Gardening

Fact Sheet • June 2026 • Download PDF (2.8 MB)What is IPM?Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a way of using multiple methods to manage pests instead of depending on one or two solutions. These methods can include choosing the right planting practices, encouraging beneficial insects, and using sprays only…

Looking to keep your brain stimulated this summer? Need information about garden pests? Join us every third Thursday of the month from 12:00 to 1:00pm PST to learn about a wide range of urban pest management topics. This series is free and open to the public, but advance registration is …

Article by Peggy Beltramo, UC Master Gardener of Placer County Have you heard of the term “keystone” species? They are the species of plants and animals within an environment that hold all the other elements together, much like the keystone block in an ancient arch. Without the keystone…

A digital (or “smart”) birdfeeder? You’ve got to be kidding. Why would I need such a thing? If you are fascinated by the bird visitors to your garden, this might be the gadget for you. Digital birdfeeders give you the ability to “watch” feathered friends in action. These devices take photos and videos…

Article and photo by Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County Can California native plants be successfully grown in containers? The answer is a resounding YES! One area of the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Demonstration Garden has different California native plants…

Article and photos by Tree Justensen, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyWhat is nature journaling? Nature journaling has been described as a “mindful practice that invites us to record what we see, feel, and wonder about the natural world.[1]” John Muir Laws, popular nature-journaling guru, defines…

Every year, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week reminds us that one small insect can have a massive impact on our communities. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive metallic green beetle that has caused the death of millions of ash trees across North America, killing nearly 100% of unprotected street trees…

The fourth annual Farm Robotics Challenge will announce its winners during a live awards ceremony on May 21. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube.

 (This article originally appeared in the May / June edition of California Gardens Magazine)Few plants capture the drama of the California landscape quite like the Matilija poppy. Striking in its display of large “fried egg” blossoms and deeply tied to fire, drought, and cultural memory, this native…