SEMINAR TO OFFER SPRING GARDEN TIPS
Wonder what plants make the most sense for San Diego gardens this year? Find out from the experts and get a head start on spring gardening at “Learn, Plant, Grow,” a virtual seminar presented March 20 by the UCCE Master Gardener Program of San Diego County.
For $35, attendees can watch 13 on-demand presentations from noted landscape designers, garden authors and horticulture experts on ways to grow beautiful gardens with little water, while controlling pests and attracting native bees and other pollinators.
Whether you want to grow magnificent roses and stunning succulents in the same backyard or are tired of losing your fruits and vegetables to bugs and hungry wildlife, the seminar will explore the art of gardening, San Diego-style, starting at 9 a.m.
A focus on healthy gardening will explore ways to protect your skin from too much time outdoors. In addition to the 13 classes, three special workshops will demonstrate how to grow and cook with herbs, craft garden art and grow California native plants.
Tools, garden art and handmade birdhouses will also be available for sale. All presentations will be available online until midnight on March 28 and can be viewed multiple times.
Registration opened Feb. 1. For full details, visit mastergardenersd.org/ seminar.
By nature, many dogs have a tendency to defend or guard their food. If you notice your puppy becoming protective of her food or even other things like her toys or bed, you can take action to prevent the problem from progressing.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips to prevent food-guarding from developing with your puppy.
Let your dog eat in peace. Refrain from interacting with your dog while she is eating. Feed your dog in an area where she feels safe and comfortable. If there are kids around, teach them that the dog should be left alone while she eats.
Be consistent. Put your dog’s food down when it is time to eat rather than leaving the bowl out all day. Leaving your dog’s food bowl out may make her think that the food is a resource and can be taken away at any given time. Feed your pup the amount recommended by your veterinarian and put the bowl down only during feeding time.
Never take food from a growling dog. If your dog starts growling to protect her food or chew toy, don’t take it away. This will only reinforce the idea that her food must be protected because it can be taken away at any time.
Give, don’t take. You will want to establish early on that a person approaching your dog’s bowl does not mean that her food is in jeopardy. Every so often, when your puppy is eating, walk over and drop a tasty treat in her food bowl. This will emphasize the idea that a person approaching her food is associated with a positive experience and she does not need to protect it.
The American Kennel Club offers more advice on canine care at akc.org.