- Author: Anne E Schellman
Who are the Master Gardeners?
Master Gardeners are volunteers from the community trained to help answer questions about gardening and pest management.
How are Master Gardeners Trained?
Classes are taught by University experts on water management, soils and fertilizers, ornamental and drought tolerant plants, landscape tree care, vegetable and fruit tree care, pest management, and more. Each session is approximately 5 hours long. The 2022 training program will be held weekly from January through early June (19 weeks).
Program requirements include weekly reading and quizzes, a final project and a final exam. Collaboration on assignments is encouraged, and trainees are provided any needed assistance by Master Gardener mentors.
How Can I Apply to Become a Master Gardener Trainee?
Visit Become a UCCE Master Gardener website page to read more and fill out an online application before August 31.
*You must be a Stanislaus County resident to apply. For other county programs, visit http://mg.ucanr.edu/FindUs/
You can watch the class on our YouTube channel, http://ucanr.edu/youtube/ucmgstanislaus and follow along using a handout from our Classes and Workshops page https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Classes/.
One of our volunteers, Denise Godbout-Avant, filmed a short video showing how much of our earth's water is fresh, and how much is available for people to use. This is a fascinating and eye-opening example you will not want to miss. Watch it here:
- Author: Ed Perry
Symptoms of Blossom-End Rot
The first symptom is usually the appearance of a small spot at or near the blossom scar of green fruits. As the spot enlarges, the affected tissues dry out and become light brown to dark brown. The area then develops into a well defined sunken spot, with the tissues collapsed and leathery. The spot can grow large enough to cover the entire bottom half of the fruit. The skin remains unbroken because it is the tissues beneath that have dried out and collapsed. The disorder not only affects tomatoes, but can also occur on peppers and squash. While the fruit looks unappetizing, you can still eat it - just cut out the affected part.
Causes of Blossom-End Rot
Tips for Preventing Blossom-End Rot
There are several things you can do to prevent the calcium deficiency, and blossom end rot. First, water deeply, and on a regular schedule, especially during hot weather. Use a soil-covering mulch around your plants to conserve moisture, especially if your soil is sandy. If you are growing tomatoes in containers filled with a porous potting soil, you may need to water the plants every day during hot periods. When cultivation is necessary, it should not be too near
the plants nor too deep, so that valuable water absorbing roots remain uninjured and viable. The best way of preventing the disorder is to maintain adequate and uniform soil moisture in the root zone throughout the growing season.
More Questions about Vegetables?
Stay tuned for an announcement about an upcoming in person class in August! In the meantime, fill out our Ask a Master Gardener survey http://ucanr.edu/ask/ucmgstanislaus and attach any applicable photos.
References
UC IPM http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/ENVIRON/blossomendrot.html
Ed Perry is the emeritus Environmental Horticultural Advisor for University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Stanislaus County where he worked for over 30 years.
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>- 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
How to Apply - Updates
Originally, we planned to accept electronic applications only. Since then, technical difficulties have occurred (and continue to occur) on our website. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are now accepting application multiple ways:
- Pick up an application at our office.
- Download the fillable PDF. Type in your information.
- Download the PDF and print. Fill it out (please do not use cursive writing).
- Apply online https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Become_a_UCCE_MG/
Due Date - August 31, 2021*
- Send your application to UCCE Master Gardeners, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Ste A, Modesto, CA 95358.
- Drop applications to our our address above. We are located in the Stanislaus Building.
- Scan and email to ucmgstanisaus@ucanr.edu
*late applications will be put on a wait list. You must be a Stanislaus County resident to apply. For other county programs, visit http://mg.ucanr.edu/FindUs/
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