By Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa Fall is the time to plant California natives. The weather is cooler, the first soaking rains are imminent, and yet there is still plenty of good sunlight. These factors make for good initial foliage growth and root development. The motivation for adding native plants comes down to one thing: water. Mariposa County enjoys ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) It’s 90℉+ outside. Yep, time to prepare for your winter veggie garden. WHAT? Winter veggie choices include beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, chard, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions/shallots, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, spinach, turnip, and other leafy greens such as bok choy and kale. The above veggies can be direct seeded ...

By UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County Do you have fruits and vegetables to enter into the fair? Maybe you have flowers, floral arrangements or potted plants you would like to enter. Entry forms are available at the Mariposa Fairgrounds and Exposition Center website. Produce and floral entry forms are accepted through Friday, August 27, by 5 p.m. at the ...

By Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County Right now we are in the midst of extreme, widespread drought. One telltale indication is that oak trees in Mariposa County are dropping their leaves. What should one do? You don’t need to do much, but you should avoid basic mistakes. Here are some guidelines. Avoid disturbing the ground within 6 feet of ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) We are once again living through a drought year in the Sierra Nevada foothills. As such, it is a good idea to revisit and remind ourselves of the techniques of waterwise landscaping that is otherwise known as drought-tolerant landscaping or xeriscaping. There are basic principles of waterwise landscaping 1. Planning/Design requires making appropriate ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) Sweet melons are cucurbits, along with cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. They similarly enjoy a long, warm summer — something we have plenty of in the Sierra foothills. Here, they can be directly seeded in fertile, loamy soil that has reached at least 65℉ – 70℉. You can plant 6 seeds in small hills, ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) Some plants just don’t lend themselves to indoor seeding and later transplanting. They prefer to start and finish in the same place. This is usually due to having a delicate root system. Beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peas, radish, scallions, spinach, squash, swiss chard, turnips, zucchini prefer direct seeding. There are ...

By Bob Labozetta, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa Raised garden beds generally yield more produce than traditional gardens. What’s more, the tools needed to build and maintain raised beds can be limited to a garden fork, a rake, a shovel, and a hand trowel. The goal is to create a bed of loose, fertile soil that you never step on. The ...

By Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County Although autumn is generally the best time to add native plants to your landscape, spring is the next best time. Choosing a planting site is important. Fire-prone plants such as manzanitas, pines and plants with resinous leaves and stems should be located well away from structures. Toyon and Redbud are fire-resistant, look ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) Starting plants from seeds can save you money, give you the option of trying interesting varieties, and bring you closer to Mother Nature’s methods of propagation. Different seeds have different germination rates, so refer to seed catalog or seed packet directions to determine when and how to start your seeds. Visit http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener for ...