Master Gardeners: Catchweed Bedstraw
Gerry Hernandez Master Gardener Catchweed bedstraw is a summer annual broadleaf plant that is starting to show in your gardens now! Its bristles attach to people’s clothing and the hair of animals, aiding in its dispersal. If you have this plant, get rid of it now. It is very distinctive with a square stem and […]
Master Gardeners: Ground Squirrels
We have had many complaints about ground squirrels this year. Here are a few tips. Identification It is easy to identify ground squirrels, since they forage above ground near their burrows. Their fur is brownish gray and speckled with off white along the back. Although ground squirrels look similar to tree squirrels and can climb […]
Master Gardeners: Having Tomato Problems?
You may experience disappointing results when growing tomatoes because the plants and fruit are susceptible to sever common disorders, as well as attack by diseases and pests. Below are some problems in our area. Flower drop and failure to set fruit. Cause: Daytime temperatures are above 90 degrees. Excess nitrogen fertilizer. Too much shade. Control: […]
Master Gardeners: Safe Handling of Fruits and Vegetables
Memorial day weekend is coming soon. Here are some safety tips for fresh produce. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is healthy, but care must be taken to be sure fruits and vegetables do not become contaminated with harmful bacteria. Everyone is at risk for foodborne illness. Bacteria are everywhere. At the Supermarket Separate […]
Master Gardeners: Snails & Slugs
Snails and slugs rank among our most despised garden pests. These mollusks emerge from hiding at night and chew holes in most plants. Slugs and snails are similar except slugs lack the external spiral shell. Management requires a vigilant and integrated approach that includes eliminating moisture and hiding spots, trapping, barriers, handpicking, and bait. How […]
MASTER GARDENERS: Grow your own potatoes
As a home gardener you may want to grow potatoes in a bucket or grow bag instead of the ground. The reasons are 1) you don’t have to dig them up, and 2) if you don’t get every single piece of potato, you will have them forever. If you are wanting to grow pounds and […]
Preparing for a frost
Before a frost ■ Identify cold spots in the landscape by monitoring with thermometers ■ Identify plants at risk: citrus, succulents, tender perennials, tropical and subtropical plants. ■ Have supplies ready: sheets, blankets or frost cloths, lights, wraps for trunks, thermometers, stakes or framework to hold covers off foliage. Frost cloths come in different weights […]
Master Gardener’s Corner: Turn off your lawn and garden sprinklers
Adjust your sprinklers (or turn them off) for the changing weather. Let the rain do the work! Don’t pay for what you don’t need. Recently, I’ve seen people watering their lawns. Not just irrigating but letting the water run into the gutter. So, the question is, “Does your lawn need water”? It rained over 2 […]
Ants
Ants are one of the most prevalent pests in California. Ants can become a nuisance when it starts to rain. While spraying chemicals inside the house may seem effective, it won’t prevent more ants from entering your home, which is essential for control. Focus management efforts on excluding ants from the house. Make your house […]
Master Gardener’s Corner Garden pest: Stink bugs
Stink bugs are a nuisance, but the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is more than a nuisance. In 2013, large populations were found in Sacramento and Yuba City. Colusa County has not had a confirmed population but it has been found in all surrounding counties. The BMSB is visible in the fall because they are looking […]
Inspect Your Landscape Trees for Hazards
Our beloved trees have had a hard two years. Between the drought and not watering our lawns, the trees have taken a beating. Now is a good time to inspect your trees and fix any problems before winter. Inspect Inspect for the seven common structural defects. Always inspect the trees before and after stormy weather. […]
Master Gardener’s Corner: Food Safety in your Home Vegetable Garden
From garden to kitchen, there are many chances for bacteria, viruses, and parasites to contaminate produce. Water, tools, animals, and manure-contaminated soil may spread harmful organisms in your garden. Reduce the risk of contaminating food grown in your garden Clean Soil For the greatest safety, do not use manure when growing leafy vegetables or other […]
Master Gardener’s Corner: Winter Gardening…What?
Have you ever planted a winter vegetable garden? When do you start a winter garden? Why would I have a winter garden? It’s August why are we talking about a winter vegetable garden now? If you love to plant your vegetables by seed then now is the time to plant Brussel sprouts, cabbage, parsnips cauliflower, […]
Falling Leaves = Early Arrival of Fall?
Gerry Hernandez | ghernandez@ucanr.edu The leaves are falling; The leaves are falling! Have you noticed the leaves falling from your trees? Why are they doing that? Is this an indication of an early fall? No it is not an indication of an early or late fall. There could be a couple of different reasons why the […]
Master Gardener’s Corner: How to manage water in your California Landscape
Submitted by: Gerry Hernandez | glhernandez@ucanr.edu Did you know that you can save water in your landscape and actually improve its appearance? Most of us tend to over-water rather than under-water. And, just keeping your sprinkler system in good repair by fixing broken sprinklers and straightening crooked sprinkler heads can reduce water waste more […]
MASTER GARDENER’S CORNER: Dog Days of Summer
By Gerry Hernandez It’s the dog days of summer. The days are long and hot. How is your garden doing in the heat? There are several things you can do to keep the garden looking good. Make every drop count! ■ Drip irrigation – drip irrigation with a timer delivers a consistent amount of water […]
Be Water Wise with drip irrigation
Drip irrigation can significantly reduce water waste and be used successfully in any part of your landscape not planted with a lawn or groundcover. Drip emitters apply moisture directly into the root zone of plants, minimizing evaporation of water from the soil surface between plants. Soaker hoses, drip tape, porous pipe, mini-sprinklers, and laser tubing […]
Pride of Madeira – echium candicans
Outside my patio door I check to see if the blooms have exploded yet – they are most majestic things appearing at the top of grey/green stems that appear to have come from another planet. I have long admired these plants when I see them at the beach in San Francisco but now they are […]
Lovely Edible Nasturtiums
If you are looking for an edible plant for your garden that will spread and have an ocean of brightly-colored blossoms, nasturtiums are your plant. They also add a lovely fragrance to your edible garden. Nasturtiums basically come in two forms: compact and trailing. The compact variety is about a foot tall. They are useful […]
Celebrating Great Garden Literature
Submitted by Peggy Townzen The American Horticulture Society honors outstanding garden-related books published in North America through its annual Book Award Program. A distinguished committee of garden communicators selects the award recipients from among the year’s new books submitted by publishers. Books are judged on qualities such as writing style, authority, originality, accuracy and design […]
Master Gardener’s: Powdery Mildew
White powdery growth on leaves and shoots can be a sign of powdery mildew disease. This disease affects many plants. In some situations, fungicide treatments may be required. Powdery mildew is common under warm, dry conditions. Unlike many diseases, powdery mildew does not require moist conditions to grow. Unlike many diseases, powdery mildew does not […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s: Gophers
Gophers are small burrowing rodents that feed on roots of many plants all while damaging irrigation lines and sprinkler systems. A single gopher can ruin a garden in a short time and the early detection is critical to prevent damage. Many gardeners combine the use of traps and underground fencing to manage problems. Although toxic […]
Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing Disease
The Asian citrus psyllid and the deadly Huanglongbing disease (HLB) that it spreads threaten citrus trees in backyards and on farms. The disease has destroyed the citrus industry in Florida and arrived in Southern California in 2008. It has been found as far north as San Joaquin county. HLB affects all types of citrus. What […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s: Grow your own Potatoes
As a home gardener you may want to grow potatoes in a bucket or grow bag instead of the ground. The reason is 1) you don’t have to dig them up, 2) if you don’t get every single piece of potato, you will have them forever. If you are wanting to grow pounds and pounds […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s – Snails and Slugs
Snails and slugs rank among our most despised garden pests. These mollusks emerge from hiding at night and chew holes in most plants. Slugs and snails are similar except slugs lack the external spiral shell. Management requires a vigilant and integrated approach that includes eliminating moisture and hiding spots, trapping, barriers, handpicking and bait. How […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s: Pollinators – Bees
Nearly all ecosystems on earth depend on pollination of flowering plants for their existence and survival. When most people look at a flower, they notice the shape and smell of the flower, but few take a moment to consider why the flower appears and smells as it does. Take a stroll through your neighborhood or […]
Master Gardener Column – Weeds in your Landscape
Weeds in your Landscape It’s that time of the year. It’s been rainy and warm so the weeds are sprouting! I don’t know about you but I very much dislike weeding the garden. Here are some tips to help you keep up with the icky weeding chore. Weeds will invade any bare or thin area […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s: Tree Selection
It’s that time of the year, tree planting time. Fall/winter is the best time to plant because the roots have more time to develop before warm summer temperatures arrive. It is very important to select tree species that are suitable for the site and intended purpose of the planting. Well-chosen trees can produce many benefits, […]
Colusa County Master Gardener’s Corner: Your trees and an arborist
Lately, the UC Master Gardeners of Colusa County have received calls about trees and hiring an arborist. Tree trimming companies may or may not have an arborist on staff. When you talk to the tree trimmer they may or may not be an arborist. The best way to know if you are talking to a […]
50 Shades of Graywater
I have done a little research on graywater and like the movie; there are many shades of gray we are not familiar with. I am going to write about the basics of graywater usage. I think there are easier ways to save water than using graywater but if you would like to look into it […]