Ongoing research

UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Vegetable Garden Irrigation

November 30, 2025
By Johanne Ryker, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ: How much and how often should I be watering my vegetable garden?A:  Gardens in our area normally require some irrigation, especially in summer. Irrigation that is inadequate will cause a significant reduction in productivity. However, water…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Page

Spring Irrigation Tune-up

Mary Gish, Nevada County Master GardenerFrom The Curious Gardener, Spring 2007Now that spring is here and the majority of the rainy season is over, your plants will have an increased need for water. The following check list is geared for a drip irrigation system that is designed to deliver water frequently…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Rain Harvesting

November 30, 2025
Jesse Locks, Nevada County Master GardnerFrom The Curious Gardener, Spring 2009Water is scarce! But essential for our existence and supplies are increasingly coming under pressure. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh and less than a third of 1% of this is available to humans. We may not have power…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Drip Irrigation

November 30, 2025
By Vic Biswell, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ: I have heard that drip irrigation is a way to save water in the garden, but I know nothing about it?  Is it something I can do myself?A: It is a water distribution method which was actually used in ancient times to efficiently deliver water…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Working with Foothill Soils

November 30, 2025
University of California Cooperative Extension, Placer and Nevada CountiesPublication Number 31-190 (revised August 2003)AUTHOR: Dorothy Volker, Nevada County Master Gardener. EDITED BY Cindy Fake, Horticulture & Small Farms Advisor, Nevada & Placer Counties.if your soil is not healthy the rest doesn…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

What You Need to Know About Bagged Soils

November 30, 2025
By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: Many stores carry bagged topsoil but they all seem to vary in color from light brown to ash. How do I know which is a good soil to use for planting?A: Topsoil is supposed to be the top layer of the soil which has gone through a very long…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden

November 30, 2025
By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ:  I thought coffee grounds were too acidic to use as a mulch or to add to a compost pile. Now I see that Starbucks is offering customers complimentary spent coffee grounds for their garden. I am confused. Help!A: Coffee grounds are a…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Use of Manure in Vegetable Gardens

November 30, 2025
By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ I have been reading about E.coli poisonings from spinach and other garden vegetables. What can I do to prevent this from happening in my garden?A An E.coli illness caused by eating undercooked hamburger has also affected people eating…
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Pot decorated like a face behind sunglasses
UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County: Event

Special Event - Do a Face Plant

Feb 21, 2026

UCCE Office Auditorium, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento CA 95827
UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

The Dreaded Damping Off

November 29, 2025
By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyIt’s time to start thinking about whether I want to go through the trouble of starting seeds early indoors. Last year I had a 100% failure rate; many seeds didn’t sprout at all and the seedlings I did get completely died after a few days. Since I…
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