- Author: Anne E Schellman
If you've always wanted to grow vegetables, but don't have the space, this class will help you get started. You'll learn which vegetable plants grow best in containers, which size container to choose, and how to plant, care for, and harvest warm season vegetable crops. This is a great class for beginning gardeners. Attendees will receive free seeds.
To sign up for the class, please see information below. Do not post to this blog. These classes are taught by our Master Gardener Program volunteers.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Wow! Its been a busy, productive year. The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Stanislaus County Master Gardener Program started it's first training class in January of 2019. Twenty-three Master Gardeners graduated in June and have been volunteering in the community ever since.
Before you read a synopsis of what we've been up to, I'd like to ask you to support our programs. #GivingTuesday is TODAY! Help us continue on our mission by visiting http://bit.ly/MGStanislaus to give directly to our program. If you give early, ANR will MATCH your donation!
Here are just a few of the events and classes we've held so far:
July 2019 - Stanislaus County Fair
We were excited to have a booth in front of the horticulture building to announce the start of our program! We connected with over 350 people in just a few days! This was a great way to recruit volunteers for our 2020 class.
July to present - Modesto and Oakdale Farmers Markets
Volunteers were present every week at the Oakdale Farmers Market, and at the Modesto Farmers Market on various Thursdays and Saturdays. We gave out free vegetable seeds and instructions on how to grow your own healthy produce.
October 23, 2019 - Imagine a Day Without Water
Volunteers created a poster board to show best practices for conserving water, as well as handed out a low-water-use plant list. If you'd like to have this list, email us at ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu to request a copy.
November 9, 2019 Salmon Festival, Knights Ferry
Although a small town, Knights Ferry is a part of Stanislaus County too! Volunteers connected with many community members and enjoyed participating in the Eco-Quiz that taught attendees about wise water use.
November 14, 2019 - Vermicomposting Basics Class
This is one of the first classes the Master Gardeners taught on their own! Five volunteers learned everything you need to know to start a worm bin, why worms eat our garbage, and how they can help reduce adding waste to the landfill.
Wednesdays, August 2019 through December 11 – Master Gardener Help Line
Master Gardeners are available at our office to answer gardening and pest management questions! Since we started in August, we've had pest management questions about ants, cockroaches, powdery mildew, fireblight, and giant whitefly, just to name a few. We had a lot of gardening questions regarding shade trees and fruit trees, as well as vegetables. Our favorite question was “what are the best tasting tomatoes to grow for our area?”
If you have a question for our helpline, you can submit it online at the email address above or leave us a message at (209) 525-6802. Or stop by and see us at the Agricultural Center. Our office is in the Stanislaus Building, Suite A at 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, 95358. We are here Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon each week.
- 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
I'm excited to announce that we've partnered with Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society to bring a class all about pollinators!
You can sign up for our event at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2019 It's being held Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Harvest Hall Rooms D&E at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center.
Please join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators, the plants and habitats they prefer, and the best way to “invite” them to your landscape! Free wildflower seed packets for participants while they last.
We are asking for a voluntary payment of $2 per person to help pay speaker mileage fees.
Resources
Beyond the honey bee: Learn more about California native bees. UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. Taken from https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/blog/beyond-honey-bee-learn-more-about-california-native-bees on August 21, 2019.
- 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
