Garden Troubleshooting

By Bonnie Bradt, UC Master Gardener of Nevada CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Fall 2021Many of us “Foothill Dwellers” love it here, for the enjoyment of the natural world surrounding us. Sometimes however, that natural world comes in the form of critters, large and small, that love the same veggies,…

By Shirley Porter, UC Master Gardener of Nevada CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Summer 2010 We’ve had an abundance of rain in the foothills this Winter and Spring. I alternate between wishing for "just one sunny day” to get out and work in the garden and feeling very glad that the earth is replenishing…

Let’s be real—California's rodent issue is extensive. In some areas, it may seem like an infinite sea of rats and mice. Commensal rodents, those that live among and benefit from association with humans, significantly affect public health, environmental sustainability, and urban infrastructure.  …

San Benito County Weed Management AreaA County, State, Federal and Private Partnership24th Annual Continuing Education Seminar for RanchersTuesday, December 2, 20258:00 am – 1:00 pm.The Veterans Memorial Building649 San Benito St.  For Information call 831-205-3125~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~…

The Basics of Pruning Pruning isn’t just about keeping plants tidy, it’s about enhancing the health, structure, and appearance of your landscape. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can promote stronger growth, reduce disease, and even increase flowering in your trees and shrubs.Pruning…

Vertebrate pests can pose a serious threat to the achievement of one’s “dream garden” by wreaking havoc on plants and vegetables literally overnight. They feed or gnaw on the roots of ornamental plants, vines, shrubs and trees, and even plastic water lines. In our area, pocket gophers, moles, voles and…

Urban and suburban areas are important habitats for migrating birds, but birds can also quickly become a nuisance or economic issue when they nest on buildings, homes, and other structures. Their activities can result in disruptive noises, lead to potential structural damage, and their droppings can create…

How to identify the pests that are damaging your lawn What is wrecking your lawn? It could be skunks, raccoons, moles, voles, pocket gophers, or lawn insects. Each leave behind evidence and signs of their presence.Skunks are out at dusk, during the night, and at dawn in residential areas searching for…

 (Este post está disponible en español)Strawberries in a hot climate:       Strawberries are a choice crop for many small farms in California's central valley who operate roadside farmstands and u-pick (aka "pick-your-own") for direct sales to customers, but the hot climate of the…