Gardening

By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q:  I know that azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas prefer an acid soil, but what does that mean? A:  While most of the plants that we grow in a garden prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH range 6.0 -7.0), there are some…

It’s cold outside! But that doesn’t have to stop you from gardening. Why not cheer up the dark days of winter by planting some herbs on a sunny windowsill indoors, and using them in your cold weather soups and stews?

UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars Database searchable by plant characteristics, downloadable brochure, planting and care instructions, garden planting plans. https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum-all-starsWater-wise Landscaping: Water Efficient Plants for the Sierra Foothills, Zone 7  A booklet produced by…

By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Last week I drove by a rooftop garden with billows of beautiful yellow daisy-like flowers falling over the top. Not only was I amazed that someone was growing plants on their carport, but what was this bright yellow flower with bountiful…

Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County From The Curious Gardener, Winter 2010Winter is my favorite season of the year. To me, it’s not barren and cold. It’s filled with expectancy and hope. Tree branches are bare of leaves but the buds are fat with life. The hills are green with winter…

Article and photos By Carol Koenig, UC Master Gardener of Placer County From The Curious Gardener, Summer 2022 Drought tolerant plants have been an important part of landscaping for hundreds of years. Some of the earliest examples could be found in fifth and sixth century Persian gardens as well as…

By Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer CountyQ:  What are seed potatoes? Can I grow potatoes from the sprouting potatoes in my cupboard drawers? How do I grow potatoes?A: Potatoes are typically not grown from seed but from sections of the potato. The potato sections are referred to as …

By Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County Q: I want to grow cabbages in my fall garden. Any suggestions?A:  Cabbages are a lot like tomatoes because there is really no comparison between the sweet crispy buttery flavored heads grown in a home garden, and the strong tasting cabbages…