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UC Marin Master Gardener Articles in the Marin Independent Journal

UC Marin Master Gardeners have contributed to the Marin Independent Journal's "Ask a Master Gardener" column every Saturday since 1999. We have a team of dedicated writers who have covered nearly every aspect of gardening for Marin County over the years. Search our archives below by category of interest, or use the search box to locate stories by year, month or specific subject.

Leaflet Archive

HELP DESK

Convergent Lady Beetle

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

It’s a bug eat bug world

July 14, 2025

Bugs are the creepy-crawly critters you find in your garden. Scientists divide them into groups. The largest group is insects, such as butterflies, bees, and beetles, which have three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of wings. Other groups include spiders (arachnids), sowbugs (crustaceans), snails …

Nasturtiums, violas, and calendula tucked in with edible greens and herbs

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

The joy of growing edible flowers and Asian greens in your garden

July 7, 2025

There is nothing more relaxing in summer and fall than venturing into the garden to harvest edible greens, herbs, and flowers. In my garden, tomatoes, herbs, berries, and citrus thrive tucked throughout the garden amongst roses and ornamental plants. This year, I have had the fun of planting more…

western bumblebee on camellia flower

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

It’s a bug’s world; we’re just gardening in it!

June 30, 2025

UC Marin Master Gardeners (MMGs) are ready to welcome you to the fair in our new fairground location, new booth, new speaker location (it’s air-conditioned!), and new educational information. We can’t wait to see you!This year’s Marin County Fair theme is Bug-Tastic! - A theme made for Marin Master…

spider mites

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Controlling spider mites in your garden

June 23, 2025

On a warm, dry summer day, the leaves on some of my plants had a sprinkling of light dots. Some were turning an unhealthy, ugly bronze color. The underside of the leaves revealed webbing, indicating that spider mites had infested the plants. Among the most common pests in the garden, spider mites can…

American serpentine leaf miner

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Leaf miners

June 17, 2025

Leaf miners are just one of the many pests that affect our gardens. The two leaf miner types most often found in Marin are the Liriomyza spp, a mostly black & yellow fly with clear wings, and Phytomyza, a blackish gray fly on top with a cream- colored abdomen. Females of both these…

Apple blossoms

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Apples, including our native Pacific crabapple

June 9, 2025

Apple trees are some of the loveliest in the world, as are their close relatives, the crabapples. Their blossoms in spring are intoxicating, and no wonder—they belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and strawberries.Pollinators like bees and bumblebees are drawn to the fragrant blooms. If…

Allen's hummingbird

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Attract hummingbirds to your garden

June 2, 2025

These living jewels in our gardens give us many gifts besides the joy of watching them in their pursuit of life, drinking nectar from flowers or feeders, nabbing an insect in the air, chasing another hummer from their territory, or flying acrobatics to impress the females. They bring the gift of…

aloe

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Succulents 102

May 27, 2025

Master Gardeners enthusiastically support finding homes for succulents in your home garden. Once reserved for arid climates, succulents have proven resilient and adaptable. Including succulents in your water-efficient garden makes creating a dynamic, biodiverse, and pollinator-friendly garden easier…

potted herbs

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

What do cattle water troughs and flourishing container gardens have in common?

May 19, 2025

Is your yard filled with compacted clay soil and just the thought of attempting to grow vegetables and flowers seems daunting? Or perhaps you’re searching for a raised bed to avoid a lot of bending and stooping. Have you considered trough gardening? Galvanized livestock water troughs, also known as…

butterfly

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Who’s eating my plants?

May 12, 2025

Ah, the bounty of spring! All the tender new foliage on trees and shrubs, flowers galore, and prolific growth in the vegetable garden. We gardeners revel in the abundance the season brings, and just like us, insect pests, both big and small, love it too. Since there are more insects on Earth…