Test PB Collection: FTE

Adapted from UC Master Gardener Program of Sacramento County Lawns are removed for several reasons. Many are choosing to reduce landscape water use and attract wildlife and pollinating insects by using native and other drought tolerant plants.

By Peggy Burhenn, UC Master Gardener The beautiful orange western monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) used to be a familiar sight in our gardens with an estimated population of 4.5 million in the 1980s. Since that time, the population has shown a severe decline to less than 30,000 in 2019.

By Peggy Burhenn, UC Master Gardener Here are easy to grow California native plants that are known to attract beneficial insects. Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea) Large shrub to 6 feet, bright yellow flowers, full sun, very low water needs, but tolerates summer water.

By Kim Wilson, UC Master Gardener Choosing the right plant: California native plants comprise a spectrum of plant communities: chaparral, coastal, forest, and desert scrub, to name a few. As such, their soil, sun and water requirements can be quite different.

Adapted from Cheryl Cozad, UC Master Gardener of Butte County Photo Credit: Kevin Marini No Till before planting In the wild areas on our planet, trees, bushes, and grasses grow on ground that has continual additions of new layers of dead and dying plant matter.

By Kim Wilson, UC Master Gardener Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is an exotic disease caused by a fungus-like organism, Phytophthora ramorum. Many Phytophthora species are soil dwelling, root pathogens but the causative agent of SOD is not a root pathogen.

By Bill Tietje, UC Cooperative Extension and Maria Murrietta, Program Coordinator, UC Master Gardeners of SLO County Its getting to be that time of year again! The apparent damage the California oak worm causes our native coast live oak trees and the nuisance it creates can be a huge issue if you ha...

By Kim Wilson, UC Master Gardener Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) The beautiful panorama of grass covered hills dotted with clusters of California oaks is a characteristic feature of our state.

By Maria Murrietta, Program Coordinator, UC Master Gardeners of SLO County What is a Gall?

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