One cheery bloomer in the Tahoe Basin can be seen in bloom from late June until frost is the easy to grow Gaillardia. Native to the North American continent, this delicate flower is tougher than it looks. This short lived perennial reliably self sows, requires little water and attracts pollinators, but not…
Lime in Tuolumne County Gardens and Historywritten by UCCE Master Gardener Nancy Piekarczyk Tuolumne County—in the past and present—is a significant producer of lime and dolomitic lime. The stone is used for construction, agriculture and making slaked lime for mortar and plaster…
Protect your environment from invasive plants Pests in the garden are not always creepy crawlers, they can also be plants, and some are very attractive. However, attractiveness does not always mean good, and you may be surprised to learn that some plants in your landscape should not be present at all…
Last month, we shared on our blog that UC IPM's website was undergoing changes to redesign and update the content to improve not only the overall look, but accessibility for those with disabilities to be in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We also…
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…
