Test PB Collection: FTE

Websites CNPS - SLO - local chapter of the California Native Plant Society- web - CNPS-SLO Calscape - California Native Plant Society, native plant database search by zip code. Also lists nurseries.

By Betty Debettencourt, UC Master Gardener Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to decompose vegetable matter. The resulting worm compost or worm castings is a nutrient rich soil amendment, which improves soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity.

There are five species of gophers in California. The most common gopher on the central coast is Bottas pocket gopher, named for his fur lined cheek pockets used to carry food. Pocket gophers live 3 years. They do not hibernate and although primarily nocturnal grazers, they are active anytime.

California ground squirrel is the number one vertebrate pest in California. They are non-game mammals and can be controlled at any time, without a license, using any legal method. The Western gray squirrel is a tree squirrel classified as a fur bearing mammal and cannot be taken without a permit.

By Ron Whisenand and Kim McCue, UC Master Gardeners Garden Care and Clean Up: Rake up leaves: leaf litter and mummified fruit can harbor disease and pests. This is especially important around fruit trees. Good Leaf Litter: Healthy oak leaf litter should be left alone.

By Mike Zigelman, UC Master Gardener Benefits of Bats Bats are a primary predator of night flying insects and many insect pests. One little brown myotis bat can catch a thousand mosquitoes an hour.

Gardeners can grow most annuals, biennials, and many non-woody perennials from seed. Growing your own vegetable transplants from seed has many advantages. When compared to commonly available transplants, seeds can provide more varieties that are disease resistant and grow well in your climate.

Created by Johannah Varland, UC Master Gardener Plant cool season veggies during the months in the shaded area, according to your location. Use the frost dates and average days to maturity for each vegetable to determine planting and harvest dates.

Our first Victory Garden workshop series was a success! #WeAreSLOCounty #slogardenersrule #WeAreANR Thank you to the participants and thank you to SLO City for the use of the Rotary community garden at Meadow Park.

These brief gardening documents are written by UC Master Gardener Program volunteers for SLO County residents to provide an easy to read summary of local gardening problems and topics of interest.