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!

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Garden guide 2nd edition, in loose-leaf binder, Laura Kling
The Real Dirt: Article

Master Gardeners Present Free Live Online Workshops

September 4, 2020
The Master Gardeners are offering our Fall series of free workshops online via Zoom, beginning September 10. Like the in-person, hands-on workshops offered in the past, these six classes will be packed with useful and valuable gardening information.
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Grow it Yourself - Plan a Farm Garden Now, CA, 1942, USDA
The Real Dirt: Article

“Crisis Gardening” is Green Therapy

August 28, 2020
You're absolutely filthy! This admonishment of misspent youthful summer afternoons should be considered a compliment for young and old alike in these stressful times, if the filth comes from the garden.
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Desert Willow blooms, Laura Kling
The Real Dirt: Article

The Desert Willow: A Beautiful Small Tree for Native Gardens

August 14, 2020
Someone needs to tell the Urban Forests Ecosystems Institute (UFEI) that their tree location map is missing the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) that was planted at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch several years ago.
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Showy milkweed buds, J. Alosi
The Real Dirt: Article

Milkweed

August 7, 2020
Milkweed is a drought-tolerant and deer-resistant perennial plant named for its milky latex sap. It is a great host plant for many beneficial insects including Monarch butterflies, bees, beetles, and lady beetles (ladybugs).
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