[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: Rho Yare
The tomato, commonly called a vegetable, is a fruit botanically, and hard to believe but the tomato was the center of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Nix vs. Hedden. Now, this is a fascinating bit of historical trivia. In the 1800's there was a tariff that put a tax on imported vegetables. Well, a business owner in New York City named John Nix wasn't too happy about this. He sued Edward Hedden, the “Collector of the Port of NYC” (tax collector). Mr. Nix declared that since tomatoes are a fruit, he was owed back taxes.
In Stanislaus County from early July and for months afterward, you'll see tomato truck gondolas on the road 24 hours a day filled with red, ripe tomatoes rushing to processors. We have perfect tomato growing conditions.
A tomato is not too picky. That's another reason it's so popular to grow. All that is required is full sun, an area (container or ground) with some soil, a support of some type, some water, some fertilizer, and a little love.
If you are a container/patio gardener, look on the label or tag for the term “determinate,” as these plants work best in containers. Also, anything named patio or pixie. Cherry tomato varieties are indeterminate but work great in a container. Use at least a 5-gallon bucket-sized container (with holes in the bottom). Your plant will need some support, but not as much as the indeterminate varieties.
To ensure your plant is planted correctly, make your hole as wide and deep as the root ball of the plant. This is the area of soil and roots that you remove from the original container. The cool thing about tomatoes is you can plant them as deep as you need to if they are leggy.
To plant, carefully remove the root ball, and gently loosen the root mass and with gardening clippers or scissors remove lower branches. You are going to plant about 1/3 of the green plant below the soil. Gently pat the soil around the plant . Don't forget to place your support around or next to the plant now so you don't forget. Water gently and stand back and admire your gardening expertise. And imagine those delicious tomatoes gracing your salad, sandwich, or as I like to do, eat them out of my hand with a few napkins to catch the juice.
I hope you plant at least one tomato plant this season and send us pictures of your successes to ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu. Happy gardening and enjoy those dirty hands.
Be sure to join Rho on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. for Spring Container Vegetable Gardening. Sign up on our class website at https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Classes/
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Rho Yare will teach you everything you need to know about growing spring vegetables in containers.
How can I watch the presentation live?
You'll need to download Zoom to your device and create an account. If you are new to Zoom, we recommend watching these helpful videos to be prepared ahead of time for the class.
- How to create an account and download zoom. https://youtu.be/qsy2Ph6kSf8?t=33
- Test out zoom's audio controls to make sure you can hear*: https://youtu.be/HqncX7RE0wM
- How to join a meeting.https://youtu.be/hIkCmbvAHQQ
- Download Zoom at https://zoom.us/download
I don't have Zoom
If you can't watch the presentation live, you can still see it later! We are working on creating a brand-new YouTube Channel. When the video is ready, we will upload it to Youtube and post about it. The video will include closed captioning* so all viewers can be sure to have the information.
I wish I had the presentation so I could take notes!
Not a problem! We will send a pdf of the presentation to everyone who signs up. You can either print it or keep it as a reference on your computer.
Sign up Now
Please sign up for our class by visiting our Classes and Workshops page. The week of the class, you'll receive the Zoom link.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Our program had a fantastic spring schedule of classes and events planned. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 concerns, they've been canceled or postponed. Gardeners are innovative people by nature, so we won't let this stop us! We plan on bringing programs to you virtually.
Library Gardening Series
Our first Stanislaus County Library Partnership Series: Container Vegetable Gardening was held at the Riverbank branch in early March. We can't offer this class right now at the other branches, so we are going virtual! Our plan is to hold a Zoom webinar featuring Master Gardener Rho Yare. It will include online vegetable gardening book recommendations from the Stanislaus County Library.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a service that allows presenters to hold meetings or give online seminars. If you have a computer, visit https://zoom.us/download and choose ”Zoom Client for Meetings.” Next, open the download to install it. Zoom is also available as a free app for your tablet or smart phone.
Once you have Zoom installed, enter your name and create and password. Having Zoom means you can video chat with your friends free for 40 minutes. Our organization subscribes to Zoom, so we can offer online presentations that everyone can join or listen to later.
Class Sign Ups
A week before the class, we will post an announcement about our upcoming webinar on The Stanislaus Sprout. Just before it starts, click on the link to join. You will be able to see the presenter and their slides. You won't be able to talk during the class, but you can type your questions into the chat feature located on the bottom of the screen.
What if I can't/don't want to use Zoom?
No problem! After the class, we will import the video on our soon-to-be-created Youtube Channel. We will make an announcement when it's ready.
We hope this email finds our Stanislaus County gardening friends staying healthy and sheltering/gardening in place as much as possible.
- Author: Rho Yare
Rho Yare is a first year Master Gardener in Stanislaus County.
In most cases plants are forgiving, will not lecture you, give away any of your secrets, request money nor the car keys. Those plants in your yard, patio or on the balcony might just need a little love and right now you have the time.
If you are fortunate to have some land around your home perhaps this would not only give you other options of things to do while at home but make your world more attractive and interesting. Wander round your space and reacquaint yourself to what is planted there. This might be a good time to weed, trim, or remove shrubs or plants that are no longer looking their best. Perhaps checking the irrigation system or planning some changes that you might like to make to your outside environment.
At this point all the health experts are telling us that spending time outside is good for us if you are healthy and if we do not congregate with those not in our immediate living situation. Including young people in the exploration of your garden/yard is a wonderful way to talk to them in a relaxed setting and listen to their fears, interests, and frustrations. If there are no young people in your home, then this might be a perfect time for a solo garden experience.
You could invite that person who shares your home to join you outside in your gardening area to keep you company while you work. A change in routine and space can sometimes produce surprising results. Sharing this time might make communication easier and perhaps alleviate some fears and anxieties about COVID-19 and the future.
Getting away from all those screens and looking at something besides the inside of your home could be beneficial to your mental wellbeing. If you have a patio or balcony you can still garden and have the benefits of exercise, stress reduction, beautification, education, and possibly a food source.
Children are especially excited when the seeds they plant in containers begin to sprout little green leaves. You might already have some containers that can be used for your small space garden.
Or consider the next time you make that trip to purchase home supplies at a grocery or variety store you add a container, some soil, and a package or two of seeds. It is amazing how your gardening experiment will be interesting, challenging, and have the bonus of the “I did this” factor for adults as well as for young people.
Although some resources have been curtailed the Internet has many sites that can give you gardening advice. Another source is the UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have completed a rigorous course of classes and would welcome your questions, offer free advice, and encouragement. Leave a message for us by phone (209) 525-6802 or email ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu
Adding gardening and outside time to your schedule might help with some of the long and possibly boring days ahead. None of us want to be “stuck” in our homes but expanding our horizons to a little beyond the four walls just might make this time more interesting for you and give you some new skills and interests.
