Test PB Collection: FTE

You should inspect healthy and unhealthy trees on a regular basis. Although some tree failures are not predictable and cannot be prevented, many failures can be prevented. Large trees have a greater hazard potential than small trees and should be inspected more frequently and in greater detail.

Since the drought of the late 1970's, the University of California researchers, UCCE San Joaquin Master Gardeners and many others have compiled an arsenal of resources and tools to help the California gardener cope with a Mediterrean climate and all too-frequent droughts.

We are fortunate in California that not only can we grow vegetables in summer, but winter gardening is also an opportunity to grow vegetables and spend some time outdoors. Cool-season vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, and spinach.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is an aromatic perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family that grows throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Weeds are a constant companion for the home gardener, and they can be a significant pest after a wet winter and if the temperatures are right. Where do these weeds mysteriously come from, one may ask? Their seed has been dormant in the soil, waiting for the right conditions to come to life.

Wintertime can slow work in the garden to a halt. Cool and rainy weather is not conducive to being outside and typically slows the growth of everything except the fescue or rye you have planted in your lawn.

These terms are important factors for choosing the right tree for the intended space, planting and training the tree, and managing the overall tree size and shape.

Winter is the perfect season to enjoy all the warmth and comfort of our favorite soups. Included in this issue are three soups that you can cozy up to. The Egg Roll Soup recipe brings together all the irresistible egg roll flavors we love. Clearly, it offers a great selection of topping options.

Weed of the season: Dandelion,Taraxacum officinale Chill weather slows down grass growth in our lawns and we can notice the bright yellow flowers of Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion. In our mild climate, dandelions bloom nearly year-round.

Perennials: California Fuchsias (Zauschneria californica or Epilobium canum) (The name has been changed recently from Zauschneria to Epilobium, but either name will work when finding it with Google).