September first – how did that happen? While we and our gardens were waiting for heat this summer, time seemed to slow down. But now it appears that we’re in to the late summer heat waves interspersed with some chillier mornings, which herald the coming of fall. Unfortunately, the extreme heat last week cooked much of the summer produce that was finally ripening. Read more »

Will we have a summer with no real heat?  Those of us on the west side of this county are sure wondering what happened to summer.   It does make working outside easier and watering pressures are lower and I have been surprised that the tomatoes are starting to produce even though they like heat.  It has been a great summer for lettuce, root crops, chard, and the basil and beans don’t seem to be bothered by the cool. 

  Read more »

Around the first of August the summer season begins to shift. We notice it getting dark earlier in the evening and the Canada geese start flying in circles around the Laguna. These geese do not migrate, but apparently are triggered by the shortening days to exercise their wings. In spite of the cool summer this year, main crop tomatoes are starting to ripen, but heat lovers like ripe (fully colored) peppers and melons are still several weeks away. Read more »

The garden is growing so fast these days, if you leave for a few days it is impressive how much has grown when you return. In spite of disease problems with the late rains, it looks like it is a fantastic fruit year,  Every where I have gone lately I see plums dropping and peach trees full. Mid July is the time to gear up for harvesting, checking zucchini on a daily basis, and changing the way you eat so the abundance from the garden dictates the menu.  Read more »

These could be the days to kick back in the hammock in the shade and watch your garden grow. The main summer garden is planted, hopefully the drip irrigation system is working well and there is only moderate harvesting to do. However, while you’re dozing in the hammock, the beans extend another 8 inches and need help finding the trellis, the tomato and cuke vines poke sideways out of their cages, and the first zucchini are in danger of becoming baseball bats if you snooze too long. Read more »

Long days are at their peak this week, we can garden into the evening, plants take all this light and grow like crazy. Read more »

Boy, am I embarrassed by my blog last month! Too much wishful thinking… I wanted to believe what I heard about no more rain in May! I don’t have a clue what’s ahead for us now, (other than the longest days of the year), but am grateful that this weekend was warm and dry and the warm season vegetables can start to put on some real growth. Read more »

May 18 iGROW Blog

 Summer is coming

 Wow -more rain in the forecast, not our normal spring but I always am thankful for rain in the dry west, soon enough we will be dry and hot. Read more »

When I heard the 30 day forecast last week for no more rain, I said hallelujah! The spring rains have been great for our reservoirs, pastures, wildflowers and many perennials, and it has been wonderful to not worry about watering. But they have delayed soil work substantially in low areas and heavy clay and being the California gardener that I am, I’m ready to start gardening!  Lots of late rain can cause problems with some crops too, which I’ll touch on below. Read more »

Happy Earth  Day everyone!  I think gardening is a great way to celebrate the earth, getting our hands in the soil.  Everyone was leaving the Farmer’s Market with tomato plants and I want to use that as an excuse to talk about microclimates.  Sonoma County is full of different microclimates and where you live makes a huge difference when it is safe to plant tomatoes and other warm season crops that will die if it freezes.  If you do not know when your average frost free day is ask a neighbor who has a garden.   I know that where I live and where I work are Read more »