Central Sierra: Master Gardener Articles - El Dorado County

What exactly are pollinators and why do we need them?  You may often hear that pollinators are important and we should support and protect them. Pollinators play a crucial role in flowering plant reproduction and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. Most plants require assistance to…

Nearly 200 succulents are California Natives Succulents are plants with thick and fleshy leaves and stems that thicken and engorge to retain water. There are 10,000 types of succulents. A quick search for succulents on Calscape, the California Native Plant Society website, yields 196 results. The…

Ladybugs are not all the same. There are about 200 species of lady beetles in California. It is important to remember that while all lady beetle species have a similar shape, the color and patterns may differ. Some have spots, others don’t, some are red, and some are grayish. Lady beetles and their…

Understand the five basic needs of every houseplant Gardeners like the color green. Green gardens filled with flowers and vegetables, or splashes of green houseplants can bring tranquility to a hectic day.Most houseplants have a tropical heritage and thrive when provided the right location and care…

How to distinguish between the three types of weeds on your property  Isn’t it funny when you look at children that you have not seen in a while, you usually say, “These kids have grown like weeds.” You don’t say that they have grown like a plant. You and I did not make that saying up; the truth is…

Lawn Alternatives There is much discussion these days on eliminating grass lawns, and unless your lawn gets a lot of use for playing by kids and pets, it is something to consider. Grass lawns are heavy consumers of water and fertilizer and often require pesticides and fungicides to keep them…

Stay healthy with activity in the garden If you enjoy gardening, it is great to know that the work you are doing for your plants is helping you to stay healthy. According to Dr. Steven Blair, a noted professor of Kinesiology, just a half hour of gardening, five days a week, lowers risk of heart disease…

Tips and tricks for dealing with the wide variety of lavender There is a plant that could be in your garden right now that has endured the test of time -- the lovely Lavender, Lavandula spp. It dates back 2500 years to the time of the ancient Egyptians and has been celebrated for its healing and…

Protect your environment from invasive plants Pests in the garden are not always creepy crawlers, they can also be plants, and some are very attractive. However, attractiveness does not always mean good, and you may be surprised to learn that some plants in your landscape should not be present at all…

Native plants are adapted to the dry climate, support ecosystem's biodiversity. Spring is a good time to evaluate your landscape and make potential changes to decrease your water use in 2026. A good starting point is to incorporate a California native plant or two into the garden. Many native plants can…