Written by Elizabeth Gabriel — MARIPOSA — Because of our now-it’s-spring, now-it’s-winter-again weather, you may have been wary of getting a start on your summer garden. Remember, Mariposa’s historic “last frost date” can come in early May. Ease your mind. Mariposa Master Gardeners have been propagating since last fall and seed-germinating since February. The annual spring plant sale is Saturday, Apr. ...

MARIPOSA — Local Master Gardeners are gearing up for their annual spring plant sale. Seeds are being selected and started, stem propagation is yielding results, and plans for garden art are being made. The Mariposa Master Gardeners sale will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) at the Amigo Picnic Area at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. ...

MARIPOSA — Mariposa Master Gardeners started the new year on a high note by announcing honors for members. Vivian White, class of 2015, was named Volunteer of the Year for her work at the group’s demonstration garden along Mariposa Creek, reorganization of the storage unit, leadership of the 2016 garden tour and organizational skills. In her speech, Coordinator Kris Randal ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — The deadline is fast approaching to apply for the Mariposa Master Gardener training class, which begins in January. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31. Students will spend 17 weeks learning the ins and outs of home gardening from experts. All the information is based on University of California, peer-reviewed research. The class meets for four hours, ...

MARIPOSA — Want some plant lists for a winter garden? Need to know whether to cut back your passion flower vines now or wait until spring? When should your daffodil bulbs go into the ground? How should you dispose of your dead tomato vines? Is it worth it to plant cover crops that add nitrogen to the soil? The Mariposa ...

MARIPOSA — The Mariposa Master Gardener Program is looking for gardeners who would like to improve their skills and help educate other gardeners about the art and science of growing in the Sierra foothills. MGs represent University of California Cooperative Extension and provide research-based information, advice and education for the home gardener. Meeting for four hours once a week from ...

Written by Elizabeth Gabriel — MARIPOSA — Permaculture is a good thing. What is it? According to Bill Mollison, an Australian researcher, author, scientist, teacher and biologist who is considered the father of permaculture, it is “the conscious design and maintenance of cultivated ecosystems that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of a natural ecosystem.” In other words, making your ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — If you have questions about your yard, garden or home environment, Master Gardeners are here to help. Mariposa Master Master Gardeners are available to answer all your questions during their spring and summer hours. Have a question about seed starting or weed control? Need to know what to do about ants or why your day lilies are ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Don’t give up on your pines and oaks. Yes, the drought is killing some oaks – mainly live oaks – that haven’t had enough water to see them through. However, most deciduous oaks are still hanging on. Yes, the drought has weakened pines – mainly ponderosas – and made them susceptible to the bark beetles that are ...

Turning off your sprinklers after rain falls is the first step to take this spring to conserve water, but there is much more to do in the coming months, according to Chuck Ingels, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Sacramento County. “Landscape irrigation represents well over half the water use in the average household,” Ingels said. “There are many proven ways ...