This is Capsicum pubescens, a rare chili pepper in North America. Commonly known as Rocoto, Rukutu, Ruqutu, Luqutu, or Locoto chilies, these plants are indigenous to Central and South America. Unlike most other types of Capsicum plants, these chilis are not … Continue reading
I had never seen the seeds of a yucca before. It was surprising to see a smattering of jet-black seeds with such a contrast to the bare, dusty, cracked tan soil of our local chaparral. The seeds are beautiful, flat, … Continue reading
After a rainy day brought our class indoors last week, students at Gardner Elementary were excited to have their first session in the garden this week. Last week, our students had the opportunity to learn about the life-cycle of a … Continue reading
Helianthus – flower of the sun Sunflowers have been cultivated for many years in the Southwest. It is estimated they were domesticated around 5,000 years ago in North America. Traditionally, seeds were used to grind into meal, which was baked, … Continue reading
