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A Gardening Blog for the East Side

The climate of the Eastern Sierra is very different from most of California and so gardening here is different, too! 

Preparing the contents of the pile.

In this blog we examine some of the quirks of gardening on the East Side, and cover horticultural issues that are important locally. Note that if you're visiting our site from the outside our little corner of California, you may find this information may not apply to your area.

Articles are written by local UC Master Gardener volunteers or the local Farm Advisor. 

 
And a website...

The Inyo-Mono Master Gardeners also have a website with local gardening and soil information. Visit it to learn more about our program and gardening.

 

Article

Birds - A Free Pest Service!

November 1st, 2018
Pest services, courtesy of your neighborhood bug eating birds, are free! The estimate in a recent study is that the world's birds eat 450 million to 550 million tons of insects and other arthropods each year.
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Immature Pod
Article

Devil's Claw as a Food Source

October 25th, 2018
Last year, I was looking for opportunities to do something unique and satisfying, yet flexible for my work schedule as a Master Gardener. Dustin Blakey, our trusty Farm Advisor, found me the perfect solution, doing a research study on the cultivation of Devil's Claw, Proboscidea parvifolia.
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Quince fruit on a branch
Article

Growing Quince

October 22nd, 2018
By Dustin W Blakey
Gardeners often plant pears and apples in their yards so these fruits are relatively abundant. I usually find myself in receipt of several boxes of fruit every year from tree owners eager to rid themselves of excess fruit.
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Mature Garlic Bulb
Article

Garlic Harvest and Cure

July 16th, 2018
Unlike other varieties in the Allium genus, garlic doesn't bulge from the ground when it is ready for harvest. Instead we give garlic time and watch for changes in the leaves. Last fall, late in the season, I planted approximately 30 garlic cloves of 'Music' a hardy soft-neck variety.
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