Gardening

By Kevin Marini, UC Community Education Specialist: Natural Resources From The Curious Gardener, Spring 2023 In this day and age, it can be challenging to find common ground on a myriad of social and environmental issues that confront us in our modern societies. It has become a societal norm to hold a…

 By Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: I have a black bamboo that is too large for the pot. How and when should I divide it? A: Black bamboo is a running bamboo so it is wise to grow it in a container or use a bamboo barrier product if grown in the garden. Mature running…

By Nicole Harrison, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County From The Curious Gardener, Fall 2021 Arboriculture is a broad industry and there are different types of Arborists with different qualifications. The term ‘Arborist’ is broad. Most industries have a term like this that has a broad meaning. Think…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: I am considering buying a live Christmas tree so that we can plant it in our yard after the holidays. Any helpful hints? A: Purchasing a living tree and successfully establishing it in the landscape can make holiday memories live on as…

A beautiful way to add color to your garden in winter and early spring is to plant hellebores. These perennials grow low to the ground in clumps usually no more than one- and one-half feet high, with distinctive leathery, dark-green leaves. Their flowers, about two inches across, appear in clusters that…

What is the Winter Sowing method of seed starting?  An effective, simple, and low-cost seed starting method, Winter Sowing is the process of starting seeds in containers outside during the winter months. Planting seeds in clear or translucent containers, such as milk jugs, creates a greenhouse effect,…

Jacqueline Champa, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County  From The Curious Gardener, Fall 2010All summer you looked forward to your first, fresh-picked apple of the season. Picking a beautiful apple off the tree, the only imperfection is a slight red spot on the skin---somewhat like a blossoming…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I have a lot of nectarines on my tree this year but most have ugly brown and yellow scabby-looking scars on them. They’re also much smaller than the ones in the grocery store. Some of the leaves are curled and distorted, too. What am I…

By Tish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I know that a lot of people are tearing out their lawn. Should I do that, and, if so, what can I plant instead?A: First, examine your reasons for having a lawn. Grass can be difficult, needing plentiful water, fertilizer, weed killers, pesticides…