http://ucanr.org/sites/mgslo/index4.cfm?blogrss=22708&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Master Gardener News Blog en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Tue, 21 May 2013 12:01:14 PST Tue, 21 May 2013 12:01:14 PST UC ANR Managing Animal Pests in Your Garden By Steve McDermott Master Gardener In San Luis Obispo County, our suburban homes rub up against the wilder, normal habitats of our native animal neighbors. Sometimes we interrupt their natural patterns of survival, and often times add attractive alternatives to their food choices. Colorful flowers, nubile sprouts, and fresh fruit often become more attractive to native creatures than their normal faire of wild grasses and scarce foliage. But......
]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 11:44:59 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10401&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10401 ]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 13:52:09 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10416&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10416 First steps in setting up an irrigation system By Christina Muller UC Master Gardener What should I know before setting up an irrigation system for my garden? Katie in SLO Living as we do in a Mediterranean climate, water is a valuable resource and for some people it may be the largest annual expenditure in the garden. It makes sense to conserve and apply water as judiciously as possible. A well-planned irrigation system can accomplish this. It is important to first......
]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 12:55:35 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10400&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10400 I notice moths flying around my oak tree, should I be concerned? Ann M. Atascadero By Andrea Peck Master Gardener The small grey or tan moths that you see flitting about your oak tree are likely the oak moth. About ½ inch in length with pronounced wing veins, the moths are commonly seen during the fall and summer months. Two to three dozen tiny white eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves; eggs turn pink to brown before hatching. The larva that emerges is known as......
]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 11:07:05 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10340&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10340 May is the time to prepare for your summer garden! Terri Sonleitner Law, UC Master Gardener I love the blooms in my garden now, but I know summer is just around the corner. What things should I be doing in my garden in May to prepare for summer? Charla, Atascadero. Gardeners all look forward to May. Plant growth is at its peak, everything seems to be in bloom, and all heat loving summer vegetables can be planted in the vegetable garden. May is a great time to be outside......
]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:31:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10279&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10279 Snails and Slugs By Kim McCue Master Gardener Oh, the promise of spring! We’ve scoured seed racks and catalogues, carefully selecting the perfect specimens for our summer garden. When the first green shoots appear, we lovingly water and watch over them only to come out one morning and discover our potential bounty has been decimated in one night. The silver trails left behind by the culprits are like bright, neon arrows pointing to what is now the bane of our existence......
]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:58:04 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9805&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9805 Q. What does it take to make my own compost? -- Eric from Santa Margarita. By Jutta Thoerner Master Gardener Choose a convenient site; keep the compost pile close to your garden in a shady location. Doing so will encourage you to add to the pile and observe its progress. If you only compost garden waste, piles don’t need to be enclosed. Kitchen wastes added to the pile require a sturdy enclosure to prevent animals from digging through the piles. Work with what your yard and......
]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:46:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9803&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9803 Aphids – First in the “Pest Parade”By Lee Oliphant Master Gardener The first garden pests to make their appearance in the spring are often the group known as “sucking” insects. First in the parade of “sap suckers”are aphids. Attracted to tender new growth, these pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects are about 1/8” in length. Adults are generally wingless, but produce wings at the end of the growing season, or when populations are high.The......
]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:13:54 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9725&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9725 Having Fun Growing Veggies with Kids! by Steve McDermott Master Gardener Q: I like vegetable gardening and I want to get my children involved with me. Do you have any ideas for helping me? A: You are already on your way since you like gardening and young kids naturally model their parent’s behavior. But you can get them really excited by making gardening fun! What do young kids naturally think is fun to do outside? Play in soil, play with water, and show off their......
]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:49:10 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9703&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9703 What are some garden tasks that I should take care of in April? Laura H By Christina Muller, Master Gardener Spring has truly arrived on the Central Coast in April. This is a month of abundant bloom; annuals planted last fall are bursting with flowers and many perennials are starting to bloom as well. The weather and soil are warming up and it’s an ideal time to be out in the garden. You can plant vegetables now. Fast growers such as radishes and lettuce can be......
]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:20:40 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9644&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9644 ]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:56:50 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9576&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mmurrietta@co.slo.ca.us(Maria Murrietta) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9576 Q. I’ve heard about the Asian Citrus Psyllid. What is it and how can I prevent it? By Andrea Peck Master Gardener A. The Asian citrus psyllid is a tiny pest that packs a wallop. Generally classified as a minor nuisance because of its predilection for eating the new leaves and stems of citrus trees, the Asian citrus psyllid has gained a devastating reputation because of its susceptibility to Huanglongbing (HLB) disease. HLB causes leaves to yellow and fruit to become......
]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:15:12 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9566&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9566 Secrets To Your Best Vegetable Garden Ever! By Terri Sonleitner Law, UC Master Gardener A home vegetable garden is fun and rewarding and March is the perfect time to start! Whether you intend to have a small or a large vegetable garden, or want to integrate vegetables into your existing home landscape, good planning now will translate into big success at harvest time. First, think about your garden area. Choose a good site - one that is easily accessible, receives at least 6......
]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:56:39 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9478&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9478 Starthistle By Kim McCue Master Gardener We’ve all witnessed its prickly presence - the dreaded yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) – which is estimated to cover 10-15 million acres in California, making it the most wide-spread invasive weed in the state. This non-native weed is a threat to indigenous plants, depletes soil moisture levels, and is poisonous to horses; therefore controlling it is important on many levels. Unfortunately, thwarting a full-blown......
]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:52:56 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9418&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9418 I live in San Miguel and often get frost in March, what can I do in the garden now? Denise F. By Jutta Thoerner Master Gardener Living on the Central Coast means different micro climates are a mere 30 minutes apart from one another. A gardener in Los Osos could be enjoying greens and herbs in March, while the North County is not frost free until the first part of April. The average last hard frost dates for our regions are: Paso Robles - April 5th, San Luis Obispo - Feb......
]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:32:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9395&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9395 Spring into action. Begin growing leafy greens now!By Lee Oliphant Master GardenerCan’t wait to start planting outdoors? You can begin sowing seeds of “spring greens” now, and add them to salads in 4-6 weeks. Yes, it’s time to begin planting seeds of those delicious, crunchy, nutty, spicy, vitamin-rich, gourmet greens, providing exotic flavor and color to your dishes. With a little planning, you can grow them year-around. Look for cool season varieties for planting......
]]> Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:39:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9341&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9341 ]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:02:38 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9281&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9281 Landscaping with Decorative Plants You Can Eat By Steve McDermott Master Gardener When we think about planting home gardens we think of either landscaping with non-edible plants or planting a separate vegetable garden. Why not combine them into a beautiful and useful garden you can eat? Edible plants can provide decoration and give us a healthy food source at the same time. Incorporating edible plants into your existing landscape can provide interesting......
]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:46:14 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9280&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9280 Hybrid and Heirloom Vegetables By Christina Muller, Master Gardener What are some differences between hybrid and heirloom vegetables? ~Donna B., Atascadero Hybrid vegetables result from crossing two different varieties. This F1 generation consists of plants which are uniform and have traits from each parent. A tomato hybrid might get disease resistance from one parent and superior flavor from the other. However, seed grown from F1 hybrids will not breed true, yielding......
]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:31:46 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9206&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9206 February Chores By Andrea Peck, Master Gardener What should I be doing in my garden in February? Larry L. February, the last winter month, may find you surveying bare garden spots and perusing seed packets. The words plant after last frost may have you flummoxed, but never mind, February is an ideal time for coastal gardeners to get sowing. Plant carrots, kohlrabi, lettuce, potato eyes and snow peas. Inland gardeners can plant beets, radishes, lettuce, potato eyes and spinach. All......
]]> Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:32:48 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9158&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9158 How can I be more organized this year before spring arrives? Elisabeth, Paso Robles. By Jutta Thoerner, Master Gardener It’s never too early to prepare your garden for spring. Spring arrives on March 20th. If you divide tasks into short segments of 30 minutes and have a list to work from, you will be prepared for spring’s arrival. Before making that list that will be specific for your garden, take a stroll through your property, pen and paper in hand. Think back......
]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:59:49 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9109&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9109 What are the benefits of winter pruning? Dawn S. Atascadero By Kim McCue Master Gardener Pruning can actually be done throughout the year, depending on the plant and the desired result. However, pruning deciduous trees and shrubs during winter dormancy is advantageous because it’s just plain easier to see what needs to be removed once the leaves have fallen and it’s nice to get things under control before the fresh burst of growth in spring. Bare plants reveal......
]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:59:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9078&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9078 By Tami Reece Master Gardener I want to plant a tree to shade my house in the summer. Do you have any suggestions for which type of tree I should plant? Carol C. AtascaderoYou are wise to ask what variety of tree you should plant. Tree planting should begin with careful planning. Your goal should be to have a landscape that will cool your home in the summer and shield it from the winter winds. Think about the height of the tree you want to plant. What is the full grown height of the......
]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:49:04 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9040&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9040 By Tami Reece Master Gardener Garden in January? Absolutely! Even though the wind may be brisk outside, doing a few January chores will ensure a healthy and vibrant garden in the spring. Now is the time to plant bare root trees such as apples, peaches, pears and plums. If you have established deciduous fruit trees, prune before leaf buds form. To control peach leaf curl on deciduous trees, spray with copper or lime sulfur mixed with horticultural oil (following label instructions), but......
]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:30:29 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8986&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8986 Now is the best time to select bare root fruit and nut trees. by Terri Sonleitner Law Master Gardener As we transition to a new year, you may be busy making resolutions. A great resolution is to visit your favorite garden or home center. Now through March is the bare root season, and your favorite local nursery or home center has their largest and freshest selection of dormant bare root fruit and nut trees available now. Deciduous, or dormant, fruit trees available bare root......
]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:28:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8967&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8967 By Ann Dozier Master Gardener I see bare-root roses in nurseries. Do you have suggestions of what to buy and planting instructions? Joanne F., Arroyo Grande This is a good time of year to buy dormant roses, sold as ‘bare root.’ Nurseries should have a wide selection at good prices. Before buying, however, consider your landscape plan, your microclimate and time available for care. Beautiful large-blossomed hybrid tea roses or grandifloras are not always the best......
]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:04:24 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8926&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8926 Plant Now for Easy Spring Color by Tami Reece Master Gardener I love seasons! I look forward to the spectacular fall colors and the crisp winter mornings with frost blanketing our landscape. But I will be the first to admit I need to see the kaleidoscope of colors my spring bulbs bring each year! After months of rain, I want to see the bright green leaves poking through the soil. It is still not too late to plant for spring color but you will want to plant now as they will need a......
]]> Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:29:34 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8873&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8873 What should I do in the garden during December? Alana G., Los Osos By Andrea Peck Master Gardener Ah, December. Where has the time gone? It goes where it’s always gone, of course, but the garden, timeless, waits with a throng of edifying chores to be done. Time’s trajectory is best contemplated while working anyway. Bundle up and take a garden walk. The framework of your garden reveals itself during this time of year. Consider the entire outdoors when preparing for......
]]> Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:49:39 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8836&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8836 Spring Bulbs-It’s Fun to Fool Mother Nature By Lee Oliphant Master Gardener There may be a time in the upcoming winter that you yearn for spring fragrances and color before their time. Getting spring bulbs to flower indoors in the winter is called “forcing”. It’s fun to “fool Mother Nature” and potted spring bulbs make great gifts for the upcoming holidays.Normally a spring bulb is dormant in the winter. Shoot growth begins in the spring when......
]]> Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:51:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8802&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8802 Bill Tietje is the Natural Resource Specialist with the UCCE and his specialty is Oak woodland ecology and management, human impacts on wildlife, oak regeneration, and land use planning. Below he provides his expertise in the gathering and planting of acorns. Here are directions for gathering, storing, and planting acorns. Acorns of blue oak, coast live oak, and valley oak are moderately abundant this year. Why not gather some now for planting early next year. It is getting a bit late......
]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:42:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8758&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8758 Go Green with a Living Christmas Tree by Terri Sonleitner Law, UC Master Gardener There’s nothing like the aroma of a fresh Christmas tree to put us in the holiday spirit! Living Christmas trees are eco-friendly and can do double-duty: bring your living tree indoors and decorate, and after the holidays it can be planted outside as part of your landscape. You won’t face Christmas tree disposal problems, and a living tree adds up to an eco-smart alternative to cut......
]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:38:41 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8756&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8756 ]]> Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:37:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8718&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8718 Advice To Grow By Workshop Winter Chores & Tool Maintenance! Come and join the San Luis Obispo County Master Gardeners for their monthly Advice To Grow By workshop on Saturday November 17th from 10:00 am to Noon. This workshop will have two topics covering the basic chores for winter preparation of your garden, as well as a demonstration of tool sharpening and maintenance. Winter garden preparation will cover protecting sensitive plants, adjusting irrigation schedules,......
]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:47:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8692&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8692 November Chores By Ann Dozier Master Gardener I’m cleaning up my garden and pulling out summer tomatoes and squash. Can I plant in November for a harvest of winter vegetables? Dan P. Arroyo Grande In winter, a sunny plot can grow beets, carrots onions, peas, chard, onions, radishes and turnips from seed. Seedling plants would be a better choice for slower developing broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. In mild coastal areas, you could grow various salad greens, though......
]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:18:26 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8624&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8624 Cover Crops by Andrea Peck Master Gardener If you’ve been keeping up on your fall chores, your garden has been raked and trimmed. The last of your tomato plants have been plucked. Your compost bin is full of summer detritus and even the minutest of pest hiding spots are done away with. Your garden beds are clean as a whistle while they lay idle for spring. Suddenly, the garden appears a bit sterile and well, clean. But, there is a solution: Cover crops. Like a good renter,......
]]> Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:04:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8562&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8562 Garden Based Learning Training: Curriculum Connections to School Gardens (Saturday, October 27, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at UCCE Auditorium and Sunshine Garden)The Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County wants to help foster these important life lessons by offering a workshop to assist school teachers, parents and others with connecting their school garden to classroom instruction. The workshop is open to all teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers who work with the children at......
]]> Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:07:59 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8551&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8551 Master Gardeners Workshop - Winter Vegetables By Terri Sonleitner Law UC Master Gardener Q. What vegetables can I plant in my garden now? Cameron, San Luis Obispo. A. There are many cool season vegetables you can plant now, which produce well from seeds or from transplants, in the cooler months of the year. Among these vegetables are broccoli, carrots, chard, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, spinach, onions and most Asian greens. In San Luis Obispo County, many herbs such as......
]]> Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:56:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8505&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8505 ]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:28:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8488&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8488 Native Plants For Your Garden By Ann Dozier Master Gardener To save water and discourage deer, I’d like to replant some of my flower beds using native plants, but I’m afraid my summer garden will lack color. Do you have some suggestions? Carol D., Atascadero Native plants are great additions to Central Coast gardens, and they are easy to buy and grow here. However, you’re right in thinking that many are not summer-flowering; often they bloom in spring......
]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:46:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8462&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8462 Acorn To An Oak Tree By Ann Dozier Master Gardener Many oak trees sprout on my property. Can I transplant them, or is it better to plant acorns in order to grow oaks where I want them? Sid B. Los Osos In general, you’ll be more successful if you plant an acorn where you would like a tree rather than trying to transplant oak seedlings. Seedlings quickly develop long tap roots (as you know if you’ve tried to pull them up). It’s difficult to move them without......
]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:29:14 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8407&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8407 October Chores By Jim Borland Master Gardener It's almost October. The days are noticeably shorter and the first frost may not be too far in the future. Most of the days are still warm and we'll be having some rain soon. Now is the time to plant spring bulbs and divide perennials, and if you have a fruit or vegetable patch, you're mostly busy reaping the rewards of harvest. This is a good time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials to give them time to develop strong root systems before......
]]> Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:03:06 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8384&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8384 Artichokes – A Vegetable That Grows Like a Weed By Lee Oliphant Master Gardener Want a suggestion for a striking perennial plant that grows in flowerbeds, in vegetable gardens, survives in lean soil with little water, and produces food for the table? The artichoke might just “fit the bill”. Globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus)are thistle-like plants with deeply lobed silvery blue-green leaves, and bear edible buds (about 3-5 inches). They are believed to have originated......
]]> Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:13:59 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8336&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8336 Lawn Alternatives Workshop By Andrea Giacoletti Master Gardener The Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo are pleased to present another Advice to Grow By Workshop. This month’s workshop features turf replacement. It will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Garden of the Seven Sisters, located at 2156 Sierra Way. Bring a comfortable chair, a notepad and be prepared to learn how to replace your water- guzzling lawn with a drought-tolerant variety. Though drought-tolerant may sound......
]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:13:27 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8299&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8299 My six-year- old lavender plants are woody and falling apart. What have I done wrong? Should I plant some other variety? Jean W. San Luis Obispo by Ann Dozier Master Gardener Local gardeners love lavenders; hardy sweet-smelling plants resistant to insect pests and deer. Lavender can live up to 20 years, but plants often get woody after six to eight years. Heavy soil and regular summer watering are primary reasons for this problem. To encourage longer life, let plants dry out in......
]]> Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:25:06 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8268&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8268 There’s much to do in the September garden! by Terri Sonleitner Law UC Master Gardener Q. I’m unsure what gardening activities I should be doing now. Any suggestions? Sam S., Atascadero A. September’s a great month in the garden and there’s plenty to do. Although some days may be summertime hot, days are shortening, shadows lengthen, and fall colors begin to appear in the landscape with the arrival of the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd. Fall......
]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:59:24 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8232&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8232 Q. I am interested in growing an avocado tree. What should I be aware of before I plant? Aedan G. By Andrea Peck Master Gardener A. The first step to planting anything is to make sure it is well suited to your specific climate. Your climate zone and microclimate will determine which plants will grow well in your garden. The avocado tree originated in the tropical climates of South America and may not be well suited to some cool coastal climates. If possible, purchase your......
]]> Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:08:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8190&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8190 We have an upcoming " Worm Composting Made Easy" Workshop on Saturday, September 8th 10 am - noon.. Register here Worm composting is slow, but it's great for your plants~ It's worth it! Vermiculture by Jim Borland, Master GardenerQ – I've heard it's possible to get good compost from worm manure. Is this true?Curtis Reinhardt, Shell BeachA – Yes, you can let worms eat your kitchen scraps and convert it into fertilizer. It's called vermiculture which is a fancy name for worm......
]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:36:46 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5784&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5784 Tomato Extravaganza and Plant Saleby Tami Reece Master GardenerOn Saturday August 18, 2012, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., the UC Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County, will be having their 6thAnnual Tomato Extravaganza and Plant Sale. It will be held at the Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo near the intersection of Johnson Ave & Bishop Street. At 10:00, the event kicks off with Chef Joe Thomas, of Thomas Hill Organics, giving a very popular Tomato Cooking......
]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:18:40 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8132&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8132 The worm bins are $120 and must be paid for online or by check. Please make checks payable to "UC REGENTS". Our next class is scheduled for September 8, 2012. You can place your order by clicking on this link or reserve a spot if you would like to sit in: http://ucanr.org/sloworm Below is a little article by Lee Oliphant.. Thank you Lee! Worm Composting - Composting on a Small Scale By Lee Oliphant, Ed.D., Master Gardener Traditional composting is not for everyone. Some folks just......
]]> Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:40:44 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3649&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3649 How can I keep my garden safe from pests during the summer months? Dennis N. By Andrea Peck, Master Gardener These may be the dog days of summer, but creepy crawlies have their multiple eyes on your garden delectables. Outfitted in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors, pests remain ambitious despite the heat and should not be underestimated; they are capable of mass destruction in short order. Before you get out your pesticide or shotgun, however, you must determine the type of......
]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:38:42 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8091&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8091 How Water-Wise Are You? A Mid-summer’s Check-up. By Lee Oliphant Your garden is flourishing and your water bill is skyrocketing. Take stock of your water usage. There may be ways to keep water use under control and still live in a beautiful environment that provides fresh produce for your family. How “water-wise” are you? Test soil for moisture content in various areas of your garden by digging down 6 inches. Soil should be moist at the depth 3 inches. Mulch......
]]> Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:15:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8038&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8038 I’ll be spending my vacation at home this August. What chores could I do in the garden while I have time? Barbara D, Santa Margarita By Ann Dozier Master Gardener I you’re a vegetable gardener, chores will thrust themselves upon you, what with harvesting, keeping pests under control, and maintaining a good watering schedule. You could also be starting seeds of cool-season vegetables in flats in a sheltered spot so they’ll be ready to transplant into the garden as the......
]]> Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:23:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7992&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7992 ]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:51:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7949&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7949 It's always in the summertime that we get inundated in calls at the Helpline about dying redwoods. I was just going through my archives and found a great answer to an incoming email about dying redwoods. Because water is such a valuable resource, I won't just hint around about it, but redwoods are native to areas of California that have about 40 inches of rainfall per year, mild weather and heavy amounts of fog. Average rainfall in Paso Robles is about 15 inches, low humidity and often has......
]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:51:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7948&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7948 Master Gardeners Offer Workshop on Fire Safe Landscaping by Terri Sonleitner LawUC Master Gardener Q. What can I do in my landscape to make my home less vulnerable to wildfires? John B., Paso Robles A. That’s a timely question. Wildfires can be threatening, but with proper planning you can have a beautiful landscape and create a Fire Safe Zone around your home.Begin by creating and maintaining a defensible space of 100 feet around your home that includes a lean, clean and green zone......
]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:25:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7932&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7932 Horticulture at the Paso Robles Mid State Fair By Tami Reece Master Gardener In July, if you are a gardener in San Luis Obispo County, you look forward to fresh picked corn, juicy ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and the Paso Robles Mid State Fair. The fair started in 1945 and for more than 66 years San Luis Obispo County gardeners have proudly showed their gardening skills to their family, friends and the community at large. Entries will include locally grown produce and can only be......
]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:08:20 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7880&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7880 Everybody knows that plants can die of thirst, but don't forget you canalso send them to an early grave by overwatering. When we overwater,the soil becomes saturated and forces out vital oxygen, and we literallydrown our plants. So then how do we know when to water our plants?Here are some simple and useful methods that should help.First thing to do is make a close observation of your landscape plants.A plant's stress symptoms which indicate it is too dry include wiltingor folded leaves, dull......
]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:54:34 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7816&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Noni Todd http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7816 What should I be doing in my garden during July?Leo P.Fireworks and socializing may dominate the calendar for July, but whether you plan to prepare for revelers or escape the hubbub, there are plenty of chores to enjoy in the garden. Guests and plants are hungry during this festive month; feed warm-season annuals and lawns, subtropicals and summer vegetables at this time. Hold off on feeding tomatoes, however, excess nitrogen impedes fruiting. Baby your melons by placing an aluminum pie tin......
]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:24:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7814&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7814 ]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:48:46 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7660&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7660 It’s June in the Garden – What Now?By Lee Oliphant Master GardenerQ. My garden is in full bloom and I’ve kept up on weeding. What now? Jeanne S., CambriaA. Time to breathe in the cool moist air of June. Spring planting is finished, flowers are in bloom, and some edibles are ready for harvest. Automatic watering systems have been adjusted for longer days and weeds are under control.Vines may need trimming and tying. Bearded irises may have “lost their bloom” and......
]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:52:05 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7661&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7661 Birds, Blooms and Butterflies This month’s Advice to Grow By workshop will star birds, blooms and butterflies. The workshop, put on by the University of California Master Gardeners, will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Garden of the Seven Sisters, located at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. Bring a notepad and be prepared to discover the connection between wildlife and success in the garden. As population soars and growth sneaks into unfettered areas, wildlife habitat continues......
]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 12:55:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7508&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7508 When to Water Your Plants by Jim Borland   Master GardenerEverybody knows that plants can die of thirst, but don't forget you can also send them to an early grave by overwatering.  When we overwater, the soil becomes saturated and forces out vital oxygen, and we literally drown our plants.  So then how do we know when to water our plants? Here are some simple and useful methods that should help.First thing to do is make a close observation of your landscape plants. A plant's stress symptoms......
]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 18:13:15 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7417&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7417 I have caterpillars eating the leaves on my oak trees, what should I do?Ann M. Arroyo GrandeThe California oakworm is probably your pest. On a typical year, there may only be two generations of oakworms, but this year was unusually warm and dry in mid-winter, which has created a perfect environment in order to have a third generation. The life cycle of an oak moth starts with eggs, then maturing to a larva (caterpillar), eventually transforming into a chrysalis (pupa) then finally to the adult......
]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:51:31 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7351&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7351 Busy Month of May Tami Reece  Master Gardener   May is a month for planting, fertilizing and controlling pests. But don’t be fooled by a late frost! Plant dahlias and gladiolus for summer color. For annuals you can plant dianthus and pansies. As the nights become warmer you can hang baskets of fuchsias and geraniums. For perennials, shop for summer and fall color with asters, coreopsis, and cornflowers. Now is the time to check the needs of your lawn. Aerate, feed and overseed to get rid of......
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:19:44 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7341&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7341 ]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:45:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7273&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7273 I’d like to preserve olives from our tree, but last year each fruit had a little worm in it.  What is this pest? John B., Templeton   By Ann Dozier Master Gardener Appreciated for their beauty and historical importance, olive trees are a beloved part of many gardens. However, an imported pest has become a severe problem for all growers. Your crop was probably attacked by the olive fruit fly. This small (about ¼ ‘’ long) fly of Mediterranean origin was first noted in California in1998......
]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:32:25 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7227&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7227 Question:  I just moved into a house that has been empty for several months.  There are neglected citrus and avocado trees in the yard.  How should I care for them? Susan Finn SLO  Maggie King  Master GardenerIs it any wonder that we love living on the Central Coast?  In most areas of the county, citrus trees and avocados can be grown with relative ease.  They are beautiful year round.  They produce bountiful quantities of delicious fruit.  Few scents are more intoxicating than citrus blossoms.......
]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:58:33 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7228&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7228 April Gardening - Where to start? By Lee Oliphant Master Gardener  Q. My garden is beginning to come alive. Other than the usual clean-up and watering, what needs to be done this time of year? Jeanette Wolff, Cambria   A. If you’re planning on adding new plants to what you have, and what gardener isn’t, now’s the time to visit a nursery to pick colors that will accentuate established plantings. Choose a new clivia for a shady corner, a clematis for arbors and fences. New and exciting varieties......
]]> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:05:04 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7111&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7111 Rodents, and their nemesis, owls, was discussed at this month’s Advice to Grow By Workshop.   We all know the tell-tale signs: small, rice-sized feces, shredded material or simply a brazen ball of fur with bald tail darting wantonly amongst your living space, holes in the garden and damaged plants.     No matter the method you employ, rodents continue to alarm and escape capture throughout many a SLO county garden. Rodents are known to transmit 32 separate diseases. Despite their propensity for......
]]> Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:00:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7053&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7053 I have room in my garden, and I’d like to plant some unusual varieties of citrus. Could you give an idea of what’s available? Judith Cadigan, Los Osos   By Ann Dozier Master Gardener   Spring is a fine time to plant citrus, and there are some interesting varieties available. It’s easy to stick by old favorites such as Eureka or Meyer lemons and Navel or Valencia oranges. Many gardeners also want a lime tree – either Bearss or Mexican (Key) lime and some sort of mandarin, perhaps a Satsuma......
]]> Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:49:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7026&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7026 Starthistle   By Tami Reece  Master Gardener   Never give up, never give up, never give up.  Winston Churchill   Yellow starthistle is the most widespread invasive weed in California.  It is a gray-green to blue-green plant with a deep, vigorous taproot. It produces bright, thistlelike yellow flowers with sharp spines surrounding the base.  Yellow starthistle seeds germinate from fall through spring. After germinating, the plant initially puts all its energy into root growth. By late spring,......
]]> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:03:33 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6955&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6955 For the past several years, the Master Gardeners have had a "gardening education" booth at the Central Coast Greenhouse Growers Association Open House.  This year marks the 11th year of the CCGGA Tours!  Many professionals in our community are sharing horticulture knowledge that day, including the Master Gardeners. Wholesale growers open their doors to the public for tours and sales of fresh flowers and plants, all to raise money for local youth scholarships.  As Master Gardeners, it's our......
]]> Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:45:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6891&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6891 Edible Landscapes  By Maggie King Master GardenerDoes your home landscape deserve the time, water and money you put into it?  Consider increasing your rewards by developing an edible landscape.  The edible landscape incorporates plants that can be eaten, with or without plants that are purely ornamental.   The ongoing scarcity of water here on the Central Coast, the rising cost of grocery store produce and the importance of conserving energy make it hard to justify spending resources on......
]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:55:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6856&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6856 ]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:50:41 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6853&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6853 Grow and Eat Greens Year-Around By Master Gardener Lee Oliphant Q. Is there an easy-to-grow edible green that I can plant now and grow year-around? Beverly Delauer, Cambria A. We have just the thing for you, Beverly! The easy-to-grow Tendergreen Mustard, also referred to as “Mustard Spinach” and “Komatsuna”, is actually not a spinach but in the Brassica family. This tender mustard green grows to maturity in less than 40 days, requires little care, can take cold weather as well as heat (although......
]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:34:30 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6852&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6852 Q.  Are Indian walking sticks considered pests in the garden? -Rhonda Kohler, San Luis Obispo A. The ultimate expert in camouflage, the Indian walking stick exhibits crypsis, the ability to change color, shape and behavior to blend into their environment. Adult specimens reach up to 4 inches in length. Their long, wingless body is generally brown-colored. When confronted, this amazing creature retracts its legs alongside its body, adding to its appearance as a stick. In fact, if it were a bit......
]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:35:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6671&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Michele Yockey http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6671 By Maggie King, Master Gardener January means different things to different people. For some it means good books, bunny slippers, and naps by the fire.  For avid gardeners, January is the time to grab a pair of pruners and head outside to the fruit trees and vines that await our attention.  Careful pruning can make the difference between a bountiful crop of fruits and berries and an unhealthy, unproductive orchard.  When we prune we get rid of dead and diseased branches and we improve the......
]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:00:42 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6485&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6485 Advice To Grow By WorkshopBy Andrea Peck, Master GardenerThe San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners are at it again with their monthly Advice To Grow By Workshops. This Saturday from 10 to noon the workshop will discuss that odd piece of machinery that inhabits the center of the Garden of The Seven Sisters. As important as any growing element in the garden, the mechanical whirligig is not modern garden art; it is a state-of-the-art weather station which measures temperature, precipitation, wind speed......
]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:34:41 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6138&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6138 Q.  What can I plant under the Coast Live Oak in my front yard to fill in the sandy area below and around the canopy? Ginny Kemper, NipomoA.   You have lots of colorful and interesting choices in companion plantings for oak trees.  Hummingbird sage will give you a wide-spreading groundcover of bright green leaves with pink flowers.  Carpenteria californica is an evergreen shrub with beautiful white anemone-like flowers.   In a sunnier section under the tree, plant California fuchsia for grey......
]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:22:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5977&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5977 Thinking of doing a little re-landscaping this fall? Wishing your landscaping could thrive with less work and water?  The Master Gardener Advice to Grow By presentation this Saturday will give ideas for low-maintenance landscaping through use of native California plants. Fall is the time to plant California native perennials, shrubs and trees.  It is the time of the year when the soil is still warm and winter rains are just around the corner.  The winter is a prime time for the roots of newly......
]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:14:43 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5922&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5922 What jobs should I be doing in my garden in October? Tish KeelySanta MargaritaOctober is one of the most pleasant months in the garden.  The temperature is generally mild, the soil is still warm, there are treasures to harvest, and winter rains are, hopefully, on the way.This is a perfect time for a thorough garden cleanup.  Clean out beds regardless of whether you plan to have a winter garden.  Dig, divide and replant crowded perennials, cut yellowed asparagus to the ground, remove dead and......
]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:51:50 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5921&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5921 THE COOL SEASON VEGETABLE GARDEN PLANNING YOUR GARDEN -- Choose a site Full Sun Close to the house Level, or terraced Water source close Size appropriate to what you plan to grow and how much time you have --Decide what you want to grow How much time do you have to devote to the garden? Start from seed or transplants?  Plants started from seed in the ground take longer to produce a crop than transplants, but large seeds and root crops should all be directly sown in the garden. ......
]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:52:47 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5799&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5799 Turf’s up By Ann Dozier Q:  At the end of summer are you unhappy about the amount of work and water your lawn requires?  Or, are you wondering what will fill your vegetable bed when the squash vines are ripped out? A:  No, we’re not recommending that you tear up your lawn and plant vegetables, although that might be a solution for problem lawns. Instead, come to the Master Gardener Advice to Grow by presentation Saturday, September 17, to get some answers to both questions. The session will......
]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:17:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5634&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5634 Tomato Extravaganza By Ann Dozier It’s high summer and how are your tomatoes doing?  Wish you’d known which varieties give best results locally? Did you plant the best tasting varieties? Come, taste and find out.  At their annual Tomato Extravaganza, Master Gardeners are celebrating the luscious red (or maybe striped or purple) tomato, queen of summer’s bounty.  Saturday, August 20, all things tomato will be the focus at the Seven Sisters demonstration garden at View Larger Map">2156 Sierra......
]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:02:31 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5423&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5423 Written By Jim Borland, Master Gardener Have you ever wondered about the life process of your plants?  Plants are living organisms that, unlike animals, produce their own food (via photosynthesis) and also regenerate certain lost organs and tissues. Here is a brief look at the various parts of a plant's structure.Roots - have the primary function to take up water and nutrients from the soil, store excess food materials, and anchor the plant.Stems and Shoots - the above ground portion of the......
]]> Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:25:22 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5411&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5411 July Advice to Grow ByBy Ann Dozier Are you tired of climbing ladders to reach the crop on your fruit trees? How can you keep backyard fruit trees at an easy to care for height? How should you shape young trees? Summer pruning is an easy and convenient method of controlling the growth of backyard fruit trees.  Some advocates of this kind of pruning recommend keeping fruit trees at a height of around 12 feet which allows for ease of care and harvesting.  Pruning of rampant spring growth also......
]]> Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:56:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5280&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5280 Brad Lancaster, author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, was our keynote speaker at the Sustainable Landscaping Symposium on April 9th.  Our day focused on changing how we use and waste valuable drinking water, ways to use greywater safely, how to conserve and save the rainwater because it's free and we are losing it down the gutter!  We also focused on conserving energy by planting shade trees and trees and shrubs as windbreaks in the right location and using California Native......
]]> Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:06:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4674&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4674 For those of you who attended the April Advice to Grow By Workshop about Rodents.. Click on the underlined titles below to find more information about: GophersGround SquirrelsVoles/Meadow MouseMoles Clivia Photo by Lee Oliphant April Gardens Poised to Take OffBy Lee Oliphant Q. I’ve been cleaning and weeding my garden. What are some other essential tasks to be performed in gardens in April? Linda Dunn, Cambria A. April is prime planting month around the county. It’s not too late to plant......
]]> Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:57:26 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4671&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4671 Grass bug, Arhyssus sp.  (Photo by Rodney Cooper, USDA-ARS, Shafter) The following information is from Dr. Surendra Dara, UCCE Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Several specimens of grass bugs have been brought to our office in the recent weeks.  These are of varying sizes (about 7-12 mm), but identified by the CDFA systematist, Rosser Garrison as Arhyssus sp.  They belong to the family Rhopalidae (Order Hemiptera), members of which are commonly known as scentless plant bugs. They......
]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:30:02 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4432&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4432 On March 19, 2011, Mark Gaskell, UCCE Farm Advisor, led  a blueberry workshop at the UCCE Auditorium, our back up location on a rainy day for the Garden of the Seven Sisters. Photo by Brenda Dawson, UC Davis Here are some helpful links to more information about growing blueberries: Mark Gaskell has all of his information for small farm blueberry production  here. If that link didn't work, his page can always be found at:  http://cesantabarbara.ucdavis.edu Check out the UC ANR general......
]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:56:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4426&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4426 March Garden Chores By Maggie King, Master Gardener Photo by Jennifer Stevens. A blanket of Baby Blue Eyes covers a field as far as the eye can see on Highway 58. There's one yellow Tidy-Tip peeking out. Q:  I’ve neglected my garden all winter, but I’m ready to start working outside again.  What jobs should I do right now? Norinne Cruzat, Atascadero A:  For many on the Central Coast, March marks the official beginning of the gardening year.  Most of the county has experienced its last......
]]> Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:05:13 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4272&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4272 February Gardens Ready for ActionBy Lee Oliphant Q. I’m ready to begin gardening again. What are some tasks I can do in February? Robin Wayne, Cambria A. The curtain goes up in gardens around the county. Our temperate climate makes for a long growing season and hopefully you are ready for action. Before you jump into planting in February, check out the publication at http://ucanr.org/blogs/slomggarden/blogfiles/3250.pdf for frost dates and other temperature data. The publication was prepared......
]]> Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:51:15 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4169&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4169 Join the Master Gardeners every 3rd Saturday for the "Advice To Grow By" Workshops. Saturday, January 15, 2011 10am- noon Planting and Pruning Bare Root Fruit Trees 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo Please park in the adjacent parking lot. The first half of the workshop will take place in the auditorium (maximum occupancy 68).  The second half of the workshop will be a demonstration in the orchard.  Please wear appropriate shoes for walking on sloping, uneven and mulched......
]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:37:24 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4033&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4033 As many of you know, the UC Master Gardeners in San Luis Obispo County try to reach every single school in our county to act as a mentor to teachers, parents and school garden volunteers.  If you know of any schools who need help finding curriculum, building a garden or just getting started, they are more than welcome to contact us!  Email us at mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu or call us at 805-781-5939. Below is the latest press release from the County Health Department and UC Cooperative......
]]> Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:41:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3845&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3845 November Chores in the Garden By Ann Dozier Q.  I’d like to grow some winter vegetables.  Is there anything I can plant now? Jeanne Hyduchak, San Luis Obispo A.  Yes, you can still enjoy home-grown crops by planting vegetables that like cooler temperatures.  Seeds of beets, carrots, chard, onion, peas, radishes and turnips can be sown in many areas.  Garlic may also be planted.  Cabbage, broccoli, beets and cauliflower may need a head start to get established before winter – Instead of seeds,......
]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:15:17 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3750&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3750 The Master Gardener Program is currently accepting applications, with the deadline quickly approaching on November 19th.  The Master Gardeners would like to welcome the public to an Open House in San Luis Obispo on November 4th, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  This is an opportunity to find out more about the program, view the text books and curriculum, tour the demonstration garden and meet experienced Master Gardeners.  The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer service organization sponsored by the......
]]> Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:42 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3627&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3627 Winter Vegetables By Maggie King- Master Gardener There are many reasons to love living on the Central Coast.  High among them is our mild winter weather. While gardeners in most parts of the country are putting down their trowels and picking up their snow shovels, we are able to grow vegetables all year round if we take in to account the particular needs of various plants. While leaf vegetables like lettuce, spinach and chard may bolt and go to seed in hot summer weather, they grow happily......
]]> Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:53:20 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3526&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3526 Article by George Frisch UC Master GardenerSan Luis Obispo County A hardy, rapidly growing, maintenance-free, reasonably drought tolerant, evergreen ground cover with attractive leaves and lovely flowers  -- is there such a plant? Yes, there are a few, but one is no longer recommended! Myoporum pacificum is a member of a family (Myoplraceae) widely planted in residential and commercial landscapes and along many miles of California highway hillsides for erosion control.   Native to Australia......
]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:01:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3489&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3489 A pleasant outdoor SLO setting, friendly intelligent people, interesting gardening topics, all free of charge…it doesn’t get much better than that!  That is why increasing numbers of County residents are regularly attending the monthly Advice to Grow By workshops.  These free workshops, presented by the Master Gardeners, are held on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Garden of the Seven Sisters, our new demonstration garden, at 2156 Sierra Way.  The next workshop......
]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:01:51 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3374&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3374 Thank you for attending the UC Master Gardeners for the 4th Annual Tomato Extravaganza!It was held:Saturday, August 21, 2010In the "Garden of the Seven Sisters"The Master Gardeners Sustainable Gardening Demonstration Garden2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo What a wonderful day it was in our new Garden of the Seven Sisters, the UCCE Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, adjacent to the County UCCE Building. It was a beautiful day in San Luis Obispo, which as many of you remembered that the......
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:01:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3254&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed abreschini@co.slo.ca.us(Amy Breschini) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3254