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Jill Hunter’s beautification work inspires impact beyond the world of flowers
As you approach former Saratoga mayor Jill Hunter’s front door, you can’t help but notice her blooming backyard garden basking in the sun.
Step inside, and her keen eye for plants is obvious. They are the center of attention.
What else would you expect from someone...
Palm trees are specialized trees
A tree is a woody perennial plant with a single tall trunk and branches. Banana trees and tree ferns lack both branches and wood. Arboriform yuccas develop branches but are not woody. Palm trees are no better. Some develop a few trunks but without...
Freeze damage requires selective pruning
Pruning at the proper time has been a concern all winter. Dormant pruning was timely as soon as defoliation began. It remains timely almost until bloom. Pollarding and coppicing are generally although unnecessarily a bit later within that range. Spring pruning begins soon after...
Aphids savor fresh spring growth
Dormant pruning last winter did more than concentrate resources for flowers and fruits. It did more than eliminate superfluous growth, which many pathogens overwinter in. It also directed or concentrated resources for stems and foliage. Such growth now grows faster than some types of...
Living Christmas trees eventually mature
Living Christmas trees require attention after Christmas. Some can only be contained for a few years, while others need to be graduated to the garden.
There’s a lot to know about toxic plants in home gardens
Oleander that inhabits freeway medians is poisonous enough to be hazardous. Two tons of Buick cruising at 65 miles per hour past such oleander has more potential to be hazardous. The risk associated with toxic plants within freeway medians is as limited as their...
Kids can become little archeologists at Anderson Lake County Park on Coyote Creek Habitat Day
You'll be able to say "Hello," to a California King Snake named Morticia and dig into Earth's history as part of a special event organized by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.
That's because the Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center and the Santa...
Soil is more than dirty
All weeds are plants. Not all plants are weeds. Weeds are a specifiable subset of plants. Specifically, weeds are plants that grow wildly where they are undesirable. Similarly, dirt is likely soil, although it could be anything that is dirty. Soil is not merely...
Council puts Covid cash toward public restroom study, community garden, eliminating termites
In May, the Los Gatos Town Council decided it was going to use $2.9 million of the money Washington gave it to make it through the pandemic toward various capital projects.
And on Tuesday, Los Gatos’ elected officials (minus Vice Mayor Maria Ristow, who was...
Time to turn your mind to your “warm season vegetable” plans
Warm season vegetables, or summer vegetables, can occupy a garden systematically. A few lingering cool season vegetables may continue production for a while. Warm season vegetable plants can replace them as they finish. Several warm season vegetable plants should start as early as possible....

















