The Master Gardeners would like to invite you to join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators and how you can attract them to your garden. This presentation will focus on using California native plants and pollinator friendly practices to create habitat for these fascinating species.
When: May 26, 2020 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom
How: Register at: http://ucanr.edu/virtualpollinators/2020
Speaker: Chris Howington, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
Watch the Live Broadcast
To watch the presentation live, make sure Zoom is installed on your device. You'll receive the Zoom link just a few days before the presentation in an email, as well as slides for you to print so you can follow along. Please do not share this link with others.
If you don't have Zoom or want to watch the presentation at another time, it will be available on our YouTube Channel at a later date. http://ucanr.edu/uccemgyoutube
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Although we can't see you at the local Farmers Market, our Harvest Hall location, or meet with you at the Stanislaus County Fair this year, we want you to know that we have an online presence and are still offering free classes!
Spring Container Vegetable Gardening Class-available now!
Thanks to those of you who joined us for our first online class. May is here, but it's not too late to start a vegetable garden. Watch on our new Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_VH0Tcyqn2M6R8TneFa6gQ
Gardening with Pollinators
Now that many of us are sheltering-at-home, we may go outside more. You've probably seen a few pollinators buzzing about. Some of you wrote and asked if we planned to give a class on this topic. The answer is yes! Our next class will include how to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.
Save the date of May 26, 2020. Registration information coming soon.
Growing Culinary Herbs
Normally when teaching this class, we do a “show and smell” that allows everyone to touch and breathe in the aromas of these herbs. However, since we can't do this, the next best thing is to have a presentation with lots of great photos that describe the herbs and how to use them. We have a class planned for June.
Fall Container Vegetable Gardening
Once your spring vegetable garden is done, it's time to replace it with fall vegetables! Join us to learn about the vegetables that grow well during cool weather and how to care for them. This class will happen is August.
If you don't see a class you are looking for, or are excited about one of the classes below, please comment below, or contact us on our Facebook page. You can also send us an email to ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu
[From the UC IPM Pests in the Landscape Blog]
IPM is a science-based, environmentally sound strategy that farmers, professionals, and residents can use to help prevent or control pests and their damage while at the same time protecting people, bees, beneficials, pets and the planet.
Are you already using IPM?
IPM uses a combination of methods including:
- Biological control -- 'good bugs' or beneficial organisms like spiders or parasites that eat or prey on other bugs;
- Physical control -- blocking the pest from getting to a plant or in your house. Squishing a pest. Pulling weeds out by hand.
- Cultural control -- changing the conditions favoring the pest such as reducing wet areas or fertilizing less
- Chemical control -- using a pesticide that controls the pest but is less toxic to other organisms and the environment. Pesticides are considered only when other methods have not been successful.
What are some IPM examples?
Pests such as ants, flies, cockroaches and mice. Prevent them from entering your home by sealing up cracks and crevices, using weather stripping on doors and windows, and repairing and replacing screens.
Monitor outdoor pests so you can decide whether or not take action. Some IPM tactics include spraying aphids off with a forceful stream of water, handpicking caterpillars, snails, and beetle pests, or using row covers to keep pests off your plants.
After reading this article, you may discover that you already practice IPM. To learn more about integrated pest management, visit the UC IPM website What is IPM? or visit the Home, garden turf and landscape pests web page for solutions to common pest problems.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Urban landscapes are much needed resource for pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. What should you plant to attract them?
Honey bees are well-known plant pollinators, but they aren't the only bees in the landscape. California is home to over 1,600 species of native bee pollinators. Many of them may be found buzzing around in your backyard, looking for pollen and nectar.
Learn how to recognize native bees and other pollinators, and take home a list of plants they prefer. Join the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Harvest Hall at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center. Sign up at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2020 to reserve your space. Free flower seed packets for participants.
- 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.