Salmon fishing has been taking the headline news space lately. But rockfish season opened Sunday, May 1, and that adds to our ocean fishing choices in the Monterey Bay. This is great news if salmon fishing is slow: People can switch to rockfish to fill the coolers with fresh fish.

It's rewarding to grow your own fruit and vegetables, but more and more of us also want to grow flowers that can be cut and enjoyed inside, too. Growers are taking notice of this trend, and there are more cut-flower varieties available today than ever before.

In celebration of Native Plant Week earlier this month, let's talk about using California natives in the garden. How do you pick the best plants for your situation, and what do they need to grow in your garden?