- Author: Paul M Vossen
Click on photos to see details.
The number of chilling hours (below 45oF) required by fruit trees varies from about 100 for figs to over 1,000 for apples. It also varies by variety within each species. It is even more complicated than that. Using the old system of measurement, which just adds up the number of hours of temperatures below 45oF (November 2013 through February 2014) we had 1,339 hours in Santa Rosa. This is slightly above normal, as the historical average is about 1,200 per year with a range of 950 to 2,012 hours. Consequently, we would not expect to have seen any abnormal growth this spring, but we did. This occurred because not all chilling hours are equally effective and because chilling hours accumulated at night can be cancelled by warm daytime temperatures.
Paul Vossen, Specialty Crops Advisor pmvossen@ucanr.edu
Available as PDF Low Chilling in 2014 Causes Fruit Tree Problems
- Author: Chenoa and Denise Van Gerpen
“Fashion Fiesta” was this year's theme for the Sonoma County 4-H Fashion Revue. The event was held on April 19th, 2014 and was well attended. This year we had 9 different categories for the 4-H members to choose from, they were: Traditional, Upcycled, Wearable Arts (Embellished), Needle Arts, $40.00 Purchased, Textile (Quilted, Woven or Felted), 2 State Fashion Revue Challenges, Denim and Apron, and the most popular County Challenge.
Each member who participated at the event wore an outfit that they either sewed, purchased or created with knitting, crocheting or embellishments.
Modeling before the judges was first on the agenda, where each member would explain how they created their outfit. If they entered the Purchased category they needed to explain how much money they spent for the entire outfit including accessories, which had to be no more than $40.00, what the amount of money saved was and how versatile the outfit would be with the rest of their wardrobe. The Aprons that were sewed for Apron category, could only be made using either the McCalls patterns 6132 or 6476.
For this year's County Challenge category each member took home a pre-cut piece of dye-ready quilted fabric (that was generously donated to the event by Bella Notte Linens) in the shape of a Serape. They were then encouraged to make it uniquely their own, by dyeing the fabric, adding applique, or with other means of embellishment.
After a short break for lunch, family and friends were treated to a Fashion Show by the participants, which was then followed with Awards. 2014 Fashion Revue Results
This was a great day of clothing & fashion for everyone who attended. 
- Author: Amelia Johnson alj012@ucsd.edu
Amelia (pictured) presented data from the coho program during her talk “Are low summer flows limiting survival of salmonids at the stream and watershed scales in the Russian River watershed?” Amelia discussed data from the 2013 summer snorkel and fall flow surveys the coho program conducted across the watershed. Data showed limited habitat availability during the peak dry season for coho salmon, due to dry and intermittently flowing stream reaches.
For more information, visit Sea Grant Extension Program
- Author: Mimi Enright menright@ucanr.edu
The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners launched a partnership with the Sonoma County Water Agency in November 2013 called “”. Under the Garden Sense program, a team of two Master Gardeners with specialized training in water efficiency schedule visits with interested Sonoma County homeowners to advise on how to transform their landscape from one that gulps water to one that sips.
Garden Sense consultants have been trained in lawn conversion, water management, irrigation systems, low-water-use plants and sustainable gardening practices.
There are a wide range of planned activities by the clients with whom we have consulted ranging from a complete re-landscape of yards with new irrigation, water-wise plants and mulching to simple irrigation improvements.
Every small step helps!
There has been a very positive response to the program, and homeowners seem genuinely grateful for assistance with recommendations in their specific home landscape. The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners will be conducting a survey later this year to assess actual impact of changes homeowners have made in landscape water use practices as a results of the Garden Sense program. Contact the Master Gardeners at 707-565-2608 or visit Garden Sense
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Nine members of the UCCE Sonoma office, and one reluctant 4-Her (the authors daughter pictured here), attended the Board of Supervisors meeting to accept the recognition.
The Bird Rescue Center made a presentation and brought along a couple of friends including the Great Horned Owl pictured here. It was raised by humans so it cannot hunt, but it is a really good ambassador for the Bird Rescue Center!
(L-R)Top: Supervisor Gorin, Deborah Curle, Rhonda Smith, Rachel Ludovise, Linda Peterson, Mimi Enright, Paul Olin, Judy Ludovise, Karen Giovannini, Supervisor Rabbit
Front: Lisa Bell, Stephanie Larson, Supervisor McGuire, Supervisor Zane
