The University of California Master Gardeners was begun in 1980 to help home gardeners with science-based advice on horticultural practices. The Napa County chapter was formed in 1995.
A few weeks ago, I was at Napa Valley College, near the theatre. I noticed some attractive, rounded, leafy shrubs covered with red flowers--in November! As I drew closer, I saw that the shrubs were actually covered with beautiful red pomegranates.
I recently discovered the bunchberry ( Cornus canadensis), a ground-hugging dogwood, and could not resist it. The leaves resemble those on their bigger relatives but they are much smaller. The plant only grows about eight inches high and has traditional blooms.
Now that we're finally getting some rain, don't let it fall off your house, down your gutters and into the storm drain. Catch some of it and use it in your garden. I do two things to catch rainwater. I have eight swales, which are open ditches that are closed at each end.
With winter's official start less than two weeks away, it's rose pruning time. For rose lovers in Napa Valley, that can be hard to accept. With our relatively mild winters, many of us have roses blooming until Christmas.
