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UC Marin Master Gardener Articles in the Marin Independent Journal

UC Marin Master Gardeners have contributed to the Marin Independent Journal's "Ask a Master Gardener" column every Saturday since 1999. We have a team of dedicated writers who have covered nearly every aspect of gardening for Marin County over the years. Search our archives below by category of interest, or use the search box to locate stories by year, month or specific subject.

Leaflet Archive

HELP DESK

bee pollinating a daisy

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Plants to avoid

October 26, 2024

Most plants are a joy to grow, but some plants – like some people – create problems. They don’t mean to, of course. It’s just their nature. Here are the plants (and people) to avoid. Invasive plants: too much of a (bad) thing Ever had horrendous houseguests? They might bust into your cupboards, leave…

Bumblebee collecting nectar and pollen on a Red-Flowered Buckwheat plant

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Native bees and native plants

October 19, 2024

“When California was wild, it was one sweet bee garden throughout its entire length, north and south and all the way across from the snowy Sierra to the ocean.” John Muir, “The Bee Pastures,” The Mountains of California (1894).Native bees produced those gardens; today, we have 1,600 species of native…

yellow flowering mustard planted in between rows as a cover crop

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

The miracle of cover crops

October 12, 2024

For an Earth-Friendly Garden, keep a succession of plants in the soil by planting cover crops. These are plants grown to improve the soil rather than for harvest. I prepare the soil for the next year when my tomatoes are finished for the season. I reuse my raised beds over again since there is no extra…

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' is a stunning tree with bright yellow leaves in spring that turn to chartreuse in summer

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Yellow foliage only where you want it!

October 5, 2024

Want a splash of color in your rich green garden bed? There are trees, shrubs, and perennials that can add a sparkle throughout the growing season, especially plants with brilliant sun-yellow foliage. New plant varieties are constantly being introduced that seem to defy nature with colors from soft…

white and yellow flowers on the Carpenteria californica or Bush Anenome

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Native plants perfect for Marin's shady gardens

September 28, 2024

Hey there, fellow Marin home gardener! Got a shady spot in your garden that's begging for some native greenery? Let me tell you about some wonderful native plants that are perfect for those shady corners of your garden. These plants not only thrive in the shade but also bring a bit of the wild beauty…

people kneeling in a garden looking at plants

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Five water-saving solutions for Marin gardeners

September 21, 2024

Howdy, Marin gardeners! We all love our little patches of paradise, whether it's a veggie garden, a bunch of fragrant herbs, or a bed full of California wildflowers. But let’s face it: water’s as precious as gold here in Marin, and with the way our weather’s been, we’ve got to be smart about how we use…

Oriental Fruit Fly with distinctive yellow bands and a T-shape on its back end

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

The oriental fruit fly: what Marin County gardeners need to know

September 14, 2024

Hello there, dear gardeners of Marin County! Today, we’re going to chat about a pesky little critter that’s been causing quite a stir in our neck of the woods – the Oriental fruit fly. Grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite garden chair, and let’s dive into this juicy topic.Now, you might be…

deciduous tree bare of leaves in winter

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Lessons learned from the leaves

September 7, 2024

September marks the fall equinox and the start of autumn. It is time to see birds migrating, acorns ripening, and monarch butterflies flying toward their overwintering sites along the California coast. It is also the time to watch the trees and learn from the leaves.A tree is a woody perennial plant…

stinkwort flowers gone to seed

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Hold your nose and pull this weed

August 24, 2024

Whenever someone describes a plant as “aromatic,” the question to ask is whether the aroma is pleasant or unpleasant. In the case of Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens), the answer is in the name. “Wort” is Old English for “plant.” Therefore, stink plant. And it’s stinky for another reason: It’s an…

stone pathway between garden beds

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Lights, camera, (low-stress) garden!

August 17, 2024

For those of us who adore gardening, putzing around with rakes and wheelbarrows and hand trowels is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon – even better if you work up a good sweat. But for those less enamored with these kinds of chores, one nagging question persists: “How can I have a nice-looking landscape…