The Savvy Sage

Winter Cleanup - Resist the urge to give the garden a good clean up on a sunny afternoon, many of our beneficial insects and native bees will be sheltering in dried stalks, under leaves and in the ground. Continue preparations for the busy spring planting season. Clean and rinse pots with a diluted solution…

Article by Peg Smith -  As gardeners we hear a consistent message that we should plant ‘to attract pollinators.’ Often our first thoughts quickly turn to the honeybee. But the honeybee is a non-native pollinator in North America. An introduced pollinator, brought to Jamestown in 1622 and not seen…

This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions recently asked by Yolo County gardeners. Question: If one wants both drought-tolerant (water-efficient) and California native wildflowers, what are the options? Answer: California…

This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions recently asked by Yolo County gardeners.  Question: Should I prune my fruit trees? If so, how? Answer: Yes, most fruit trees benefit from regular pruning. Done correctly, pruning…

 Article by Caroline Gengo, UC Master Gardener Trainee - What can your soil tell you about your garden? Soil is made up of decomposed rocks, organic matter, water, and air. Soil provides roughly eighty percent of the essential nutrients your plants need to grow. How we maintain and support our soil…