Below is a collection of previous newsletter articles related to non-food gardening and landscaping topics here in the Lake Tahoe Basin, sorted in reverse chronological order. To get the entire newsletter emailed to you every month, sign up here.
Following the Bloomby Jim Bliss According to the weatherman, spring comes in the middle of March. But for those of us living in the Sierra Nevada mountains, spring depends more on altitude than on the time of year. For garden lovers this provides a great opportunity. Starting in February in the Central…
Red Twig Dogwood: A Native Shrub of Beauty and Ecological Value Red twig dogwood is one of the most recognizable native shrubs in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Also known as red osier dogwood, this deciduous shrub thrives in moist mountain environments and is valued for its vivid winter stems, ecological…
Beat the Heat: Smart Water-Saving Tips for Tahoe GardensJen Cressy, South Tahoe PUD Water Efficiency Technician and UC Master GardenerGardening in Tahoe is rarely simple. High elevation, sandy and rocky soils, low humidity, intense sunlight, and summer heat waves can all place stress on landscape plants…
June bugs are among the most familiar insects of early summer. Although people commonly call them “bugs,” they are actually scarab beetles in the genus Phyllophaga. These beetles are usually brown, oval-shaped, and active at night, often flying clumsily around porch lights. Their larvae, known as white grubs…
What makes a neighborhood a community? Is it holiday decorations, strollable sidewalks, or HOA-stipulated paint colors? Laughing children, knowing your neighbors and aesthetic beauty are all components of your surrounding neighborhood. But I think front porches create…
The 2025 Los Angeles fires dealt a blow to the urban forest. Then, premature tree removals made matters worse. UC scientists took action to protect and study these natural resources.
Native plants are adapted to the dry climate, support ecosystem's biodiversity. Spring is a good time to evaluate your landscape and make potential changes to decrease your water use in 2026. A good starting point is to incorporate a California native plant or two into the garden. Many native plants can…
Drip irrigation is well-suited to the El Dorado County landscape. It is doubtful that anyone living in El Dorado County, or the whole of California for that matter, is not aware of drought conditions impacting everything from household water use, home gardening, commercial agriculture, new home…
A digital (or “smart”) birdfeeder? You’ve got to be kidding. Why would I need such a thing? If you are fascinated by the bird visitors to your garden, this might be the gadget for you. Digital birdfeeders give you the ability to “watch” feathered friends in action. These devices take photos and videos…
