The Mountain Gardener: Can an almanac predict the weather?
The other day, I was leafing through the Harris' Farmer's Almanac 2011 Gardening Guide looking for gardening tips and checking out the regional weather forecasts for the year. This classic booklet has been published "for use of farmers, planters, mechanics and all families" since 1818 and contains "weather forecasts, planting tables, and a variety of matter useful and entertaining." If you haven't read one lately, I can tell you it lives up to its promise. Here is just a sampling.
The Mountain Gardener: Garden trimmings gain new purpose to trim holiday halls
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The garden's been put to rest for the winter, now covered with a nice blanket of compost.
Editor’s Notebook: Dedicated to charity
I recently spoke with Annette Marcum, the director and founder of Valley Churches United Missions, on the phone about the extreme need in our area this year.
The Mountain Gardener: Beautiful plants don’t always need much water
There are so many great plants that don't require a lot of water to look beautiful. It's always a plus if they attract hummingbirds and other wildlife. Some favorites are so reliable that we consider them tried and true. Who doesn't want to include more plants like this in the garden? On the lookout for cultivars of old favorites, I came across a few that I plan to include this year in my own garden and also in upcoming drought tolerant designs. I'm excited.
SV cyclist races toward 2012 Olympics
Professional cyclist Shelley Olds Evans got her start on a road bike just five years ago, and already the 29-year-old looks like a clincher to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Little Leaguers win tournament
The Scotts Valley 10-year-old All Stars won the District 39 Little league crown on Saturday, July 6 with a 5-2 victory over Aptos. Scotts Valley was led by the pitching of Arthur Soto, who threw four scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out eight. Scotts Valley scored their five runs on seven hits including two by Zephyr Christensen and two doubles by Weber Stemm. The Scotts Valley team will go on to represent District 39 in the Sectional tournament, which begins Saturday, July 13 in Campbell.
The Mountain Gardener: Firescape landscaping
I walk regularly in Henry Cowell State Park in Felton. I can't imagine losing the majestic redwood forest I enjoy so much to a fire. Over the summer there were a number of arson-caused fires in the park. Actually 10 separate fires have occurred in the same general area and along the San Lorenzo River over the past six months, some caused by campfire escapes and some by arson. All of them were caused by humans.
Central Coast Good Fire Fair returns Saturday to Henry Cowell Redwoods...
California State Parks will host the third Central Coast Good Fire Fair and demonstration burn Saturday, Oct. 10, at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
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