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A Gardening Blog for the East Side

The climate of the Eastern Sierra is very different from most of California and so gardening here is different, too! 

Preparing the contents of the pile.

In this blog we examine some of the quirks of gardening on the East Side, and cover horticultural issues that are important locally. Note that if you're visiting our site from the outside our little corner of California, you may find this information may not apply to your area.

Articles are written by local UC Master Gardener volunteers or the local Farm Advisor. 

 
And a website...

The Inyo-Mono Master Gardeners also have a website with local gardening and soil information. Visit it to learn more about our program and gardening.

 

Article

Garden Rotation Rules of Thumb

May 18th, 2024
By Dustin W Blakey
Vegetable gardening is both an art and a science, and an important technique for success is crop rotation. By rotating crops, you can improve soil health, reduce pests, and increase yields. Continuous planting of the same kind of plant in the same place every year is a recipe for creating problems.
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A fun, Easter decorated landscape with a lawn in front of a house.
Article

A History of the American Lawn

May 14th, 2024
Most of us grew up with a lawn. For many of us, mowing the lawn was a part of our weekly chores growing up; yellow spots were treated like a black mark, and a dandelion popping up was like a declaration of war.
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A dial gauge showing water usage of 2,422,880 gallons.
Article

Flow Focus: A Guide to Understanding Water Meters

May 3rd, 2024
Water is essential for nurturing vibrant gardens and landscapes. By leveraging water meters, we can effectively monitor water usage, detect leaks, and optimize irrigation practices, ensuring every drop contributes to the sustainability and vitality of our gardens.
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Amsonia Blue Ice in Bishop.
Article

Amsonia: A Favorite with Pollinators

April 29th, 2024
Amsonia, a plant native to the Northeastern USA, seems to be little known in the West. They are commonly known as bluestars on account of the shape and color of their flowers.
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