What are invasive species?
Invasive species are organisms that are not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. Not all non-native species are invasive. To be considered invasive, an introduced plant species must meet these criteria, established by the EPA:
- Has few germination requirements, enabling it to adapt to the new environment easily
- Grows rapidly
- A prolific seed producer with effective dispersal systems
- Free of natural enemies and diseases
- Harms the environment, property, the economy, or the native plants and animals of the region
Plant Invasion in California's Central Valley
Of the invasive species listed on the California Invasive Plant Council Inventory, about 37% were accidentally introduced to the state. The remaining 63%, however, were intentionally introduced for purposes such as landscape ornamentals, soil stabilization, animal forage, human food, fiber, or medicinal.
Role of Plant Nurseries
University of California Integrated Pest Management has a Pest Notes link on invasive plants (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74139.html) which lists the results of UC Master Gardener surveys of invasive plants for sale in California nurseries. Invasive plants rarely or no longer sold are listed.
What Can We Do?
Some ways you can help:
- Educate yourself regarding California's invasive horticultural plants, avoid planting them, and plant their alternatives for your garden.
- If an invasive plant already exists in your garden, at the very least, the plant should be kept in a vegetative state, so it does not reproduce. If you choose to remove these plants, it is important to make sure reproductive parts do not escape during the removal process.
- Do not to transport any reproductive parts such as fruit, seed, or root pieces by animal, human or vehicle to areas where plants have not been established. If you go camping or hiking in nature, clean your camping and hiking gear to ensure you are not accidentally spreading hitchhiking invasive species. If you bring a dog(s) along, clean their fur before leaving the park or wilderness area. Stay on designated trails and roads.
- Encourage local nurseries and garden centers not to sell invasive plants.
- Join removal efforts. Chances are you can find invasive species volunteer opportunities nearby. Check out your closest state or national park's website to see if they host invasive species walks—many organize half-day or day hikes where you learn to identify and help remove invasive plants.
Becoming a part of ongoing efforts to manage or eradicate the invasive non-native plant species in our state will help reduce their negative impacts on our natural resources. Planting native beauties in your garden is a simple way to help these plants survive and benefit the local fauna food webs.
Resources:
- UC IPM - Invasive Plants: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74139.html
- Plant Right - PlantRight is a project that was developed and managed by Sustainable Conservation, a California-based environmental nonprofit, from 2005-2019. In 2019, the new home of PlantRight became Plant California Alliance, which was formed through the merger of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers, and the Nursery Growers Association. Includes a list of invasive plants in selected regions of CA and native substitutes: https://plantright.org/
- California Invasive Plant Council: https://www.cal-ipc.org/
- A list of plants not to put in your garden and alternatives: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/dont-plant-me
- PlayCleanGo provides ways for stopping the spread of invasive species: https://playcleango.org
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardener since 2020.
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Now is the time to start thinking about which delicious vegetables you want to grow in your garden. Ted and Rho will go over all the possibilities with you in this class.
Spring Vegetables
These vegetables don't mind the cold and can be planted from seed in February. They may grow slowly, but as weather warms they will grow more quickly. Lettuce, Swiss Chard, arugula, mustard greens, and other leafy greens do well. Radishes, beets, carrots, turnips, and happy during this time as well. However, by late spring/early summer, many of these plants can't take the heat and may “bolt,” sending up flower stalks that the bees enjoy.
Summer Vegetables
You can plant these vegetables from seed or transplant in late March. They prefer warm weather and may “sulk” and grow very slowly if you plant them too early. These vegetables include melons, squash, winter squash, corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Hope to “see” you there!
Where*: On Zoom. You will receive a link the morning of the class.
When: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register at: http://ucanr.edu/spring/veg/2022
Instructors: Master Gardeners Rho Yare and Ted Hawkins
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- Author: Anne E Schellman
If you have a gardening question about a plant with concerning symptoms, you can submit details and photos using our Ask a Master Gardener Survey. But what if we can't tell what's wrong from your photos? If this is the case, we may ask you to drop off a sample to our office.
We are located on the corner of Crow's Landing and Service Road, so before you make the trip, please watch this video featuring our Master Gardener Program Advisor, (as well as the Home Orchards and Vineyards Systems Advisor for Stanislaus County) Dr. Kari Arnold. She demonstrates how to take a sample that can help us best solve your problem.
Master Gardener Help Desk Hours
Our Master Gardener volunteers work the Help Desk on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please feel free to call or stop by.
When Can I Drop Off a Sample?
You can drop off a sample anytime. Leave it with our front office staff. Make sure to fill out a client contact record with your information and details about the problem (unless you've already done so using our online survey).
When Will I Hear Back?
The sample will be reviewed and you'll receive a call or email (if you prefer) from a Master Gardener within 5 business days. When we call, you will see our number - (209) 525-6802. Emails will come from ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu
Feel free to call anytime and leave a message to request a call back about a gardening problem. We look forward to helping you!
Our Location
UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners
Stanislaus Building
3800 Cornucopia Way Ste A
Modesto, CA 95358
Native (Bee) Pollinators
Take a quiz on your knowledge of native bee pollinators, learn about the three types of pollinator nesting, and see examples of what types of plants pollinators prefer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOGDSNJJoh8&t=6s
Planting for Pollinators
Learn about the local native bee pollinators and hummingbirds you might see in your backyard, and what kind of plants they prefer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naL3BM5aP-s&t=5s
Butterflies in Your Garden
Find out how to have more butterflies in your garden, by learning which plants are required for butterflies to complete their lifecycle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHXSdtxicII&t=6s
Follow Along
Download the handouts from any of our classes by visiting our Classes and Workshops web page at https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Classes/
This post was originally published on June 24, 2021.
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Despite COVID-19, the Sensory and Pollinator Garden committee volunteers have been hard at work, drawing up their “wish list” of desired plants, path materials, benches, and other structures. Our goal today is to raise $3,000 more for the gardens.
We envision accessible gardens not only for employees of the Ag Center, but for anyone to visit and explore. Bring a picnic lunch, snap photos of plants (and their name tags) and get inspired by plant arrangements.
Donate Now
Please make your gift for #BigDigDay https://ucanr.edu/sites/BigDig/ now to help us fund the Sensory and Pollinator Gardens! Navigate to Stanislaus County, and then using the drop-down menu, select “Master Gardener Fund.” Your donation will go directly to help fund the garden. You can also send a check made out to UC Regents to 3800 Cornucopia Way Ste A, Modesto, CA 95358.
We have just learned that thanks to matching gifts from UC ANR, $100 will go to the first 40 groups that raise $500 or more total, a $250 prize to the first 4 groups with the most NEW donors, and a $500 prize will go to the first 10 groups that secure a single $500 gift or sponsor. Please donate as soon as you can to help us match our funds, and thank you for considering our project!
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