All during the growing season, trees and shrubs rely on their leaves to feed them from the sunlight. During this time all kinds of activity occurs on those leaves. Insects and caterpillars munch on them, which in turn are munched …
Long ago when I started gardening, I learned that you want to feed the soil, not the plant. I took this to heart and it steered my approach to gardening. The idea was to foster good soil biology and let …
When leaves turn color and drop to the ground in fall, they’re going dormant. We think of them as going to sleep. But unless the soil is frozen solid—something that doesn’t happen here in western Nevada County—trees and shrubs stay …
Have you been cursing your soil? Have you tried to plant something this past summer but struggled with rock hard soil? I hear many complaints about clay soil. People can’t dig into it. When it’s dry, it can be hard …
Landscapes and gardens are one of the biggest users of household water, up to 30% of it. We’re all trying to keep our plants alive in the heat while reducing water use and mulching is a perfect way help. But …
With summer gardens winding down and leaves starting to turn color and fall, many of us have a great supply of materials for a compost pile. Previously I discussed how composting is perfect for turning kitchen scraps into a soil …
Americans waste 30-40% of the food that we produce. And where the waste goes is an important question because where you put it can either help or harm the planet. There’s no in between. You might send it to the …
My previous article discussed the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere and how it helps maintain a range of temperatures that enable life on earth. The amount of CO2 in our atmosphere now is at 414 parts per …
My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and buildings in the Jones fire. And my gratitude goes out to the firefighters who worked in such extreme heat and conditions. I can’t imagine what it’s like to …
“We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot.” – Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1500 It’s fall. We are in the midst of having loads of valuable materials delivered at our feet. Leaves. Pine needles. …