Gardening

Why Should I Compost?It keeps organics from going to our landfills, thereby reducing the amount of methane gas created.It saves money by replacing purchased soil amendments.It improves soil structure (such as reducing soil compaction) by loosening clay soil and feeding the soil microbes.It increases soil…

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…

Help raise awareness of invasive species by participating in the California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) held June 6-14, 2026! Invasive species are non-native pests that can negatively impact our waters, native ecosystems, agriculture, health, and economy. Each day during the week, UC IPM will…

Many tools are available to help gardeners, pest management professionals, and growers practice sustainable pest management without the use of pesticides. Sometimes, however, a pest infestation is too high or nonchemical methods haven’t worked, so the next solution might be to use a pesticide. Pesticides are…

Will your garden soil produce well? One of the best items to check is your soil pH or acidity. pH stands for the “potential of hydrogen” and is a scale that indicates whether your soil is acid or alkaline (basic). The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7.0 being neutral. If your pH is below…

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…

Updated May 29, 2026 at 4:30pmAn invasive insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 21, 2026. Note that the timeframe for grapevine plants sold at Costco has been extended to April…