Under the Solano Sun

golden yellow sunflower highlighted in a field of sunflowers against the blue sky

Seasonal observations by UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

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Eggplant (photos by Karen Metz)

Gardening in the Time of COVID

June 24, 2020
It's been an interesting experience to garden at the time of the COVID 19 outbreak. Shortly after we had gone under the shelter at home order, my husband called me from Raleys to tell me they were selling tomato plants.
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photo by Jenni Dodini

My Mothers Day Bougainvillea

June 23, 2020
One of my surprise gifts this year was the lovely bougainvillea pictured below. I did not have the heart to tell the giver that I have been known as a killer of bougainvillea.
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Photo: Andrew Majcher/Getty Images

Roses Part 2: Are Those Carnival-Colored Roses for Real?

June 22, 2020
I hope you still have roses to enjoy in your garden. I suspect some of you may have received some rose bouquets for Mother's Day, and some of those may have been the carnival-colored roses (aka Rainbow Roses). If not, you have probably seen them on Internet ads.
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EPA Temperature Chart 2016

Hot and Bothered

June 19, 2020
Temperatures have been increasing on planet earth since the 19th century. According to NASA, (https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/decadaltemp.php) the average global temperature has increased by 2F since 1880, with two-thirds of that warming occurring since 1975.
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photo by Gene Ekenstam

Gardening with Chickens

June 18, 2020
After moving to our house in Benicia 9 years ago, getting all the books on shelves, having the back yard landscaping re-done, and starting our various volunteer activities, we concluded that it was time to begin a new venture. So we bought some newly-hatched chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).
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