Test PB Collection: FTE

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: Many stores carry bagged topsoil but they all seem to vary in color from light brown to ash. How do I know which is a good soil to use for planting?A: Topsoil is supposed to be the top layer of the soil which has gone through a very long…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ:  I thought coffee grounds were too acidic to use as a mulch or to add to a compost pile. Now I see that Starbucks is offering customers complimentary spent coffee grounds for their garden. I am confused. Help!A: Coffee grounds are a…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ I have been reading about E.coli poisonings from spinach and other garden vegetables. What can I do to prevent this from happening in my garden?A An E.coli illness caused by eating undercooked hamburger has also affected people eating…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyIt’s time to start thinking about whether I want to go through the trouble of starting seeds early indoors. Last year I had a 100% failure rate; many seeds didn’t sprout at all and the seedlings I did get completely died after a few days. Since I…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Summer 2008Many gardeners complain about the quality of their soil, saying it is too rocky or has too much clay. But some gardeners in Nevada and Placer Counties have to contend with soil that is actually toxic to many…

This document lists commercial soil testing labs providing services to the public for a fee. This list is not comprehensive or all-inclusive. No endorsement of any specific business is intended. Neither is any criticism implied of similar labs not listed. Soil testing labs vary in the type of tests they…

By Jay Warner, Nevada County Master GardenerFrom The Curious Gardener, Summer 2010My hillside home came with a very healthy stand of Hypericum—St. John’s Wort. While excellent for erosion prevention, it had gotten out of hand and needed to be controlled. I preferred an environmentally sound solution. So why…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyHow can I prepare an area for my summer vegetable garden?The first thing you want to do is remove any weeds, preferably before they go to seed so that you’ll have fewer to pull in the future. Also remove any roots or debris left over from last year’s…

By Shirley Porter, UC Master Gardener of Nevada CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Summer 2010 We’ve had an abundance of rain in the foothills this Winter and Spring. I alternate between wishing for "just one sunny day” to get out and work in the garden and feeling very glad that the earth is replenishing…