- (Focus Area) Yard & Garden
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
A crab spider, family Thomisidae, lies motionless in a patch of lavender, waiting to ambush a honey bee.
So here I am, a crab spider, as hungry as can be
Does anyone out there feel sorry for me?
"Yes," say the arachnologists. The apiculturists say "no."
Well, I'll just hang out in the lavender and keep lying low.
Hey, looky there! I'm going to fast-track that bee.
Sorry, I am who I am, and I gotta be me.
(Was the spider successful? Or did it experience food insecurity? To be continued)
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Willows is headquarters to the Sacramento National Wildlife Complex. In January of this year, construction was completed on a beautiful new headquarters building and Visitor Center for the Complex. As part of this project, the Refuge is working on plans to establish a native plant garden around the new building. Funding will come from grants and donations arranged by Refuge partners, including Altacal Audubon and Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
On May 30th, 2024 Jared Geiser, Executive Director of AltaCal Audubon and Deborah Halfpenny, Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program Planner for AltaCal Audubon met with Refuge Project Leader Sharon Vaughn, Biologist Jennifer Isolaand Park Ranger Nikki Muench to discuss garden planning and potential volunteerism to help in the development and maintenance of the garden.
The Refuge has developed an inviting landscape plan that includes accessible trails, a dry creek bed for drainage, picnic tables, and feeders to bring birds up close for viewing. The garden will feature plants such as California Wild Rose, Coyote Bush, Bolander's Sunflower, California Poppy and Salt Grass. These native plants are adapted to the valley climate and alkaline clay soil of the refuge, and will provide habitat for birds such as finches, warblers, sparrows, towhees and kinglets as well as pollinators like Monarch butterflies and native bees.
Over the course of the next year, garden soil will be prepared to improve topography, establish drainage, and control invasive weeds. Planting is planned for the fall of 2025.
The deep overhanging roof at the front of the Visitor Center will provide a comfortable area for garden and wildlife viewing, and for hosting educational programs for students of all ages. Throughout the coming year, work will be completed on new displays and kiosks, the native plant garden, and a demonstration pond.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is open seven days a week, from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The new Visitor Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 4:00pm (subject to change, and closed on all federal holidays).
The Refuge is hopeful that with the help of partners and volunteers this garden will prove to be a vibrant focal point for their visitors: humans, birds and insects! If you are interested in becoming part of this exciting project, you can contact the Refuge volunteer program, Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge or Altacal Audubon. See details below.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Complex
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (Sacramento NWR) is one of the five National Wildlife Refuges and three Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The others are the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge (Delevan NWR); the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge (Colusa NWR); The Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR); the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (Sacramento River NWR); the Llano Seco Unit (Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA)); the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area (Butte Sink WMA); and the Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area.( Willow Creek-Lurline WMA).
Across the Complex there are many opportunities for recreation including trails, bicycling, photography, hunting, auto tours (at Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR) and environmental education.
The Complex welcomes volunteers in a variety of areas on all of its Refuges and Management Areas. Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For more information on volunteering, contact Visitor Services staff at sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov or call (530) 934-2801.
Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
This support group was formed in early 2020 by a group of individuals passionate about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Recognizing the importance of the Complex to the region and the ongoing need for additional resources, their mission is to work in partnership with the Complex and the public to maintain the Refuges and Wildlife Areas of the Complex, broaden wildlife observation and education, and expand recreational opportunities, bringing these resources to a broader audience in the Central Valley.
Find out more about how you can help on their website, or check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
The AltaCal Audobon Society
AltaCal Audobon serves Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties and, as noted on their website, is “dedicated to preserving and protecting birds and their habitats through education, monthly programs on birds and related topics, field trips to natural areas and wildlife refuges, outreach booths at local events, and youth outdoor education activities.”
AltaCal Audubon is fortunate to be located along the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for many birds, and centered in one of the most diversified wildlife regions in California. This unique area is rich with exemplary bird habitat, hosting abundant wintering waterfowl, native raptors, and varied terrestrial wildlife. Contact them at: www.altacal.org and director@altacal.org for further information.
UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area visit our website. If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu or leave a phone message on our Hotline at 530-552-5812. To speak to a Master Gardener about a gardening issue, or to drop by the MG office during Hotline hours, see the most current information on our Ask Us section of our website.
- Author: Ryan Daugherty
Why Lawns Go Full Drama Queen During Droughts
Imagine being stuck in a sauna without a drink of water.
That's your lawn during extreme dry heat. Here are the main culprits:
- Lack of Water: Duh. When it's hot outside, your lawn needs more water. But with water restrictions and the general annoyance of hauling a hose around, many lawns just don't get enough.
- Soil Compaction: If your soil is as hard as a rock, water won't penetrate it. Roots can't grow, and your grass will starve for water.
- Poor Root System: Grass with shallow roots is like a teenager with a bad Wi-Fi connection—constantly in distress. Deep roots are essential for tapping into moisture reserves, but hot, dry conditions can prevent roots from growing deep.
Common Lawncare Blunders in the Heat of the Moment
We all make mistakes, but when it comes to lawn care in extreme heat, these common goofs can turn your yard into a crispy nightmare.
- Overwatering: Believe it or not, you can overdo it. Too much water can lead to shallow roots and fungal diseases. Plus, if water just sits on the surface, it can evaporate before it even reaches the roots.
- Underwatering: On the flip side, skimping on water is a sure way to send your lawn into a death spiral. Consistency is key, folks!
- Mowing Too Low: A short tight lawn might look neat, but it's a death sentence during drought. Longer grass shades the soil, keeping it cooler and reducing evaporation.
- Fertilizing During Drought: Fertilizing during extreme heat can burn your grass and make it extra crispy.
- Ignoring Soil Health: If your soil is more barren than a Monday morning coffee pot, your grass won't thrive. Healthy soil retains moisture better and provides essential nutrients.
Strategies to Survive the Lawn-pocalypse
Alright, enough with the doom and gloom.
Here's how to be the Lawn Whisperer and keep your yard looking fabulous, even when Mother Nature is throwing a tantrum.
- Water Wisely: Water deeply and infrequently. Aim for early morning watering sessions to reduce evaporation. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, set the times so that your sprinkler cycles are ending right as the sun comes up.
- Aerate Your Lawn: Give your grass some breathing room by aerating your lawn. This reduces soil compaction and allows water to penetrate deeper. It's like giving your lawn a spa day. Try not to do it when your lawn is stressed, spring and fall are best.
- Mow High: Set your mower blade to the highest setting. Taller grass shades the soil, retains moisture, and promotes deeper root growth. Your lawn will look thick and lush in no time. Like aeration you should avoid mowing spots of stressed grass, it's only going to damage the lawn more.
- Soil Care: Improve your soil's health by adding organic matter like compost. Healthy soil holds onto water better and provides essential nutrients to your grass.
- Avoid Fertilizing During Drought: Hold off on the fertilizer until conditions improve. Focus on watering and soil care instead. When the weather cools down, your lawn will be ready for a nutrient boost.
- Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your lawn's condition and adjust your care routine as needed.
- When all else fails let it go dormant. It may not look great but the reason your lawn looks brown and crispy is because it's going dormant and protecting the crown to come back when conditions improve. If you can't provide enough water to consistently keep the grass healthy it's better in the long run to let it go dormant rather than to provide inconsistent health that drains resources that the grass will need to recover later. Grass can survive for weeks in that state but if you're going to let it go dormant, provide sufficient water every two weeks or so to keep the roots from drying out completely.
You may notice a shift in turf species growing in your lawn after a spell of drought and dormancy due to differences in stress tolerance, especially for a prolonged drought.
Embrace the Chaos?
Let's be real—sometimes, despite your best efforts, your lawn might still look like it's auditioning for a zombie movie. And that's okay, droughts are tough!
Remember, the key to surviving a Lawn-pocalypse is to stay calm. The lawn could just be responding to environmental stress, but with a little TLC and some strategic care, you can help your lawn bounce back.
Keep hydrated (both you and your lawn), and maybe learn to love a little bit of brown.
/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Blister beetles (family Meloidae) are so named because they emit a poisonous chemical, cantharidin, that can blister your skin. Don't even think about touching them!
Blister beetles can infest alfalfa hay, and are toxic--even deadly--to livestock. See "Blister Beetles" published by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.
But did you know that...
Blister beetles are pollinators!
We recently saw a blister beetle eating pollen on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. We've also seen this insect transferring pollen.
But we have yet to hear someone shout out "blister beetle" when a speaker asks the audience for a list of pollinators.
But they are pollinators...Just think of all the alliteration...bees, butterflies, beetles, birds and bats...and the double alliteration, "blister beetles."
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
When you venture into your pollinator garden, look for the beauty, color, diversity and the intensity that surrounds you. You will be astounded.
- A honey bee nectaring on lavender in a soft-pastel scenario.
- A katydid nymph crawling (backlit) on a blanketflower, Gaillardia.
- A Gulf Fritillary butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, nectaring on Lantana
- A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, perched on a Cosmo
- A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, exiting a lavender patch.
You're the gardener, and you'll be using your garden tools...pruning shears, spade, trowel, garden fork, hoe, hand rake...
But another good garden tool--and an indispensable one--is the camera. You just never know when a buddy shows up in the garden...