Re-Evaluating Petunias in the Landscape

Sue Fitz, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County

Petunias have been a staple in nurseries for years, and when I was a young gardener, seduced by their bright clear colors, I tried them several times and gave up. They were too much work, and the reward was too small. They were fragile and hard to keep alive, needed constant deadheading to keep blooming, and needed routine spraying for bugs and disease. Inevitably the pests won. Give me a zinnia, cosmos or marigold any day over the fussy, frustrating petunia.

But while I was ignoring petunias, plant breeders were hard at work. The first breakthrough were petunias that did not set seed, thus did not need weekly deadheading to keep blooming. Breeding continued to improve vigor and disease resistance. The petunia of today is a far cry from the petunia of fifty years ago. This was forcibly brought to my attention by a local master gardener, Janey Santos, who has a you-tube....

Ask a Master Gardener

This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions recently asked by Yolo County gardeners..

QUESTION: How do you grow potatoes?



ANSWER: Potatoes are nutritious, versatile, and easy to grow. They can be planted directly into the ground or grown in containers such as pots, bags, and even “straw towers.”

Unfortunately, unlike the potatoes of yesteryear, you won’t be able to grow a new crop using store-bought potatoes, which these days are treated to prevent sprouting.

Instead, you’ll need seed potatoes specifically bred for planting and (if they’re certified) disease-free. These seed potatoes—they’re....

QUESTION: How do I save water in my vegetable garden this year?



ANSWER: Growing a vegetable garden with less water is possible by combining efficient watering practices, soil improvement and protection, and careful selection of the crops you grow. 

One of the most important strategies is improving the soil. Adding compost increases the soil's ability to retain moisture, allowing plants to access water for longer periods between irrigations. A three-to-four-inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded...

This two question article previously appeared in the Winters Express and Davis Enterprise.

Have a gardening question? Send it to jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu, with “Ask MGs” in the subject line. Include as much detail as possible and pictures if you have them.

August Garden Tips

Peg Smith, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County

The summer this year has been a mix of seasonally expected highs with periods of cooler weather. As gardeners we appreciate moderate summer weather for ourselves and our gardens. We do need to continue to avoid overdoing our personal strength and energy supply. Working early mornings, staying hydrated, and enjoying a good book or long-put-off ‘inside’ project are ideal for hotter afternoons.

August is the time to begin our fall planning. As the summer vegetables, zinnias and sunflowers brighten each day, consider any changes you may want to make in the garden. Collect ideas, measure garden areas, design your efforts to complete a piece at a time, a small component of your grand plan. As each piece is completed, you can have the pleasure and satisfaction of watching it establish and grow as you...

August Vegetable Planting Guide

Peg Smith, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County



If you started brassica seeds in late July, you may have some seedlings that look ready to transplant in late August, but temperatures can be searingly hot, so deciding when to transplant brassica seedlings, such as broccoli and cabbage, into vegetable beds will always be a judgement call dependent on the weather. Err on the side of caution and hold off until later in the month. Brassica and any other transplants will...

Vermicomposting (Composting with Worms)

UC Master Gardener of Yolo, Janet Arias in conjunction with the Davis Library did a vermicomposting presentation on 7/23/26. Composting is a natural way to reduce trash, help address climate change, and convert your yard waste and food scraps into a free, high-quality soil amendment. It requires minimal effort, equipment, and expense, and it makes you feel good. Learn how to set up and maintain your backyard composting, from start to finish.

New UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Videos!

University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program

The Yolo Gardener Newsletter is a monthly publication and the events posted here are based on information available at the time of publication. For the most up-to-date information on our events CLICK HERE.

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