From the UC Blogosphere...

A Special Day for UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal

Today (April 30) was a special day for entomologist Walter Soares Leal. “I got two phone calls almost...

UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal today (April 30, 2024) was named a member of the National Academy of Sciences. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal today (April 30, 2024) was named a member of the National Academy of Sciences. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

May Garden Tips – Getting Ready for Summer!

May is here, and the summer heat is just around the corner.  There is so much happening in our gardens this month. Here is a list of things to do in May.

1. Plant Vegetables: Plant warm-season vegetables and consider succession planting every two weeks for extended harvests.
2. Prevent Spider Mites: Take preventative measures such as adequate irrigation, daily misting of leaf undersides, reducing dustiness, and using horticultural oil sprays.
3. Fertilize Fruit Trees: Fruit trees are actively growing, so fertilize them accordingly, following directions and safety precautions provided with the fertilizer you choose. 
4. Prune Roses: Prune spent blooms weekly down to the first five-part leaf or slightly further for shaping. Lightly feed and water afterward.
5. Prune Sub-Tropical and Deciduous Fruit Trees: May is ideal for pruning trees like ficus, coral tree, avocado, citrus, etc. Avoid pruning sub-tropical trees in winter.
6. Plant Perennials: May is a great time to plant perennials; keep them well-watered as summer approaches.
7. Fertilize Dahlias: Regularly fertilize dahlias with a low nitrogen, high phosphorus organic fertilizer like fish bone meal throughout their growing and blooming period.
8. Turn on Automatic Timers: Now that the rainy season is over ensure your automatic timers are turned back on for watering. Water deeply and less frequently rather than with light, daily sprinkles
9. Check Drip System: Regularly check drip systems for clogs, leaks, and broken parts to ensure efficient watering.
10. Monitor for Pests: Visually survey plants weekly for pests and take action early to prevent high populations that are difficult to control.
11. Refresh Mulch: Maintain soil moisture by refreshing mulch around plants.
12. Weed Control: Remove weeds to reduce competition for water with your plants.

 

With this May garden checklist, you're well-equipped to embrace the season's abundance and nurture a thriving garden.

Ask your local UC Master Gardener Program.

Have a gardening question? UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help. Click here to Find a Program and connect with your local UC Master Gardener Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE. Happy gardening! 

 

The Day That Barbie, Bugbie and Bugs Swept Briggs Hall

Think pink? Of course! Marielle Simone Hansel Friedman, a second-year doctoral student in the lab of urban landscape...

Marielle Hansel Friedman of the Emily Meineke lab talks about scorpions to visitors at Briggs Hall during the UC Davis Picnic Day. In back is Em Jochim of the Jason Bond lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Marielle Hansel Friedman of the Emily Meineke lab talks about scorpions to visitors at Briggs Hall during the UC Davis Picnic Day. In back is Em Jochim of the Jason Bond lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In the pink! Staffing the Entomology Graduate Student Association booth are (from left) Marshall Nakatani, Curtis Carlson and Richard Martinez. The T-shirts were among the top three best sellers of the day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In the pink! Staffing the Entomology Graduate Student Association booth are (from left) Marshall Nakatani, Curtis Carlson and Richard Martinez. The T-shirts were among the top three best sellers of the day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gardeners With Heart: Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/4W_CYgEmNF8

As we bring National Volunteer Month to a close, we are honored to highlight a group of outstanding UC Master Gardener volunteers who have been nominated for their work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their communities. These UC Master Gardeners have demonstrated a dedication to creating a more inclusive environment in gardening and volunteerism. Join us as we celebrate these inspiring Gardeners with Heart for their invaluable contributions to fostering diversity and equity in gardening and beyond.

Kathy Kaplan, a UC Master Gardener of Santa Clara County, embodies the spirit of inclusivity and effective volunteer leadership. She cultivates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. Kathy created and helps run “The One World Kitchen Garden” at the Martial Cottle Park Demonstration Garden. The “One World Kitchen Garden” demonstrates growing edible plants embraced by the many cultures represented across Santa Clara County, showcasing the rich diversity in our local communities. To promote inclusion in the program, Kathy intentionally plans two weekly demo garden workdays, one during the week and one on weekends, to accommodate MGs with different employment statuses and schedules.

Linda Mansell, Julie Avis, Guma, Kim Jacobs, and Rudolfo Milito form a dynamic team within the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County that supports its DEI efforts. This team's extensive work translating resources into Spanish has expanded access to gardening knowledge and resources for Spanish-speaking communities across California. Each month, the team translates its gardening advice column in the Press Democrat for use in the Spanish column, La Prensa, offering seasonally relevant advice on sustainable gardening and increasing awareness of the program and resources throughout Sonoma County. The county's Spanish website features links to videos they have produced in Spanish on multiple gardening topics.  The team translated video scripts from English and reviewed them for cultural appropriateness. The team volunteers at events in the Latino community, distributes documents in Spanish, and answers questions.  All of the UC Master Gardener projects in Sonoma County and across California benefit from the contributions of the Spanish translation team!

Debbie Spurling, a UC Master Gardener of Sutter-Yuba, has demonstrated dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within her local program. As project leader for the UC Master Gardener training program, Debbie worked alongside several counties to determine best practices for volunteer recruitment. She ensured those elements were used in the volunteer advertising and interviewing process. Debbie also spearheaded a new mentorship program in the county to improve retention of new volunteers. This program was inspired by her own class graduating and experiencing a feeling of not being included in the larger population. She vowed that this would not be something other trainees would feel moving forward. At every step of developing and running the mentorship program, Debbie has worked to ensure that decisions were made through the diversity and inclusion lens, including in choosing a diverse selection of speakers. The mentorship program has gotten rave reviews from new UC Master Gardeners who say they have felt more included and welcomed.

We are immensely grateful for the dedication, passion, and hard work that Kathy Kaplan, Linda Mansell, Julie Avis, Guma, Kim Jacobs, Rudolfo Milito, and Debbie Spurling have demonstrated in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UC Master Gardener community. Their collective efforts have enriched the lives of individuals and families, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all. As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, let us extend our heartfelt appreciation to these Gardeners with Heart for their invaluable service and commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive world.

About National Volunteer Month and Gardeners with Heart

During National Volunteer Month (April 1 - 30), the UC Master Gardener Program celebrates its incredible volunteers and their contributions to California communities. Gardeners with Heart were identified by local county leadership as diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders because of their commitment to building connections with community-based organizations and underrepresented communities. Join us in honoring their dedication and passion for making a difference in the lives of others. If you would like to get involved and learn more about gardening in your community, you can find your local program here.

MG with heart color logo blue gloves gold trim

California Honey Festival Is the Place to 'Bee'

Show me the honey? Show me the California Honey Festival. The annual event, which emphasizes the importance of bees, and...

Bee observation hives attract attention at the annual California Honey Festival. Visitors delight in pointing out the queen bee and checking out the workers and drones. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bee observation hives attract attention at the annual California Honey Festival. Visitors delight in pointing out the queen bee and checking out the workers and drones. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

"Queen bee" Amina Harris, retired director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center that she founded in 2012, also co-founded the California Honey Festival in 2017. In this archived photo from last year, she offers attendees a taste of honey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

"Queen bee" Amina Harris, retired director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center that she founded in 2012, also co-founded the California Honey Festival in 2017. In this archived photo from last year, she offers attendees a taste of honey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

At the 2023 California Honey Festival, Wendy Mather, co-program manager of the California Master Beekeeper Program, delighted in greeting the crowd and posing for photos. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

At the 2023 California Honey Festival, Wendy Mather, co-program manager of the California Master Beekeeper Program, delighted in greeting the crowd and posing for photos. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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