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 […]
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, […]
By Namir Damluji, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County (This article was originally published in the March/April edition of California Gardens) Some trees just feel right in California, and the olive tree (Olea europaea) is definitely one of them. With its silvery gray-green leaves, gnarled trunk, and quiet dignity, an olive tree looks like […]
6 low water, beautiful bloomers that are optimal for growing in San Diego County By Dawn Standke (This article originally appeared in the Jan 10, 2026 edition of the San Diego U-T.) The UC Master Gardener Hotline often gets calls with questions like, “I saw a tree covered in beautiful flowers. Can you tell me […]
By Leah Taylor, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County (This article originally appeared in the Jan / Feb 2026 edition of Cal Gardens magazine.) San Diego’s diverse coastal ecosystem is home to an extraordinary array of plant species, but few are as rare and captivating as Shaw’s Agave (Agave shawii). This striking succulent, […]
