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/ Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:25 PST Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:25 PST UC ANR This year was a tough year for the peaches and nectarines.  It seemed that even though we sprayed with a copper oil spray and with a registered fungicide at the right time, the PLC was very noticeable on the trees this spring.  Treating now is useless as is pulling off the infected leaves.  Never the less, many people do it because it makes them feel better and they don't see the infected leaves anymore.  Chuck Ingles on the other hand is trying to do something about it!  He has been working on...
]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:25 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7379&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7379 As a long-term UCCE environmental horticulture advisor, I would like to express my appreciation to Master Gardener Program Director Pam Geisel and Program Representative James Sigala for providing outstanding statewide leadership. In a mere six short years under Pam’s direction, the UC ANR Master Gardener program has received $ 300,000 in grants that provided support to the CA Garden Web; updates to the Backyard Orchard; the FAQ system; outreach materials such as posters and tips; sustainable...
]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:48:44 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6766&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6766 The Statewide Master Gardener Program and our beloved programmers at UCANR Communication Services are beginning to work on a rebuild of our Volunteer Management System (VMS).  Our hopes are to make it more like "Facebook" in terms of it sharing more news, photos and information with your fellow Master Gardeners and make it easier to integrate projects, calendars etc. as well as making the recertification system more intuitive and less clunky. Recently, we sent out a survey to your MG Program...
]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:43:38 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6648&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6648 In a recent newsletter of the Western Plant Diagnostic Network, (WPDN) for First Detectors, a new pest of California was highlighted.  This pest is the Bagrada Bug, Bagrada hilaris, Burmester 1835, Order Hemiptera, family Pentatomidae.  Following is the text and a few pictures from the newsletter.  The article was written by Richard, Hoenisch, Editor of WPDN First Detector Network.  The Bagrada Bug is a species of shield bug known by the common names bagrada bug, painted bug, and harlequin bug....
]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:07:07 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6535&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6535 Happy Holidays and Happy Winter Solstice!  I love when the winter solstice comes because it means that we will be through the shortest day of the year.  It means that now the days will begin to get longer and there will more time in the day for gardening!  But seriously, as the end of the year rolls around, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your terrific volunteer efforts for the UC Master Gardener Program.  You have accomplished so much in your counties in reaching the public about...
]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:27:27 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6449&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6449 Oh, I love this time of year.  The harvest is on for prunes, almonds, walnuts and soon, olives for processing into both table olives and olive oil.  While making olive oil at home is possible, it isn't easy.  But it is easy to cure your own olives at home using one of several great methods.  You may cure them using the traditional lye cured method. They can be salt cured using black ripe olives, which creates a dry olive that is wonderful when rinsed and coated with good olive oil and chopped...
]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:42:10 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5747&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5747 Every year as the Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator, I am asked to create a report that our adminstration can share with the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA-USDA) on the work of the UC Master Gardener Program.  It includes the number of volunteers, contacts and the like.  I have just completed our report for FY 2010-11 and I find that I am awestruck by your volunteer efforts.  The volunteer hours you give and the quality of work you do is breathtaking.  I take my hat off...
]]> Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:22:38 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5133&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5133 ]]> Tue, 17 May 2011 12:08:35 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4888&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4888 ]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:21:45 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4707&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4707 ]]> Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:47:01 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4595&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4595 The passion for affecting positive change in Inyo and Mono County has earned the Master Gardeners there the honor of being named the Community Group of the Year in 2010.  The Master Gardeners in that county are a fairly new group with their first class training held in 2009-2010.  However, they are a very enthusiastic group with inspiring goals and ambitions that are clearly aligned with the ANR Strategic Initiatives.  In a very short time and in a small community, they are up to 80 Master...
]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:51:29 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4363&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4363 Two grasses have recently been discussed by PlantRight and other organizations with concerns about invasive ornamental grassses.  Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) and Chilean Needle grass (Nassella neesiana) are two grasses in particular that have invasive tendancies.  Both are being phased our of production by the nursery industry and alternatives are suggested.  A recent publication describes the potential extent of invasion of Chilean needle grass, Nassella neesiana (Cyperales:...
]]> Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:36:06 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4061&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4061 Happy New Year! The California Garden Website is currently being updated, sorry for any inconveniences, since there are a few missing links. This website should be fully operational by February 2011.
]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:42:12 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3994&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed jsigala@ucdavis.edu(James A. Sigala) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3994 Sometimes the work of Master Gardeners goes viral...and we love it!  Recently Master Gardener  Birgitt Evans of the Alameda County MG Program had an interview with Heather Woods, editor of a small, online paper in Alameda.  Instead of staying local, it made a big splash all over the bay area.  Her story was perfect because it shared not only a message about growing vegetables in the bay area in the winter  but also highlighted the Master Gardener Program throughout the state and its association...
]]> Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:59:00 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3899&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3899 Master Gardeners are sometimes asked, "What are the best fruit trees to grow in my area?" To find this answer, as well as much more information on growing fruit trees in your backyard, please visit the UC California Backyard Orchard website. As the trend for growing edibles in your landscape, also known as edible landscaping continues. I thought it would be relevant to share my observations on fruit trees, that in addition to producing delicious fruit, will also add fall color to your...
]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:15:06 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3792&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed jsigala@ucdavis.edu(James A. Sigala) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3792 (Text abridged from CDFA Alert) In October 18th, 2010 Ag officials confimred the detection of a red palm weevil (scientific name: Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and native to Southeast Asia) in Orange County.  This is the first time this pest has been found in the US.  The weevil is considered one of the worst pests of palm trees and the trees, once infested usually die.    According to A.J. Kwamura, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary A.G. Kawamura. ...
]]> Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:39:00 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3667&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3667 Lye cured, water cured, pickled, salt cured, kalamata, black olives, green olives...how do you know what to do to make safe home cured olives?  Come find out from the experts!!!  Bill Krueger, UC Olive Expert and chair of the UC Davis Table Olive Symposium will be conducting a workshop on home olive curing and will describe the many methods that you can use at home to create those delicious snacks.  The workshop will be on Saturday, October 9th, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Historic Mills...
]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:58:06 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3485&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3485 Michelle LeStrange, Farm Advisor in Tulare and Kings County, has just completed the updating of the Tree Care Cards for you to use as a tool to help educate gardeners about the proper methods of caring for trees.  Your coordinator can now order a supply at no charge (though future orders will require a shipping fee). There are eight titles available, and they will also be in Spanish in the very near future.  The titles include:1.  Quality Tree Selection2. Trees and Utilities3.  Tree...
]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:36:37 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3388&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3388 Please join U Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at Harvest Day 2010 “Celebrating 30 Years of Gardening Advice” on Saturday, August 7, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  This premier gardening event features timely gardening topics presented under a spreading oak canopy, surrounded by an ornamental, water efficient landscape garden, edible demonstration gardens featuring blueberries, grapes, orchard fruit, vegetables, and so much more. The Master Gardeners are particularly excited to have “Farmer Fred”...
]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:11:41 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3176&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3176 On October 6-8, 2010 the National Extension Master Gardener Coordinators Conference takes place on the Davis Campus in the Buhler Alumni Center.  Master Gardener Coordinators and Academics who support the program from throughout the nation will come together to get ideas on program management, new concepts in adult learning, technology tools, Web training for volunteers, eXtension and Online Core Training for volunteers.   UC ANR’s Senior Vice President Dan Dooley will be our opening speaker on...
]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:36:42 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3034&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pmelam@ucdavis.edu(Pamela M. Geisel) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3034