The Backyard Gardener

A Gardening Blog for the East Side

The climate of the Eastern Sierra is very different from most of California and so gardening here is different, too!

In this blog we examine some of the quirks of gardening on the East Side, and cover horticultural issues that are important locally. Note that if you're visiting our site from the outside our little corner of California, you may find this information may not apply to your area.

Articles are written by local UC Master Gardener volunteers or the local Farm Advisor.

And a website...

The Inyo-Mono Master Gardeners also have a website with local gardening and soil information. Visit it to learn more about our program and gardening.

We are part of UC Cooperative Extension in Inyo and Mono counties.

An ash tree over a street displaying fall color.

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A Popular Tree

October 23, 2025

By Dustin W Blakey

I think this is my favorite tree in Bishop: Every year this ash tree has the most amazing display. I stopped yesterday and took a picture. I'm not alone. Today while driving under it I noticed a photographer down the street getting a shot and another car slowing down to take a good look at this…

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Green Tomato Sauce

October 20, 2025

By Vivian Patterson, Inyo-Mono Master Gardener VolunteerThe first freeze of the season is now behind us. If you were lucky enough to get out in the garden and rescue all your green tomatoes before the freeze, then good for you! If you would like to try something other than green tomato chutney or…

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Remember to label with variety and date.

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Master Gardener Training Coming in 2026

October 3, 2025

By Dustin W Blakey

The UC Master Gardener Program of Inyo and Mono Counties is excited to announce its next Basic Training Course in 2026! This program is your opportunity to become a certified UC Master Gardener Volunteer—sharing your love of gardening while giving back to the Eastern Sierra community.What the Training…

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Raisins from Your Own Backyard

September 22, 2025

By Alison Collin, Master Gardener Volunteer White table grapes like 'Thompson Seedless' are delicious to snack on, but they can pose a problem to those of us who like to preserve our own produce. Unlike their red-skinned cousins or cultivars like 'Concord', they are generally lacking in interesting…

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The Art of Successfully Harvesting Pears

September 22, 2025

by Alison Collin, Master Gardener Volunteer Were you taught that to check for a pear's ripeness you gently press on the top, beside the stem, and if it “gives” it is ripe and ready to eat? Well, that technique only applies to pears that have been harvested, and if you are using it to check on the pears…

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