By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, Master Gardener of Mariposa County In the winter months, more time is spent inside than outside when it comes to the garden. Although there are still things do such as pruning and mulching, the dreaming part of gardening is reserved for the colder, precipitation-filled days of the year. However, before being swayed to purchase dozens of seed ...

October is a month of many traditions. Haunted houses, costume parties, trick o’ treating, pumpkin carving, and, of course, stories of ghosts and ghouls. Stories that are meant to amuse and entertain, as well as to occasionally give a fright to those who take the time to listen and believe in the superstitions. In honor of these traditions, Sierra News ...

Submitted by Lynn Northrup, Raymond Museum. These two items were recently donated from two different homesteads near Raymond. We would like to know their uses and what decade they would be from. Follow-up to History Mystery #114: The Fine Gold Saloon There were no comments pertaining to the questions asked about this Mystery. Comments from SNO Facebook page: Janel Nielsen: ...

By Tery Susman, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County. Our human tendency is to fix what we perceive as a potential problem or as something “broken” or “untidy.” Our first thought is to reseed flowering plants and grasses on our fire scorched property to speed up vegetation establishment and soil stability, to fix what is “broken.” However, recent research has ...

Today is the final Adventures With Candace Blog. It was back on September 22, 2012 when the first one was published on Sierra News Online and in case you are wondering, it was about a hike up to Dana Plateau. The blog has come a long way since then with improved photography and mapping tools. Somewhere along the line, I ...

Miners were digging their way by the shovelful through a rocky mountain, hoping to make their big strike along “The Great Silver Belt,” but that big strike never happened. As I hiked in their footsteps, it almost felt like they could be returning any day now. Mining equipment is strewn near the tunnel opening and firewood is stacked, ready to ...

By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County. MARIPOSA — The impulse after a fire is to remove all evidence that the event occurred. This is understandable from an emotional perspective, however, if we shift to the nature lens we see a different approach. Although the landscape looks blackened with no visible signs of life, life nonetheless is rearranging, ...

My short hike had a bit of a climb up to a pretty lake with late summer wildflowers still blooming and nearby mountains reflecting in its clear water. Waterfowl were feeding, frogs were swimming and Clark’s Nutcatchers were busy harvesting! Where: Inyo National ForestDistance: 3.19 MilesDifficulty: Moderate Elevational Range: 9,730′ to 10,526′Elevation Gain: 869′Date: September 1, 2022CALTOPO: Hiking to Gardisky ...

By Tery Susman, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County. MARIPOSA — Wildfires can create immediate and potentially long-term soil erosion. However, there are a number of ways to mitigate this post-fire concern. The following has been adapted from the California Native Plant Society Fire Recovery Guide.  1. Leave the mess; keep it under cover. Much needed soil protection is provided ...

Once upon a time, a Cavalry Officer married the daughter of an Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent. Back in 1912, lakes and a creek were named after that young man but who could have known that he would rise to such a high rank? I took advantage of a layover day during my recent 8 day pack trip with stock ...