Ask Us

Got Gardening Questions?

Visit or call the Hotline

Tuesday 9am-12pm

Call: 530-552-5812

Or drop by: The Butte County Cooperative Extension Office
5 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965

Email Us

Email your questions to us at mgbutte@ucanr.edu. Include a description and photos of the problem. See "Help Us Help You" below for what to include.

Catch us in person

Look for us at local farmers markets or at one of our information booths at community events. Check out where we'll be on the Events page.

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 contact us:

• 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

What’s Hot Now?

Aside from pruning, what can I do now to improve the health and yield of my home orchard next year?

This is a very timely question, because right now is when our fruit trees need special attention. After you have pruned and leaf drop has occurred, be sure to clean up all debris under the trees. Rake up the leaves and consider disposing of them as green waste rather than composting them, because any present fungal infections might not be killed in your home composting process. Pull back any mulch to allow winter rains to soak into the soil under trees. Once you've completed these steps, apply the first (of three) dormant sprayings to help control leaf curl, shot hole, powdery mildew, and other fungi. Generally, horticultural oil and/or fixed copper should be applied around Thanksgiving, again near the New Year, and finally around Valentine’s Day, before buds open. Take precautions when applying sprays because some trees, like apricots, should not receive sulfur-based chemicals. Remember to wear gloves, masks and protective clothing. (Get detailed information about dormant spraying.) Finally, this is a good time to research and purchase fruit tree fertilizer that should be applied only in the early spring. Wishing you a bountiful crop next year!