Plant Care

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Event

Under the Spell of Succulents

Event Date
Apr 12, 2025

Join us for Under the Spell of Succulents Public Workshop on Sat, April 12 from 10 - 12 noon. Our speaker is Roz Tampone, UC Master Gardener of Fresno County Topics covered will be: How to grow and care for succulents in your garden and containers and more
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photo of plant give and take, tables, volunteers in a parking lot
Event

2025 Grange Spring Plant Give and Take

Event Date
Mar 29, 2025

2025 Spring Plant Give and Take The Plant Give and Take event is a FREE event for all community members to exchange plants and other garden items, presented by the Merced Colony Grange with volunteer help from UC Master Gardener Program of Merced County.
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Article

Raising the “Fancy” Standard for California Trees

September 16, 2025
By Andrew Miller
California’s urban forests deserve nothing less than “Fancy” trees. Jessie Godfrey, UC ANR Environmental Horticulture and Water Resource Management Advisor, is elevating the work of “Team Fancy,” a group of nursery professionals advocating for state-specific tree quality standards. These standards aim to…
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Yellow California native plants stretching to horizon
Article

California Native Plants and Your Garden: a Plant Community Approach

September 12, 2025
By Linda Carloni
 California native plants can add beauty to your garden, reduce your water use and support the native wildlife.  All good!  This blog discusses why native plants are important, the communities in which they naturally grow and how that knowledge can guide your plant selection.  Why…
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A group of seed savers at work. Jennifer Petersen
Article

Saving Summer Vegetable Seeds

September 9, 2025
The abundance from summer vegetable gardens is extended through the winter and beyond by methods of canning, freezing and drying. But you can also give your summer vegetables a longer life span by saving their seeds. It's important to know that the seed from a hybrid plant will not produce a plant exactly…
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Hydroponics - Orange County

Hydroponics: A Water-Conserving Growing MethodWhat Is Hydroponics?Hydroponics is a soil-free gardening technique that greatly reduces water consumption while growing plants using nutrient-rich water. Hydroponics offers numerous benefits, particularly for urban environments where space and water are limited…
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Drip lines and mulch conserve water in the ornamental garden. Laura Lukes
Article

Keeping Plants Alive When Water is Scarce

July 29, 2025
It hasn’t been a terrible summer, yet it’s been some time since we have seen rain in our area, and some of your plants may be suffering. While you might not be able to save them all, you can take precautions in your garden that will save the plants it makes sense to save, define your gardening priorities,…
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Ceanothus thyrsiflorus in bloom
Article

Now is a Great Time to Prune Ceanothus (California Lilac)

July 26, 2025
By Cathrin Callas
Going by common names such as Blueblossom, California Lilac or Mountain Lilac, it's not surprising that Ceanothus are popular shrubs for many styles of gardens, with spectacular blooms in colors ranging from pale to very deep blue/purple or white. Blooming in late winter or spring, they are valuable early…
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Irrigation
Article

Smart Irrigation Month: A Call to Action for Water Efficiency in California

July 24, 2025
By Esther N Lofton
Why Smart Irrigation Matters Now More Than Ever As Southern California enters the peak of summer, water agencies, utilities, and residents are turning their attention to one of the region’s most pressing challenges—sustainable water use. July is officially recognized as Smart Irrigation Month, a…
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