- Author: Anne E Schellman
Time for a fun pop quiz!
- Do you spend a lot of time gardening or thinking about gardening?
- Are you often asked for gardening advice by friends or family members?
- Do you enjoy learning new information about gardening and pest management?
- Are you interested in helping others and giving back to your community?
If you answered an enthusiastic “yes” to these questions and you live in Stanislaus County, please consider applying for the UCCE Master Gardener Program!
What is the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program?
The program was created in the 1980's to help extend research-based information from University of California directly to the public. Volunteers are trained to preserve and encourage healthy environments with sustainable gardening, green waste reduction, and water conservation.
How are Master Gardeners Trained?
Master Gardener volunteers spend 5 hours per week for 19 weeks learning about soil, water management, ornamental and drought tolerant plants, landscape tree care, pest management, and much more. Classes are taught by University experts and advisors.
How do you become a UCCE Master Gardener?
We are taking applications for our 2020 class that will start in January. To learn more and apply:
- Visit our Become a UCCE Master Gardener website and read the training information on the page.
- Click on the bright yellow button to fill out our application form before September 8, 2019!
- Attend a mandatory orientation meeting in October
- Interview in November
- Acceptance letters mailed in early December
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Over the past few months, gardeners have asked the UCCE Master Gardeners for help with their grapes. They want to know:
- What's this white powdery substance on my grape plants?
- Why are my grapes so small?
- What's causing my grapes to split?
- What can I do to “save” my grape plants?
Powdery mildew on grapes. (Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM)
The culprit is a common grape disease called powdery mildew. This fungus leaves a telltale white powdery coating on plants. It also deforms leaves, shoots, and grapes. Young grapes can be stunted or scarred, and sometimes split open.
We've told gardeners that unfortunately, powdery mildew can't be eradicated. For now, gently hosing down plants weekly with water will help to wash off and kill the spores.
In winter, prune grapes and remove and destroy infected materials. During spring, use fungicides to protect grapevines. Timing is important. Read about how and when to prevent and control this disease in the publication Pest Notes: Powdery Mildew.
Small Grapes
Small grapes are a result of too many clusters of grapes on a vine. The clusters will need to be thinned. Sometimes gardeners have trouble doing this. It may feel like you are throwing away perfectly good fruit! However, thinning out grape clusters is a necessary task that should be done in early spring during the first three to four weeks after fruit has set.
Study up on grapes now! Then you'll know what you need to do next year. For information on pruning, thinning, and growing grapes, visit The California Garden Web page Growing Grapes in Your Backyard.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Want to save water* in your home landscape but aren't sure how to get started? The Stanislaus UCCE Master Gardeners have a free class that can help! We will cover:
- Small irrigation changes you can make now to start saving water
- How to design a low water use landscape
- Irrigation tips
- Plants that thrive in low water landscapes
We will also answer these questions:
- Should I "break up with" (tear out) my lawn?
- What kind of water rebates are available if I do?
- How can I save water and keep my lawn?
- Are cacti and succulents the only plants I can grow to save water?
Class Details
Thursday, June 27, 2019 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, Harvest Hall Rooms D&E
Sign up at http://ucanr.edu/lowwater2019 or call Anne Schellman at (209) 525-6862 to reserve your space.
*Over half the water used in urban homes goes towards outdoor landscapes.
Source: Public Policy Institute of California https://www.ppic.org/publication/water-use-in-california
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Stanislaus County herb gardening enthusiasts attended a free class on Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. from the UCCE Master Gardeners.
Attendees learned the basics on how to grow herbs from seed or transplant, and how to recognize various herbs by scent and sight by looking at examples. See if you know the answers to this "Pop Quiz" given during class:
Question#1: "What is the difference between an herb and a spice?"
Question#2: "Can you name a plant that is both an herb and a spice?"
Answer#1: The herb is the leafy part of the plant, while a spice may be the bark, seeds, or plant roots (cinnamon, mustard, or ginger).
Answer#2: Cilantro is both an herb and a spice (coriander).
Here are a few other fun facts discussed during the class:
- If you want a continuous supply of annual herbs like basil, dill, and cilantro, plant from seed every 2 weeks during the growing season.
- Tiger swallowtail butterfly caterpillars eat dill and fennel.
- You can propagate some leafy herbs by pulling off the bottom leaves of a stalk and placing them in water (mints, lemon balm).
- Chamomile and chive seeds need light to germinate. Sprinkle them on top of the soil and lightly water.
- Spearmint, peppermint, and lemon balm can quickly take over a garden space. Keep them contained in pots.
- Fennel is an invasive weed that can cause economic damage to agriculture and the environment. Avoid planting if you live around farms or open spaces.
- Pests also like herbs! If you have damage on your plants, bring in a sample to the UCCE Master Gardeners for help.
Future Events
How to Select, Plant, & Prune Landscape TreesSaturday, April 27, 2019 9:00 am to noon ($10) register now! http://ucanr.edu/trees2019
Coming This Summer and Fall
Low Water Landscaping
Pest Management In & Around the Home
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden
Fall Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
Please visit http://ucanr.edu/scmg to see class updates.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Weeds may grow more slowly this time of year, but they can still be a problem. Most of the weeds found in gardens and landscapes now are winter annuals. These weeds germinate in late summer or fall and grow during cool weather.
Annual weeds flower and set seed in spring and die in summer. Some of these weeds can produce hundreds to thousands of seeds per plant! As you may imagine, these weeds can quickly become difficult to control once established. The best time to control weeds is when they are small, before they bloom and set seed.
Manage annual winter weeds by hand pulling or hoeing, making sure you remove the entire root. Once you've cleared an area, apply 3-5 inches of mulch. Monitor your landscape weekly, pulling any weeds that emerge. Be aware that organic mulches break down and must be replaced every few years.
Young weeds in open areas can be killed using a small flaming tool. You can find these at local hardware stores or nurseries. In difficult cases where you have trouble getting control, you may want to use an herbicide. Be sure to identify your weeds before choosing a product. Read the label before application and follow directions carefully.
If you aren't sure what weeds you have in your garden, you can bring in samples to the Stanislaus UCCE Master Gardeners. Reach us at (209) 525-6800 or visit our office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the Agricultural Center on 3800 Cornucopia Way, Ste A in Modesto, 95358. You can also email photos to ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu.
For more details on weed control, consult the following UC IPM Pest Notes: Weed Management in Landscapes and Weed Management in Lawns. 
