Garden News & Views

What is California's native milkweed and why should we plant it? Native milkweeds are perennials with clusters of small (usually white or pink) flowers that grow in every eco-region of California.

Soil, rather than dirt, is a living ecosystem that supports plant life. When soil is healthy and aerobic, it protects plants from disease, retains and gives access to nutrients, decomposes toxins, and builds soil structure. One very important component of healthy soil is organic matter.

"Sea of red... mulch, that is" by WSDOT is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Benefits of Mulch Mulch is one of the gardener's most useful tools: applied correctly, it suppresses weeds, improves water retention in soil, and keeps the soil temperature down.

These jeweled toned beauties are wonderful in the garden. Nasturtiums are quite easy to grow and usually planted in the Spring after the last frost has passed. I have seen Nasturtiums begin to grow from the previous season as early as January.

Photos by Sabrina Williams Soil is... not dirt, of course. Many of us who have spent time in the garden know that dirt is essentially dead. Soil, on the other hand, is a living, complex ecosystem.