The Real Dirt Blog

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....
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...
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...
California Native Plant Society

California is host to almost 7000 species of native plants, more than any other state. About 40% of those species are found only in California. In fact, California is more species-rich than most...
Managing Johnsongrass, a Legendary Weed!

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a common sight throughout our hot dry Butte County summers. It is also considered to be one of the world's most noxious perennial weeds. Johnsongrass forms...
Rattlesnake Season

Summer is high rattlesnake season for us in California. Classified as a native reptile, the rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in California. At least six species are found in various...
Invasive Plant Tales from Local Master Gardeners

Given the right conditions, some seemingly mild-mannered plants can become garden thugs, invading entire yards and even moving on to the rest of the neighborhood. We may all have heard stories...
Summer Branch Drop in Oaks

At this time of the year, it is not uncommon for large branches to suddenly drop from oak trees without warning. Although this phenomenon is not limited to oaks, the sheer size of their...
The Xerces Society and National Pollinator Week

To help raise awareness about the declining populations of many pollinating species, in 2017 the US Senate unanimously voted to establish National Pollinator Week. Because pollinators are crucial not...
Butte County Firesafe Council

Nestled on a quiet street in Paradise, California, the Butte County Firesafe Council (BCFSC) is a community-based nonprofit organization which focuses on wildfire safety through a variety of outreach...
The Herbarium at CSU, Chico

Imagine a library with thousands of books lining the shelves. Then imagine that instead of books, those shelves are filled with dried and mounted plant specimens. Such a systematic collection of...
“We Love to Teach People New Birds:” The Altacal Audubon Society

If we want to instill in our children a love of nature and raise a generation that will want to protect and preserve natural places, we need to get ‘em hooked on birds. This is the wisdom...
Small Orchard Showcases Historic Almond Varieties

In keeping with the Patrick Ranch Museum's mission to enhance “people's understanding and appreciation of our community's rich agricultural heritage,” a half-acre plot planted in heirloom...
Every Yard Counts! Altacal Audubon’s Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program

We know that we are losing wildlife habitat. We know that birds and pollinators are in trouble. The good news is that our home gardens can be part of the solution, by conserving water and protecting...
Feijoa for Home Landscapes

Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana O. Berg.) or Pineapple Guava is an evergreen subtropical shrub or small tree that produces an aromatic edible fruit with a somewhat pineapple flavored pulp. ...
Firewise Landscape Maintenance

Even when homeowners have created a defensible space, the job of protecting their home from fire is never done. There will always be ongoing and annual jobs to do. Additionally, there are...
Firewise: Fire Resistant Plants

The devastating Camp Fire of 2018, along with the numerous fires North State residents have experienced since then, have led many of us to focus on creating a defensible fire-resistant landscape...
Be Firewise with Fire Resistant Landscaping

Fire is a normal part of the natural environment in California, so if you live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), it's not so much a question of if, but of when your home will be exposed to...
Spring Blooming Natives

Spring is here, and many native plants are coming into bloom. Orange California poppies color the roadside and hills. Redbuds burst with magenta flowers. Butterflies flutter among the blue dicks in...
Don’t Hesitate to Thin That Fruit!

It is time to start thinking about thinning the fruit on peach, nectarine, plum, pluot, apricot, apple, and pear trees. To produce fruit that is large and healthy, fruit trees need plenty of leaves...