UC Gardening Blogs

In the Garden this Week

At least 2 surprises this week from the garden.

First, we had a lot of gusty wind late this week, strong enough to snap my bell pepper bush. So, for now, the immature peppers are laying on the patio table getting morning sun. Next time it will be planted in a sturdy tomato cage.

Second, next to the bells is a “found giant” zucchini. The plant was grown from a start and only the one squash has developed so far. Don't have a clue why I haven't seen it till this morning, probably because I had sort of given up on this plant as I hadn't seen any blossoms. As I was collecting crooked neck squash from the vigorous plant next to it, I saw this large camouflage beauty laying on the soil. It is a Gray Zucchini or Cucurbita pepo. I really prefer these gray zucchini to the normal dark green variety. This squash is shorter and broader, nearly seedless and with tender skin. This big boy is headed to my kitchen to be stuffed for our Sunday meal.

My new tomato experiment, the 'Abraham Lincoln' variety of tomato, has been a joy this summer, time to make sauces.

photos by Trisha Rose

abraham lincoln tomato

Posted on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 3:46 PM

Author: Trisha E Rose

Youths Experience the Joy of Insects

Do you remember when insects first fascinated you or when you developed a love of insects? Odds...

Future entomologists? A group of students in a Bay Area three-week insect class, taught by SaveNature.Org, poses for a photo.

Future entomologists? A group of students in a Bay Area three-week insect class, taught by SaveNature.Org, poses for a photo.

Getting up close and personal with a stick insect, also known as a walking stick.

Getting up close and personal with a stick insect, also known as a walking stick.

Posted on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 2:26 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

Rose Care and Weed Control

Many gardeners and landscapers enjoy growing and caring for roses. Through careful selection of...

Roses
Roses

Roses

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:59 PM

Keep Your Palm Trees Disease-free

Palm trees are commonly seen in California, making some think about the tree-lined streets of...

D-WO-FOXY-FO.010

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 4:48 PM

What's in Store for Unattended Children at the Bohart Museum of Entomology?

Ever seen that humorous sign in the veterinarian office that warns "Unattended kids will be given a...

What's in the Bohart Museum of Entomology? A sign tells all. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What's in the Bohart Museum of Entomology? A sign tells all. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Entomologist Jeff Smith (second from left), who curates the Lepidoptera section of the museum, talks to visitors at the "Moth Night" open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Entomologist Jeff Smith (second from left), who curates the Lepidoptera section of the museum, talks to visitors at the "Moth Night" open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are an integral part of the Bohart Museum of Entomology's "petting zoo." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are an integral part of the Bohart Museum of Entomology's "petting zoo." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 4:29 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey