Columns

I don’t know about you, but it seemed to me that 2023 was a challenge for the plants in my little garden. Between the atmospheric rivers and the cold nights in late spring, I barely got my herbs started in June. Then the weather...

“Easter is the only time when it's perfectly safe to put all of your eggs in one basket.” —Evan Esar, an American Humorist Of all the holidays we celebrate in America, 12 of these are National and five are Occasions, with Easter being my favorite Occasion....

File this under the heading “Be careful what you wish for.” The Dog Days of Summer aren’t even here yet, but the thermometer is inching toward 100 degrees. How’s your garden looking? All plants need water—even those that are tolerant of our summer dry conditions....

Vines are beautiful to look at when in bloom or fall color. Fragrant vines can scent the air when you’re sitting outside on the patio. Vines can make a quick screen from the next-door neighbor. They can help create distinct garden rooms. And best...

What fun it must have been for the children raised in the 1900s at Filoli Estate. You can just imagine what a kid could do on 654 acres of orchards, fields and gardens creating a maze of places to hide and seek. As gardeners,...

Most of us around here either live in a forest or near one. We are no strangers to nature as some city dwellers might be. We often spend time on a trail. You know the feeling you get when you are out walking slowly...

In the 1950s, aluminum became popular with housewives in the form of drinkware, serving dishes and cookware. In Watsonville and living on Green Valley Road, five miles outside of town, we were serviced by the milkman driving his milk truck twice a week. Not only...

I understand, not everyone enjoys or wants to workout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do things each day to keep you strong, mobile and healthy. When you hear getting in better shape, you probably naturally think of the gym and another monthly expense...

How’s your stretching game? Think of how your body feels waking up each morning. Now, try bending down. Are you able to pick things up with ease? If you move around each day with a stiff body, that can all change with a few...