Spring in the Olson cherry orchard. Before it was Silicon Valley, it was the Valley of Heart’s Delight. Ten million fruit trees in 1910, most of them prunes. The Olson family and their orchards are a link to the family farms of the past century. The Olson’s were Swedish immigrants who settled in 1899 in Sunnyvale, before it was a …

The male House Finch (aka Rose Finch) has a attractive red crown and throat. It is larger than the goldfinches and has a heavier beak for cracking seeds. While goldfinches prefer the small nyger seeds, the rose finch can eat sunflower seeds and other larger birdfeed.

This pair of sycamores (Plantanus Acerfola) were planted on either side of the entry to Lester E. Bocks’ farm and fruit orchard in 1927. The ornamental trees were purchased from a San Jose nursery, as nothing like them were available in Sunnyvale at the time. The original 50 acre tract from 1850 owned by C. O. Bocks was the largest …

This is a large Coast Live Oak. It started growing over 250 years ago: Before Silicon Valley, before the Valley of Hearts Delight. The first name of Sunnyvale, Encinal, was from the spanish word for the coast live oak. Quercus agrifolia, the coast live oak, is an evergreen oak. It grows west of the Sierra Nevada from Mendocino County, California, …

This is a large Coast Live Oak with two massive trunks. It started growing over 250 years ago: Before Silicon Valley, before the Valley of Hearts Delight. The first name of Sunnyvale, Encinal, was from the spanish word for the coast live oak. Quercus agrifolia, the coast live oak, is an evergreen oak. It grows west of the Sierra Nevada …

The Ptilotus Joey, also known as the Ptilotus exaltatus or Mulla Mulla, is a perennial plant with large, conical spikes of feathery flowers that are well-suited for gardens and mixed containers: Flowers: The flowers are long-lasting and start out silver before maturing to a neon pink color near the tips. Leaves: The plant has thick, green leaves with a silver …

An excellent cut flower that blooms summer through fall. The more you cut the more they grow. 2-5 inch blooms ideal for borders and bouquets. Beautiful shades of pink, yellow and orange. Annual. heat and disease tolerant. attracts butterflies. start 5-7 weeks before planting after last frost. plant 1/4 inch deep, 10 to 15 iches apart. height 24 to 36 …

Roughly inspired by a Louisiana-style hot sauce like Tabasco, this fermented condiment gets its intense color and fruity flavor from berries. Prep: 10 minutes Fermentation Time: 168 hours Total Time: 168 hours plus 10 minutes Serves: 32 to 40 servings Makes: 2 to 2 1/2 cups Ingredients For the Mash: 8 ounces blackberries 8 ounces blueberries 5 1/3 ounces habanero …

Agastache ‘Blue Boa’, also known as Giant Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is a stunning perennial that adds a splash of vibrant color to any garden. Here are some tips and insights to help you grow this beautiful plant successfully: Light and Location – Sunlight: Plant your Agastache ‘Blue Boa’ in a location that receives full sun to a little afternoon …

Chiltepin peppers, also known as “bird’s eye peppers,” are a unique and fiery addition to any garden. These tiny peppers pack a punch, with a Scoville heat rating of 50,000-100,000 units, making them 6-40 times hotter than a jalapeño¹. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, chiltepin peppers are often referred to as the “mother of all peppers” …