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October 2026
Monthly Meeting
NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Ferns and Lycophytes of San Diego County, With Jon Rebman, October 17, In-Person, Oasis, Rancho Bernardo, 1:30p -3:30p
Jon P. Rebman, Ph.D., Curator and Chair of Botany, San Diego Natural History Museum. Jon P. Rebman, Ph.D., is Curator/Chair of Botany at the San Diego Natural History Museum (since 1996) and a plant taxonomist who conducts extensive floristic research in Baja California and in San Diego and Imperial counties. He leads field classes and botanical expeditions and directs the San Diego County Plant Atlas project (sdplantatlas.org). Personal scientific collections: 37,000+ plant
11 hours ago
Articles
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: A Case for California Native Plants
By Lucy Warren, UCCE Master Gardener of San Diego County, for Let’s Talk Plants! October 2026. A Case for California Native Plants As gardeners, we are drawn to the latest, brightest varieties of exotic species for our gardens, always chasing the new and unusual. But as our world heats up with climate change, more and more water-thirsty lawns are being sacrificed for moonscapes of rocks and cactus, or spiky, heat-intensive green plastic “lawns.” Neither of these alternatives
11 hours ago
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: Low Water Turf Alternatives for Our Climate
By Vince McGrath, UCCE Master Gardener of San Diego County, for Let’s Talk Plants! August 2026. “Kurapia ground cover makes an excellent low-water turf.” – Photo Credit – Susan Nichols. Low Water Turf Alternatives for Our Climate Several years ago, the mantra for San Diego homeowners was “Toss the Turf!” The reason was to stop wasting water that we did not have on water-guzzling lawns. Water agencies were asking their customers to restrict water usage. The newer catch phrase
Aug 1
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: Cunning Plants Use Tricks to Lure Pollinators
By Sharon Reeves, UCCE Master Gardener of San Diego County, for Let’s Talk Plants! June 2026. Photo by William Warby Cunning Plants Use Tricks to Lure Pollinators Plants are anchored in one spot, but they are cunning. They have mastered the art of enticing more mobile organisms to do their bidding. It is the goal of every living thing to procreate and to live on through their offspring. Plants are no exception. There are many pollination strategies employed by plants. Wind po
Jun 1
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: Staghorn Ferns
By Mike Harrelson, UCCE Master Gardener of San Diego County. First published in the San Diego Union Tribune March 2023. Republished with permission in Let’s Talk Plants! February 2026. Photo source: Staghorn Fern Background Images, HD Pictures and Wallpaper For Free Download | Pngtree . Staghorn Ferns For sheer pop, indoors or out, staghorn ferns ( Platycerium spp.) can’t be beat. Once considered difficult to grow in San Diego County, staghorn ferns are now commonly found in
Feb 1
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: Evergreens Can Be Part Of A Sustainable Holiday Celebration
By Skye Resendes, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County. First published by the Union Tribune on December 10, 2022. Reprinted with permission, in Let’s Talk Plants! December 2025. Wix stock photo. Evergreens Can Be Part of a Sustainable Holiday Celebration Here’s how to incorporate fragrant trees and boughs, long a symbol of life and hope, and still be a green consumer. Traditionally decorated Christmas Nobel fir Christmas tree. Photo Credit: larsmarkusson. The history of de
Dec 1, 2025
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: California Native Grasses - Nature at Home
By Sherry Goldman, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County. This article first appeared in the Union Tribune in September 2024. Reprinted...
Oct 1, 2025
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS: Garlic, Onions, Leeks and Chives - The Allium Genus
By Jodi Bay, UC Master Gardener of San Diego County. Originally published August 2024 in The San Diego Union~Tribune. Reprinted with...
Sep 1, 2025
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