Gratitude Gourmet

03/16/2026

When I was a child, little delighted me more than the magical green garlands draping from the pine trees, which I made into wreaths and mustaches to roam the mountains of Bulgaria as a miniature Or…

03/16/2026

Wild rice, central to Anishinaabe culture, is shrinking as climate change and pollution take a toll.

03/14/2026

March 14th is National Learn About Butterflies Day!

Did You Know?

Most adult butterflies only live for 1-2 weeks.

The life span of an adult butterfly is particularly short, but the growth process beforehand can be much longer. The butterfly life cycle has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and finally adult butterfly. The complete life cycle of a butterfly from egg to adulthood can last anywhere from 30 days to multiple years, depending on the species.

https://ansp.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/butterflies/lifecycle/

03/14/2026

Today is National Plant A Flower Day!

Now lets talk about attracting butterflies to your garden!

Follow these tips for attracting butterflies:

🔸 Minimize pesticide use.

🔸 Pick a sunny site for planting.

🔸 Choose plants they can use: Adults need nectar, caterpillars need host plants to munch.

🔸 Plan the layout of your plants: Plant in groups of the same flowers rather than individual plants of the same kind scattered in the garden.

🔸 Add some native plants to your garden. Many native plants have good sources of nectar, and also are host plants that butterflies seek out to lay eggs.

🔸 Add some water. The easiest way for butterflies to drink is from a puddle so that they don't get too wet.

🔸 Provide shelter.

More info: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=27517

Photo: Painted Lady on Anise Hyssop
Info by Carmen Kappos, Master Gardeners of Inyo & Mono Counties

03/14/2026

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03/12/2026

03/12/2026

"Happiness depends first of all on having the deep desire for happiness, and then on having a spiritual path to follow. Every day, do some little thing on that path, and you will be happy. Don’t try to do big things. Do small things to make yourself happier, to make your friends happier. When you cook a dish or clear the table, do it beautifully, for yourself and for the people around you. You can start right away."
-Thich Nhat Hanh (Fidelity)

03/08/2026

03/07/2026

Citrus trees are a bright spot in many California gardens. 🍊

Grapefruit and other citrus varieties thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. To support healthy growth:

• Water deeply but infrequently
• Avoid over-fertilizing
• Monitor regularly for pests
• Prune lightly and only when needed

With consistent care, citrus can reward you with years of fruit.

Are you growing grapefruit or other citrus in your yard?




Photo credit: UC Regents
Photo description: A person is harvesting grapefruit from a tree that is heavily laden with fruit.

03/07/2026

March is National Nutrition Month

It is celebrated each year and was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to educate people about healthy habits. It encourages people to focus on making healthy eating and physical activity habits.

At UC ANR, we promote healthy people and communities; safe, nutritious and abundant food; and education to make every food choice and every food dollar count.

Grow your own food with our vegetable growing chart: https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/vegetable-planting-chart/

Don’t have time or space to grow your own food? Find a farmers market in Santa Clara County here: https://ag.santaclaracounty.gov/farmers-market/list-farmers-markets

Photo: a collection of nutritious foods from the farmers market

03/07/2026

Herb Spotlight: Parsley

Parsley is an easy herb to grow in our area all year round. It's a biennial, so it will grow leaves that can be used in cooking the first year and then it will grow flowers the second year. Most people treat it as an annual and replant it each year. But you can let it continue to grow the second year to attract beneficial insects to the tiny umbel shaped flowers.

Pick leaves any time in the growing season once the plant reaches a height of about 8 inches. Cut stems back to the base of the plant. It is best used fresh, as parsley loses flavor when dried.

Did you know that it's also a host plant for the beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly? Pictured here is one of the caterpillars on a parsley plant. If you love butterflies as much as we do, maybe you'd like to plant a little extra in case you get a Swallowtail who decides to lay an egg on your parsley.

More info about Anise Swallowtails from UC Davis: https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/butterfly/papilio/zelicaon

Photos: Anise Swallowtail caterpillar on parsley and adult Anise Swallowtail