Gardening

From Forestland Steward, Winter 2007 newsletter, courtesy of California Forest Stewardship ProgramFrom The Curious Gardener, Summer 2007Trees die even in healthy forests; it’s part of the cycle of life. But if you notice large numbers of previously healthy trees with brown needles or other signs of disease…

Article and photos by Nicole Harrison, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Winter 2022  To a large degree trees are just biological organisms that progress through a predetermined life cycle, like us. They sprout and grow (infancy) and then enter a vigorous growth phase …

By Nicole Harrison, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Spring 2023  After the extreme weather of January, anyone with trees still standing probably felt lucky. The unfortunate truth is that many of the failures were likely predictable by a qualified consulting arborist…

Why are conifers dying?Across the state, but in the Sierra Nevada in particular, unprecedented numbers of trees have died on both public and private land. Many trees stressed from the four-year drought and overcrowding have succumbed to bark beetles. Aerial detection surveys done in 2016 showed that 102…

By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q:  I know that azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas prefer an acid soil, but what does that mean? A:  While most of the plants that we grow in a garden prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH range 6.0 -7.0), there are some…

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?

UC Davis Arboretum All-StarsDatabase searchable by plant characteristics, downloadable brochure, planting and care instructions, garden planting plans.https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum-all-starsWater-wise Landscaping: Water Efficient Plants for the Sierra Foothills, Zone 7 A booklet produced by…

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…