Articles and Newsletters | UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County

Close-up of a pile of bright light green shishito peppers. Most are waxy with wrinkled skin and curved shapes, while a few have ripened to shades of orange and red. — *Julio Estrada*

Chiles’ Spicy Heritage Is a Lesson in How to Flourish

June 13, 2026
With seeds ingested and then dispersed by birds, pepper species get a boost in viability. By Julio Estrada (This article originally appeared in the June 13, 2026 edition of the San Diego Union Tribune) [Read Article Here…]

What Is Hydrozoning and How Does It Work

May 30, 2026
Question: I’ve heard the word “hydrozoning” – what is it and how does it work? Answer: Hydrozoning is key for a healthy garden. Here’s why: Last month in “Dig It!” we provided a guide for assessing the [Read Article Here…]

A wooden structure engulfed in intense orange flames, with charred beams and a roof that is about to collapse visible. — *Unsplash*

Working With California’s New ‘Zone Zero’ Home Fire Safety Perimeter

May 9, 2026
Zone Zero regulations are intended to reduce the impact of wildfires on business and residential structures. By Susan Pransky (This article originally appeared in the May 9, 2026 edition of the San Diego Union-Trubune) Did you know that an exceptionally large percentage of home ignitions during wildfires are caused by embers landing near a structure? And that these flying embers can... [Read article here..]

Matilija Poppy:

California’s Spectacular Fire-Following Flower

May 7, 2026

Matilija Poppies need space to grow. An annual trimming helps to manage their size. By Kathy McKee (This article originally appeared in the May / June edition of California Gardens) Few plants capture the drama of the California landscape quite like the Matilija poppy... [Read article here…]

A wide view of a marshland with winding channels of water and low-lying vegetation under a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds. There is a small cluster of red flowers in the foreground, and a low mountain range in the background.A wide view of a marshland with winding channels of water and low-lying vegetation under a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds. There is a small cluster of red flowers in the foreground, and a low mountain range in the background. — *Jodi Bay*

The Dilemma of Peat

May 2, 2026

The efficacy of using peat as a soil amendment for home gardeners may very well depend on where you live. By Michael Harrelson. There is no argument that peat increases...[Read article here...]

A smiling UC Master Gardener in a pink beekeeping suit and orange gloves holds a frame covered in bees, with a blue, cloudy sky in the background. There are green hills and pine trees in the background too. — *Kira Olsson*

Growing a Buzzworthy Backyard

April 11, 2026
By Kira Olsson (This article originally appeared in the April 11, 2026 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) Did you know that San Diego County is officially the “bee capital” of the U.S...[Read article here]

Birds, Corvids, Crows, Pests, Ravens

October 11, 2025
The truths, and the myths, about ravens in the garden Ravens have the broadest geographic range of all birds. By Michael Harrelson (This article originally appeared in the October 11, 2025 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) The narrator of Edgar Allen... [Read article here…]