Gardening

Field bindweed, a noxious weed in California has distinctive leaves and white flowers. Jeanette Alosi

What Makes a Weed a Weed?

April 21, 2025
For many of us, gardening involves a constant battle with weeds. Basically, a weed is nothing more than a plant growing where it is not wanted, the classic example being dandelions in the lawn. But as the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and there are many “weeds” that are, in…
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Brown mouse with a white underside.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Hantavirus: What to Know

April 21, 2025
By Niamh M Quinn, Roger A Baldwin
Hantavirus has been in the news a lot lately. Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late actor Gene Hackman, recently passed away in New Mexico due to the disease and California has already seen 3 hantavirus-related deaths this year. In this article we share information to help you understand hantavirus and what you…
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Los beneficios de los lardines de lluvia
Water Supply Security (WSS): Article

Jardines de Lluvia: Una Solución Sostenible para la Gestión de Aguas Pluviales

April 18, 2025
By Esther N Lofton, Erik C Porse
Los jardines de lluvia son depresiones del terreno transformadas, diseñadas para almacenar e infiltrar el escurrimiento pluvial proveniente de superficies impermeables cercanas dentro de entornos urbanos. Disponibles en una variedad de formas y tamaños, los jardines de lluvia representan una solución…
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compost garden
UC Master Gardeners of Amador County: Page

Amador Compost Learning Center

A new Community Compost Site opened in June 2025 at Mother Lode Land Trust’s C&C Ranch. The site is a collaborative effort by the Land Trust, University of California Master Gardeners, Amador Waste Management and Recycling Department, and is supported by a generous grant from CalRecycle. This partnership…
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Person working soil with rake in foreground
The Backyard Gardener: Article

Difference Between Soil and Dirt

April 17, 2025
By Dustin W Blakey
By Carmen Kappos  Inyo-Mono Master Gardener Volunteer While the words soil and dirt are often used interchangeably there are differences between them. Recently, Dustin Blakey, our local UCCE Farm Advisor, gave a talk called “Preparing Garden Soil on the East Side.” During this discussion…
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Bermuda buttercup infesting a bed of landscaped plants.

Spring is in the Air, and Oxalis is Everywhere

April 17, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), also called buttercup oxalis or sourgrass, might be a familiar sight in winter and spring, particularly to those who live in coastal regions or the Sacramento Valley. Some people enjoy seeing this plant’s cheerful yellow flowers pop up in their spring gardens, but for…
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Under the Solano Sun: Article

Botanical Mementos

April 16, 2025
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master GardenerMany of us have plants in our gardens or yards that remind us of people or places.  Sometimes trees or shrubs are planted to honor the birth of a child, a milestone birthday, or in memory of a loved one.  We might have plants that we have grown from…
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Berger Native Garden, by Rebecca Schoenenberger
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County: Page

Waterwise Tips

Even in years with plentiful winter rainfall, summers in Santa Clara County will always be dry. Planning your landscaping and gardens for summer dry conditions will put you ahead of the game for future droughts and water restrictions. Here are some useful tips and links for homeowners and gardeners who want…
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UC Master Gardeners of Inyo and Mono Counties: Article

Tree Scorch and Dieback Guide

April 15, 2025
By Dustin W Blakey
By Ryan Daugherty, Inyo-Mono Master Gardener Volunteer This guide explores the common causes of leaf scorch and branch dieback in trees, emphasizing that these symptoms are usually signs of stress rather than specific diseases. It presents a diagnostic framework rooted in understanding resource flow…
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