Fresno Gardening Green

By studying tree rings in California, scientists have been able to document weather conditions going back as far as the 1600s. They’ve found that California weather is naturally extremely variable and subject to wide variations in annual precipitation. Droughts are a recurring feature of the climate. …

Catch up on the TLC for your houseplants. Fertilize house plants lightly, repot as necessary and replace soil.TasksWater citrus on a regular schedule to maintain even soil moisture. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches risks root rot.Renew mulch, 3 to 4 inches deep, to help retain soil moisture…

 Every job is a little easier with a companion. The same is true for vegetables and herbs in the garden. With companion plants attracting insects that attack garden pests, the vegetables thrive and the garden blooms beautifully.In Fresno gardens where companion planting was established in the spring,…

Forget the guilt about what’s going on outside. It’s not your fault that it’s hot!TasksCheck sprinklers and adjust timers weekly if necessary.Pre-irrigate to soften the ground for tilling in preparation for fall gardens.When the lawn needs mowing, mow cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue, to 3 inches and…

 Even in urban areas, your backyard can be a refuge for wildlife – birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, rabbits, snakes and even the occasional red fox or racoon. That’s what UC Master Gardener Alexis Valentin has learned in her efforts to turn the area surrounding her Fresno home into a welcoming…