The Real Dirt

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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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Grow it Yourself - Plan a Farm Garden Now, CA, 1942, USDA

“Crisis Gardening” is Green Therapy

August 28, 2020
You're absolutely filthy! This admonishment of misspent youthful summer afternoons should be considered a compliment for young and old alike in these stressful times, if the filth comes from the garden.
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Showy milkweed buds, J. Alosi

Milkweed

August 7, 2020
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).
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Buckwheat - E. umbellatum, Demonstration Garden, Laura Lukes

Three More Wild Buckwheats

July 31, 2020
This final discussion of Eriogonum, or wild buckwheat, examines three beauties that are grown at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch: E. nudum; E. umbellatum; and E. grande var. rubescens (previous articles in this series have looked at E. giganteum and E. fasciculatum).
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