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Master Gardeners: Flowers for a winter garden | Home and Garden
YVONNE RASMUSSEN UC Master Gardener of Napa County What flowers in the dead of winter in Napa County? With few pollinators active then, it’s not a great time to have flowers that need pollination. Also, the weather is dicey. It could be cold or icy or raining and blowing. But surprisingly, many plants do bloom between late fall and very early spring. So with a little planning. you can have flowers in your winter garden and fresh-cut flowers to bring indoors. Camellias, cyclamen, primroses and pansies are all blooming in nurseries now. But don’t be fooled. Some of these plants have been forced into bloom using light or greenhouse conditions.…
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Ask the Master Gardener: Moon gardens can be mesmerizing
Remedy: Moon gardens have a tendency to be monochromatic. They commonly slide into the realm of an all-white yard. A moon backyard garden is intended to be liked by the light of the moon or evening. It is supposed to be a tranquil location to rest, rest and take pleasure in celestial magnificence. A moon back garden style has plants with white bouquets and silvery foliage that mirror gentle from the placing sunshine and mounting moon. Reds, blues and other deep shades seem to be to disappear at dusk, but whites and silvers really pop in even the slightest sum of moonlight. This backyard generally has aromatic, nocturnal blooming flowers,…
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Master Gardener: Succulent gifts from your garden | Home and Garden
Looking for an affordable gift made with love from your garden? How about a unique gift for the special gardener in your life? Or a gift for the hard-to-buy-for person who already has one of everything, Pay Per Touch? You can easily make a number of gifts using succulent cuttings. Succulents are perfect for gardening “Central Valley Style” because they love the sun and are drought tolerant. Start now, and by gift-giving time, all your creation will need is a bright bow! Some craft ideas are: a living wreath for hanging or for use as a table centerpiece with a candle, a living picture frame for a garden or patio…
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Master Gardener: Helpful garden tips for December | Home and Garden
I’ve been thinking about plants of the late Pleistocene era, and the animals that ate them, described in a pictorial essay by David Bryant in the fall 2021 issue of Flora, the California Native Plant Society’s quarterly magazine. Among them are Joshua Trees, California lilac, manzanita, grasses, sedge, rush, Pinyon pine, juniper, and sycamore, to name a few. I’ve also been thinking about one of the biggest trends in gardening this year: “regenerative landscaping,” which is broadly defined as future-looking, considering all the creatures of the garden, recognizing that more than just humans use the space. As gardeners out in it, we know this mixed-use firsthand, but it can be…
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Master Gardener: Tips for selecting a live Christmas tree | Home & Garden
If you decided to select a pre-cut tree, pick one of the freshest you can find. Fresh needles bend easily. When the trees have dried out, their needles will snap. Once you have your tree home, it’s a good idea to saw off about one inch from the bottom of the tree. After doing this, place the tree in a container of water. If it will be a few days before you bring it in to decorate, store it in a cool place such as your garage. When you do bring it inside, be sure you place the tree in a stand that will hold some water. Keeping your tree…
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Napa County Master Gardeners: Preparing for winter | Home and Garden
CINDY WATTER UC Master Gardener of Napa County The sky is blue, the hills are green, and we will certainly have some sunny days ahead. Now is a good time to get your yard prepared for the winter. The recent rains have softened the soil, which will make your garden chores easier. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $5 for your first 5 months! First, take a good look at your plants. Remove plant debris, stalks, dead leaves and anything that looks diseased. It’s a little early to prune your roses, but you should remove any leaves…
