May 28, 2026
Weeds are uninvited party guests. They arrive with a good bottle of Bordeaux, keep to themselves, but by morning all their friends are camping on your property.
In Sacramento, weeds are especially obnoxious. Our long growing season encourages cycles of cold and warm weather weeds that can reach towering heights or, like ground covers, hug the soil. Some, like spotted spurge, grow low and blend into the surroundings like a sniper.
The late Ray D. Everson, editor of the Indiana Farmer’s Guide magazine, once opined, “The philosopher who said that work well done never needs doing over never weeded a garden.” A statement of truth gardeners instantly grasp.
Apr 28, 2026
Spring is an aphrodisiac. Soil and air temperatures warm and the seasonal clock prompts a stampede to nurseries. We fall in love with flowers, vegetables and pretty pots. It’s a time of purpose and joy.
Once paradise has been rescued from weeds, spring triumphs can overshadow impending disasters. Remember, gardens, like marriages, don’t respond well to neglect.
Mar 28, 2026
At the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo at Cal Expo, I spotted a familiar face, award-winning Sacramento landscape designer Michael Glassman. His company, Michael Glassman & Associates, has performed outdoor living magic for more than 40 years.
Outdoor season is long and cherished. We emerge from winter’s chill, survey the yard and evaluate the work ahead. If the landscape is hopeless or woefully outdated, designers can do all the work or offer advice on an hourly basis to help avoid costly mistakes.
Feb 28, 2026
Growing up is more than aging from Hello Kitty to margaritas. In gardens, growing up is vertical gardening. It’s functional and decorative and has been around, in some form, longer than “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
Instead of allowing plant sprawl that gobbles up valuable space, guide plants skyward. Use trellising, staking and training. Hang plants in pots and planters.
Space can be limited in urban neighborhoods. Too much shade from mature trees, small yards, swimming pools, patios and decks shrink growing areas. Apartment decks and balconies are well suited to vertical gardening.
Jan 28, 2026
Garden art isn’t restricted to statuary, murals and fountains. Art in the garden has a botanical relative, the Japanese maple.
A powerful piece of art draws the eye and stirs the senses. It reaches out, lures you into its space and kindles dopamine. Elegant, spectacular in form, vibrant in color, the Japanese maple is worthy of crowds at the Louvre, the Met, the Crocker.
Favored for grace and beauty, these ornamental trees burst into spring colors, settle into muted summer tones and deliver a knockout punch of fall hues.
Dec 28, 2025
Welcome to the eve of renewal. A new year of nurturing our plant babies dawns once holiday decor is packed and stored. Plant yourself in a favorite chair and contemplate what great gardening deeds might be accomplished with gloved hands and inventive minds.
Few things in life are certain. One is essential. We need to eat. Food insecurity is rising, along with the cost of feeding ourselves and families.
Health care costs are soaring, too. What we eat affects overall health. Swapping donuts and cookies for blueberries, citrus and tomatoes is a nutritional slam dunk.
