916Plantdude

10/08/2025

“Leave the leaves” is another gardening habit that gives protection to overwintering insects which are so crucial for a balanced ecosystem.
Check out this article with accompanying photos for these and more tips!
https://xerces.org/.../files/publications/18-014.pdf...

Time for “fall cleanup”?
Actually, leaving long cut perennial stems to provide shelter will help cavity nesting pollinators overwinter in safety.
“Leave the leaves” is another gardening habit that gives protection to overwintering insects which are so crucial for a balanced ecosystem.
Check out this article with accompanying photos for these and more tips!

https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3K9Fbkz3WscUre_uDQIYm_rQ5enwiVhm-75c0pPDZu8cOUnv24enyn7_U



Photo credits: T. Markel, Newcastle, CA

10/08/2025

“Nachtvlinder” means night moth — fitting for a flower that glows like a jewel from spring to frost. ✨

Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’ — the sultry starlet of the sage world. 💜 With its velvety, wine-purple blooms set against fresh green foliage, this gem brings a pop of moody elegance to any sunny spot. And the name? “Nachtvlinder” means night moth — fitting for a flower that glows like a jewel from spring to frost. ✨

This beauty is a pollinator magnet, drawing in hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies all season long. Compact and bushy, it stays around 2–3 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for tucking into borders, pollinator patches, or right where you can watch the hummers put on a show.

‘Nachtvlinder’ loves full sun, well-drained soil, and just a little water once it’s established. Give it a light trim after a bloom flush to keep it flowering like crazy. Deer usually skip it, which means more blooms for you to enjoy.

If your garden needs a dash of drama and a whole lot of pollinator action, this is your plant.

https://www.groworganic.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-nachtvlinder

10/08/2025

Emerald Beaut Plum gets so sweet that you could enjoy it on pancakes.

09/22/2025

This is how cinnamon is farmed 😮

09/22/2025

NEW Arboretum All-Star Lineup • Fall Plant Sales • New Gardens • Events and More! - https://mailchi.mp/ucdavis/sept-2025

05/06/2025

Please join us for this FREE and informative event, featuring Kevin Marini UCANR Community Education Specialist—Landscape Defensible Space!
This coming Saturday, May 10, from 10 am to 11:30 am, at the Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall located at: 5945 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA 95650.

Please join us for this FREE and informative event, featuring Kevin Marini UCANR Community Education Specialist—Landscape Defensible Space!

This coming Saturday, May 10, from 10 am to 11:30 am, at the Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall located at: 5945 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA 95650.

03/02/2025

🍓 Alpine Strawberries 🍓 A European delicacy, prized for their aromatic flavor, a blend of strawberries, roses and pineapples.

03/02/2025

Asparagus is a perennial plant that can produce for years if grown with care. Choose a site in full sun and prepare the soil well. The plants send up 5-foot tall, ferny growth over the summer, so plant them where they won't undesirably shade other plants.
Plant crowns October–November or January–March.

March Is A Great Time To Plant Asparagus!

Asparagus is a perennial plant that can produce for years if grown with care. Choose a site in full sun and prepare the soil well. The plants send up 5-foot tall, ferny growth over the summer, so plant them where they won't undesirably shade other plants.

Plant crowns October–November or January–March.

Direct seeding is difficult, so it is recommended to transplant 1-year old crowns.
Harvest window

Do not harvest the first two years and only harvest lightly the third year. The energy of the plants needs to be directed to root development so the plants can get well established before they are harvested regularly.

03/02/2025

Check out our garden tips for t
🧹 Clean up your garden
🏡 Fertilize your lawn
🌧 Check your irrigation
💧 Look for standing water in your landscape & containers
🌱 Start seeds indoors
🪴Grow herbs
🐞 Look out for Ladybug hatchlings
🌷Plant flowers to attract pollinators
Learn more on our blog https://mg.ucanr.edu/Social/?blogpost=56365&blogasset=64191

03/02/2025

FREE WORKSHOP on "Starting Your Summer Vegetable Garden" next Saturday, March 8 from 10-11:30 at the Loomis Library.

Mark your calendar! FREE WORKSHOP on "Starting Your Summer Vegetable Garden" next Saturday, March 8 from 10-11:30 at the Loomis Library. Because nothing says “Summer” like growing a vegetable garden. This workshop will cover the basics of getting your garden off to a good start. Some of the topics that will be included are planning and layout, soil, what to plant, tips for growing from seed and more. This is a great workshop for both beginning gardeners and those who are experienced. No registration is required for this free workshop. Just show up! https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/?calitem=603681

Afterwards, drop in at our Demonstration Garden next door. Check out the vegetable gardens there. Get your gardening questions answered by trained docents. https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/?calitem=604957



Photo credit: L. Meyerpeter

02/10/2025

Burgundy Plum has proven to be the more widely successful in providing pollen to a broader group of both Japanese Plums, Pluots and more recent Pluerries.

Don't forget that many of the most popular varieties of Japanese Plums and Pluots require a pollinizing variety near by. The Santa Rosa Plum has been the mos...