The Real Dirt

Flowers blooming

The Real Dirt blog covers regional gardening issues from soil health to planting for pollinators; from fire resistant landscaping to attracting wildlife. Read all about it!

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Tools needing cleaning and sharpening, J. Alosi
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Maintaining Your Garden Tools

March 5th, 2021
Spring is just around the corner, and it's time to make sure your garden tools are in peak condition. Good maintenance not only prolongs the life and usefulness of garden tools; it also improves their performance in the garden. In addition, clean tools help prevent the spread of disease.
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Hope and plants grow in the Paradise Community Gardens after the Camp Fire
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Rebuilding Paradise Community Gardens

February 26th, 2021
One of the many tragedies of the Camp Fire was the destruction of the Norton Buffalo Hall, which not only provided a meeting place and concert venue for the community and beyond, but was also the location of very popular community gardens.
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Save Our Seeds Summer 2020 Seed Packet Butternut Squash
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Seeding our Survival: The Butte County Local Food Network

February 19th, 2021
Our survival begins, and ends, with seeds. Making sure there is sufficient diversity and supply of viable seeds, people to grow them, and a supply of the nourishing food they produce is a core philosophy of the Butte County Local Food Network.
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Douglas iris, Copyright UC Regents, Joseph DiTommaso
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Landscaping Under Trees

February 12th, 2021
Northstate residents prize large trees for their beauty and the shade they provide. There are other environmental benefits to mature trees as well. They encourage biodiversity, offset carbon emissions, and reduce energy costs for the homeowner.
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Amaryllis belladonna, Laura Lukes
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Summer-Blooming Bulbs

February 5th, 2021
Most bulbs, including most native plant bulbs, are planted in the fall, but February is an ideal time to plant several summer-blooming bulbs.
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