The Backyard Gardener

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!

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.

We are part of UC Cooperative Extension in Inyo and Mono counties.

A single, large zucchini plant in a garden

The Backyard Gardener: Article

Surviving the Zucchini Apocalypse

July 23, 2020

By Dustin W Blakey

I am always amazed to find out that some people plant more than one zucchini plant. My single plant is a giant monster that produces more than I can sneak into our dinners. Zucchini grows great in our area with one big caveat: squash bugs.

View Article

The Backyard Gardener: Article

Easy Bulbs for Spring Color

July 22, 2020

With bulb catalogs appearing in our mailboxes and high temperatures precluding gardening for much of the day many of us are no doubt dreaming of the spectacular flowers that we will be growing next year.

View Article

The Backyard Gardener: Article

Straight Talk about Starting a Farm in the Eastern Sierra

July 16, 2020

By Dustin W Blakey

I have been working in Cooperative Extension now for a few economic downturns, and a common response to national financial calamity is a desire to become more self-sufficient. This is a completely rational response.

View Article

More advanced disease covering entire surface

The Backyard Gardener: Article

A Missed Diagnosis: Powdery Mildew

June 26, 2020

I had a good patch of California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) that had just finished flowering when I noticed the foliage on one of them was somewhat grayer in color than its neighbors. I did not think much of it at the time and put it down to being some sort of natural variant.

View Article

Remember to label with variety and date.

The Backyard Gardener: Article

Assessing Seed Viability

May 26, 2020

Have you ever found an old seed packet and wondered what to do with it? Seeds deteriorate as they age which can give variable results. Fortunately there is a simple way to see if seeds will germinate. You can use this easy rolled paper towel test to check for seed viability.

View Article