Starry False Solomon’s Seal
One of the best things about a woodland garden is the way shadows, green tones, and soft duff evoke the presence of enchanted creatures just beyond our vision. No plant … Continue reading
How to Reform your Killer Cat
Our cat wears a harness and a leash when he’s outside. Why? He’s a killer. I love gardening and Jan loves birds. As soon as we had our own yard, … Continue reading
Eighteen Gates
I have a fascination with gates. They’re doors but when you pass through them, you’re not indoors. What could be better? This week, I give you Gates of the East … Continue reading
Living Local: Our Own Backyard
There’s no place more local than your own backyard. We’re outdoorsy gals and we spend a lot of time both working and relaxing in our yard. When we bought the house, … Continue reading
Happy Haunting
On Halloween, we like to set a spoooooky scene for our neighbors without making the wee little trick-or-treaters run off screaming in terror. Jack-o-lanterns are always a big hit, and the more … Continue reading
A Truly Local Cocktail
San Francisco was originally named for this plant, Yerba Buena. It means “good herb” in Spanish. The City’s name was changed to San Francisco in 1846. The botanical name for … Continue reading
Beach Strawberry
This California native plant, Fragaria chiloiensis, grows quickly in our yard in Oakland. Sometimes it grows too well, spreading into areas intended for less rambunctious native plants. Still, it’s a great groundcover in … Continue reading
Nesting Box
I could take a whole series of photos showing beautiful security bars in Oakland. This design for windows in the Longfellow neighborhood is my favorite example. The center of the … Continue reading
five-one-oh 