Blog
UC Master Gardener Program News:
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October Garden Tip - Hello Fall!
October is here, and with it comes a mix of warm days and cool nights. As the seasons change, prepare your garden for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Here are some friendly and supportive tips to help your garden thrive this...
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September Gardening Tips - Summer is coming to an end, it's time for Fall!
September is a crucial month for gardeners across California, where the state's diverse climates offer a range of opportunities. Whether you're dealing with the cool coastal air or the lingering heat of the inland valleys, this is the time to prepare...
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August Garden Tips - Keeping our Summer Gardens Going
Summer is flying by and somehow it is already August, kids are going back to school and we are starting to dream of fall gardens. Our August gardens still need our love and care though. Here are some tips to keep your August garden...
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Water Management for California Home Gardeners
Water is essential for any garden, but it's crucial to use water wisely in a place like California, where droughts are common. Effective water management can help home gardeners keep their plants healthy while conserving this precious resource....
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Gardening in Extreme Heat with UC Master Gardener Tips to Save Your Landscape
A scorching summer heat wave is bringing triple digit temperatures and excessive heat alerts to much of California. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures upwards of 105 and 115 degrees for several days in a row. Many home gardeners are...
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July Garden Tips - Summer Fun and Keeping Cool
As the summer sun shines brightly, July is a critical period for gardeners to nurture their plants, ensuring they thrive during the hottest part of the year. This month is a time of significant growth and harvest, where your diligent care can...
Pests in the Urban Landscape:
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October Pest Tips
Fall is finally here! Things may be slowing down in our gardens and landscapes, but don't forget to check for pests and take steps to prevent them from returning next year. The UC IPM Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist is a monthly guide to help you avoid...
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Mixed up too much of a pesticide? Now what?
You bought a pesticide product that needs to be mixed with water before applying. Did you accidentally mix up too much and now have leftover pesticide? What should you do with it? Before mixing or applying a pesticide, always read the pesticide label...
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Gnats in your houseplants?
If you've noticed tiny, dark insects flying around your houseplants, you likely have fungus gnats. These tiny flies can be a nuisance indoors and may also damage your plants. Fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist soil and their larvae feed on plant...
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September Pest Tips
Just a few more weeks of summer remain! As the weather begins to shift, you may need to adjust your landscaping practices to prevent and monitor for fall pests. The UC IPM Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist is a monthly guide to help you avoid common pests...
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Insecticide Sprays Ineffective for Cockroach Control
Nobody wants cockroaches in their home, especially since these pests can cause and worsen allergies in children, transmit diseases and bacteria, and contaminate foods. If you find cockroaches in or around your home, do you reach for a do-it-yourself...
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Fleeing Fleas!
Fleas can be found on pets year-round, but populations tend to increase dramatically in spring and summer when temperatures are warmer. Larvae develop rapidly in areas where temperatures reach 70° to 90°F. Fleas are a major concern for pet owners...
Green News From UC Agriculture & Natural Resources:
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White House Summit explores impact of extreme heat, ways to adapt
UC ANR Small Farms Network supports small-scale and underserved farmers impacted by extreme heat Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, interim director for the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, joined more than 100 participants from across...
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Water discussion on Sept. 29 flows from LA art exhibit
Communities in Los Angeles and around California face a variety of water challenges ranging from access to clean, affordable water to water supplies threatened by a changing climate. The public is invited to a free event featuring a...
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UCCE popularizes at-home composting in Santa Clara County
Composting Education Program helps repurpose waste, reduce methane emissions Composting recycles organic matter such as leaves and food scraps into a valuable soil amendment. Vermicompost produced by worms offers numerous benefits for plants, such as...
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Hands-on learning, training make irrigation best practices accessible
UCCE advisors provide free training to nursery and greenhouse staff Working as an irrigator seems straightforward at first: if you're not watering plants by hand, you're building and managing systems that can do the watering. What could be complex...
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Public invited to see ‘good fire’ Oct. 5 at Central Coast fair
Learn the how, where and why fire is used to manage the natural landscape at the Central Coast Good Fire Fair on Saturday, Oct. 5. The fair is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton in Santa...
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UCCE offers water measurement training Sept. 13 in Salinas
California water-rights holders are required by state law to measure and report the water they divert from surface streams. For people who wish to take the water measurements themselves, the University of California Cooperative Extension is offering...