Category: Column: Josh Reilly

By Josh Reilly February, the month of love and of Saint Valentine. We know little of Valentine, except that he lived in the 2nd century CE and lost his head after insisting on performing Christian rites in then pagan Rome. For his trouble (and accounts are gruesome), he was sainted about 300 years later, possibly on February 14. Valentine’s story… Read More

By Josh Reilly What are “bare root” plants? These are plants raised to maturity in soil for the retail nursery trade. Harvested during the Winter dormant season, the roots are cleaned of all soil, packed in wood shavings, paper or other absorbent material, and shipped in paper or plastic. They are displayed thus packaged at the nursery or in beds… Read More

By Josh Reilly You don’t have to encourage wildlife in the garden. It’s there already. In fact, you are probably trying to do the opposite, at least when it comes to raccoons, mice, squirrels, insects, birds that eat seedlings, and those twin scourges of SLV gardens, gophers and deer.  Other visitors, however, are most welcome, if a bit hesitant or… Read More

By Josh Reilly Fall is the season of bedrock Puritan virtues in the garden, like delayed gratification, preparedness, hard work, and thrift. It’s the best time to plant perennials, shrubs, trees, bulbs, many leafy vegetables, vines, and almost everything else (except bare root roses, best planted in January). In the San Lorenzo Valley, Fall brings the rain. Hence, savings on… Read More

By Josh Reilly Most gardeners have at least a few pots around the yard. You can move pots seasonally, if your plants need more, or less, sun in summer, or frost protection in winter in a greenhouse or under your roof eaves. You may just like moving things around from time to time. Pots are, mostly, gopher-proof (animals keep effort… Read More

By Josh Reilly It’s peak season in San Lorenzo Valley gardens. Roses, salvias, Jerusalem sage, irises, poppies, lavenders, yuccas, succulents, penstemons, sedums, Peruvian lilies and ground covers like creeping Thyme are all in full riot. Azaleas and rhododendrons are lighting up shady corners. Pelargoniums and geraniums (often confused) are going off like fireworks. Long blooming standbys like Erigeron will be… Read More

By Josh Reilly Welcome travelers and neighbors on the move! Spring is upon us. There is a softness in the air, sap is flowing, and leaf buds are opening. The hillsides are still green, and the soil still a little damp. There is no shortage of destinations in the SLV to delight the eye, charm the senses, and satisfy curiosity.… Read More