The Real Dirt

Flowers blooming

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!

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Save Our Seeds Summer 2020 Seed Packet Butternut Squash
The Real Dirt: Article

Seeding our Survival: The Butte County Local Food Network

February 19, 2021
Our survival begins, and ends, with seeds. Making sure there is sufficient diversity and supply of viable seeds, people to grow them, and a supply of the nourishing food they produce is a core philosophy of the Butte County Local Food Network.
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Douglas iris, Copyright UC Regents, Joseph DiTommaso
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Landscaping Under Trees

February 12, 2021
Northstate residents prize large trees for their beauty and the shade they provide. There are other environmental benefits to mature trees as well. They encourage biodiversity, offset carbon emissions, and reduce energy costs for the homeowner.
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Amaryllis belladonna, Laura Lukes
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Summer-Blooming Bulbs

February 5, 2021
Most bulbs, including most native plant bulbs, are planted in the fall, but February is an ideal time to plant several summer-blooming bulbs.
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California Dutchman's Pipevine, J. Alosi
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Winter-blooming Native Plants

January 29, 2021
Most of California has a Mediterranean-type climate with cool, rainy winters followed by hot, dry summers. Many of the plants for sale in nurseries need help to survive in this climate, and often require a lot of water during the summer.
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Bee pollinating Rio Oso peach, J. Alosi
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Bee-friendly Winter Gardening

January 22, 2021
Just because it is wintertime doesn't mean that bees, which are important pollinators for our flowers, fruits and vegetables, don't need food. Plants and shrubs can provide pollen, nectar, or both to bees in our late winter and early spring.
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