Gardens By Type

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Heirloom tomatoes. Kim Schwind
The Real Dirt: Article

Heirloom Tomatoes

January 19, 2026
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties which were either introduced commercially before 1940, or grown from seeds that have been passed down at least 50 years through several generations of a family, religious, ethnic, or tribal group, without the plants crossing with another variety of the same…
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[PODCAST] Indoor House Plants

January 8, 2026
By Loren Nelson
This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, we bring you a new show on the topic of “Indoor House Plants”! Master Gardener Dece Morgan met Julie Bawden-Davis, who is a fellow MG and a resident expert on indoor houseplants, at her home for a relaxed tour and conversation about Julie’s vast home…
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[PODCAST] Bird Friendly Garden

January 1, 2026
By Loren Nelson
The topic this week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners is Bird-Friendly Gardens.  In studio live, we’ll have Melissa Rapp, a current UC Master Gardener AND Executive Committee President at the Sea and Sage Audubon Society. We have a past recording of a show from 2018 featuring the wonderful…
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A hellebore in bloom. J. Alosi
The Real Dirt: Article

Plant Hellebores for Winter and Spring Color!

December 23, 2025
A beautiful way to add color to your garden in winter and early spring is to plant hellebores. These perennials grow low to the ground in clumps usually no more than one- and one-half feet high, with distinctive leathery, dark-green leaves. Their flowers, about two inches across, appear in clusters that…
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a green seedling emerges from dark soil
UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County: Article

Central Sierra: Seed Starting Using the Winter Sowing Method

December 22, 2025
By Robin E Martin
What is the Winter Sowing method of seed starting?  An effective, simple, and low-cost seed starting method, Winter Sowing is the process of starting seeds in containers outside during the winter months. Planting seeds in clear or translucent containers, such as milk jugs, creates a greenhouse effect,…
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African Violets blooming. J. Alosi
The Real Dirt: Article

Caring for an Indoor Garden

December 15, 2025
Nearly everyone, from well-meaning beginners to experienced outdoor gardeners, has struggled at one time or another with a houseplant that seemed determined to die. Understanding the four basic needs of all houseplants can not only give you the knowledge you need to care for these plants, but also help you…
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Parsley sharing space with other houseplants on a window sill. Debi Durham
The Real Dirt: Article

Herbs as Houseplants

December 9, 2025
It’s cold outside! But that doesn’t have to stop you from gardening. Why not cheer up the dark days of winter by planting some herbs on a sunny windowsill indoors, and using them in your cold weather soups and stews?
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Copper Canyon Daisies

December 8, 2025
By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Last week I drove by a rooftop garden with billows of beautiful yellow daisy-like flowers falling over the top. Not only was I amazed that someone was growing plants on their carport, but what was this bright yellow flower with bountiful…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Potatoes

December 7, 2025
By Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ:  What are seed potatoes? Can I grow potatoes from the sprouting potatoes in my cupboard drawers? How do I grow potatoes?A: Potatoes are typically not grown from seed but from sections of the potato. The potato sections are referred to as …
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Growing Cabbages

December 7, 2025
By Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County Q: I want to grow cabbages in my fall garden. Any suggestions?A:  Cabbages are a lot like tomatoes because there is really no comparison between the sweet crispy buttery flavored heads grown in a home garden, and the strong tasting cabbages…
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