Gardening

 (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…

Imagination gardens are a fun way to plant container gardens Almost all these tiny plants do best in indirect light and in moderate temperatures; in other words, indoors in the summer and winter. They may outgrow a small container but can be divided or pinched back to stay in scale. Do keep their feet…

Every gardener knows that weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Webster’s dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially: one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.” The use of weeds as soil indicators is not…

Growing Kale and Collard Greens in the GroundChange planting location, no replanting for 2-4 years Full sun spring/fall, shade in summer Make sure seedling and planting location are moist and fertile before transplantingGently massage roots of kale before planting but gentle root care for the…

Native and adapted Tahoe Friendly plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides and can include a diversity of options for your home landscape. They will however require irrigation while getting established the first year. It is a good idea to group plants by their sunlight and moisture requirements…

May is about the time home gardeners can think about planting trees, shrubs, and some perennials: the soil is generally warm enough for roots to get established, and what freezes we get can likely be handled by plants known to thrive in the Tahoe Basin.  Here are things to consider as you select trees,…