The Dilemma of Peat By Michael Harrelson The efficacy of using peat as a soil amendment for home gardeners may very well depend on where you live. There is no argument that peat increases soil viability and improves crop yields. Soil scientists estimate that one acre of harvested peat can account for 270,000,000 tons of […]
Proper Irrigation Can Solve Many Garden Problems by Valorie Shatynski, UC Master Gardener Our region formally enters the dry season very soon, and many weather variables that impact plants profoundly will begin to increase. The transition to warmer day and nighttime temperatures, lower humidity, dry winds, and a lack of rain are factors gardeners must […]
Growing a buzzworthy backyard By Kira Olsson (This article originally appeared in the April 11, 2026 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) Did you know that San Diego County is officially the “bee capital” of the U.S.? In May 2025, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation designated San Diego as a Bee City USA, recognizing […]
By Liz Schmitt Building an in-ground worm home is one of the many simple, effective ways to compost kitchen scraps directly in your garden beds. By creating a submerged “worm portal,” you allow composting worms to process waste while enriching the surrounding soil with nutrients. Build the Container Select a Container: Use a dark, opaque […]
A look at soil, plant choices, erosion and fire risk By Michael Harrelson (This article was originally published in the March 14, 2026 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) From its 70 miles of coastline to the 43 square miles of open desert in Borrego Springs, San Diego County’s topography is widely varied, […]
