Ongoing research

By Peggy Beltramo & Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: The garden centers are now selling bulbs.  When should I plant them and which will provide the best color for this area?A: Your first question is easy: PLANT THEM NOW! The optimum time to plant them in our area…

By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I just got a pot of beautiful tulips for Valentine’s Day, but I have no clue what I should do with them. I would like to plant them in my yard for future years. Where should I put them?  What do they need?A: They should rebloom in…

By Elaine Applebaum, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q:  Can I keep a poinsettia and have it rebloom next year?A: While it is possible to get a poinsettia to rebloom in time for Christmas, you may decide it is just not worth the trouble.Poinsettias are native to Mexico where they grow ten feet…

Article and Photos by Annette Wyrick, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Winter 2021                Water reduction in the most recent years prompted lawn removal in the median strip through my neighborhood. Now this space is planted…

Gay Wilhelm, Master Gardeners of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Fall 2008Overgrown perennials tend to have fewer blooms. In general, it is best to divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall, and fall bloomers in spring. By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the plant’s…

By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Last week I drove by a rooftop garden with billows of beautiful yellow daisy-like flowers falling over the top. Not only was I amazed that someone was growing plants on their carport, but what was this bright yellow flower with bountiful…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ:  I love spring and summer because my landscaping has so many bright colors. It’s almost November and the summer flowers are fading fast. Any suggestions for a fall garden of many colors?A: If you love the many shapes and colors of summer’s…

By Gay Wilhelm, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ:  I have a hillside on which I would love to grow a meadow of California poppies. What’s the best way to do this?A: Spanish explorers were fascinated by the hillsides ablaze with this bright California native and appropriately named the flower…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ: Some of the flower bulbs I have purchased in the past haven’t done so well, despite being planted in the correct soil & light. What should I look for when choosing bulbs at the store? And are the bulbs I forgot to plant last fall good enough…