Northern California
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Design
Shade-Loving Shrubs for the California
Finding interesting plants for shade can be a struggle, but when you add in the desire for that plant to be a woody shrub, the list narrows even more. But…
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Design
Tips and Tricks for Container Gardening With Conifers
Container gardening is perfect for anyone confined to a balcony or deck and is also a wonderful way to add color, dimension, and versatility to any landscape, large or small.…
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Design
Dry Shade Plants That Thrive in Northern California
Gardening in dry shade is often considered a challenge, yet shade is actually a major plus for any gardener concerned with Northern California's ongoing water concerns. Surprisingly, even though they…
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How-To
Late-Fall Chores in the Northern California Vegetable Garden
One of the best things about vegetable gardening here in Northern California, is that there’s seldom any true downtime. Whether it is winter, spring, summer, or fall, there are chores…
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Design
California Native Shrubs to Plant in Fall
Woody shrubs add year-round interest, fullness, and height to the landscape, defining borders or providing shade and privacy. These sizable offerings often bridge the gap between taller trees and shorter…
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Design
Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for California
In an episode of Fine Gardening's podcast, Let's Argue About Plants, the hosts discuss the importance of evergreen plants, and the particular perks of broadleaf evergreens: "The key to any…
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How-To
When Do You Sow Sweet Peas? Plant Them in Fall If You Live in This Zone
If it’s fall and you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and above, you should be planting your sweet pea seeds. Sweet peas are climbing annual plants that bear clusters…
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Design
6 Great Ornamental Grasses for Northern California
The term "ornamental grass" is a handy way for us to identify an array of plants that have narrow, strappy, or bladelike leaves. This group includes not only the true…
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Design
Flowering Evergreens for the Shade Garden
Evergreen plants contribute life, texture, and color to the landscape all year long. But these plants are particularly valuable during the winter months when deciduous branches are bare, most of…
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How-To
Tips and Tricks for Growing Garlic
If you’ve been to a farmer’s market this July and August, no doubt you have feasted your eyes on gorgeous bulbs of garlic, freshly pulled from the earth just weeks…