northern california
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How-To
Tips for Preparing Your Garden to Thrive Through Summer Heat in NorCal
As summer approaches it will bring with it long and sunny days, increasingly warmer temperatures, and scorching conditions that can tip our region into heatwave territory. Here on the Pacific…
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Design
The Best Filler Flowers for Beautiful Cut-Flower Bouquets
They may not be the prime focus of a floral arrangement, but filler flowers can be just as important as the stars of the show in a bouquet’s overall design.…
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How-To
Invasive Plants to Avoid in Northern California
Invasive plants are nonnative introductions that have the ability to germinate, establish, thrive, reproduce, and spread to other areas without any help from humans. They're the tough, rugged trespassers that…
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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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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…