Blog
UC Master Gardener Program News:
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Invasive Plants: What They Are and Why They Matter
National Invasive Species Week (NISW) happens every year to raise awareness about the growing problem of invasive plants and animals in the United States. For 2025, we're putting special attention on how invasive plants affect California's natural areas,...
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How Californians Can Unite to Combat the Invasive Fruit Fly Threat
Imagine a California without fresh fruits, juicy oranges, crisp apples, or homegrown avocados; a future no one would want, and one we must work together to avoid. New threats to California's agriculture and backyard gardens have emerged, the...
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Seed Libraries: Building Communities One Seed at a Time
Step into a seed library and you'll discover a wealth of seed collections and gardening knowledge. A seed library collects and stores seeds that allows gardeners to “borrow” donated seeds for free. Many libraries offer detailed planting...
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From Concrete to Green: How Gardening is Changing California's Cities
Imagine living in a place where parks are scarce and concrete stretches for miles. This is the reality for many Californians - in fact, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, 94.2% live in urban areas, making it America's most urbanized state. In cities like...
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UC Master Gardener of San Diego County’s ‘labor of love’ improves health of older adults
The Belden Village Apartments in Clairemont Mesa East of San Diego is home to a diverse population of older adults. Shital Parikh, a UC Master Gardener of San Diego County, took the initiative to build a garden that grows food and encourages residents...
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Spotted Lanternfly: The Need to Remain Vigilant (Part 2)
Read Spotted Lanternfly: The Need to Remain Vigilant (part one) here. The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect pest first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, with confirmed sightings and/or infestations of SLF now reported in 20...
Pests in the Urban Landscape:
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Tips for Using Pesticides Safely
At UC IPM we recognize pesticide safety education every month, but February in particular is National Pesticide Safety Education Month! Below are some simple tips for using pesticides safely to protect yourself, others, wildlife, and the...
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National Invasive Species Action Week 2025
From February 24 - 28, 2025, help increase public awareness of invasive species and join the fight against invasive species by participating in National Invasive Species Action Week (NISAW). Invasive species include non-native plants, animals, and...
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Drain After Rain to Prevent Mosquitoes
Recent rainfall throughout much of California has created puddles and stagnant water. With the temperature warming up in many parts of the state, this combination can create the perfect situation for mosquitoes to breed. We encourage you to “drain...
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Tree & Shrub Insecticides Limited in New Law
As of January 1, 2025, popular lawn and garden pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid class, can no longer be used by home gardeners on outdoor fruit trees, lawns, or ornamental plants in California. These changes come from a new law that...
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Wilted plants: lack of water or disease?
A well-watered plant that suddenly wilts or unexpectedly drops its leaves could be infected with the soil pathogen Phytophthora. The disease it causes, Phytophthora root and crown rot, can affect many plants, including ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit...
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Your Rat Management Questions Answered!
UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this webinar attendees were able to ask the expert their burning questions about rats and their management. Below are responses to common questions from the...
Green News From UC Agriculture & Natural Resources:
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UC ANR fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes from LA fires
Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension advisor, visited neighborhoods affected by Palisades and Eaton Fires This essay was written by Yana Valachovic, a member of UC ANR's Fire Network with a specialty in community resilience and the built environment....
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Urban wildfire impacts water, soil and wildlife
UC experts offer tips on testing drinking water, rehabilitating gardens As residents start to clean up after the Los Angeles County wildfires, the aftermath will continue to impact water and natural resources in and beyond the fire areas, according to...
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Swain to discuss rain in fire zone 3pm Friday, Jan. 24
Light rain is expected to dampen Southern California this weekend, easing fire conditions but also raising landslide risks in burn areas. It won't end local fire risk. The drizzle is “enough to tamp down but not end fire season,” says...
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UCCE offers water measurement training Jan. 30 in Davis
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...
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Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally
New research links intensifying wet and dry swings to the atmosphere's sponge-like ability to drop and absorb water Key takeaways Hydroclimate whiplash – rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather – has...
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Preparing soil for winter can protect soil health
Farmers placed clumps of soil into metal mesh baskets, submerged the baskets into jars of water, then watched to see if their soil held together. The slake test, conducted at the Soil Health Field Day in Woodland, measured soil health. Healthier soil,...