The Real Dirt

Flowers blooming

The Real Dirt blog covers regional gardening issues from soil health to planting for pollinators; from fire resistant landscaping to attracting wildlife. Read all about it!

Primary Image
Oak Way Garden, G. Mahannah
The Real Dirt: Article

Community Gardens of Chico

October 7, 2022
A vacant lot on a residential street is a common sight that goes unnoticed, except when the vacant lot is repurposed and transformed into a community garden.
View Article
Primary Image
California goldenrod, Fireworks, Jeanette Alosi
The Real Dirt: Article

Fall-Blooming Natives

September 30, 2022
By fall most summer-blooming plants have run their course, while summer-dormant plants are just beginning to start their new growth for the season. You may feel your garden needs more color.
View Article
Primary Image
Native plants in front yard, Jeanette Alosi
The Real Dirt: Article

Improve your Home’s Curb Appeal by Removing the Lawn

September 23, 2022
A short drive around Chico will reveal that lawn is a prominent landscape feature for the majority of homes. Yet we seldom see people outside using their front lawns. Maintaining a lawn just to view wastes time, energy, water and money.
View Article
Primary Image
Fitting sheet mulching around existing plants, Eve Werner
The Real Dirt: Article

Lawn Removal: Do It Right

September 16, 2022
We have endured multiple years of drought, and are probably in store for more. For many of us, it makes sense to replace all or part of our lawn area with less water-intensive plantings.
View Article
Primary Image
No Till vegetable garden 3 weeks after planting, Cheryl Cozad
The Real Dirt: Article

Dig In: Start a Fall Garden

September 9, 2022
Do you associate vegetable gardening with the heat of summer, like fireworks on the Fourth of July or the drone of air conditioners on an August afternoon?
View Article