- Author: Anne E Schellman
Our dedicated group of trainees began an intensive learning program in January, meeting each week for 4 ½ hours. They heard form expert speakers from University of California on topics including soils, water management, ornamental plants, drought tolerant plants, turf management, landscape tree care, integrated pest management, weed identification and management, fruit and nut tree care, vegetable gardening, and so much more!
During the classes, we had hands-on learning activities, plenty of time for questions, all while enjoying delicious potluck food. Everything was going smoothly. In mid-March, we learned that due to COVID-19, we could no longer meet in person. Several UCCE Master Gardener Programs across the state canceled their trainings.
We are so proud of this new group of 31 Master Gardeners who have joined our 2019 class to make a total of 55 UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners! Although they cannot be out in the community just yet, we are finding opportunities for them to share their knowledge through Zoom, our help line, and other projects.
Will there be a 2021 Master Gardener Class?
We know that many of you are disappointed. We feel this way as well. If you are interested in the next program, and haven't signed up yet, please fill out this survey at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=28350
We will contact you when it is time to start recruiting for our next class.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Question: Can you name a fun way to compost some of your kitchen scraps?
Answer: Vermicomposting, using worms to eat your "garbage!"
Vermicomposting is the process of keeping red wriggler worms in a “hotel” where they eat food scraps and other organic materials like paper and cardboard. Hotels can be simple or fancy, and the materials needed are easy to put together. This odorless hotel can be kept anywhere inside your house, or outdoors if you prefer.
Our local UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners will tell you which foods worms prefer and demonstrate how to create a hotel and feed your worms. You'll go home with information on how to start your own bin.
This class may appeal to the kids in your family, so be sure to bring them along. We hope you will join us for this fun class to learn about this sustainable way of turning waste into compost!
Please sign up for our Thursday, November 14, 2019 class from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Classes/
- Author: Anne E Schellman
This past week, the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners held a class about pollinators and the plants they prefer. Speakers from Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society helped the audience “meet” many local pollinators found in our county.
Everyone knows about honey bees, but many might not realize there are over 4,000 native bees in California nor be able to recognize them.
Pop Quiz
At the beginning of the class, one speaker showed the image above and asked the audience, “How many bees are in this photo?” Participants shouted out several numbers, but most didn't know the answer. Take a moment to view each insect and count the bees. How many did you find? The answer and insect identities are at the very bottom of the page.
Conservation
Education about pollinators is important so people can learn how to recognize bees and incorporate sustainable gardening practices that help protect them.
Our program plans to create a pollinator collection to have on display at events to help people learn how to recognize these helpful insects. We also plan to have more classes about pollinators throughout the county. In the meantime, you can consult the following pollinator resources.
Native bees and other pollinators
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab
Best plants for native bees and pollinators
Visit these sites for lists and information about plants native bees and butterflies prefer that provide pollen and nectar. Many local nurseries and garden centers also carry these plants.
California Native Plant Society
Plant California
Visit a Local Garden!
You can see a local pollinator garden by visiting the La Loma Native Garden located near downtown Modesto.
Answer
Six of the insects are bees!
- Fly
- Bumble bee
- Butterfly
- Sweat bee
- Grasshopper
- Mining bee
- Mason bee
- Honey bee
- Velvet ant (actually a wasp)
- Metallic green sweat bee
Special thanks to the Natural Resources Conservation Council and the Xerces Society for making this class possible. The first photo in this article is based on a study written in Frontiers in Ecology called Public support of bee conservation.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Every time you eat a fruit, vegetable, or nut, you may want to thank a pollinator. Without them, our diet would lack many of the vitamins and minerals we need to survive.
Often honeybees get all the kudos for pollinating, and they do a great job. But there are other pollinators involved too, including bumblebees, other species of bees*, birds, bats, butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles, and even flies.
June 17-23, 2019 is Pollinator Week, but you can celebrate pollinators all year long by creating a pollinator-friendly landscape. Here is a short list of things you can do now:
- Situate your garden in a sunny location
- Provide a variety of habitats such as shrubs, tall grasses, and low growing plants
- Leave some area of your ground bare (for ground-nesting bees & wasps)
- Use plants that provide pollen and nectar
- Use a mix of plants that bloom throughout the growing season
- Choose less toxic pesticide options and apply them in the early morning or evening
If you have questions or need assistance with any of these suggestions, feel free to contact the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners at (209) 525-6800 or ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu
Please join us when we recommend pollinator-friendly plants during our next free class on Low Water Use Landscaping on Thursday, June 27 from 6:00-7:30 in Modesto. Sign up at http://ucanr.edu/lowwater2019
In the fall we plan to hold a class all about pollinators, so stay tuned!
* Visit the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab Common Bee Groups of California to see photos of other types of bees you may find in your landscape. http://www.helpabee.org/common-bee-groups-of-ca.html
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County are holding a free Spring Gardening Class on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Agriculture Center on 3800 Cornucopia Way in Modesto at Harvest Hall, Rooms D&E.
Come learn which vegetables to plant and when to start seeds indoors for spring planting. Examples of vegetables we will talk about include:
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
And many more! This class is free, but please visit http://ucanr.edu/spring2019 or call Anne Schellman at (209) 525-6862 to sign up. Space is limited, so please reserve your seat today.
This family-friendly class is open to everyone. Participants will receive free seeds (while supplies last). There is plenty of parking around Harvest Hall, but please come early if you've never been to our site. There will be signs to direct you to the classroom.
If you aren't already, please follow us on Facebook or Twitter @UCCEMGStanislaus.