By Leah Taylor, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County (This article originally appeared in the Jan / Feb 2026 edition of Cal Gardens magazine.) San Diego’s diverse coastal ecosystem is home to an extraordinary array of plant species, but few are as rare and captivating as Shaw’s Agave (Agave shawii). This striking succulent, […]
Answer: Plant fava beans! By Mary Cherrington As more home gardeners become interested in natural ways to improve soil health, we receive many questions on the hotline about simple ways to get started. You may already be familiar with fava beans (perhaps paired with a glass of Chianti) but this legume is also a powerhouse […]
Colorful holiday staple, a member of the spurge family, is native to Mexico and has roots in pre-Columbian times By Julio Estrada (This article originally appeared in the December 13, 2025 edition of The Union-Tribune) As a symbol of hope and resilience, the Cuetlaxóchitl, Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower) or poinsettia, has traversed centuries; […]
by Kim Schultz Winter brings the longest nights and shortest days, but it also brings the sunniness of citrus fruit season. While California enjoys citrus year round, winter is a glorious time for many citrus trees: Meyer lemons and clementines, grapefruits and blood oranges. The easy availability of dwarf, semi-dwarf, and standard sized trees at […]
By Donna McClay (This article originally appeared in the November 8, 2025 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) Do you remember the first time you experienced the heady aroma of a rose? Or felt an overwhelming sense of joy as your tulips appeared in the spring? How about the feeling of connecting with Mother Nature […]
