Napa Master Gardener Column

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Centipede Life Cycle Figure(ciudaddelmaizslp.gob.mx)
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Centipede or Millipede; that is the question.

January 20, 2023
The other day I as was walking down my hall during the middle of the day, I saw a strange creature crawling across the hall. What was a millipede doing in my house? The creature had to climb nine steps and come through the kitchen and a few doors to get to my hall.
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partial lasagne mulching method (wikimediacommons.org)
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

When it rains it pours- some things to do right now!

January 15, 2023
Last week, during a respite from the downpour, I decided to plant a potted shrub that needed to go into the ground. I had put off that task because who likes to dig in rock-hard soil? I decided now was my chance.
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Master Gardener Seed Packet Postcards (cafepress.com)
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Rules to garden by

January 7, 2023
The University of California Master Gardeners was begun in 1980 to help home gardeners with science-based advice on horticultural practices. The Napa County chapter was formed in 1995.
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pomegranate flowers (flickr.com C Watts)
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Pomegranate- winter’s gem

December 31, 2022
A few weeks ago, I was at Napa Valley College, near the theatre. I noticed some attractive, rounded, leafy shrubs covered with red flowers--in November! As I drew closer, I saw that the shrubs were actually covered with beautiful red pomegranates.
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Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Flickr.com James St. John
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Fetch yourself a dogwood

December 25, 2022
I recently discovered the bunchberry ( Cornus canadensis), a ground-hugging dogwood, and could not resist it. The leaves resemble those on their bigger relatives but they are much smaller. The plant only grows about eight inches high and has traditional blooms.
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