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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Protective goggles used to protect eyes during mixing and applying pesticides, ANR
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Using Pesticides in the Garden

May 31st, 2019
By Brent McGhie, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, May 31, 2019 The University of California recommends the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control garden pests. The goal of IPM is to use the least harmful control method(s) that will be effective in managing a particular pest.
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ACP adult and nymphs with white tubules by ANR
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Be on the Lookout for the Asian Citrus Psyllid

May 3rd, 2019
By Jeanette Alosi, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, May 3, 2019 Butte County is known for its delicious citrus. Mandarins are grown commercially in our banana belt foothills, and residents in the valley can enjoy citrus grown in their own gardens.
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Moonshine yarrow with deer grass in background by Laura Kling
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Just Don’t Call It Senior Gardening!

April 19th, 2019
By Laura Lukes, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, April 19, 2019 Gardening becomes increasingly difficult as we age, yet the garden beckons as strongly as ever, notes Butte County Master Gardener Kay Perkins.
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Monarch in Michoacan by J. Alosi
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Monarchs and Milkweed

April 5th, 2019
By Kim Schwind, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, April 5, 2019 In recent months there has been disturbing news about the decline of the Western Monarch population. The North American Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a familiar and charismatic insect.
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