The Savvy Sage

two purple sage flowers with a green background of foliage

A Master Gardeners blog to: Educate, Inspire, and Ignite Knowledge.

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new uc master gardener logo with an orange poppy, green leaf and blue circle background
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Check Out Our New Logo!

October 27, 2025
 As a member of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) community, the UC Master Gardener Program is excited to share our new logo!Continuing the use of the California poppy as our symbol, it honors our history using a fresh, modern design. Over the last forty-five years…
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Salvia 'Anthony Parker" in bloom.
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November Garden Tips and Vegetable Planting Guide

October 27, 2025
 Article by Peg Smith - The average monthly rainfall in October for Davis is 1.8 inches. My rain gauge measured a nice ‘dose’ of rain from the recent storm, 1.5 inches, that washed away the summer’s dust from the garden. Plants look brighter and refreshed. Depending on where you live, Yolo County…
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A mockingbird in the branches of Peg's persimmon tree.
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Gardening Is for the Birds!

October 27, 2025
  Article by Peg Smith - For the first time in forty-plus years, our Hachiya persimmon has produced very little fruit. This appears to be anecdotally common this year. The persimmon’s annual seasonal changes are easy to identify: dormant, spring/early summer fruit drop (also called ‘barefoot…
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Foothill Penstemon in bloom.
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Notes From My Garden - Caring For Natives in the Fall and Winter

October 22, 2025
Article and photos by Joy Sakai -  Have you noticed that most native plant gardeners avoid deadheading during the summer and fall? That's because native bees are using the flowers for nectar and pollen, and birds feed on the seeds. For another thing, nobody wants to go out and garden in 100° plus…
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A Gardener for Life

October 20, 2025
Article by Mike Kluk - I recently passed one of those yearly milestones that has left me looking down the road of my seventy-fourth year. I’m hoping to remain active, healthy, and happy next year and for many more. As we age, many of us begin to realize that living better is equally important with…
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