Hotline

Got Gardening Questions?

Visit or call the Hotline
Wednesday 9am-12pm
Thursday 1-4pm

Call: 530-538-7201

Or drop by: The Butte County Cooperative Extension Office
2279-B Del Oro Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965

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

You can also catch us in person at local farmers markets or at one of our information booths. 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 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

What’s Hot Now?

field of buckwheat

by Barbara Hill

What can I do this summer to improve the soil and keep weeds out of my unplanted vegetable garden beds?

An excellent way to suppress weeds and enrich soil is to grow a summer cover crop. Buckwheat is a popular choice, as it grows in a wide variety of soils, germinates quickly, and creates a dense, weed-squelching canopy in just a few weeks. The fine roots improve tillage, and its profusion of white flowers will attract pollinators, parasitoids, and other beneficial insects to your garden. Cut, mow, and till back into the soil before seeds set. Buckwheat’s tender stalks and roots decompose quickly; in two to three weeks, your bed will be ready for another crop. In our climate, several plantings can be grown in a single summer. Photo by Alex Stone.

For more information, see:
Buckwheat as a cover crop
Overview of cover crops

What's Hot Archive

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