produced, 4-minute, often interview-based program celebrating home gardening in the North State Region; a region 10 counties strong, just about… Continue Reading
Winter can mean rain or snow, wind or stillness, sun or darkness. But in the valley and foothill portions of our region – winter also means ferns. From the first late fall rains through to the heat of summer gardens… Continue Reading
The first few months of the new year is the season for cutting back – in our lives and in our gardens. Throughout the region nurseries and gardening groups offer pruning demonstrations and workshops for deciduous trees (particularly fruit trees)… Continue Reading
In this last bit of 2012, I am ruminating on two quotes that struck me recently from a TED talk given by Dr. Brené Brown on the Power of Vulnerability. The whole talk was fascinating, but the two quotes that… Continue Reading
With the onset of winter rains come the winter gifts of mushrooms. I have found them fascinating since first moving to Northern California and being amazed at the incredible quantity and diversity of these mysterious organisms. With a mushroom fairs… Continue Reading
Some people like diamonds, some people like furs, some people like Ferraris, Corvettes or 1968 Mustang convertibles. Others still like big power tools with engines, pull cords and gas tanks. Photo:A bright bowl of hand-made pomanders. These traditional holiday crafts… Continue Reading
In 2009, I had the pleasure of interviewing botanical artist Susan Bazell on her passion and her work. Susan died of cancer on December 1, 2012. I am re-airing this interview in her honor and memory. Photo: A slow dripping… Continue Reading
It’s officially the rainy (or snowy) time of year in the North State. And despite inconvenience, we are thankful for it. Two or three rounds of seasonal storms have our California oak grasslands greening and wetlands filling. Deciduous blue oaks,… Continue Reading
The beauty of the garden in winter is a unique pleasure: fragrant, fresh evergreens, bright berries, frosty mornings. Photo: Frosty Indian hawthorne on a cold North State morning. Seasonal greens, winter fruits, and sculptural cones have long been associated with… Continue Reading
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