Garden Valley

In a ’second-hand’ garden it is not always a good idea to clear everything away and start again. If you remove the lot at once, you risk leaving the garden looking very open and exposed with no privacy. Many existing features such as trees and shrubs can be left, and a new garden created around [...]

Filed under: Gardening on September 30th, 2009 | Comments Off

When building a terraced flowerbed, the simplest way is to use landscaping timber. These are great because when you use raised flowerbeds, the soil will help the plant grow quicker and will not need as much water. In addition, these types of flowerbeds make it a truly easy to maintain and care for. They also [...]

Filed under: Landscaping on September 30th, 2009 | Comments Off

AN OVERLOOKED ASPECT of local history will get its due Friday when the El Cerrito Historical Society hosts a program and exhibition honoring the pioneer Japanese families who settled in West County and built a flower-growing industry that thrived through most of the 20th century.
The exhibit is “Remembering Our Local Japanese Heritage,” which opens with [...]

Filed under: Flower-growing on September 30th, 2009 | Comments Off

Dandelions aren’t just for plucking from the fields and blowing into the wind anymore.
At a recent meeting of the Northern California unit of the Herb Society of America, those present learned that what had once been an object of a favorite childhood activity is actually one of the most versatile herbs in existence.
Society member Denise [...]

Filed under: Flower-growing on September 30th, 2009 | Comments Off

Spring bulbs are almost magical. These small, modified stems grow underground and spend most of their life in a dormant state. Although bulbs are strongly associated with Holland and its moist, mild climate, they originally come from Turkey and other parts of Asia Minor.
This Mediterranean climate is characterized by cool, moist winters and hot, dry [...]

Filed under: Flower-growing on September 30th, 2009 | Comments Off