The Real Dirt

It’s a New Season! Gone are the hot dry days of summer. An October rainfall has energized everything that is growing in the Demonstration Garden. The plants seem to be offering up a sigh of relief, just as we humans do when the summer heat is past. And the moistened soil now makes digging easier for all…

Fall is the best time to plant garlic for a summer harvest.  Both the softneck and hardneck types of garlic can be planted now.  The softneck varieties are found in most grocery stores.  They have a mild flavor and store very well.  Two recommended softneck varieties for our climate are “California Early”…

Vertebrate pests can pose a serious threat to the achievement of one’s “dream garden” by wreaking havoc on plants and vegetables literally overnight. They feed or gnaw on the roots of ornamental plants, vines, shrubs and trees, and even plastic water lines. In our area, pocket gophers, moles, voles and…

Planting annual native wildflower seeds can be a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add native plants to your garden. The best time to plant is from mid-October into November. Water during dry spells between rains for optimal germination. You can extend the bloom season by continuing to sow from December…

UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are midway through their 2025 fall series of workshops. From now to the middle of December, there are eleven topics to explore, including six all-new ones. There is something here for beginning and experienced gardeners alike, and for every size of home garden.