In mid-March, many people use clover-themed decorations in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. Many gardens and landscaped areas are “decorated” with clovers too, especially with recent rains and mild temperatures in much of California. For some people, clovers are considered weeds, but others enjoy the green color they bring!
Clovers begin to germinate in the fall and continue throughout winter and early spring. Their bright green leaves can blemish the look of lawns and may be unsightly when found in ornamental plantings.
Clovers growing in lawns or landscapes are often a sign of low soil nitrogen, so changing fertilization can help prevent their growth. Read the UC IPM publication
Psyllids are small insects that suck plant juices. Few of the over 140 native species of psyllids in California ever cause significant damage to plants. However, about 18 exotic species accidentally introduced from other countries can be pests on ornamentals or fruit trees. Some are often controlled by natural enemies; others occasionally require suppression with pesticides. Learn about biology, identification and management of psyllids in a revised UC IPM Pest Note: Psyllids authored by John Kabashima, UCCE Orange County; Tim Paine, UC Riverside; Kent Daane, UC Berkeley; and Steve Dreistadt, UC IPM Program. This publication features color photographs of all the...