Sonoma Master Gardeners in the Press Democrat

 Welcome to July, one of the busiest months in the garden. As temperatures rise and plants flourish, regular care is essential to keep them healthy and productive. With timely watering, harvesting and maintenance, you can help your garden thrive through the summer heat and enjoy a bountiful harvest…

 Question: I want to grow a houseplant that will make a bold statement in a corner of my living room. The area gets bright, indirect light and the ceiling is vaulted. Any suggestions?Answer: Houseplants do more than bring a touch of greenery indoors — they can transform a space. The right…

 Question: I have a few plants that require low pH soil and I’ve read that adding coffee grounds helps acidify the soil. Is this true? Answer: Great question! This is a commonly recommended remedy, but unfortunately it doesn’t work. It’s true that fresh coffee grounds are acidic. However, used…

 Pollinators are essential to the garden. Without them, we would lose about 75 percent of flowering plants and over one-third of the world’s food crops. To mark their importance, we celebrate Pollinator Week from June 22-28. This annual international event supports and raises awareness of…

 Question: Sometimes I buy a beautiful plant for my yard, only to have it fail sometime later. I always try to plant it in a spot that provides the right amount of sunlight and connect it to my drip irrigation. What might I be doing wrong? Answer: Your situation is not uncommon for many gardeners…

Master Gardeners have a mantra: compost, compost, compost, mulch, mulch, mulch! We emphasize the importance of both compost and mulch in gardening because each serves distinct yet complementary roles in enhancing soil health and managing weeds. May is a busy time in the garden, and we can’t emphasize enough…

 Question: My front yard needs help. With a family and full-time job, I only have time to mow the weeds that are growing out there. Can you recommend some lowmaintenance plants that can spruce up my yard? Answer: You don’t say what kind of weeds you have, but to remove them and make room for new…

 Question: I have the usual plants in my herb garden and would like to add something a little different. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: There are number of unusual herbs you could try, but for all around usefulness I recommend trying borage. A historic medicinal herb, borage (Borago…

 April 6 celebrates California Poppy Day, just as these native plants are bursting into bloom across the countryside. The California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, blossoms in the spring, summer and fall along country roadsides, and covers valleys, fields and hillsides throughout much of our state,…

 April is an exciting time for gardeners. As rain begins to taper off and the weather warms up, most of us are anxious to get outside. Here’s some tips to consider while transitioning to warm-season gardening. Planning and prep A bit of planning, cleanup and repair now will save you…