Category Archives: Environment

Dutchman’s Pipe: Perfectly Happy in the Home Garden

Dangling from chartreuse vines, the  flowers of Dutchmans’s Pipe, or Aristolochia californica, serve as a reminder of Nature’s unique gifts. As the sun sinks lower toward the horizon, shining its rays through the delicate orchid-like flowers, burgundy veins that look very much like those under our skin, stand out against the antique-yellow petals, creating a lantern-like...

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Weekend wish: visit with your local praying mantis

While clipping the oleanders this past weekend, I disturbed a baby praying mantis. Startled, he quickly jumped onto my arm and said, “Hello.” He then went on to say how much he appreciated my refraining from spraying chemicals in the garden. Had I sprayed, not only would I have killed the aphids, his food source,...

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Would You Like Paper or Plastic? Or, How About a Chico Bag?

During the month of March, I am going to be experimenting with a new kind of blog contest. Before I get started, I want to get an idea of how many of you utilize reusable bags such as the Chico Bag. Chico Bag is a local company that produces handy bags which tuck neatly into...

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