HORTIPHILE

notes, musings and rants from plant lovers

The Best “Native” Palm for Bay Area Gardens

written by: Jason Dewees posted: May 21, 2010

May21

These 35-year-old Guadalupe palms thrive in the understory of a 300-year-old valley oak in Walnut Creek, California.

The Guadalupe palm is the perfect palm for Bay Area gardens.

Native to the fog-cooled Guadalupe Island in Baja California, it’s right at home in San Francisco.

Read the full story »

posted under Bay Area Climate, California Natives, Plants for the Bay Area | 2 Comments »

Urban Lettuce Year-Round

written by: Lisa Van Cleef posted: May 12, 2010

May12

Romaine Lettuce, Bernal Heights

With our great climate, not only can we wear down jackets in July, we can grow lettuce year-round.

Lettuce doesn’t like summer heat making it perfect for San Francisco’s fog-shrouded summers. Grow some now!

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posted under Bay Area Climate, Food, Growing Food | 1 Comment »

Join the Great Bee Hunt!

written by: Fred Bove posted: May 3, 2010

May3

Pollinator at Work

The Buzz Around the Great Sunflower Project

What’s happening to our bees? Become a citizen scientist and join the hunt for bees. Read the full story »

posted under Pollinators | No Comments »

Native Planting Time
5:40 pm, October 1, 2010

Three Best Movies Starring Plants
6:58 pm, September 17, 2010

Plant of the Moment
6:13 pm, September 13, 2010

Weed-free Gardening
9:29 pm, September 9, 2010

Beyond the Camera and Into the Garden
4:57 pm, September 3, 2010

Covering all things plant/garden/nature-related, The SFBG Hortiphile is one part newspaper, one part bulletin board, one part water cooler and one part hanging over the back fence talking to your neighbor. It's a place for Bay Area folks to share news, ideas, tips and hints for living the green life.