Gardening

A digital (or “smart”) birdfeeder? You’ve got to be kidding. Why would I need such a thing? If you are fascinated by the bird visitors to your garden, this might be the gadget for you. Digital birdfeeders give you the ability to “watch” feathered friends in action. These devices take photos and videos…

Article and photo by Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County Can California native plants be successfully grown in containers? The answer is a resounding YES! One area of the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Demonstration Garden has different California native plants…

Article and photos by Tree Justensen, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyWhat is nature journaling? Nature journaling has been described as a “mindful practice that invites us to record what we see, feel, and wonder about the natural world.[1]” John Muir Laws, popular nature-journaling guru, defines…

Every year, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week reminds us that one small insect can have a massive impact on our communities. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive metallic green beetle that has caused the death of millions of ash trees across North America, killing nearly 100% of unprotected street trees…

The fourth annual Farm Robotics Challenge will announce its winners during a live awards ceremony on May 21. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube.

 (This article originally appeared in the May / June edition of California Gardens Magazine)Few plants capture the drama of the California landscape quite like the Matilija poppy. Striking in its display of large “fried egg” blossoms and deeply tied to fire, drought, and cultural memory, this native…

Have you ever seen a walking stick insect, maybe in a museum display or at an entomology demonstration? They look just like twigs and are fascinating creatures. This makes them popular as pets in classrooms and homes. However, if pet walking sticks are accidentally or purposefully let out of their cages,…

In California, besieged by the twin threats of drought and wildfire, the choice to grow native versus non-native plants is attracting more attention than ever before. What exactly are the merits of native compared to non-native plants, and how do gardeners make the best choice about what to grow in a home…

As we get ready for this year’s vegetable garden planting season, I begin thinking about summer heat. Pretty much every year in late July, my family slides into a tomato depression thinking that all those beautiful green tomatoes will never get ripe. It depresses me to even think about it. However, this year…