The landscape is so lush in May. Shades of green are everywhere you look — apple green, grass green, forest green, spring green, pine, olive, lime, jade, chartreuse, kelp, sage. Did you know the human eye can identify more than 200,000 shades of green?

Fishing in the ocean has been good for salmon and halibut, and rockfish are showing up, as well. Freshwater fishing opportunities are open, too. In our local waters, Loch Lomond reservoir is open, and the Sacramento watershed is producing shad and striped bass.

May is a month sandwiched by two holidays that should be among our most recognized and important. Like most others, though, their genesis and intent are largely unknown or ignored.

As gardeners, we all approach the new gardening season with enthusiasm and optimism. Then, the rain comes down hard and pelts your new plants into the ground, the nights turn cold again and some of the plants in your garden aren’t so happy anymore. That’s when you need some tried and true plants to star in your landscape, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.