- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
![fall leaves](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/PracticalGardener/blogfiles/2842small.jpg)
I am of an age that when I was a child we got to burn our fall leaves in the gutter outside our house. I remember the pungent and sweetly smoky smell of the burning leaves. I am only occasionally blessed with a passing whiff of that smell and when I do smell it, all of those childhood memories come flooding back. However, it is generally now unacceptable to burn leaves because of air quality restrictions. That is really okay because there are so many good things you can do with all those leaves without burning them. One of the best ways to deal with the mounting pile of leaves is to rake them into a low “windrow” on the lawn or driveway and then take the mulching lawn mower and run it over the leaves. Rake or sweep up the...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
![DSCN0206](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/PracticalGardener/blogfiles/2804small.jpg)
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION CLOSED--SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Winter is a great time to prune many of your evergreen trees and shrubs. You can use the clippings and create beautiful holiday wreaths and swags to decorate your home for the holidays. Join me in this hands-on holiday traditional workshop. Participants will learn how to prune evergreens properly and then take those evergreens and make them into beautiful wreaths or swags to take home. Cost is $40.00 per person and includes all supplies for a large wreath, refreshments and handouts. Bring your best friends, your garden snips and start your own holiday tradition. This class is held outdoors at the Historic Mills Orchard,...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
![AM 221[1]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/PracticalGardener/blogfiles/2746small.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/Ucanr#p/a/u/0/Cv2QO7fus20
http://www.youtube.com/Ucanr#p/a/u/1/3I4BR5Q8mT0
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
![Imported Cabbage Worm](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/PracticalGardener/blogfiles/2717small.jpg)
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
![gingko biloba](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/PracticalGardener/blogfiles/2688small.jpg)
Spring is when most people get energized to plant trees in their garden but fall is a much better time if you live in a temperate climate. There is less stress on the trees because of lower temperatures, reduced transpiration and a higher moisture availablity. The roots have a chance to grow out into the native soils during the winter before the onslaught of high summer heat. Also, if you are choosing trees for their fall color, they should begin to show some color now depending upon the location and the species. By the way, if you chose something that has fall color, that doesn't mean it will have the same color in your garden. Rather, it just assures you that the color is genetically possible. Often our...