Butte

Butte County has a Mediterranean climate where drought conditions occur naturally from May to October. A wide variety of succulent plants have become popular across the country in recent years, and our local gardeners are no exception. Not only are succulents drought tolerant, they grow almost anywhere. …

UC Cooperative Extension Prune Research Tour Part 1 Registration Flyer - Thursday, May 29, 2025 @ 8:00 a.m., Davis/Winters AreaHighlights Include: Electrical Weed Control by Brad Hanson, Tong ZhenCropload mapping for thinning and in-season crop assessment by Matt Koball, Mike Turkovich Lunch at 12…

We are well into Spring now, and if you haven’t done it yet 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…

Two of the most common earthworms found in our area are redworms and nightcrawlers.  Redworms (eisenia foetida, also known as red wiggler worms) are shallow dwellers, living in the top 12 inches of the soil.  These are the worms most commonly used for vermicomposting, a method of creating rich garden compost…

For many of us, gardening involves a constant battle with weeds. Basically, a weed is nothing more than a plant growing where it is not wanted, the classic example being dandelions in the lawn. But as the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and there are many “weeds” that are, in…

UC scientists are working with growers in Tehama, Butte, Lake, Amador, Contra Costa, Stanislaus and Yolo counties to test a new way of measuring the irrigation needs of walnut trees. Shackel and team think this new method will allow growers to use less water by not irrigating early in the season, and trees…

When is soil more than just dirt?  When you want to grow healthy plants in your yard and garden, the soil is as important a factor as are water and sunlight.  You can improve your soil's ability to support thriving plants of all kinds by protecting it from compaction, amending it with nutrients, and adding…

Spring is here, and many native plants are coming into bloom. Orange California poppies color the roadside and hills. Redbuds burst with magenta flowers. Butterflies flutter among the blue dicks in grassy areas in upper Bidwell Park and along foothill roadsides. The good news is that many California native…