Tom Karwin News Today

"This column includes a book review that has inspired comments about garden photography," writes columnist Tom Karwin. "The photo gallery includes plants that succeed in my garden and are blooming now."

"Gardeners often pursue plant selection by walking through a garden center or browsing a garden catalog. These approaches can result in acquiring plants with individual appeal but could lead to adding plants that ultimately do not succeed in the garden."

"In today's column, we dive a bit deeper into the Spring Native Plant Sale presented by the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society," writes columnist Tom Karwin. "This event will be convened on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cabrillo College’s Horticulture Center."

"Gardening by walking around is among our recommended practices; it builds upon the business practice of managing by walking around (which should be a productive activity)," writes columnist Tom Karwin. "Walking the garden generally has two principal results: appreciating plants in bloom, and noticing projects that need attention."

"Now that spring has arrived, it inspires many gardeners to add plants to their gardens, either to fill in gaps, add new color, or just enjoy horticultural beauty," writes columnist Tom Karwin. "We now have a timely opportunity to acquire new plants: the spring plant sale of the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society."

"Today’s column picks apart the process of designing a garden bed. All gardeners have occasion to pursue such a project for various reasons, whether developing a new garden, replacing a bed that had been unpleasing, or adopting a new design objective," writes columnist Tom Karwin.

"Gardeners generally enjoy nurturing their plants, getting their hands in the soil, and communing with nature. There’s something primal about the experience," writes Tom Karwin. "Still, just as plants evolve, gardening evolves to incorporate modern technology."

"Succulents are not a separate plant family, taxonomically speaking, but they occur within various plant families," writes Tom Karwin. "About 25 plant families have multiple succulent species, and about 35 families have only a few succulent species. "

"The genus Salvia is varied in size and color, easy to grow, and trouble-free," writes Tom Karwin. "It comes to mind because so many specimens exist in my garden, and because this season is the time to schedule cutting them down. It has been about a year since I focused on these plants, so this is an occasion to revisit the garden stalwarts."

"Roses are going dormant at this time of the year," writes Tom Karwin. "This is the season for annual care for your roses, including propagating, pruning, and adding plants to your garden."