Central Sierra: Master Gardener Articles | El Dorado County

How to identify the pests that are damaging your lawn What is wrecking your lawn? It could be skunks, raccoons, moles, voles, pocket gophers, or lawn insects. Each leave behind evidence and signs of their presence.Skunks are out at dusk, during the night, and at dawn in residential areas searching for…

Planting Ideas for Late Summer Blooms  Here are some late summer flowers that will rejuvenate the look of the garden and lift any gardener’s spirits. Summer Hyacinth, Ornithogalum candicans, is a perennial bulb; plant it now for next year’s bloom. It has a blooming funnel-shaped flower, and…

Your Garden in the Moonlight Have you ever thought about creating a garden that would glow in the moonlight? Wander around your yard some night and consider a place where you could enjoy a peaceful, quiet get-away in the evening and dark. Based on the location and view, consider assorted forms, sizes,…

Pollinators benefit our gardens and the environmentSupporting pollinators is easy and beautiful here in the foothills. Fragrant blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in our gardens. The pollinators support the health of our flora, both the gardens that we plant, and the commercial crops grown…

Container Magic – Helpful How-to Tips on Planting Your Garden in a Container Container gardening is a fun and easy way to beautify a yard or small garden space. Containers are perfect for most environments and people of all gardening levels. They are portable and offer endless possibilities. Choose…

Understanding the when, why, and how of pruning tomatoes for the best yield To prune or not to prune tomatoes, that is a question that backyard tomato growers need to answer for themselves. Growing strong, healthy tomato plants increases the chance of getting a large crop of delicious tomatoes. The…

Preserve It! Peaches!  Don't Hesitate to Buy Loads of Fuzzy Peaches (in season!)  Have you noticed that fresh peaches have more fuzz than peaches in grocery stores? Before peaches are sold in grocery stores, some of the fuzz is removed to make it more appealing. It is thought that too much fuzz on…

Five Steps to Avoid Becoming THE Problem in YOUR Vegetable Garden. I have been growing my own vegetables for the last thirty years. I have grown vegetables in the ground, raised beds, and containers. During those years I have enjoyed good and bad harvests. Sometimes the problems which resulted in a poor…