Author Archives: Nicole Clausing

DIY a Houseplant Centerpiece No One Will Be Able to Stop Looking At

Pure Salt’s interior design store in Newport Beach is a sight to behold—it’s literally dripping with plants. Co-owned by Aly Morford and … Read More

How an Ex-Hollywood Stunt Pilot and a Park Ranger Invented Aerial Firefighting

Were it not for the efforts of two men who settled in the town of Willows, California, the August Complex Fire, the largest in… Read More

Experts Agree: This Is the Ultimate Gardening Tool

Some of you may remember that earlier this year, we did a deep dive into backyard gardening and produced an eight-part newsletter on the… Read More

Don’t Let the (Raised) Bed Bugs Bite: Garden Pest Remedies

The following is excerpted from our newsletter, “Sunset 101: The Ultimate Guide to Raised Beds.” To find out more about Sunset’s newsletters, … Read More

How to Grow the Best Roses—And Which Variety Is Right for You

In my front yard, I have a copious number of ancient roses that refuse to give up the ghost. Admittedly neglected, for much of… Read More

Help! When Do I Harvest the Veggies in My Raised Bed?

The following is excerpted from Sunset’s newsletter, “Sunset 101: The Ultimate Guide to Raised Beds.” To find out more about Sunset’s newsletters, click here. Read More

A Raised Bed in a City? This Urban Gardener Did It, and So Can You

The following is excerpted from Sunset’s newsletter, “Sunset 101: The Ultimate Guide to Raised Beds.” To find out more about Sunset’s newsletters, click here. Read More

Wait, Are Raised Beds Right for Your Space? Here’s How to Tell

An excerpt from this piece originally appeared in our newsletter, “Sunset 101: The Ultimate Guide to Raised Beds.” To find out more about Sunset’s newsletters, … Read More

Add a Lot of Green to Your Garden Without Using Much More Water

Trends come and go, but Flora Grubb, the face of iconic San Francisco plant store Flora Grubb Gardens,… Read More

They Fled L.A. for the Desert. Then Her ‘Renovator’s Gene’ Kicked In

If Anna Roth Milner’s phone comes to life with a buzz or a ding, the interruption is likely coming straight from an online real estate… Read More

This Arizona Curandera Changed the Way We Think About Our Wellness Routine

Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz cradles a piece of freshly cut aloe vera between her fingers, delicately holding the plant she’s plucked from… Read More

How to Propagate Your Monstera at Home

Here’s a thought experiment: Say you go to your local plant store—or get a delivery from one of the many online plant companies famous… Read More

You Know and Love This San Francisco Plant Store. But Have You Seen the Nursery?

Flora Grubb, the face of iconic San Francisco plant store Flora Grubb Gardens, which she co-owns with her partner, Saul Nadler,… Read More

We Put Together the Ultimate Guide to Raised Beds. Sign Up To Get It!

Raised beds might be the perfect way to garden. Install one in your yard and your produce is instantly elevated above many of the… Read More

How These Berkeley Empty Nesters Learned to Love Their House Again

Here’s a story that will sound familiar to anyone feeling the crunch of the West Coast housing market while staring their child-free future in the… Read More

An Ideal Day in Ojai, California

By turns funky, foodie, and just plain fun, Ojai can occupy much more than one single day. Here are some of our favorite Ojai… Read More

Warmer Weather Is Around the Corner: Your February and March Garden Checklist

Living in the West means gardens are dormant for only a short period of time, if at all. It’s not too early to get… Read More

All About Proteas, the Otherworldly Flowers Taking over the West (and the Farmer Who Loves Them)

I’m riding in Ismael “Mel” Resendiz’s truck, my knuckles white from gripping the handle above the door. I’d been warned about the rough cliffs… Read More

From Candy to Ceramics, Here Are Our Go-to Last-Minute Gifts

Say It with Fruit and Frosting For last-minute gifts, I like a local bakery. If you’re shopping for an acquaintance or someone whose tastes… Read More

Oregon’s Rogue Valley Wine Route: 9 Spots Not to Miss

Stephanie Pao tends to frequent older businesses in Oregon’s Rogue Valley. “The honesty of their product and pricing tends to resonate with me,” Pao… Read More

Santa Barbara Wine Route: 10 Spots to Sip and Savor

Santa Barbara reminds Alma Rosa winemaker Samra Morris of her childhood in Bosnia. “The marine influence on the vines of the Sta. Rita Hills allows… Read More

How the First Family of Fish Sauce Does a Holiday Feast

Cuong Pham uncorks a split of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon he bought at auction and pours a glass for his son, Kevin. They… Read More

An Ideal Day in Wyoming

Coral & Tusk designer Stephanie Housley shares her top picks for a weekend getaway.  Where to Stay … Read More

A Remote Wyoming Log Cabin Becomes a Dreamy Work-from-Home Hub

Embroidery and home textile artist Stephanie Housley made her first trip to Wyoming to visit Yellowstone National Park and the Teton mountains… Read More