Yolo Gardener – UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County – February 2026.

Featured Articles

Home Soil Evaluation

Caroline Gengo, UC Master Gardener Trainee, Yolo County

Photo of a hand resting on soil.

What can your soil tell you about your garden? Soil is made up of decomposed rocks, organic matter, water, and air. Soil provides roughly eighty percent of the essential nutrients your plants need to grow. How we maintain and support our soil directly impacts our plant’s health and growth. In this article, we will describe a quick at home soil test you can do to better understand your garden soil texture. This helps us understand how to support your plants from the ground up through efficient amendments, watering, and...

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..

Photo of wildflowers in bloom.

QUESTION: If one wants both drought tolerant (water efficient) and California native wildflowers, what are the options?



ANSWER: California native plants are excellent choices for your landscape. As you mention, many are drought tolerant, so therefore water-wise. Additionally, they require little to no pruning, no...

Photo of a peach growing on a tree.

QUESTION: Should I prune my fruit trees? If so, how?


ANSWER: Yes, most fruit trees benefit from regular pruning. Done correctly, pruning improves tree health, fruit quality, and long-term productivity. How and when you prune depends on the type of fruit tree and its age. Since we have hot summers and...

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.

Photo of two crows perched on a street light.

In troubled times, a morning walk.

In the chill of a fog muted morning,

The raucous call of the crow,

The burble of seagull calls,

The shout of the hawks,

The seasonal call of the flicker,

The tweets and peeps of crowned sparrows,

The signaling of geese high and obscured,

Touch my ears and warm my heart.

--Peg Smith

Photo of a pipevine swallowtail pausing on a hand.

An Introduction to Pollinators

Peg Smith, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County


As gardeners we hear a consistent message that we should plant ‘to attract pollinators.’ Often our first thoughts quickly turn to the honeybee. But the honeybee is a non-native pollinator in North America. An introduced pollinator, brought to Jamestown in 1622 and not seen in California until 1853 when twelve hives purchased in Panama were transported by rail, mule, and steamship by a Texan beekeeper, Christopher A. Shelton. Many bees did not survive the arduous journey. The surviving bees, enough for a single hive, soon propagated on the almost two thousand acres of Ranchero Potrero de Santa Clara where Christopher A. Shelton settled.


Are honeybees the only pollinators? Let us take a step back in evolutionary time to see how the relationship between flower...

Photo of an Argentine rain lily in bloom.jpg

February Garden Tips

Peg Smith, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County


Winter Cleanup

Resist the urge to give the garden a good clean up on a sunny afternoon, many of our beneficial insects and native bees will be sheltering in dried stalks, under leaves and in the ground. Continue preparations for the busy spring planting season. Clean and rinse pots with a diluted solution of bleach – one part bleach to nine parts water. Check pots after any rain, shallow pools of water will provide egg laying opportunities for mosquitos. Clean and sharpen tools. Check shelves and dispose of old or unneeded pesticides and herbicides. Yolo County Landfill accepts household hazardous waste Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM.

 

Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes

We tend to think of bulbs as something planted in the winter (October-December) to bloom in the spring but there are a variety of bulbs, also corms and rhizomes...

February Vegetable Planting Guide

Peg Smith, UC Master Gardener, Yolo County


All recommended planting dates are best-case average scenarios. However, changing weather may alter the schedule. Always be aware of colder or warmer weather than usual and adjust your planting to fit. The success of transplants of the brassica family, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc., will depend on the number of nights with temperatures around 45°F and cool early spring temperatures. Cooler spring temperatures will yield better spring brassica crops.

PDF image to click to go to Peg's monthly vegetable planting guide.

Check It Out!

Photo of the front cover of the book "The Home Orchard."

The New Edition of UC ANR’s ‘The Home Orchard’ is Available


The Home Orchard, Second Edition is out! It is a comprehensive, research-backed guide for backyard orchardists. Significantly expanded from the first edition, this resource covers temperate fruit and nut trees from site selection through harvest. Learn variety selection, orchard design, irrigation systems, pruning techniques, and advanced grafting methods. It features expanded integrated pest management guidance, troubleshooting chapters, and updated practices reflecting nearly two decades of University of California research. Everything you need for productive, sustainable home fruit growing.


For more information on the differences between the two editions, see the UC ANR Food Blog's article New edition of UC ANR's 'The Home Orchard' offers advise on growing tree fruit, nuts.


The paperback costs $40 and can be ordered online from the UC ANR Catalog HERE.

Upcoming Events

Spring Plant Sales!


Winters Friends of the Library - Annual Fruit Tree Sale

Location: Parking lot at 517 Railroad Avenue (corner of Edwards Street), Winters

March 7 - Members have early access at 8:30am. Public access at 9:30am. Sale closes when sold out.

Master Gardeners of Yolo County will be available for advice on tree selection, pruning, and planting.

Click here for more information.

UC Davis Arboretum Plant Sales -

Location: UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery, 1046 Garrod Drive, Davis

March 7 - Member Only Sale 9am to 1pm

April 11 - Members 9am to 1pm / Non-members 10am to 1pm

May 2 - Public Sale 9am to 1pm

May 16 - Clearance Sale (open to everyone) 9am - 1pm

Master Gardeners of Yolo County will have a table at these sales to answer questions you might have.

Click here for more information.

UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Spring Plant Sales -

Location: Woodland Community College, 2300 E. Gibson Road, Woodland

April 4 - 9am to 1pm

April 11 - 9am to 1pm

Drought-tolerant ornamental garden plants (bulbs, California native plants, perennials, and succulents) and many varieties of tomato plants (several heirloom tomato varieties) will be available. Watch for the official announcement and plant list in late February and in the March Yolo Gardener Newsletter.

Grace Garden / UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Annual Plant Sale -

Location: On the back patio of Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Street, Davis

April 11 - 9am to 11am

The plant sale will be followed by a free Master Gardener talk on “Gardening for Year-Round Meals” from 11am to noon. Two great events in one day!

Join Us!


UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County have a great selection of in-person and online events. Check the website frequently as they are updated often. They are conveniently listed for you in date order with all of the information you need to plan your gardening adventures!


Photo of UC Master Gardeners of Imperial County.
UC ANR - UC IPM - Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program logo.

2026 Webinars from UC IPM

Join UC IPM every third Thursday of each month from 12 to 1pm to learn about a wide range of urban pest management topics. This series is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. 


Upcoming Webinars: 


February 19, 2026 - Diseases and Disorders in Vegetable Gardens 

Garden vegetables can be affected by a variety of diseases and abiotic disorders, ranging from powdery mildew to sun scald. But you need to know what’s wrong with your veggies before you can fix the problem. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to identify diseases and disorders and how to manage them. Register here


 March 19, 2026 - The Secret Life of Biopesticides 

A simple, practical introduction to biopesticides. Discover what they are, how they’re discovered, and how they work. Then learn where to find them, and when and how to use them effectively in a home garden as part of a sustainable pest management approach. Register here


April 16, 2026 – Spring Cleaning: Where Indoor Pests Could Be Hiding

Are you thinking about spring cleaning and how to tackle that pile of junk in the corner or clean out the pantry? Well, pests indoors aren’t always found where you expect. This webinar will go over the common pantry and indoor pests, and also some weird places you might encounter pests that you may not have noticed. Register Here


May 21, 2026 - Test your Pest ID Knowledge

Join us for this fun and interactive session where we will “quiz” attendees on look-alike pests, what’s causing plant damage, good bug vs. bad bug, weed ID, and more. Register Here


June 18, 2026 - When Composting Goes Rotten

Decomposition is happening around us all the time. Sometimes, the management of our compost piles gets complicated and we encounter pests and problems that challenge us! Learn the common mishaps to avoid when composting, as well as how to manage pests when they arrive. Register Here


Check the Urban & Community IPM Webinars page for their full 2026 webinar schedule 


Connect With Us

Image of three sets of hands planting vegetables

UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Website - Peruse our website for gardening resources.

Ask a Master Gardener - We have a number of ways for you to get help and/or advice.

Vegetable Planting Guide - Shows you preferred times to seed and plant vegetables.


Subscribe to the Yolo Gardener Newsletter to receive this email newsletter monthly.


The Savvy Sage Blog - Check our our latest blog postings.


UC Master Gardener Program - Statewide Master Gardener Program.

Follow us on Facebook.

Follow us on Facebook for gardening tips, information about pests and beneficial creatures, and announcements about upcoming events.

Follow us on Instagram.

Join us on Instagram for inspiration, entertainment, and information about gardening topics and our events.

Watch us on Youtube.

Watch our videos on Youtube. See recent presentations by Master Gardeners that will help you hone your gardening skills.

Join us on Nextdoor.

Connect with us on Nextdoor to learn about the UC Master Gardener Program and upcoming events.

Resources

HOW TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS -


UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens - Gardening for Pollinators and Biodiverisity


PEST MANAGEMENT -


UC IPM (UC ANR Integrated Pest Management Program)


Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist (for the Sacramento Valley)


UC IPM's Webinars on YouTube - Many helpful videos


Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects (Xerces Society)


NATIVE AND CLIMATE READY PLANT RESOURCES -


Calscape - California Native Plant Society


Calflora - Nonprofit database providing information on wild California plants


UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars - UC Davis database of native and climate ready plants


YOLO GARDENER NEWSLETTER - Find Past Issues


Looking for an issue prior to 2025? Contact the managing editor


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.

University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) is an equal opportunity provider.

UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County2780 East Gibson Road Woodland, CA 95776 US