- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
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: Poaceae), in the United States. Under current climate conditions, researchers predict that N. neesiana may become invasive on the west coast and in the...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
(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. “It also endangers all of the decorative palms that are so common in our landscape and so much a part of the classic California backdrop. I would like to express my gratitude to the landscape contractor who originally reported this pest. He is...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
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 Orchard Ranch located at 7782 County Road 16 in Hamiltong City, CA. (Near Chico, CA) Cost is $30.00 per person and includes olive tasting, refreshments and home olive processing guide. Checks can be made payable to UC Regents and mailed to...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
The California Center for Urban Horticulture and the California Master Gardener program have partnered with Burchell Nursery to bring you Your Sustainable Backyard: Fruit Trees on Friday August 20th at Burchell Nursery in Oakdale, CA. We’re very excited to have the workshop hosted at a nursery and hope that you will join us for this exciting learning opportunity. Our workshop will focus on selecting trees, planning for your home orchard, summer pruning and staking, and troubleshooting pests & diseases. A highlight for the day will be a fruit tasting and...
- Author: Pamela M. Geisel
Every year, I try to keep my tomatoes up off of the ground by installing a trellis system in advance of the tomatoes needing to be trellised. My usual system is the "post and twine" system in which 2 inch posts are pounded into the ground using a stake pounder at 10 foot intervals and then wrapping/weaving the twine around the poles at 10 inch vertical intervals. It works pretty well and I am not unhappy with it. However, the downside is that the cotton jute that I prefer to use because it is compostable stretches, sags and becomes brittle as you go through the summer. The plastic twine that most "growers" use works better but it has to be disposed of in the landfill since it isn't recyclable or compostable. This year, as an...