The Savvy Sage

This series provides answers to selected questions recently submitted to the UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Help Desk. Question: My cantaloupe and green bean plants are being eaten down to the ground by a pest. Any suggestions on a pesticide to use?Answer: Before you can determine the best way to…

 Article and photos by Pam McCabe - In September, potted or florist chrysanthemums (mums for short) start appearing in supermarkets and garden centers in hues of yellow, orange, brown, and burgundy. They are meant to be used for seasonal décor and discarded at the end of the season. They may…

 Article by Lorie Hammond - As you walk Yolo County’s tree-lined streets, parks, and bike paths, you might take them for granted, with no notion of how they got there or are maintained. The purpose of this article is to laud the work of Tree Davis, a non-profit organization whose members have…

 Article and photos by Peg Smith - I always give unknowns in my garden a chance to prove themselves before taking drastic action. For a couple of years, I have been cutting back what I finally decided had to be a perennial weed; in this case, I found that it was ‘pokeweed’ most likely deposited by…

 Article and photo by Peg Smith - As we ease into fall, September is a prime time for planning and planting.Ornamentals and AnnualsKeep up the deadheading and deep watering, your garden will produce a floral display well into the fall. Don’t be too eager to ‘neaten’ the garden. Many of our…