http://ucanr.org/blogs/statewidemgnews/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed News and updates from the Statewide MG program office. en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:38:01 PST Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:38:01 PST Dear Master Gardeners, Coordinators and Advisors: The Statewide Master Gardener Office will be conducting an ON-LINE training about the FAQ System on next Monday, November 16th, at 11:00am. (For those of you that are unable to attend the Monday morning on-line training, we will be recording the training session and will share the URL with you after the training session has been completed).  To attend the on-line training just cut and paste this URL into your web browser:...... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:38:01 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1977&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1977 The Statewide Master Gardener Program and ANR Communication Services are pleased to announce the launch of our new online system to assist Master Gardener volunteers find answers to hotline/help desk questions. The FAQ system (Frequently Asked Questions) enable volunteers to provide feedback to other FAQ’s and the ability to post their own questions with descriptions and photographs. UCCE Master Gardeners can access the FAQ system through the VMS, or through their UC portal. For further...... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:33:30 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1924&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1924 Two new serious pests have appeared in the western United States in the past months. Please familiarize yourselves with the biology and morphology of these pests so you can identify them. The first is the European Grapevine Moth, which was found in the Napa Valley of California in October 2009.  This is the first occurrence of this moth in the United States. It is a serious pest of grape, feeding on the flowers and bunches. It is found in Southern Europe, North Africa, Anatolia, the......
]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:19:44 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1903&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1903 As a Master Gardener, you get a lot of samples of plant problems in your office.  I recently received a sample of Bradford pear leaves (Pyrus calleryana) with very interesting symptoms.  At first, I thought that the plant may have been picking up something that was toxic to it because it appeared that the leaf was showing dieback progressively from the middle of the leave out to the margins.  At least I thought that was what I was seeing.  However, upon further inspection and discussion with......
]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:46:13 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1825&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1825 People often call the MG Helplines with questions about curing olives at home.  While many times you can refer this type of question to a Master Food Preserver, most counties no longer have this program.  You can learn to cure olives at home by joining UC Olive Expert Bill Krueger and myself at our Home Olive Curing Workshop on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The workshop is being held at the historic Mills Orchard, near Hamilton City, CA (about 1-1/2 hours north of......
]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:15:39 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1700&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1700    Every day I recommend ANR publications to people, especially our free ones and I am sure you do too.  I wanted to let you know that ANR Communication Services has just released an on-line catalog of FREE publications.  This makes the search for them so much easier.  I hope you will agree.  You can get to new catalog by clicking on:  http://ucanr.org/freepubs/...
]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:16:38 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1674&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1674 Visit the California Garden Web at http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu. The University of California Statewide Master Gardener Program has launched a new Web site to serve as an information portal for California gardeners. The UC Statewide Master Gardener Program staff designed the Web site to organize and extend UC's vast store of research-based information about gardening, landscapes and lawns to the public. The Web site focuses on sustainable gardening practices and uses a question and......
]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:00:44 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1468&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1468 Thanks to the magic of Dave Krause, and the rest of the programmers at Communication Services, Master Gardeners are now able to log into their Volunteer Management System (VMS 2.1) and the other various systems in ANR through the new ANR web portal. The new login method will allow for easier access to Collaborative Tools, the Repository, Administrative Links and links to Tech Tools etc. To access the VMS and other systems, use your VMS password. If you do not know your password, or encounter......
]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:34:08 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1448&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1448 UC Verde Buffalograss is an extremely hardy, tough grass that, because of its vigor, results in reduced pesticide/herbicide use. As well, it requires much less mowing because it has a slow vertical growth habit peaking at 4-6 inches. This gives you the flexibility to determine the “look” you want such as an unmowed meadow or a manicured turf. For a tight, uniform turfgrass, mow every two to three weeks. For a more natural look, mow much less often. Do plan to mow at least once a......
]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 11:36:53 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1331&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1331 Presented by the UC Davis Good Life Garden, Statewide Master Gardener Program and the California Center for Urban Horticulture Two classes are going to be held at the Good Life Garden as part of our edible backyard series. The first is being held on Saturday, April 25th on Backyard Vegetable Gardening with Robert Norris. This in-depth class will focus on growing vegetables successfully all year. Participants should have a working knowledge of growing a garden with a desire to learn how to...... Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:30:07 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1077&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1077 Master Gardeners, coordinators and UC Staff now have access to many of the materials that have been produced over the years through a web based storage media called the "Repository". It has taken the place of the "Media Library" on your web links in the VMS 2.0 listing. If you are looking for the media library, just click on "Repository" and it will take you to a web portal from which you can go to the Repository. Please let me know if you have any questions or...... Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:25:06 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=918&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=918 On December 11, I sent you an email with a link to an online survey about invasive plants. If you haven’t submitted your survey yet, there’s still a week for you to do so. Just open my December 11 email message, and click on the link to the survey. Thanks for your help. For those of you who have already submitted your survey, thank you so much. We are very excited about your responses. Best Wishes for 2009.... Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:39:35 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=911&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=911 This is the time of year for potlucks, parties, finger food and food born illnesses. Take some time to know how to properly prepare and protect food from possible food born illnesses and do it in a fun way....besides nobody wants to be sick during the holidays. Amy Breschini, (abreschini@co.slo.ca.us), coodinator in San Luis Obispo County, has developed a terrific on-line training tool that makes learning about food safety fun. Before you get to the fun part, you might go to:...... Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:19:05 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=862&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=862 The International Master Gardener Conference early bird registration has been extended to Nov. 30th 2008. You now have a few more days to get your registration in. The conference boasts some great tours, great speakers and some great fun. You will be able to see Brad Landcaster who was one of our keynote speakers at our statewide conference last month. You can tour local Master Gardener gardens as well as botanic gardens and other highlights that only Las Vagas has to offer. Hope you plant...... Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:32:43 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=788&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=788 If you have been casting an eye for attending the International Master Gardener Conference, now would be the time to make the committment and register. The deadline for the lowest registration price ($260.00) is November 16th. The International Conference hasn't been in the west for many years. The 2009 conference is being held in Las Vegas, NV, home to lots of lights but lots of wonderful garden adventures as well. To get the details on this marvelous event, go...... Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:37:15 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=769&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=769 Last April, Communication Services surveyed our clientele to determine their web needs and preferences. This Carewords research revealed how our clientele use our county Web sites, the information they want and what words on the Web page resonate with them. We learned that our clients come to us for information on pest management and home gardening more than any other topics — Master Gardener programs are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Carewords information. Join us on...... Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:27:29 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=701&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=701 I am pleased to share this invitation with you and would like to encourage your attendance to hear a once-in-a-lifetime presentation by David Howard, recently-retired head gardener to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. Save September 27th at 4:30 p.m. here at the new Good Life Garden on the Davis Campus. The program will also include presentations by celebrated authors Georgeanne Brennan and Ethne Clarke, as well as fabulous local artisanal foods and beverages. This is a dazzling occasion...... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:45:25 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=588&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=588 Maybe you have been thinking about attending the California Master Gardener Conference on September 24-26, but you weren't sure if you wanted to register so early...well now is your time to register! The price goes up to 160.00 for folks staying at Asilomar and $200 for those stay off site on August 20. As well, we only have about 15 spaces left before we max out in terms of seats for the breakout sessions. We hope you will consider joining your 385 fellow Master Gardeners from California...... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:43:08 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=585&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=585 Conference Tours -There are few spaces left on the both the pre and post conference tours as part of the California Master Gardener Conference in September. If you are registered for the confernece and think you would like to join in on one of the tours, now is the time to get on the BUS! To register for either tour go to: http://forestry.berkeley.edu/mgc/ Please make a note in the comments section that you are already registered but would like to add on a tour. Pre Conference...... Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:32:53 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=569&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=569 The Statewide Master Gardener Program has just completed the production of three new posters you can use in your educational outreach program. They include 1. Food Safety in Your Home Vegetable Garden 2. Winter Pest Management 3. Inspect your Trees for Hazards Both of these posters are free and can be downloaded from http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu They include a Tip Sheet, which is packed full of more information and a Resources Guide. They will soon also be translated into...... Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:15:19 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=547&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=547 We would like to announce that the both the Spanish and English Versions of Landscaping Tips to Help Defend your Home from Wildfire Poster, Tip Sheet and Resources Sheet are available on the Statewide Master Gardener Website under Volunteer Resources/ Poster Project. The English versions have been updated and the Spanish versions are brand new. We would like to give special thanks to MG Coordinator Andrew Kramer, Amador County and Myriam Grajales-Hall, Program Manager for News &...... Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:49:36 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=464&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=464 Thinking about going to the Master Gardener Statewide Conference? Don't wait to register...register today by going to: http://mgconference.ucdavis.edu/ Why register now? Better selection of sleeping rooms More class choices Cheaper--price goes up July 1 Highlights of the conference will include Brad Landcaster on creating rainwater gardens and Amy Stewart on the amazing life of worms and how they improve the evironment. In...... Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:35:43 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=453&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=453 The Volunteer Management System 2.0, built by our Dave Krause of the Web Action Team, is being introduced today at the Volunteer Management Institute as we speak. We hope to have all users on board with VMS 2.0 this summer. Please let us know in the statewide office what date would be best for you to have your MG volunteers transferred over to VMS 2.0. It will be done automatically so you will not have to do any manual entry other than entering any new volunteers. We can arrange to do...... Fri, 23 May 2008 09:11:14 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=428&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=428 If you have been needing more in depth training on the process of plant problem diagnosis and would like some intensive hands-on practice then our first regional training for master gardeners is for you. The conference is being held on May 28, 2008 at the Palm Desert Campus of UC Riverside. You can register by clicking on your Statewide Master Gardener Home page: http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu Cost is $50 and includes lunch, snacks, facility fees, and handouts as well as travel for...... Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:29:26 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=332&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=332 Las Vegas International Master Gardener Conference “New Frontiers” in horticulture and gardening — March 22-26, 2009 Las Vegas The International Master Gardener Conference will be held in the bright light city of Las Vegas...But it won't be about the gambling or shows but rather about plant selection, proper soil management, water conservation and pest management in addition to sharing new knowledge about the "green technologies" for horticulture. There are also many...... Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:38:21 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=252&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=252 New Years isn't just about a big party and fireworks at midnight. It is also a time that many industries bring out the new models and the vegetable industry isn't exempt from this practice....thanks goodness. This year there are bunch of new vegetables to try in your garden. Many of you may have already tried this as part of growing them in your demonstrations gardens. For more on what's new for 2008 from the National Gardening Association, go to...... Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:32:50 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=251&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=251 Do you wonder how long you must keep all those documents that you have for each of your master gardener volunteers? It was a question one of the MG Coordinators asked and we didn’t have an immediate answer. We asked the same question of the Office of Contracts and Business Services and after a bit of research, they came back with this answer based on UC Policy. Keep all of the current records for the year that the Master Gardener is certified. When they are recertified, then......
]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:45:05 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=176&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=176 What’s new at the statewide Master Gardener Program? There is so much that it just floors us sometimes. First, there is this blog thing. Our hope to update it every week so you will always get the latest from the Statewide Master Gardener Office. If you will take some time to review it regularly, it may help to keep us all on the same page. Second, I want to let you know that our first set of posters has been released. This set is on “Fire Safe Landscaping” and can be...... Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:15:08 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=174&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=174