Ongoing research

Finding earthworms when turning over soil in the Edible Demo Garden beds is a cause for celebration. Earthworms gravitate to improved soil, so their appearance is an indication that the soil is healthy and is providing the food and moisture that the worms like.

Reposted from the UC ANR news In a drought-prone region like Southern California, working with Mother Nature is not only wise but necessary, according to Janet Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension horticulture advisor for Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, who studies climate-ready tree...

Bromeliad By Deborah Light-Pacheco UCCE Master Gardener Common name of plant: Bromeliad Scientific name: Bromeliaceae Planting area: Sunset 13, 19-24, H1, H2 Size: Depends on species Bloom Season: One bloom Exposure: Bright, indirect light Pruning needs: n/a Water needs: Regular Snapshot: If you are...

Your mama tells you that you're a bee, but when you look around you, you don't look like any of the bees you encounter in the meadow. Not the honey bee, not the carpenter bee, not the bumble bee, not the cuckoo bee and not any of the other assorted bees minding their own bees-ness in the meadow.

Winter is an ideal time to plant a fruit tree. Although it requires some patience, success is best using bare root trees.

I recently discovered the bunchberry ( Cornus canadensis), a ground-hugging dogwood, and could not resist it. The leaves resemble those on their bigger relatives but they are much smaller. The plant only grows about eight inches high and has traditional blooms.

This Christmas season isn't the same without University of California Cooperative Extension apiculturist emeritis Eric Mussen, who died June 3 of liver cancer at his home in Davis. Mussen (1944-2022) was an institution. He was a global authority of honey bees. He was family to everyone.

This past week, Master Gardener volunteers Alice and Crystal taught an Herbology class at the Modesto branch of the Stanislaus County Library on December 16, 2022.

Learn the connection between denim jeans and mushrooms! Learn more and listen to "In The Garden" radio show podcasts. Would you like to get updates from the Orange County Master Gardeners? Hear about what we are doing in the community Receive the "Garden Beet". A quarterly gardening newsletter.

While much of California has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters, there are many distinct microclimatic variations within our state. A microclimate is defined as a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area.