The Real Dirt blog covers regional gardening issues from soil health to planting for pollinators; from fire resistant landscaping to attracting wildlife. Read all about it!
I first heard the term hydrophobic soils on the local news after the Camp Fire ravaged the Ridge and Butte Creek Canyon. This potentially catastrophic natural phenomenon seems counterintuitive: soils which are damaged by the intense heat of fire become water repellent.
Garlic is a species in the onion genus Allium, and therefore related to onions, shallots, leeks, and chives. It is flavorful, nutritious, and easy to grow. There are two types of garlic: softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic is the easiest to grow.
Imagine a healthy garden that grows, blooms, and produces food for you, your family and your neighbors, a garden that costs you very little money because everything it needs is already provided.
Summer is almost over, but it's not too soon to begin planning next summer's garden. Many bulbs flowering in late spring and summer should be planted this fall and winter: they are available at nurseries and online right now.
The following recommendations for safely clearing ash from outdoor surfaces, including ornamental and edible plants, come from the US EPA, Oregon State University Extension Service, Waste Management, and the Sacramento Bee. Basic Guidelines: Wait until air quality levels are safe for being outdoors.
