More than a calendar: Placer County Master Gardener 2023 version is loaded with tips

On October 1, "Leave 3-4 inches of stem when harvesting winter squash to avoid rot." On Oct. 16, "Instead of burning leaves, shred and add to your compost pile." Day by day, the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County annual calendar gives you tips for enhancing your garden. It provides a daily/monthly to-do list. It inspires with tips on what to plant each month. It provides an annual vegetable planting guide to increase your harvest. It also will keep you from avoiding two common garden goofs: buying garden soil instead of potting mix; choosing plants that grow too big for your space. It also informs on the fruits, vegetables and herbs to buy that are in season (and therefore the best flavor). The 2023 calendar discusses gardening trends. For example, a significant trend is away from manicured lots to wild gardening that is drought-tolerant and pollinator attracting sanctuaries. So, if you want tips on removing your lawn, look at the July article and look at the February article for "Planting for Pollinators" or the May issue, which is all about attracting "Fine Feathered Friends" to your space. To create a sanctuary, take a look at the August article titled "Be Social? The Social Front Yard." Remember as a kid, sitting out with your parents and neighbors, having a barbecue, playing Mother May I or Hide-n-Seek? This particular article will stimulate you to create a garden space with comfortable seating, maybe a hammock, string lights for ambience and outdoor art pieces and perhaps make all those reminisces a reality today. Another trend is around the use of color. The Pantone color of the year for 2022 was periwinkle blue and for 2023, digital lavender. You can use these contemporary colors when choosing containers or plants. Or, how about creating a cut flower garden to give you bouquets galore, including some of these colors? The April article will guide you to plant for continuous blooms. It will also suggest how to cut to keep stems from drying out and encourage longer life of your bouquet. The March article, "Smells Like Spring – Planting a Fragrant Garden," provides guidance for having year-round fragrance. And, by the way, the fall is the time to plant for spring fragrant bloomers. A final trend is around growing your own food. The calendar offers ideas for edible gardens – "Making the Most of Your Edible Landscape," growing microgreens – "Baby Greens," and growing "Small but Mighty" dwarf fruit trees. The calendar is also a great gift for local friends and family. It's a must have for beginner and seasoned home gardeners. Calendars are available at farmers markets, nurseries and businesses in Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties and online at the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County website. A list of vendors and how-to-order details can be found at https://pcmg.ucanr.org/2023_Calendar/.