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UC Marin Master Gardener Articles in the Marin Independent Journal

UC Marin Master Gardeners have contributed to the Marin Independent Journal's "Ask a Master Gardener" column every Saturday since 1999. We have a team of dedicated writers who have covered nearly every aspect of gardening for Marin County over the years. Search our archives below by category of interest, or use the search box to locate stories by year, month or specific subject.

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Peat bogs
Article

Which soil amendments are healthy for the garden and the planet?

July 21, 2025
Seems like every time I go to the nursery, there are new things to buy – and I’m not talking about the plants. This is especially true when it comes to soil amendments. Some of these packaged materials are helpful. Worm castings are packed with millions of beneficial microbes. Leaf mold boosts nutrients…
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Convergent Lady Beetle
Article

It’s a bug eat bug world

July 14, 2025
 Bugs are the creepy-crawly critters you find in your garden. Scientists divide them into groups. The largest group is insects, such as butterflies, bees, and beetles, which have three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of wings. Other groups include spiders (arachnids), sowbugs (crustaceans), snails …
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Nasturtiums, violas, and calendula tucked in with edible greens and herbs
Article

The joy of growing edible flowers and Asian greens in your garden

July 7, 2025
 There is nothing more relaxing in summer and fall than venturing into the garden to harvest edible greens, herbs, and flowers. In my garden, tomatoes, herbs, berries, and citrus thrive tucked throughout the garden amongst roses and ornamental plants. This year, I have had the fun of planting more…
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western bumblebee on camellia flower
Article

It’s a bug’s world; we’re just gardening in it!

June 30, 2025
 UC Marin Master Gardeners (MMGs) are ready to welcome you to the fair in our new fairground location, new booth, new speaker location (it’s air-conditioned!), and new educational information. We can’t wait to see you!This year’s Marin County Fair theme is Bug-Tastic! - A theme made for Marin Master…
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spider mites
Article

Controlling spider mites in your garden

June 23, 2025
 On a warm, dry summer day, the leaves on some of my plants had a sprinkling of light dots. Some were turning an unhealthy, ugly bronze color. The underside of the leaves revealed webbing, indicating that spider mites had infested the plants. Among the most common pests in the garden, spider mites can…
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American serpentine leaf miner
Article

Leaf miners

June 17, 2025
 Leaf miners are just one of the many pests that affect our gardens. The two leaf miner types most often found in Marin are the Liriomyza spp, a mostly black & yellow fly with clear wings, and Phytomyza, a blackish gray fly on top with a cream- colored abdomen. Females of both these…
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Apple blossoms
Article

Apples, including our native Pacific crabapple

June 9, 2025
 Apple trees are some of the loveliest in the world, as are their close relatives, the crabapples. Their blossoms in spring are intoxicating, and no wonder—they belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and strawberries.Pollinators like bees and bumblebees are drawn to the fragrant blooms. If…
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Allen's hummingbird
Article

Attract hummingbirds to your garden

June 2, 2025
 These living jewels in our gardens give us many gifts besides the joy of watching them in their pursuit of life, drinking nectar from flowers or feeders, nabbing an insect in the air, chasing another hummer from their territory, or flying acrobatics to impress the females. They bring the gift of…
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aloe
Article

Succulents 102

May 27, 2025
 Master Gardeners enthusiastically support finding homes for succulents in your home garden. Once reserved for arid climates, succulents have proven resilient and adaptable. Including succulents in your water-efficient garden makes creating a dynamic, biodiverse, and pollinator-friendly garden easier…
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