Growing-February

Food
• Artichokes
• Arugula
• Beets
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Chard
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Rhubarb

Herbs
• Chives
• Mint
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Sage

Blooming-February

• Alyssum
• Gaillardia
• Ivy geranium
• Jasmine
• Narcissus
• Nasturtium
• Potato vine (white)
• Rock Rose (pink, white)
• Rosemary
• Roses (still blooming)
• Society garlic
• Sweet Pea Bush

Harvesting-February

• Limes
• Arugala
• Tendergreen Mustard Spinach
• Beet greens

Pride of Madiera-Pride of Coastal Garden

Pride of Madiera in bloom

Pride of Madiera (Echuim candicans) is displaying its magnificent blue spires around my garden. The garden hums with honey bees, bumble bees, and the smaller cousins, solitary bees, as they gather pollen from the pride of Madiera blossoms.

This interesting plant is endemic to the island of Madiera in [...]

April Gardening on the Central Coast

I first wrote this article for the SLO Master Gardeners “Question and Answer” column for The Tribune. I don’t make up this information and because I don’t have experience with planting in the warmer regions of the county, I used a handy little guide put together by the SLO Master Gardeners called “The Gardener’s Journal” to [...]

Cowpea Weevil-Bugs on Dried Peas

Cowpea Weevil "Playing Dead"

I’ve not started planting seeds this spring. What is stopping me? Everything. First of all we are still getting light frost some nights. Secondly, my youngest labradoodle, “Maddie” thinks my vegetable beds are her own private “digging grounds” and my low pressure plastic emitters her “chew toys”. So last night [...]