I was sorting through photos and came across this gem from March 31, 2022. Much of our garden is now over 25 years old, soI consider the area at the bottom of the hill, 100 feet lower than the house,
With the lack of rain for the last month or so, there have been almost no rainbows, so I had to create my own. I finally found a purpose for all the broken and worn-out shovels I’ve accumulated over the
On New Year’s Eve 2026, heavy rain caused a 15-foot aloe tree in the author’s garden to topple. Despite attempts to save it, the decision was made to remove the plant. A silver torch cactus was relocated to fill the gap, leading to a refreshed front garden that now thrives.
The post discusses recent extreme weather patterns in San Diego, highlighting significant rainfall, including a record 6 inches in 24 hours. Following an extended dry spell, winter rains began unusually early. The author also details storm damage to garden plants, including Euphorbia lactea and Grevillea robusta, and their recovery efforts.
Kristin Law, a long-time friend on Facebook, sent me a message. Kristin specializes in landscape design and maintenance and owns “Law of Nature Garden Design.” Although we had never met in person, I was familiar with her through her numerous
I don’t remember when I first noticed moon gates in gardens. However, viewing old photos from garden tours, I discovered a few. The earliest photo was on a Pacific Horticulture Society tour of gardens in the New York area in
It’s official. Blue-eyed grass is now the official flower of San Diego. From the April 22, 2025, San Diego Union Tribune: San Diego has a new city flower for the first time in 61 years. The City Council voted unanimously …
In 1998, when we moved into our 1939 Spanish Colonial Revival house in Mission Hills, we found that despite having an acre of land, there was little space available for landscaping and planting. The only area suitable for this purpose
Back in February 2018 and April 2018 I wrote two articles for the newsletter about making mosaic pavements and walkways in our garden. Since then I’ve continued making more mosaics and here’s an update. We enjoyed hosting the 86 members
In 2020, the author navigated the challenges of the pandemic, celebrating their 65th birthday and receiving the Pfizer vaccine. They documented their travels and home projects throughout the year, from hiking in local parks to garden improvements. The year ended with hope for 2021, marked by blooming aloes and anticipated travels.
I’m not sure when I first became fascinated by mosaic pavings. Perhaps it was while looking at photos of the ancient Roman villa floors of the ruins of Pompeii. Or when traveling to Europe and noticing the intricate pavings in
Agaves are great garden plants since most are low water, need little maintenance and can add a strong accent to gardens. However, there are also problems.The obvious problem with growing agaves is that many of them have sharp leaves. Some
We have a lot of agaves in our garden. However, it took me a while to warm up to agaves. One of the first ones I grew was Agave victoriae-reginae. It looks like a giant artichoke with stiff leaves that
This is a continuation of earlier posts about filling in our swimming pool and replacing it with a garden. The previous posts were about the construction and garden hardscape. This post is about the planting of the former pool area.
This is the start of the 5th year I’ve been writing the series “My Life with Plants”. For anyone that knows me or has visited my garden, what they may find amazing is that in all those articles I’ve only
By late winter of 2003, we were ready to begin planting. Since purchasing the house in 1998, I had been contemplating what to plant. I observed the sun and shadow patterns carefully over several seasons and decided on the following
The post details a garden project on a steep hillside, involving the creation of pathways, retaining walls, and seating areas for better accessibility. The author describes discovering and utilizing materials from previous construction, such as rocks and concrete, to enhance the landscape while addressing drainage issues, ultimately expanding the garden space significantly.
By 2000, we had finished most of the renovations inside the house. Initially, one of our main goals was to address the pool area, which had many issues. The most noticeable problem was that all the concrete block planters around
While we were working on remodeling the house, I was desperate to create a garden. However, there were a few challenges to overcome. First, most of the house is surrounded by walkways and patios leaving very little gardening space near
A common question we receive about our garden is regarding the origin and builders of the retaining walls. Except for a few of the newer walls, all were constructed by me and my partner, Scott. We learned through trial and
Last month I wrote about finding and buying our current home in Mission Hills. However before we could move, we had to sell each of our houses. The spring of 1998 was the start of a housing boom and above
I met Scott Borden in September of 1994. November of that year we visited Maui. In June of 1995 we spent my 40th birthday mountain biking and hiking in the eastern Sierras. By 1996, we were alternating spending weekends and
In 1983, the author bought a modest home in Encinitas, expecting to stay briefly. Instead, they renovated, adding a second floor and enhancing the garden while maximizing space. Updates included new balconies, an outdoor fireplace, and expanded patios, leading to increased functionality and aesthetic appeal, making the home ideal for the next eight years.
The author reflects on their vegetable garden in Encinitas, detailing its raised beds made from railroad ties and the challenges of growing certain crops. They found success with tomatoes and various basil types, creating flavorful dishes and pesto. Over time, they employed composting and intensive gardening techniques to enhance soil quality and crop yields.
1994 was a year of big changes and surprises for me. I was starting to be aware that there were other people in San Diego who shared my passion for gardening and plants, however, I knew very few of them.
The author recounts their challenges with wildlife and pests in Encinitas, California, beginning with roof rats on their first night in a new home. Over 15 years, they encountered various animals and struggled with pests like whiteflies and snails. Utilizing organic methods, they eventually managed to control infestations while experiencing amusing raccoon antics.
In previous articles I talked about creating the “bones” – the hardscape, trees and large plants- of my mid-80’s garden in Encinitas. But creating the garden was really all about my passion at the time…growing beautiful flowers. Growing up, as
After moving from the Bay Area to Encinitas, the author navigated the challenges of homeownership and gardening. They struggled with typical landscape plants, learned about local flora, and gradually redesigned their backyard. Through trial and error, they created a garden that reflected their personal touch, despite initial missteps and invasive species.
Thirty years ago, I relocated from the Bay Area to San Diego, seeking a better fit after facing cultural clashes and personal challenges. Despite initial skepticism about San Diego’s reputation, I discovered its charm and opportunities. Eventually, I found my home in Encinitas, fulfilling my desire for space and a garden.
Tumbleweeds and Sequoias The first plant I remember wasn’t beautiful, nothing that you would ever want to grow in your garden, or even alive. It was an invasive weed brought to the U.S. by accident in a shipment of Ukrainian
