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Online workshop shows how to attract more birds, bees, butterflies

Yolo County master gardeners share advice on how to create a 'Wildlife Friendly Garden'

A painted lady butterfly enjoys the nectar of some lacy phacelia. In the Yolo master gardeners' online workshop Thursday, learn about plants that both humans and wildlife can enjoy.

A painted lady butterfly enjoys the nectar of some lacy phacelia. In the Yolo master gardeners' online workshop Thursday, learn about plants that both humans and wildlife can enjoy. Kathy Morrison

October is the perfect time to plant most California natives, shrubs, trees and perennials – just the kind of flowering plants that attract more bees, butterflies and birds to your garden.

But what to plant? Which flowers do hummingbirds prefer? How about beneficial insects?

Find out during a free online seminar, hosted by the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Yolo County and the Yolo County Library.

Set for 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, “Wildlife Friendly Garden” will show how people – especially in suburban or urban settings – can help native wildlife such as bees and birds through thoughtful gardening. By providing food and habitat, what you plant makes a big difference in their lives.

Yolo County Master Gardener Petra Unger will discuss how to plant a garden that’s both friendly to wildlife and people, say the organizers. “Learn how to best design, plant and grow your garden to maximize the benefits to wildlife and yourself.”

Unger’s advice works not only for Yolo County but all of the Central Valley and Sierra foothills. Since it’s on Zoom, the online workshop is available to a broad audience. Find the link here: https://yolomg.ucanr.edu/?calitem=570427&g=57253.

This workshop is part of an online series presented at 3 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month by the master gardeners and Yolo County Library. Set for Nov. 9, the next class: “What to Do in the November Garden?”

For more details: https://yolomg.ucanr.edu/.

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Garden Checklist for week of May 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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