Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 113

Tom Karwin, On Gardening | The ‘Chelsea Chop’ and seasonal pruning

Sea chamomile (Anthemis maritima). A herbaceous perennial, native to the Mediterranean region, grows up to 16 inches tall, with bright yellow flowers on numerous stems. A member of the daisy plant family (Asteraceae), it attracts bees and butterflies. (Christian Ferrer via Wikimedia Commons)Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). This perennial is native from the central to southeastern United States. It typically grows to 2-4 feet tall. The showy flowers, 5 inches wide, bloom during summer on stiff stems with coarse, dark green leaves. In the fall, goldfinches and other birds visit the blackened seed cones. The genus name comes from the Greek word for hedgehog or sea-urchin, referring to the blossom’s spiny center cone. (Burkhard Mucke via Wikimedia Commons)Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). This upright perennial, native to the U.S. East Coast, has naturalized into wider areas. It grows in a clump 4 feet tall and to 3 feet wide on stiff stems with 6-inch-long deep green leaves. Fragrant flowers in pink-purple to white grow in large, tiered, domed terminal clusters over a long bloom period. The genus name originates from the Greek word for “flame,” referring to the intense flower colors of some varieties. The specific epithet refers to bearing flowers in panicles. (Atilin via Wikimedia Commons) Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis). A member of the daisy plant family (Asteraceae), this rhizomatous perennial is native to most of North America. Its stems have numerous, narrow, lance-shaped, sharp-toothed green leaves 6 inches long and 1 inch wide. Central stems rise to 5 feet tall, topped in late summer to fall with large pyramidal panicles filled with masses of tiny yellow flowers. The genus name comes from Latin words referring to the plant’s medicinal healing properties. (ImagePerson via Wikimedia Commons) Stonecrop (Sedum erythrospermum). This genus encompasses a diverse range of species and cultivars, featuring a variety of foliage colors, flower shapes and sizes. This specimen, a rare subspecies in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), has a native range in Taiwan. It is a succulent annual or subshrub and grows primarily in the temperate biome. (Jacy Chen via Wikimedia Commons)Show Caption1 of 5Sea chamomile (Anthemis maritima). A herbaceous perennial, native to the Mediterranean region, grows up to 16 inches tall, with bright yellow flowers on numerous stems. A member of the daisy plant family (Asteraceae), it attracts bees and butterflies. (Christian Ferrer via Wikimedia Commons)Expand

At this time of the year, from late May to early June, nature offers gardeners the opportunity to enhance a selected category of plants.

The focus is on widely popular garden plants, specifically herbaceous perennials that typically bloom in the summer.

Examples of these plants: achillea, anthemis tinctoria (golden marguerite), artemisia, aster, campanula, cranesbill (hardy geranium), echinacea (coneflower), eupatorium (Joe Pye weed), helenium, helianthus (perennial types), iberis (candytuft), monarda, nepeta (catmint), penstemon, phlox paniculata (garden phlox), rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), sedum (upright forms), solidago (goldenrod) and veronicastrum.

Pruning this category of garden plants at this time is called the “Chelsea Chop,” referring to the schedule of the annual flower show held by the Royal Horticultural Society in Chelsea, a borough within Greater London.

The basic method of the Chelsea Chop involves removing one-third to one-half of the plant’s stem while it is young and actively growing. This can be done with pruning shears or secateurs (which are more precise).

Removing the top of the stems has the effect of interrupting apical dominance, a process in which the stem’s topmost bud, called the apical bud, suppresses the growth of lower buds. Removing the apical bud allows the lower buds to sprout, creating a bushier, branched form of the plant.

Gardeners have these objectives for this seasonal pruning.

Control overall size: For plants that grow larger than desired relative to the surrounding landscape, pruning can help maintain a manageable size that does not block neighboring plants’ visibility or access to sunlight. Candidates for this treatment include artemisia, nepeta and anthemis.

Control height: Some plants tend to grow so tall that they can flop in the late summer or fall. The Chelsea Chop stimulates side shoots with additional buds, allowing the plant to remain upright. Candidates for controlling height include eupatorium, helianthus, helenium and veronicastrum.

Delay flowering: This seasonal pruning “restarts” the normal blooming schedule, so that flowers appear two or three weeks later to display during a social event planned for the garden, or to coordinate blooms with other nearby perennials. This timing trick can be applied to coreopsis, phlox paniculata, monarda, heliopsis, nepeta, Shasta daisies, asters and helenium.

Extend flowering: A variation on the basic approach to pruning involves cutting back one-third of the stems by half, one-third by a third and leaving one-third of the stems uncut. Applying this plan to plants like those for delaying flowering (above) creates a layered effect with flowering over a longer period of weeks.

More seasonal pruning ideas

Even after the Chelsea Chop season, gardeners can pursue two other pruning projects to enhance the garden.

Remove spent flower stalks: After blossoms fade on some plants, cutting the flower stalks to the ground can stimulate an additional round of flowering, or at least make the garden look neater and more vigorous. Cut the spent stalks to the ground for foxgloves, delphiniums, lupins, hollyhocks, daylilies and campanulas.

Refresh tired foliage: Some summer-blooming, mounding perennials can look unattractive by midsummer. Shearing these plants can promote new foliage and, hopefully, a second round of blossoms. Candidates include cranesbill, nepeta, achillea, lamium, aquilegia, threadleaf coreopsis, alchemilla, epimedium, pulmonaria and brunnera.

Advance your garden knowledge

For a virtual visit to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, browse to tinyurl.com/5btaphd2 for a series of episodes describing this extraordinary garden show by the Royal Horticultural Society, held in Chelsea. The first event, called the Great Spring Show, was held in 1862 in Kensington. Previously, the society had held flower shows from 1833 to 1862 in Chiswick.

This week in the garden

Walk through your garden with pruners in hand and consider pruning for improvement opportunities.

Enjoy your garden!

Tom Karwin can be reached at gardening@karwin.com.

NBA Finals: Pacers, Thunder set for heartland showdown

By TIM REYNOLDS

The seeds for the 2025 NBA Finals began getting planted unknowingly in 2017, back when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was about to enroll at Kentucky and Tyrese Haliburton was getting ready for his senior year of high school in Wisconsin.

That was the year the Indiana Pacers traded Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers landed Domantas Sabonis out of that deal. The Thunder would trade George in 2019 to the Los Angeles Clippers for a package that included Gilgeous-Alexander. The Pacers would trade Sabonis in 2022 to Sacramento for a package that included Haliburton.

And here we are.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA’s MVP and Oklahoma City’s best player. Haliburton is an Olympic gold medalist and Indiana’s best player. They’ll lead their teams into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night — Indiana at Oklahoma City, the start of a series that will decide who hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

“Man, I’m just so proud of this group,” Haliburton said in the on-court televised interview with TNT after the Pacers’ 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. “I don’t even have words right now. It’s really exciting. We’ll enjoy this one for now. There’s four more, there’s a lot more work to do, against a really tough team.”

The Thunder — depending on how you count — are in the finals for either the second time or the fifth time. The franchise, when it was in Seattle, lost what was then called the NBA World Championship Series to Washington in 1978, then won the title in a rematch against the then-Bullets in 1979 and lost in the NBA Finals to Chicago in 1996. Oklahoma City got to the finals in 2012, losing to Miami.

The Thunder are 80-18 this season, after going 68-14 in the regular season and then 12-4 in the playoffs — sweeping Memphis in Round 1, surviving seven games against Denver in Round 2 and then ousting Minnesota in five games for the Western Conference title.

“When you win, that’s a special thing,” Thunder forward Chet Holmgren said. “It’s not guaranteed in this league. If everybody was guaranteed to win, it’d be a participation trophy instead of a Larry O’Brien. So, you have to kind of take it in and understand what you’ve accomplished to that point, but then the next day you have to start turning the page, get rid of the emotions and start focusing on preparation and what you have to do to conquer the next step. And that’s where we’re at.”

Indiana is in the NBA title round for the second time, having lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. The Pacers franchise won ABA titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973. They got out of the Eastern Conference as the No. 4 seed, beating Milwaukee in five games in Round 1, beating top-seeded Cleveland in five games in Round 2 and then beating New York in the conference finals.

The Pacers were 10-15 through the first 25 games of the season — then went 40-17 to finish the regular season. They are the fourth team to start 10-15 or worse and go on to win a conference title, joining Seattle in 1977-78 (8-17), the 1956-57 St. Louis Hawks (10-15) and the 1958-59 Minneapolis Lakers (10-15). None of those teams went on to win the NBA title.

“In 49 states, it’s just basketball,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “But this is Indiana. … Our guys earned this. Congratulations to our guys.”

Oklahoma City swept the season series with Indiana 2-0, part of a regular season where the Thunder — who finished with the NBA’s best record — went 29-1 against the Eastern Conference. That doesn’t include a loss to Milwaukee in the NBA Cup final, a game that didn’t count in any standings.

So, the matchup is set. It’s the Paul George finals, albeit without Paul George — who had arguably the best season of his career with the Thunder, averaging 28 points and finishing third in the MVP voting for 2018-19 — starting at OKC on Thursday.

“Obviously, he wasn’t here long but he had great years here,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Saturday when asked about George’s impact. “I mean, one of the best years of his career was here, one of the best individual seasons a player’s had here — which is saying something here with the guys they’ve had. So, I have a lot of respect for him.”

‘Inside the NBA’ signs off from TNT as Barkley, Shaq, Smith and Johnson head to ESPN

By TIM REYNOLDS

Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.

The run of “Inside the NBA” on TNT came to an end on Saturday night after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,’” Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time.

NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league’s new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video.

ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT’s run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988.

“Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same,” O’Neal said during the final broadcast. “And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”

The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host’s hands.

“Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that’s coming to an end,” Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. “We’re all very sad about that.”

The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager.

“Our hearts are full of gratitude,” TNT’s Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. “Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well.

“Think about my life. I’m very fortunate,” Miller said. “I’ve only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.”

Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. “Best production crew in the business, I might add,” Johnson said.

And when it turned back to the “Inside the NBA” crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear.

“This has just been a magnificent ride,” Smith said.

Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT.

“I just want to say thank you to the NBA,” Barkley said. “Every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had. I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”

SF Giants conclude three-city road trip with series win over Marlins

The Giants are returning home following their second three-city road trip of the season. Their cross-country flight from South Beach will be of the happy variety.

Luis Matos hit his fourth home run of the season, Hayden Birdsong allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings and the bullpen worked out of several high-pressure jams as the Giants beat the Marlins, 4-2, to take two of three from Miami.

“Anytime you win a series on the road, you have to feel good about it, especially the way we’ve been scoring runs,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters. “We’ll take it. It would be nice offensively to break out some and put a little distance in some of these games, but at the end of the day, we played a lot of close games on the road trip.”

The Giants conclude their three-city road trip having won four of their nine games, winning their series against the Washington Nationals and Marlins to begin and end the trip but being swept by the Detroit Tigers in between.

In the top of the third, the Giants got creative to manufacture their first run since Friday evening. With one out, Heliot Ramos singled, Tyler Fitzgerald walked, then the duo pulled off a double steal to put runners on second and third. Wilmer Flores proceeded to drive in Ramos with a groundout for his 47th RBI of the year, and San Francisco had a 1-0 lead.

If the Giants used speed to generate their first run, they used power to plate their next three. Matos sent Ryan Weathers’ down-the-middle changeup over the left-field fence for a three-run homer, his fourth home run of the season, and the lead expanded to 4-0.

“It’s hard to get your timing when you don’t play as much, but my process was to look for a (pitch) that I could drive, a pitch that I could do damage and just to make sure that I was on time, because it’s very difficult to get your timing when you’re not playing as often as I have,” Matos said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros.

Added Melvin: “The way we’ve been scoring runs, it felt like a 20-run home run at the time.”

Similar to Friday’s narrow 2-0 win, San Francisco’s bullpen had to wiggle out of tough situations to keep the lead intact.

The Marlins chased Birdsong from the game with one out in the sixth following three consecutive singles, the last of which produced a run and cut the Giants’ lead to 4-1. With runners on first and second, Ryan Walker entered for Birdsong and recorded two quick outs, keeping Birdsong in line for the win.

The following inning, Tyler Rogers had to put out an even hotter fire.

Jordan Hicks began the seventh inning with a three-run lead but worked himself into trouble by walking three of the four batters he faced, gifting the Marlins a free rally. Following the third walk, Melvin called on Rogers with the bases loaded and one out.

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Rogers allowed a run to score when Xavier Edwards hit a high chopper for an infield single, cutting San Francisco’s advantage to 4-2, but responded by striking out Jesús Sánchez swinging and getting Otto Lopez to ground out.

In the eighth, Melvin called on Doval for his second four-out save in three days.

Miami put runners on second and third with two outs against left-hander Erik Miller as Agustín Ramírez singled and Eric Wagaman doubled, prompting Melvin to call on Doval. The Giants’ re-minted closer walked Dane Myers on four non-competitive pitches to load the bases, but kept the lead intact by getting Javier Sanoja to hit into an inning-ending groundout.

Doval allowed a leadoff single to Edwards to begin the ninth, but quickly erased the threat by inducing a 4-6-3 double play. The right-hander put another runner on base with a walk but closed out the win by getting Ramírez to ground out.

The Giants now return to San Francisco for a four-game set against the San Diego Padres, who swept the Giants during their two-game series in late April. Outfielder Jackson Merrill, who finished second behind Paul Skenes for 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, didn’t play in that series but should be in the lineup come Monday evening alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.

How the world-famous Gilroy Garlic Festival came back from tragedy with a new vision

Over four decades, the Gilroy Garlic Festival became the city’s calling card — a point of pride celebrating a product that local farms grew by the bushel.

What began as a humble luncheon in 1978 became a phenomenon with an annual attendance of around 100,000. It attracted curious foodies, famous chefs and garlic fanatics from around the world — all while giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, offering a lifeline to more than a hundred charities and nonprofit organizations throughout the city, and providing around a third of the funding for the Chamber of Commerce.

Then in 2019, tragedy struck when a gunman opened fire on the festival’s last day, wounding 17 people and killing three: 6-year-old Stephen Romero of San Jose; 13-year-old Keyla Salazar of San Jose; and 25-year-old Santa Cruz resident Trevor Irby. In the aftermath, the community lost its most cherished annual tradition.

But after six years, the Gilroy Garlic Festival will return in July, with tickets now waitlisted after selling out in just a few hours Saturday. While it will be a fraction of its former size, organizers promise a more intimate celebration that returns to the roots of the event and preserves the heart of the famed festival.

“It’s a kind of extended euphoria,” Paul Nadeau, president of the Garlic Festival Association, said of the event’s return. “We definitely wanted to regrow and rebuild the festival, so we wanted to start off small.”

The revived event will take place July 25-27, the association announced in March, on the five-acre South County Grove next to the Gilroy Gardens theme park.

The group had been in discussions with Gilroy Gardens for years about the possibility of hosting the festival there, and though they explored other locations, they hoped to keep the festival in Gilroy. The new location features tree-shaded greens and a pavilion that can seat 850, all of which is being spruced up in anticipation of the festival, said Nadeau.

Even so, the space has a limit of around 3,000 people; according to Nadeau, the organizers settled on the limit as part of their agreement with the park.

Former association president Cindy Fellows said the smaller event this year serves as a launching pad that returns the festival to its roots, when attendees numbered in the thousands rather than the tens of thousands.

“It’s all of the things that everyone has loved in the festival, and it’s just a little bit smaller,” said Fellows. “It’s gonna be a more intimate, safe environment.”

Many of the mainstays of previous festivals will return, with the full Gourmet Alley menu coming back, including shrimp scampi, calamari, pepper steak sandwiches, garlic bread, and iconic garlic ice cream. A beer garden, cocktails and a wine tent will also be available, and visitors can also enjoy daily cook-offs, culinary demos — including by festival favorites SakaBozzo, as well as dozens of vendors and a mainstage with a rotating series of artists playing everything from country to blues and R&B.

In response to concerns about safety, the festival has taken on new precautions that are now rather standard among festivals: secure gates, metal detecting wands at entrances, and an updated policy that only allows clear bags. The organizers have also collaborated with the Gilroy Police Department on a safety plan and hired a private security agency. Additionally, the property is more isolated and will be completely fenced in, said Nadeau.

Efforts to bring back the festival after the shooting began as early as 2020, but were hampered by COVID. In 2021, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, which runs the festival, explored a smaller iteration at Gilroy Gardens, but the required insurance liability had leaped from $6 million to $10 million after the shooting.

Since then, the festival has taken on a half-dozen smaller iterations, like a drive-through festival with live music in 2021, and a pasta dinner and songwriters concert last year, among others.

After a lawsuit attempting to hold the festival association liable for the shooting was dismissed in November 2023, many in the city and the Garlic Festival Association began in earnest to try to bring the festival back. In August, the city worked on new event guidelines meant to ease the permitting of events like the Garlic Festival. When the organizers applied for insurance again, it came at a fraction of what it was before – $4 million in liability.

“I think it’s very exciting that we’re able to do this again. It was very difficult five years ago to have to turn the lights off of a festival that had been going on for 40-plus years,” said Gilroy City Councilmember Tom Cline, who led the festival association in the years after the shooting. “The lights are gonna get turned on again, and that’s the best thing.”

Amid the excitement, however, is an acknowledgement that the festival is a fraction of its former self — even if tickets sell out, attendance will be less than a tenth of what it was in its peak years.

Mayor Greg Bozzo, who campaigned in part on the promise to bring back the Garlic Festival, admitted the limitations of the returning festival, stating that his message to those who were disappointed by the size of the festival is: “So am I.”

He noted that in the last five years, other food festivals have sprung up or grown around the Central Coast, meaning that even with its notoriety, the festival would have to fight to stand out in a more crowded field.

“Getting it back is a win, and somewhat of a political win, but that doesn’t matter to me; the thing that matters most to me is what this community gets out of the festival,” said Bozzo.

Still, he is not alone in his belief that the festival can grow to a sustainable size and continue giving back to the community at large.

“We can together rebuild this wonderful festival in our community that gave us so much — fundraising, pride, volunteerism, economic activity and a sense of community identity,” said Bozzo. “This is just the beginning of the new era. I am very optimistic.”

Looking Back: Clint Eastwood remembers his days as a lifeguard

To read more on Clint Eastwood’s Fort Ord memories visit: https://www.montereyherald.com/2022/02/26/clint-eastwoods-memories-of-being-a-lifeguard-at-fort-ord-pool/

Jensen coming out of the bullpen for Twins Triple A affiliate in St. Paul

Former Chicago Cubs No. 1 pick Ryan Jensen has made 14 appearances this year for Triple A St. Paul, mostly out of the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins affiliate.

The right-handed hurler with a fastball that approaches the century mark, Jensen is 1-1 with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings, sporting a 4.42 earned run average.

In five-plus seasons in the minors, Jensen has 354 strikeouts in 290 innings of work, with a 12-25 record.

Originally drafted by the Cubs out of Fresno State to be a starter, the Salinas graduate has floated back and forth, with 54 of his 144 appearances being starts, including one this year.

The Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and a second-team All-American at Fresno State in 2019 after going 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA, Jensen was the 27th overall player taken in the 2019 MLB draft.

Jensen was a three-sport standout at Salinas, earning all-county honors in baseball and football.

Tiny outdoor space? Turn it into an inviting retreat

By KIM COOK

Whether it’s a modest balcony, a pocket-size patio or a tiny backyard, small outdoor spaces have big potential. With a few smart design choices and some creative flair, even the most limited square footage can become a welcoming and rejuvenating retreat.

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The very constraints of a small area can inspire more thoughtful — and impactful — design decisions.

Here’s how to make the most of your petite patio, balcony or urban garden and turn it into a space that wows.

Think vertically: Make use of walls and railings

When floor space is at a premium, the only way to go is up. Vertical gardening is a game-changer for small spaces. Hanging planters, wall-mounted herb gardens and tiered plant stands help you layer in greenery without sacrificing room for seating or movement.

And it will help with privacy as well.

“If you’re squished up against your neighbor in an urban setting, strategically placed containers with vining plants can form a green privacy wall,” said House Beautiful editor Kate McGregor. “You could also try trellis panels or fencing, to ensure you don’t feel like you’re always on display when you’re outside.”

Vining plants with attractive flowers include black-eyed Susan vine, mandevilla, sweet pea, star jasmine and trumpet honeysuckle. If you’ve got actual ground to work with, on a small outdoor patio for instance, consider something heftier, like climbing hydrangea or shrub rose.

Trellises, rail planters and vines create the illusion of a taller, larger space, as they draw your eye upward.

Mini gardens and container plants

Containers allow you to grow herbs, flowers or a few veggies just about anywhere. Go minimalist with a couple of sleek planter boxes, or add visual interest with some artsy pots in different materials and sizes.

Layering plant heights —from low succulents to tall grasses or small trees — adds depth and makes the area feel lush and vibrant.

Low-maintenance options like lavender, rosemary and ornamental grasses can add greenery with minimal upkeep. Grasses can look pretty in a breeze, and anything with a scent is worth planting.

Ahh, al fresco

Put a sturdy bin or basket near your patio or balcony entryway to stash yoga mats and small weights. You’ll have a handy 24-7 meditation or workout space, right outside the door.

Fill a planter with zesty citrusy-scented lantana, soothing lavender or night-blooming moonflower to add a mood maker.

Fold it, stack it, store it

When space is tight, think flexible, lightweight and dual-purpose furniture. Foldable bistro tables and chairs can be tucked away when not in use, while storage benches offer a place to sit and stash outdoor cushions, garden tools or a cozy throw blanket for chilly evenings.

Stackable stools or nesting tables can be pulled out when you’re entertaining and tucked away when you want more open space.

Look for all-weather and multi-functional pieces.

Cozy lighting, big ambiance

Lighting can completely transform an outdoor area, especially in the evening. A string of simple battery-operated fairy lights, a solar-powered lantern or LED candles add warmth and a festive vibe, without needing an outlet.

For extra impact, combine lighting types — overhead string lights with a couple of lanterns at ground level can make a space feel layered and create a cozy atmosphere.

Rugs, textiles and texture

Bring the comfort of indoors out by adding textiles. All-weather rugs come in dozens of patterns and textures. Use peel-and-stick tiles, if you’re permitted. Either will define a living area and help bring in whatever décor style you’re going for. Cushions and throws come in loads of colorful, weather-resistant fabrics, adding homey softness to the space.

This undated image provided by Kim Cook shows her back deck. Interesting planters full of colorful blooms, an all-weather rug, and a few simple pieces of outdoor furniture create a welcoming spot for morning coffee and neighbor visits. (Kim Cook via AP)Style with personality

Just because a space is small doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Treat your outdoor nook like any other room in your home by infusing it with personal style. Use outdoor-safe mirrors to reflect light and make the area feel larger. Hang weatherproof artwork or decorative panels to add a creative focal point.

Accent with items that reflect your taste — whether that’s a boho lantern, a modern metal sculpture or even a vintage watering can repurposed as décor. A consistent color scheme can tie it all together, whether you go for calming neutrals or punchy brights.

Shade and shelter

Free-standing umbrellas, or more space-saving, free-standing retractable awnings, are renter-friendly options that require no installation.

Besides protecting you from the elements, these items also help define your outdoor space, making it feel more private and purposeful.

So whether you’re sipping your morning coffee on a city balcony or hosting a few friends on a tiny patio, it’s not about how much space you have — it’s about what you do with it.

New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The AP. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome.

For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/lifestyle

Horoscopes June 1, 2025: Morgan Freeman, make comfort and convenience your goals

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Willow Shields, 25; Amy Schumer, 44; Heidi Klum, 52; Morgan Freeman, 88.

Happy Birthday: Take more interest in your lifestyle, home and everyday routine. Make comfort and convenience your goals. Reduce outside influences and set boundaries with those trying to dictate who you are and what you should do. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and map out a plan addressing your essential needs. You have plenty to gain if you take charge and live your way. Love yourself. Your numbers are 7, 12, 21, 28, 30, 34, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep your plans doable and your costs within budget. Regardless of what you do, preparation is essential. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you can’t afford or don’t need. Being prepared will help you gain support when dealing with responsibilities and life goals. Emotions, romance and passion are on the rise. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take a breather. When you have doubts or have not received pertinent information, implementing change will set you back. Refuse to let anyone back you into a corner or pressure you with added costs due to time constraints. Pay more attention to self-improvement and spend less time trying to change others. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Personal and home improvement projects are in your best interest. Your voice, understanding and compassion can help shape a lifestyle that will bring you closer to those you love and care about most. Join groups with something to offer, and they will update you on what’s new and exciting. Romance looks promising. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll be fed false information that can disrupt your life choices, putting you in a vulnerable position. Consider your options, what your community offers, government assistance and grants, and your best opportunity to ensure you get ahead. You may desire change, but first go through the proper channels. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Recycle old ideas, make updates and reach out to anyone able to help fine-tune your presentation. It’s essential to keep the momentum flowing. Attend events that can broaden your scope and help you enrich your chance to gain support. You’ll earn more if you promote yourself and what you can do. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An open mind, research and fact-checking will help you avoid being manipulated by those intent on making fast cash. Traveling, learning, attending reunions and focusing on personal growth and improvement will keep you out of harm’s way. Protect, defend and look out for your best interests. A change of scenery will ease stress. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Optimize your time. You have plenty to gain if you tune in to what’s happening around you and find ways to use your skills to help others. The connections you make and the impact you have will make a difference. Invest time in partnerships that show potential due to shared interests and long-term goals. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Tidy up loose ends before you face penalties. Expect the unexpected and be on guard to make moves to protect your rights, belongings and prospects. Letting anger or emotions surface will work against you. Take a deep breath and look for alternatives that benefit not just you but everyone around you. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take the plunge and get things done. Please don’t waste time on trivial matters or those spinning their wheels and accomplishing little. Be a mover and a shaker and set high standards for others to aspire to, and opportunity will head in your direction. Personal gain is within reach. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take time to relax, set your mind free and dissect your options. Visit a place that you find serene. Mull over conversations and possibilities while sizing up situations, and you’ll gain perspective regarding what you want and how to make it happen. Look over your investments, and consider implementing a healthier lifestyle. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sit back and watch the world unfold around you. Consider your options and the changes necessary to find your happy place. Attend a conference or research a subject that addresses issues you face. Look for holistic alternatives to ease stress and turn your passion into a lucrative pastime. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Rethink your current qualifications and what you enjoy doing, and seek alternative ways to use your attributes to get ahead. Use your imagination, but refrain from taking an unnecessary risk. Conversations will be misleading, and verification is a must if you want to avoid mistakes or loss. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are imaginative, outgoing and entertaining. You are affectionate and approachable.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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Pro Soccer: Paul’s two goals lift Union past Orange County

SEASIDE — If the Jägermeister Cup has done anything for Monterey Bay FC, it’s provided a confidence boast for its return to United Soccer League Championship play.

For the first time since April 12, the Union produced multiple goals on the pitch, using a pair for Ilijah Paul Saturday in a 3-2 win over Orange County at Cardinale Stadium.

Playing two matches in four days, the Union are 2-0 in their bracket in the Jagermeister Cup, with two more matches slated for June 28 against Oakland and July 26 at USL One AV Alta FC. The winners in each bracket will advance to the knockout round.

Monterey Bay FC will return to USL play next Saturday at Lexington SC, a team it played to a scoreless draw back on April 19, The tie started a streak of six straight matches without a win in USL play.

Despite the winless streak, the Union (4-4-4) still sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with 16 points, five behind conference leader New Mexico United.

Having managed just two goals in their last six USL matches, the Union got a pair from Paul in the 36th and 67th minutes of the match to take a 2-1 lead.

Paul, who has a team-leading four goals in USL play, along with two assists for the Union, scored on assists from Adam Larsson and Grant Robinson.

Larsson’s breakaway goal on an assist from Jacob Muir late in the match turned out to be the game-winning goal after Orange County put one through the net in extra time.

The two conference rivals are no strangers to each other, having faced off on March 22 in USL play, with the Union posting a 3-0 win.

On the heels of his first shutout between the pipes in a 1-0 win Wednesday over USL One’s Spokane, Sam Gomez recorded a handful of saves in goal.

The Union are now 5-2-1 overall this year at Cardinale Stadium, 3-1-1 in USL play. It will look to snap a five-game winless road streak at Lexington.

Orange County, who knocked off defending USL champion Colorado Springs last week, is now 0-2 in Jagermeister Cup play. The Union and Orange County are 3-3-1 lifetime in USL play, with one more meeting slated later in the season.