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
Cutworm, Jack Kelly Clark, UC ANR
Article

CUTWORMS – Unwelcome Visitors to the Garden

May 8, 2020
Cutworms are moth larvae that hide in the soil during the day, and then come out at night to feed on plants. They get their name from their ability to "cut off" a seedling at ground level by chewing through the stem at or just below the soil level.
View Article
Primary Image
Elderberry flowers, Mike Flanner
Article

Elderberry

May 1, 2020
Gardeners looking for a drought-tolerant and highly disease-resistant native shrub might consider adding the blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulean also known as Sambucus Mexicana) to their landscape.
View Article
Primary Image
Garlic in raised bed, Kim Schwind
Article

The Resilience Garden

April 24, 2020
Butte County has had its share of disaster and turmoil. Now we face a virus that may not go away completely. Shopping for food has become a challenge. The stores are not always stocked the way they used to be. Times are challenging.
View Article
Primary Image
Honeybee on ceanothus, J Alosi
Article

Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners

April 10, 2020
If beekeeping is one of those things you have always wanted to do, but never had time to pursue, our current period of self-isolation may provide you with the time you need to learn about this exciting hobby.
View Article