UC Master Gardeners of Solano County Logo

UC Master Gardeners of Solano County

bright yellow flannelbush flower and in the background are deep blue ceanothus flowers
Article

My Latest Salvia

May 16th, 2025
 I really appreciate it when Salvias work out well in my yard. In my various trials over the last 20 years, some have been more successful than others, and in the process, I've come to understand that there are many, with new ones available regularly.The “x” in the name indicates that variety results…
View Article
Article

Spring Hanging Baskets and Other Garden Blooms

May 14th, 2025
Blog by Cindy YeeSome years ago, upon visiting the garden of new line-dancing friends, I was struck by the beautiful hanging baskets dotting their fence. The flower baskets with different-colored geraniums really added oomph to the lovely yard. I have since hung baskets on our own fence and am very happy…
View Article
Article

Spring Flowers

May 13th, 2025
Blog article by Karen MetzDriving around town, lately I’ve seen so many flowers. First the trees were blooming, now the roses are everywhere, also irises, geraniums, rock roses, lavenders and callas.  It seems like our winter rains this year have given us such an amazing profusion of blossoms. …
View Article
Article

In the Garden-A Time to "Do" and a Time to Just "Be"

May 12th, 2025
Blog article by Paula PashbyI enjoy kicking back and looking over the accomplishments from a hard day in the garden. However, I will usually end up noticing other things that also need tending; a little pruning here and there or some weeds that I did not see before settling down in my comfy chair. During…
View Article
Article

A Local Gem of a Garden

May 6th, 2025
Blog by Michelle KrespiI recently had the pleasure of visiting the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley. A good friend of mine has been a docent there for over ten years and has told me so much about the garden, that I was excited to finally see it. I have to preface my…
View Article
Article

Cats in the Nursery

April 30th, 2025
Blog article by Brenda Altman, UC Master GardenerHave you ever walked into a plant nursery store and discovered a pleasant surprise? No?  Nothing like an exotic plant or an heirloom garlic special but cats. Oh, it is a cat, no, it is two, no, three. Nova, Tessa, and Reggie now reside at the Mid-City…
View Article
Article

What's Growing in the Library?

April 17th, 2025
Blog article by Brenda AltmanOne overlooked feature of John F Kennedy Library in Vallejo is the free garden seed station. It is located on the wall just before the restrooms.  Anyone can take seeds for their own use. Seeds are donated by library patrons and the Seed Barn.  The seeds are separated…
View Article
Article

Botanical Mementos

April 16th, 2025
Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master GardenerMany of us have plants in our gardens or yards that remind us of people or places.  Sometimes trees or shrubs are planted to honor the birth of a child, a milestone birthday, or in memory of a loved one.  We might have plants that we have grown from…
View Article
Article

The Joy of Zoo Gardens

April 15th, 2025
Blog by Erin Mahaney, UC Master Gardener As a gardener, one of the charms of visiting zoos is not only seeing the animals, but the zoo plantings as well.  Even now that the children are grown, we have continued our family tradition of visiting a local zoo on the last day of a big trip when everyone…
View Article
Article

Purple Spoon

April 14th, 2025
Blog by Michelle Schlegel, UC Master GardenersWalking through my garden gate, I am greeted by a happily blooming African Daisy. I bought it last year and planted it in the raised bed circle surrounding a Strawberry tree. It was hard to choose which African Daisy to buy, as they come in such an amazing…
View Article
Article

Patio gardens of Cordoba, Spain

April 11th, 2025
Blog by CIndy Yee, UC Master GardenerGreetings from a Road Scholar tour called “Tales of Iberia: Portugal and Spain”.  In Cordoba, our local guide Lucia took us to visit a few local home patio gardens, which are basically enclosed courtyards or atriums.  Annually, every May, Cordoba holds a…
View Article
Article

Spring Flower: The Freesia

April 10th, 2025
Blog by Brenda Altman, UC Master Gardener  Fragrant freesias are a sure sign of spring. Freesias are a flowering bulb plant native to South Africa. The bulbs are fuzzy and teardrop-shaped and 1” high.  The plants grow about a foot high and develop fingerlike flower stems which open and produce…
View Article
Article

California Pipevine’s Marvelous Fruiting

April 2nd, 2025
Blog by Patricia Matteson, UC Master GardenerAs observed in a Suisun City garden, the fruits and seed dispersal of the California pipevine, or “California Dutchman’s pipe,” Aristolochia californica Torr., turned out to be remarkable and beautiful. There are over 500 species of pipevine in the family…
View Article
Article

Anemones for Early Spring Color

April 1st, 2025
Blog by Erin Mahaney, UC Master Gardener Sometimes, the simple pleasure of an early-blooming blossom can greatly minimize the doldrums of a chilly, grey winter day. Anemones are one of my favorite easy-to-grow flowers, brightening my yard and filling my vases in the early spring. There are dozens…
View Article
Article

Longing for a Cottage Garden

April 1st, 2025
Blog by Heather Hamilton, UC Master GardenerI am always on the lookout to add something new and beautiful to my garden. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a wildflower called Corn Cockle, which is the common name for Agrostemma githago. A beautiful purple, pink or white herbaceous annual that would be…
View Article
Article

Time to Start Tomatoes from Seed!

April 1st, 2025
Blog article by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan, UC Master GardenerI am trying not to grow “too many", and my list already has 11 varieties based on past success, days to maturity, size, color, foliage, and how I plan to eat them. While I start the season with more than my share of tomato sandwiches, as the season…
View Article
Article

What to Do?

March 31st, 2025
Blog article by Ann Short, UC Master GardenerWell, I’ve never been a blogger, but from time to time I feel like there’s something I just need to put out there. Spring is hard on the heels of our wet and soggy winter, and while I was out puttering about in my garden yesterday morning, I was super concerned to…
View Article
Article

Bluebonnets

March 27th, 2025
Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMy parents were both born in Texas. I grew up in many different places because my father was in the military.  As both sets of grandparents lived in Texas, there were many visits back.  Once, my dad was even stationed in Texas at Corpus Christi…
View Article
Article

Succulent Shell Planter

March 26th, 2025
Blog article by Cindy Yee, UC Master Gardener-SolanoI have been searching for a “perfect” giant horse conch in SW Florida for a while now. The horse conch is Florida's state shell and can reach 24 inches long.  I think it's right up there in desirability with the coveted junonia, although many might…
View Article
Previous Next
Looking for more related content?
Search Now

Coming Up Soon!

computer open to a plant purchasing site
flyer for drip irrigation talk

The mission of the UC Master Gardener Program is to extend to the public research-based information, verified by UC experts, about home horticulture, pest identification, landscape maintenance, and other environmental issues.  The Program's outreach emphasizes the importance of sustainable landscape practices in addressing multiple environmental concerns, including water and air quality, energy and soil conservation, invasive species, and waste management.

The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a partnership among the University of California, USDA, county governments, and California residents.  This program is an important outreach and public service arm of the UC's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) direct at home gardeners. Master Gardener Program training and management are administered by the county UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices.  Certified Master Gardener are agents of UCCE. In exchange for the excellent training they receive, Master Gardener volunteers extend horticultural information and offer educational programs and garden-related demonstrations in their communities.

Contribute for a Better Future

Make a Gift

Upcoming Events

Jun 4 2025

Online Ordering

Learn about:Ordering plants and tress online-is it worth it or not? It depends...Shipping "problems" and how to avoidUsing online tools on different websitesYouTube and gardening groupsThe importance…
View Event
Jul 2 2025

Vertical Gardening

Topics covered:Trellis, cages and other supportsStaking, strings, clamps and tiesActivity: Staking and unruly indeterminate tomato
View Event
Aug 6 2025

Garden Carts, Wagons & Wheelbarrows

Choosing the right garden cart, wagon, or wheelbarrow can make transporting heavy items easier and more efficient. Learn how to properly load and unload from a car or truck, and explore exercises to…
View Event
View All Events

Office Locations

UCCE-Solano County

501 Texas Street
first floor
Fairfield, CA 94533
United States

Phone
(707) 389-0645
texts okay
jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu
jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu
Fax Number
(707) 429-5532

Mission Statement

The Mission of the UC Master Gardener Program is to extend research based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives.