Napa Master Gardener Column

The Persephone Period By Helen Dake, UC Master Gardener of Napa County For years, my husband and I grew successful summer gardens. We were so successful that for a while we set up an honor system farmstand for charity on the road in front of our house.

by Penny Pawl, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County A couple of years ago, someone gave me a strawberry plant. I had never grown strawberries as I thought it was difficult. However, I was surprised by this plant and enjoyed the ripe berries.

By T. Eric Nightingale,. UC Master Gardener of Napa County Most people are familiar with proteas, the shrubs with exotic blossoms that are often the focal point of a bouquet. Proteas are only one member of a family of beautiful, drought-tolerant plants.

By Iris Craig, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County When I asked a friend how her garden was doing, she told me that the day after she planted lettuce and basil, she found nothing but stumps. I told her that the likely culprits were snails, birds or rodents.

By Okhoo Hanes, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County The olive tree (Olea europaea) is well suited to Napa Valley. The tree's Mediterranean origin makes it a natural fit for our sunny, arid and temperate climate.