The Real Dirt

A visit to the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden at this time of year is a bit like a scavenger hunt: a little bit of searching may be required. For example, try to find two plants in bloom; identify some plants that are still completely dormant as winter marches on; look for any signs that spring is…

The winter months bring us a special opportunity: it is to look up, with wonder, at all the trees that have shed last year’s leaves. This is perhaps especially true in Chico, an official City of Trees. Chico shares that distinction with a number of other cities in California that are known for the quantity…

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties which were either introduced commercially before 1940, or grown from seeds that have been passed down at least 50 years through several generations of a family, religious, ethnic, or tribal group, without the plants crossing with another variety of the same…

The Spring 2026 Series of Master Gardener Workshops begins Tuesday, February 3 with a timely session on starting summer vegetable plants from seed and concludes in mid-May with a workshop on creating a bird-friendly garden of native plants. In all, this Spring 2026 Series totals 17 workshops, including seven…

Freezing temperatures damage plants by causing ice crystals to form in their cells. Frost-damaged vegetation withers and turns a dark brown or black. Ice crystals can also form in citrus fruit, causing juice vesicles inside the fruit to rupture and the fruit to dry out. Although frost-damaged fruit is…