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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Dried puncturevine spikes in tires, UC ANR
The Real Dirt: Article

Ouch! It’s Puncturevine!

August 10, 2018
By Jeanette Alosi, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, August 10, 2018 Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) is an attractive green plant with small yellow flowers commonly seen growing prostrate along the side of the road. A native to Southern Europe, it's also referred to as goathead.
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Plant grouping by similar water needs, L. Kling
The Real Dirt: Article

Using WUCOLS IV Plant Database to Hydrozone Effectively

July 27, 2018
By Cindy Weiner, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, July 27, 2018 Many people rely on automatic irrigation systems to water their yards. It's a practical way to deliver water to plants without having to drag heavy hoses around the yard.
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Spiraea japonica Anthony Waterer, Wikipedia
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Shrubs for Shady Spots in the Garden

July 13, 2018
By Jeanne Lawrence, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, July 13, 2018 Summers are getting hotter in much of the U.S., including our local environment. One way to counteract this change in climate is by planting trees to provide more shade in the summer months.
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