The Real Dirt Blog

Consider the Lilies…

Summer is almost over, but it's not too soon to begin planning next summer's garden. Many bulbs flowering in late spring and summer should be planted this fall and winter: they are available at...
Safely Cleaning Wildfire Ash from Yards and Gardens

The following recommendations for safely clearing ash from outdoor surfaces, including ornamental and edible plants, come from the US EPA, Oregon State University Extension Service, Waste Management,...
Dig In: Start a Fall Garden

Do you associate vegetable gardening with the heat of summer, like fireworks on the Fourth of July or the drone of air conditioners on an August afternoon? The amazing thing about California is that...
Find Some Dirt!

Does growing a vegetable garden sound like something you'd like to do, but you don't feel confident or equipped to do it? Well, here's the deal: find some dirt, and then add plants. It's that simple....
Master Gardeners Present Free Live Online Workshops

The Master Gardeners are offering our Fall series of free workshops online via Zoom, beginning September 10. Like the in-person, hands-on workshops offered in the past, these six classes will...
“Crisis Gardening” is Green Therapy

“You're absolutely filthy!” This admonishment of misspent youthful summer afternoons should be considered a compliment for young and old alike in these stressful times, if the filth comes...
Thinking Beyond the Thermometer: Plant Cool Season Vegetables Now

Cool season plants like a warm start, so it's not too early to begin adding some of them to the vegetable garden now. In this way you can extend the harvest of both warm season crops and cool season...
The Desert Willow: A Beautiful Small Tree for Native Gardens

Someone needs to tell the Urban Forests Ecosystems Institute (UFEI) that their tree location map is missing the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) that was planted at the Master Gardener...
Milkweed

Milkweed is a drought-tolerant and deer-resistant perennial plant named for its milky latex sap. It is a great host plant for many beneficial insects including Monarch butterflies, bees, beetles, and...
Three More Wild Buckwheats

This final discussion of Eriogonum, or wild buckwheat, examines three beauties that are grown at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch: E. nudum; E. umbellatum; and E. grande var....
Are Your Tomatoes Feeling the Heat?

It's hot. Tomatoes like heat, right? Actually, tomatoes like warm weather, between 65 and 85 degrees. When temperatures soar past 95, tomatoes stop growing. In that kind of heat, their flowers fail...
More on Our Wild Buckwheats: The California Buckwheat

Continuing our focus on select species of Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), this week's discussion features California buckwheat (E. fasciculatum). First, here is a quick review of characteristics common...
Dealing with an Ant Invasion

We often experience ants in our homes when weather conditions change. They are typically looking for food, water, warmth, and/or protection from extreme weather conditions. Ants belong to the insect...
The Giant Wild Buckwheat of California

An astounding number of species populate the wild buckwheat genus Eriogonum - over 250, according to the CALFLORA website. And, due to their propensity to hybridize, active speciation continues as we...
Soil Solarization

Is there an area in your garden where you are battling noxious weeds or other invasive plants? If so, soil solarization is a solution that avoids the use of herbicides and saves you from the on-going...
Discovering Verbena Fields in Chico

If you seek a peaceful place to explore nature and local history on foot or by bicycle, it may be time to explore Verbena Fields. This 20-acre site was historically a floodplain for Lindo Channel and...
A Virus in the Garden – Part II

A virus can reduce a plant's growth, lower its yield, and result in inferior fruit, vegetables and flowers. Viruses are often very host specific. Recognizing symptoms can help you take...
A Virus in the Garden – Part I

Most gardeners are aware of plant diseases that can wreak havoc in their gardens. If you grow fruit trees, you may be confronted with curled, reddened peach leaves (peach leaf curl fungus). If...
Save Seeds for Thriftiness and Self-Reliance in the Garden

Record numbers of people are gardening this spring and victory gardens are rapidly sprouting across the nation. Now is a better time than ever to learn how to save seeds. People have saved plant...
It’s Easy to Grow Microgreens Indoors

You say you don't have a green thumb, or you don't have a yard for gardening? No problem! You can easily grow fresh, nutritious microgreens all year long in a sunny window in your home. All you need...

Visit the Real Dirt archive for additional articles.

Got Gardening Questions?

Volunteers for our Hotline are working via email to respond to your gardening questions. All responses to your questions will be conducted via email.

Email Us at mgbutte@ucanr.edu (preferred).

Call: 530-538-7201 (leave a message)

Help Us Help You

You never can tell what's at the root of the problem. Below are some questions we may ask when you call:

Name of plant
Age of plant
Soil type (loam, sandy, clay)
Current watering methods (drip, sprinkler, hand)
Frequency of watering
Sun exposure
Evidence of insects or other damage – check on both sides of leaves
Recent changes that may effect the plant (watering, fertilizing)

Samples and photos related to your question are strongly encouraged. Drop them by the office any time, or email them to:
mgbutte@ucanr.edu