The Real Dirt

Summer has arrived and so has the dreaded, prickly presence of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis. Reports indicate that yellow starthistle infests between 10 and 15 million acres in California, making it the most wide-spread noxious weed in the state.

Every gardener knows that weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Webster's dictionary defines a weed as a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially: one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.

The devastating Camp Fire of 2018, along with the numerous fires North State residents have experienced since then, have led many of us to focus on creating a defensible fire-resistant landscape around our homes.

Even when homeowners have created a defensible space, the job of protecting their home from fire is never done. There will always be ongoing and annual jobs to do. Additionally, there are special tasks that will need to be completed every few years or on an as needed basis.

Milkweed is a drought-tolerant and deer-resistant perennial plant named for its milky latex sap. It is a great host plant for many beneficial insects including Monarch butterflies, bees, beetles, and lady beetles (ladybugs).