ECHINACEA

This amazing herb comes from east of Rocky's originally.  Echinacea purpurea is from the far eastern U.S. while the species Echinacea angustifolia is from the central U.S. east.  Though this plant is not native to California its benefits far outweigh its origin. 

The uses for this herb are recorded in history from the Dakota, Cheyenne, Lakota and more Native American peoples.  Most often the root was chewed for toothaches and mouth sores while the leaves and stems were infused for tonics and headaches. 

Echinacea is widely known today to aid the immune system in a battle over the common cold.  Cultivated easily this herb deserves its grace in our gardens.

CRAB SPIDER FEEDING

This underrepresented beneficial arachnid from the Family Thomisidae is eating a plant feeding insect we don't want in our gardens!  These particular families of spiders also have members the same color yellow as the Rose pictured here and can really be a remarkable discovery.

ALOE

Though these images are not of Aloe vera it still contains the same soothing quality for burns and scrapes.  The flowers are filled with nectar drawing hummingbirds to its graceful flowers.

This particular Aloe plant has been in a container and with our family/company since we began in Paradise, CA 8 years ago.  Traveling down to San Luis Obispo, CA and back up to the Sacramento Valley doesn't seem to have harmed it a bit.  Keeping this container plant healthy with organic fertilizers and compost as well as transplanting him into larger containers has been very important to this long lived and useful plant!

THEY'RE BACK!!!!!

Aphids are probably THE most hated garden pest.  They make the plants unsightly not to mention sick-ER!  Most plants have pest problems because they are already weakened or compromised somehow. 

A proper balance of soil microorganisms is the key to healthy plants!  Habitat for beneficial insects like Ladybugs (or Ladybird beetles) is also crucial to keeping pest populations in check.  An environment free of pesticides will help bring in the beneficials to the landscape and is imperative for the whole system to thrive!