Roadside treasures worth stopping for In the first week of July in the Sierra foothills of California, you believe that Spring is long gone, and yet, the season hasn’t said its final farewell. Our beloved wildflowers called ‘Farewell to Spring are blooming this year at the same time as the sunny wild sunflowers, Hall’s Mule’s…
Iris time! Iris are a Sierra foothill gardener’s best friend in Spring because of the easy care and reliable beauty. Because they occasionally have to be divided, they are a common ‘pass along’ plant. Here’s a few favorites, your advice and how to divide irises. ‘Iris,’ was the goddess of the rainbow, the messenger of…
Winter chores and pleasures! It’s sunny and 70º as I write this and it’s a reminder that our winter weather can be rainy, snowy or sunny with brilliant blue skies! It also means that we can still get out into the garden; we just need to don our flannel shirts and jackets in the early…
Happy discovery! On Crane Valley Rd (221), just north of Manzanita Lake Rd,(222) going toward Bass Lake, I discovered something quite wonderful! Two full grown California Bush Anemones! That may not sound exciting, but in my own garden I had just discovered that my own California Bush Anemone, Carpenteria californica, finally, finally, had pushed up a…
27 favorite ‘ground covers’ Growing plants that ‘cover the ground’ means you have something to plant in the front of a flower bed, something for along the edge of paths and, importantly, something that prevents weeds from growing. You can even ‘create’ a lawn-like area that doesn’t take the maintenance of usual lawn care. All these…
I was able to show photos as I gave a talk today on Fall Color at the Oakhurst Library. For those who missed this event, here is what happened! Fall color surprises! It’s fun to discover Fall color in the garden when you don’t expect it, but don’t forget to plan for more color by choosing some…
Attracting Hummingbirds to the garden… Plant a hummingbird garden and they will come! Lure them right into your own garden with a proper feeder or this list of plants so that you can enjoy them. Be sure to keep binoculars and a zoom camera handy. Hiding behind the drapery may become a habit when you begin attract these living ‘flowers’…
The Week that Was: My story of the 2015 Willow Fire I heard the news online and called my husband, Tractor Man to come look. We could see a column of smoke at the far end of the valley two miles away.. This would become the 5,700-acre 2015 Willow Fire, which began at 2:30 pm on…
A plant I’d love to see in local nurseries… Considering their long-lasting vibrant blooms, hardiness and resistance to drought, deer, extreme temps, Hyssops or Agastache offer plenty of food for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. What more can a gardener ask for? No wonder they’re adored by gardeners far and wide – with several varieties hardy to USDA zones…
Orange you glad to find two new CA natives in the garden? Yes, I am! A new bird and a new California native annual are discovered here in my garden in April. New or just not noticed before? Either way, I’m delighted! And both happen to be shades of orange. First, what I thought was a…
Beautiful Beard Tongue As I stroll through the garden, my attention is drawn to how well adapted Beard Tongue or Penstemons are for the Sierra Foothills! Whether, cultivated hybrids or CA Natives, they are perfectly easy to grow and the bloom is spectacular in your garden. Scroll through the ones I have in my garden and see…
Fall is time for dividing iris, planting and sowing wildflower seeds… Bearded Iris Growing Tips Spring-flowering bulbs thrive in full or partial sun. Good drainage is important for most bulbs, so avoid placing them in soggy areas and in low-lying parts of the garden where water pools during wet winters and spring thaw. Dig a…
Looking into the Sierra Foothill’s past Generations ago —women would gather at these spots to grind their acorn meats. “That’s where they would go get to work. That’s their kitchen — they would keep that very clean,” “You’ll find different holes at different depths. Traditionally, they like a shallower hole to pound the acorn flour.…
What I’m REALLY doing in the garden…last day of June I just came in from an hour out in the garden! Yep, from 6:30am to now, I puttered in the garden doing what I call ‘watering as needed.’ Lamb’s ears are a good ‘indicator plant’ for watering and when this VERY hardy plant droops, you…
Just came in from the garden,…perfect day to be out there, especially with my camera. There was really nice, even lighting. Come see what I’m doing in the garden and what is blooming now in June. I’ve been trimming the lower branches off oaks and manzanita, …I’ll pull all that ivy, (from 1 4″ pot!)…
Driving the foothills: Stopping and turning around…. We had to stop and turn around to photograph this field of Lupine, Vetch and Blue dicks under the oaks growing thickly in a patch. Iridescent blues just glowed here in a flowery show right next to the roadside not far from our home near Oakhurst. To encourage…
October in the foothill garden Walking around the garden here in the foothills of Central California, I feel we’re really nearing the end of the gardening season. I’m tired. Tired of watering and ready to rake everything, gather up the rest of the clippings, neaten the garden and come in for some rainy days. I…
In our third year of drought in the Sierra foothills, we search for ways to allow our gardens to survive. Here, you’ll see how to make your garden thrive! Learn which plants to grow, how to water and how to preserve that water once it’s in the soil. Included is a print and keep ‘ideal’…
