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!

Primary Image
Shopping for plants at the Saturday Farmers Market, Debi Durham
Article

Children in the Garden

March 26, 2021
There are many benefits in sharing a love for gardening with a child. Gardening is an enjoyable and healthy way to connect with children, whether they're your own, a friend's, or a neighbor's. Including children in the garden helps them develop skills they can practice for the rest of their lives.
View Article
Primary Image
Shears and loppers, J. Alosi
Article

Garden Tools

March 12, 2021
People new to gardening often ask what tools are needed to maintain their gardens. It's easy to become overwhelmed by the scope and variety of garden tools available in stores, online, and in garden catalogues.
View Article
Primary Image
Tools needing cleaning and sharpening, J. Alosi
Article

Maintaining Your Garden Tools

March 5, 2021
Spring is just around the corner, and it's time to make sure your garden tools are in peak condition. Good maintenance not only prolongs the life and usefulness of garden tools; it also improves their performance in the garden. In addition, clean tools help prevent the spread of disease.
View Article
Primary Image
Hope and plants grow in the Paradise Community Gardens after the Camp Fire
Article

Rebuilding Paradise Community Gardens

February 26, 2021
One of the many tragedies of the Camp Fire was the destruction of the Norton Buffalo Hall, which not only provided a meeting place and concert venue for the community and beyond, but was also the location of very popular community gardens.
View Article