The Coastal Gardener

I had just completed 19 weeks Master Gardener training when Ted gave me my first plant identification challenge. Ted has a gorgeous garden of flowers and abundant vegetables that he has tended for decades in Trinidad. He had never seen such a shrub that volunteered in his horse pasture.

Did you know that you can get free gardening advice from our University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners? Our Help desk is a free public service available to the home gardener in the Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.

It is important that we all do our part to eradicate Pampas Grass on our property and in the environment. Drive anywhere along the coast this time of year and you will see huge stands of large 6'-10' tall grasses with dramatic pink plumes blowing in the wind like flags.

Most of the living things that gardeners see when they peer into their compost piles need to be there for compost to happen. Earthworms, white worms, sow bugs, pill bugs, millipedes, snails, slugs, and mites all help break down the organic matter in the compost pile.

Test your fire danger awareness: 1. I'm safe from wildfire because I live close to the ocean and we have the marine layer to protect us.