Test PB Collection: FTE

Question: What landscape plants should I avoid planting because they are invasive or have other negative qualities, even though I might find them in a nursery? Answer: You’ve touched on the horticultural equivalent of the idea that “just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done.”…

 More than 60 years ago, a teenage butterfly researcher in Philadelphia conceived of a genomics research project involving the genus Colias, the sulfur butterfly.  It never came to fruition because DNA genomics had not yet been invented. Fast forward to today. The research project that the…

Question: I live in an apartment with a small outside patio area. Can I grow some vegetables? Answer: Yes, you can grow vegetables in a small plot of soil, or in containers on concrete. People are often surprised by how productive a compact space can be. The key is choosing the right crops and making…

Native plants are adapted to the dry climate, support ecosystem's biodiversity. Spring is a good time to evaluate your landscape and make potential changes to decrease your water use in 2026. A good starting point is to incorporate a California native plant or two into the garden. Many native plants can…

Drip irrigation is well-suited to the El Dorado County landscape. It is doubtful that anyone living in El Dorado County, or the whole of California for that matter, is not aware of drought conditions impacting everything from household water use, home gardening, commercial agriculture, new home…

Preserve it with dehydration - dried herbs make a great fair entry!  Your hearty, perennial herb garden should be recovering and rebounding from the winter by now. How about dehydrating some of those and entering them in the county fair? Or create a mix of several dried herbs for a special blend – and…