Ongoing research

California native lupines are a wonderful addition to a garden. They have dramatic bloom stalks and support many insects and other critters.A remarkable diversityLupines are in the pea (or legume) family, Fabaceae, which means that they fix nitrogen in the soil. In California, there are 70 lupine species and…

Composting 101 for BeginnersFirst installment in an upcoming series exploring home composting for small-space gardens—stay tuned for more in future issues of News to Grow By.Every trash day, I happily wheel my green waste barrel to the curb.  The municipality will turn my garden and kitchen waste into…

Plants are astonishing! Even in their highly vulnerable state of immobility, they are capable of developing defenses to outside forces that threaten them. Around 500 million years ago, land plants first appeared and were small and moss-like, lacking true roots and stems. They required moist environments,…

A new public demonstration garden is about to open!  Located in the public walking space outside the Gehringer Community Garden fencing, at 1790 Lynwood Dr. in Concord, it will provide a real-life demonstration of the versatility and adaptability of California native plants. Join the community for…

Do I Need to Do Something?A Season of Observation As the growing season unfolds, many gardeners begin taking a closer look at their plants, wondering whether everything is thriving as it should. Spring is often the time of year to determine whether a little help might be needed to keep our plants…

Why a Tiny Bite Can Have Big Consequences A whining hum fills your left ear. A slight sensation on the back of your neck followed by a faint pinch of pain. SMACK! A broken and twisted long-legged insect and a small smear of red blood on your hand. Soon, the itching and swelling will start. You shrug; it…

By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.   For many people, spring begins with the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County tomato sale, which will be held on Saturday, April 11, this year.   Just as the tomato sale signals spring, a ripe tomato is practically the trademark of summer. …

Signs of spring are everywhere we look: trees and shrubs are full of blossoms, flowers are bursting into bloom, bees are buzzing all around, and aphids are stacking up on rose buds. What to do?   Aphids are a common occurrence in the spring. They rapidly appear in large numbers when the weather…