The Coastal Gardener

Starting a compost pile in winter may not be at the top of your to-do list, but it may be just the thing you need to beat the winter doldrums. Your reward will be soil that is more fertile, supporting bigger and heather plants in next summer's garden.

I Can Name That Worm in Four Clues How About You? Match the clue to the Worm's Image. Place an X in the appropriate column. Worm 'A'Earthworm, nightcrawler, Lumbricus terrestris, is one of over 2,700 varieties of earthworms.

From the cold, rainy day in March 2008 when we planted the 28 Magnolia denudata tree Alle in the Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden, we knew that winter would hold special promise for this garden. Over the next 8 years, we have added many winter flowering trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

The Humboldt Master Gardener/Del Norte Help Desk is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research. Click on this link to submit your garden/landscape question to our Help Desk. Q.

(AKA Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Easter Cactus, Crab Claw Cactus, or Schlumbergera) Holiday Cacti et al are collectively known as Schlumbergera.