From the UC Blogosphere...

Eye on the Buckeye

It won't bloom until summer, but already many eyes are on the California buckeye. The tree's blossoms are poisonous to...

Honey bee foraging last May on a California buckeye, which is poisonous to honey bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee foraging last May on a California buckeye, which is poisonous to honey bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A California buckeye blooming in May of last year on the UC Davis campus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A California buckeye blooming in May of last year on the UC Davis campus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs R Us

Who wouldn't want to get up close and personal with bugs? And maybe give them a hug? Or two? Or three? Some 3000...

From one hand to another: a walking stick finds a place to walk. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From one hand to another: a walking stick finds a place to walk. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bohart Museum volunteers Maia Lundy and Noah Crockette answer questions. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bohart Museum volunteers Maia Lundy and Noah Crockette answer questions. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Jacob Herrera-Padua (left) and Torriano Sanderson of Suisun delight in a walking stick. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Jacob Herrera-Padua (left) and Torriano Sanderson of Suisun delight in a walking stick. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Who killed the broccoli?

USDA and UC Cooperative Extension scientists in Monterey County frequently work together to solve the vegetable version of the classic "who dun it?" mystery, reported Robert Walch in the Salinas Californian.

The story, which featured USDA plant pathologist Carolee Bull, detailed one of her recent investigations, conducted with Steve Koike, UCCE advisor who specializes in plant pathology. They sought to determine what pathogen was putting spots on broccoli raab and other cruciferous crops in the Salinas Valley.

Once the correct identification and classification of the pathogen was completed, an environmentally sound and affordable way of dealing with it could be developed.

“We create our own puzzles,” Bull said, “and then we solve them.”

Orange Blossom Special

If you like oranges, you can thank a honey bee. Oranges are 90 percent dependent on honey bees for...

A honey bee pollinating an orange blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee pollinating an orange blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

One bee forages while another takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

One bee forages while another takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of honey bee on an orange blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of honey bee on an orange blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Daily Life For Master Gardeners

Replenishing Rainwater Gardens Groundwater Part 3 By Andrea Peck   If you're not careful, it will sneak up on you....

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