The Real Dirt

Flowers blooming

The Real Dirt blog covers regional gardening issues from soil health to planting for pollinators; from fire resistant landscaping to attracting wildlife. Read all about it!

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The winter sun is much lower than in summer, as seen in this November photo of redwoods. Laura Lukes
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Light in the Winter Garden

December 22, 2023
We in Northern California are fortunate to live in a climate that enables us to garden all year. Our moderate temperatures enable many vegetables to grow through the winter, and at most lower altitudes, frosts are rarely severe enough to kill resistant plants and vegetables.
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A curled, dried leaf with a black lesion on the petiole are symptoms of citrus blast caused by Pseudomonas syringae. UC IPM Program
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Citrus Blast

December 15, 2023
Cold, windy, rainy weather provides ideal conditions for the development of Citrus blast, a disease that affects many varieties of citrus grown in Butte County, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons and mandarins.
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Frost damage temperatures for selected citrus. UC ANR
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Frost Protection for Sensitive Plants

December 8, 2023
Winter has finally arrived in the north state! Winter temperatures can pose a threat to the fruit and foliage of citrus, as well as other succulents, tender perennials, tropical and subtropical plants. The most common type of frost in California is referred to as radiation frost.
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White yarrow(achillea millefolium white) is especially well-suited for a moon garden. Brent McGhie
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Conjure Up A Moon Garden

December 1, 2023
In these winter months,while taking stock of the past year's gardening successes and planning next year's garden, why not consider adding a moon garden somewhere in your yard?
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A mini hedgerow incorporating a number of native plants. Eve Werner
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Residential Hedgerows

November 24, 2023
If you are planning to put some new plants in the ground now so they will be established when spring comes around, consider planting a hedgerow.
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