- Author: Michael Hsu
UC Cooperative Extension advisors, educators join growers in showcasing rice production
When Tracy Schohr volunteered in her son's pre-K class a couple years ago, she was stunned to find out that only two of the 20 children had ever been around a tractor. And this was in the rural Butte County community of Gridley, in the heart of California's rice-growing region.
Seeking to introduce more young children to agriculture, Schohr – the University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor for the area – and her friend Lisa Donati created an event to showcase rice farming.
After the debut of “Ricetastic Day” last year with about 140 students from Gridley in attendance, this year's event on Sept. 19 attracted more than 240 schoolchildren – this time from across south Butte County.
First graders from McKinley Primary School in Gridley, Manzanita Elementary School, Biggs Elementary School and Richvale Elementary School – along with their teachers and many family members – enjoyed hands-on experiences at Schohr's rice and cattle ranch.
“There's a dwindling population that produces the food that we eat across America, so how can we have more people know, appreciate and love agriculture if we don't give them that opportunity?” said Schohr. “That's what this day is really about – to teach them about rice, to teach them about their community, how healthy rice can be, and how the farming and ranching can also be habitat for wildlife. It's all-encompassing.”
Event stations share different aspects of rice
Schohr, who grew up on the family ranch in Gridley, remembers coming with her McKinley schoolmates for a visit. But those field trips had comprised only lunch and a quick “drive-through” tour of the historic farming operation.
For Ricetastic Day, however, Schohr organized – with generous help from local growers and community partners – a more comprehensive half-day of activities. After her brother, Ryan Schohr, welcomed the participants to the family farm, the students formed groups that were led by Gridley FFA youth on a rotation through a variety of stations.
At the milling station, Luis Espino, UCCE rice farming systems advisor, demonstrated how his mini mill machines remove the husks from rough rice to make brown rice, and then polish away the bran layer to make white rice. He had the children see and feel the difference as the rice moved through processing.
“I didn't even know brown rice existed!” exclaimed Elsie, a first grader at McKinley.
A native of Peru, Espino came to study agriculture through his lifelong fascination with biology and living things – and he said events like Ricetastic Day can inspire a similar passion in young people.
“It might spark their curiosity so that they might go into these areas of work in the future or have a career in agriculture, when they see that people do this for a living,” Espino said.
Ray Stogsdill, another McKinley school alumnus, returned to Gridley after college to pursue just such a career. A staff research associate in the lab of UC Davis professor Bruce Linquist, Stogsdill manages on-farm rice variety testing across the region. He volunteered to help Schohr with Ricetastic Day by talking about some of the heavy equipment and providing his perspective for the kids.
“They drive by the fields and they don't know what's out there,” he said. “This gives them a chance to know what they're driving by, so they can say, ‘We have rice here and this is how it works; this is how it grows.' It gives them an idea of what's going on around them.”
Where rice fits within a healthy diet was the focus for the CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension team, comprising nutrition educators Sunshine Hawjj, Joanna Aguilar and Kenia Estrada, as well as community nutrition, health and food security advisor Veronica VanCleave-Hunt. They talked about how rice – like other grains in that vital food group – gives people energy, and then taught the students an energetic “ricetastic” movement activity.
“Because our program is part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, it's important to make the connection between where our food comes from and how it gets on our plate – especially with young kids, so that we can promote value for our local agriculture and our food systems,” VanCleave-Hunt explained.
Activities spark further conversations, learning about agriculture
With rice harvest late due to late planting in the spring, Eric Waterbury of Waterbury Farms was able to take some time to attend the event. Although his family has been growing rice for three generations, he said he appreciates opportunities for the broader community to see all aspects of his work – from the equipment to the processing.
“If the kids walk away from this with one thing, I hope it's that they realize every time they have a meal, somebody was out there working hard to provide that meal,” he said. “It wasn't just the person at the grocery store that provided it for them.”
Schohr added that Ricetastic Day was only possible through the support of the community. Butte County Farm Bureau and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff helped kids make art with colorful dyed rice; neighboring farmer Tinker Storm described how the harvester and “bankout” wagon work; and rice farmers Shelley Beck and Sue Orme read aloud “Daddy's Got Dirt: A California Rice Story,” a children's book written by a local rice grower.
With rice at the center of physical activities, arts and crafts, and science lessons for the day, the students learned a lot to take home.
“It's nice that the kids got these hands-on learning experiences,” said Ryan Schohr, “so they can go home tonight and, at the dinner table, talk about it with their parents or brothers and sisters, over dinner or over homework – and share what they learned here on the farm and about their community.”
Rebecca Christy, a first- and second-grade teacher at Biggs Elementary, said she is excited to return to the classroom and hear from her students about all that they learned during the day.
“Every morning right now I'm seeing the big trucks going by our school, and so I'll be able to point that out to them, ‘Where are they going? What are they doing?'” she said. “I can't wait to get back to school and let them tell me about all of this.”
One of her students, Ximena, was finishing her brownbag lunch as the group watched one of the Schohr Ranch harvesters rumble over the field. Despite enjoying a rice cake and a rice cracker earlier, she said her meal was missing one thing.
“Where is my rice, Miss Christy?” she said. “I want rice!”
/h3>/h3>/h3>- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
UC Davis doctoral student and medical entomologist Carla-Cristina “CC” Melo Edwards of the laboratory of medical entomologist-geneticist Geoffrey Attardo of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, will be discussing mosquitoes and ticks--and how she traps them--when the Bohart Museum of Entomology hosts an open house on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Edwards will be among the scientists discussing and displaying their work and fielding questions.
The open house, themed "Museum ABCs: Arthropods, Bohart and Collecting," and free and family friendly, takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus. Parking is also free.
The event will be "an overview of terrestrial arthropods which encompasses everything from insects, arachnids, millipedes, isopods and centipedes," said Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordination. "We will also showcase some of the trapping/catching methods we use, for example, nets, lights, pitfall traps and malaise traps."
"We also get asked a lot of questions about our own collection and why the specimens don't decay," Yang added. "We will highlight the different curation techniques from pinning, point mounting, preserving in alcohol and mounting on slides."
Edwards said she will discuss and showcase "different kinds of traps that we use for mosquitoes and ticks...Different types of mosquitoes require different types of traps!"
Her doctoral research focuses on investigating the physiological mechanisms underlying pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito). She was a McNair scholar at Baylor University, where she completed her undergraduate degree in cell and molecular biology in May 2021.
The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control is scheduled to display mosquitoes and ticks; answer questions; and provide hand-outs. They annually participate in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's open house at Briggs Hall during the campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day.
The risk of contracting West Nile virus continues, according to Luz Maria Robles, public information officer. (See map of latest West Nile virus activity in Sacramento and Yolo counties.) This year, to date, the statistics show:
Yolo County: 1 dead bird and 42 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus
In addition to featuring the science of entomology, the Bohart open house will include a tribute to the late UC Davis professor Richard "Doc" Bohart (1913-2007), who founded the insect museum in 1946; served as the first director; and compiled 32 years on the UC Davis entomology faculty, Sept. 28 is his birthday anniversary and a cake to celebrate what would have been his 111th birthday will be served.
UC Davis distinguished emerita professor Lynn Kimsey, who directed the Bohart Museum for 34 years, retiring on Feb. 1, 2024, was Bohart's last graduate student. She remembers him in the audio of a newly produced video by Walter Leal, UC Davis distinguished professor of molecular and cellular biology and former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. Kimsey provides the narrative and images. Leal added excerpts from a 1996 Aggie Video production when Kimsey interviewed Bohart. (See https://youtu.be/3YqnK-CpbJE)
The Bohart Museum is the home of a global collection of eight million insect specimens. It also houses a live petting zoo (Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, tarantulas and more) and an insect-themed gift shop, stocked with t-shirts, hoodies, books, posters and jewelry, among other items. Director is Professor Jason Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and associate dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
- Author: Anne Horelly, Master Gardener
There are lots of reasons to include native plants in your garden. But do you know when the native plant movement began in California and why the use of native plants is so important?
Theodore Payne (1872-1963) is generally considered the father of the native plant movement in California. Mr. Payne was born in England and arrived in New York on June 10, 1893. By July, he had made his way to Southern California where he spent the rest of his life promoting the virtues of California's native plants.
In 1903, Mr. Payne purchased a nursery in Los Angeles. The nursery sold a full range on flowers, trees, vegetables and seeds. By 1905, the Payne Nursery began to specialize in California wild flowers and native plants. A year later, the first catalog of seed offerings was published. Mr. Payne also published Payne's Garden Guide and other catalogs. He collected native plant seeds and introduced over 400 species for cultivation at his nursery.
During his life, Mr. Payne designed several gardens in Southern California using native plants. One of his early gardens, the California Wild Garden in Los Angeles, featured 262 species of California native trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Other gardens and landscape projects include Pomona College, Occidental College, Torrey Pines Park, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (shown in the figure below), Exposition Park in Los Angeles and Cal Tech in Pasadena.
In 1960, the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, Inc. was founded. Today known simply as the Theodore Payne Foundation, the non-profit organization continues the work of Mr. Payne through education and inspiration to use native plants. One of the resources the foundation developed is the California Native Plant Library. The library can be searched by botanical name, common name or family name. There are lists of plants by plant type, flower color and water needs. The entries for each plant include information about care and maintenance, and specific uses such as “attracts butterflies” as well as other information.
In Northern California, the push for native plants began in 1965 when a small group of gardeners, nature lovers and plant experts came together in Berkeley to save the Tilden Regional Park's Botanic Garden. The group went on to become the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). Today, there are 36 chapters across the state that advance the CNPS core programs, including conservation, education, gardening, publications, rare plant science and vegetation science.
As Mr. Payne did, CNPS has developed a list of native plants. The current list is an online database called Calscape. The database can be sorted by the common name of the plant, the botanical name of the plant or, for example, the number of butterflies supported by the plant. Filters that can be used to narrow your search include nursery availability, plant type, water and sun needs, special uses, ease of care, and seasonality.
The research done by these organizations confirms that the use of native plants in our gardens and landscapes is beneficial to our environment. These benefits include:
- California has over 6,000 native plant species, subspecies and varieties. Approximately one-third of these are only found in California.
- Once established, native plants use, on average, one-seventh of the water required by non-native plants.
- Native plants have fewer pest problems than non-native plants, reducing the need for pesticides.
- Native plants like the local soil, so soil amendments and fertilizers are not required. Also, native plants are grown where they are sold so they are not transported long distances.
- A garden designed for the mature-size of the plants can require little maintenance once established.
- Native plants have a diversity of colors, forms, textures, and aromas. With a bit of attention to design, you can have flowers year-round.
- Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies and pollinators use native plants for food and shelter.
- Only 10% of our herbivorous insects can eat non-native plants. Our insects provide 90% of the diet for baby birds and they play an important role in decomposition, pollination and pest management.
So try planting California natives. You won't be sorry. See this photo from the Marin Independent Journal for some inspiration:
Watching the transformation of my front landscape over the past six months has been nothing short of exhilarating. Despite the challenges of an exceptionally hot summer, the plants have thrived, slowly acclimating to their new environment. This success underscores the wisdom behind the Master Gardeners' mantra: “Right Plant, Right Place.” Each plant's resilience is a testament to thoughtful selection as well as careful placement and cultural care. If you missed Part One of my landscape transformation journey you could catch up here.
Follow along with me in this article as I share my simple, weekly, 15-minute maintenance routine, summer pruning benefits for select plants, and the significant benefits of choosing the right irrigation controller. I'll also showcase some of the plants I have chosen for my landscape.
The Myth of Maintenance-Free Landscapes
It's a common misconception that a “maintenance-free” landscape exists. Whether it's questions we receive at the Master Gardener Help Desk or posts on social media, a landscape that requires no upkeep is a frequent request. However, the reality is that no landscape is truly maintenance free. Even something as simple as a cement pad needs regular care—removing leaves and debris, managing weeds that sprout through expansion cracks, and more. A gravel bed, too, requires attention.
As I drive through neighborhoods, I admire landscapes that are well-maintained, reflecting the care and effort invested in them. Conversely, it's disheartening to see landscapes where significant time and money were clearly spent, only for them to fall into neglect. I often wonder when I see a neglected California native landscape if the property owner was misled, thinking that California natives are maintenance free. I highly recommend evaluating the time and the funds it will take to maintain the landscape before embarking on a new installation, and researching the chosen plants to become familiar with their upkeep requirements.
Morning Rituals for a Pristine Landscape
In the cool mornings, before the heat of the day sets in, I make it a habit to stroll through my garden at least once a week. This routine allows me to visually inspect my plants, ensuring the irrigation is properly adjusted and any potential pest issues are promptly addressed. I take this time to pluck out any tiny weeds that have surfaced—they're easy to remove when small, before their roots take hold. I also deadhead spent blossoms to encourage new growth and keep the garden looking vibrant. For unwanted insects, a simple hosing off with water usually does the trick.
I carry a lightweight collapsible garden trash container, which makes it easy to gather any debris or leaves that have blown into the landscape and to discard the spent blossoms I deadheaded. My cordless small blower is perfect for quickly clearing the porch and sidewalks. All of this takes less than 15 minutes because I stay on top of it regularly.
Summer Pruning Benefits Select Plants
Various plants in my landscape benefit from a summer pruning. By incorporating summer pruning into your gardening routine, you can enjoy a more vibrant and healthy landscape. Summer pruning reduces the risk of fungal diseases by allowing better airflow through the plants and keeps your garden looking neat and well maintained. Pruning encourages plants to produce new, healthy growth, which can lead to more flowers and a more vigorous appearance.
Summer pruning can be highly beneficial for a variety of plants in your landscape, including salvias, Santa Barbara daisies, lavenders, and creeping thyme ground cover. Here's a more detailed look at the benefits for each:
Salvias – All my salvias grew three times their size after planting. I remove one-third of the size during summer pruning. Pruning salvias after their initial bloom can stimulate a second round of flowering, while regular pruning helps maintain a compact and bushy shape, preventing the plant from becoming too leggy. Removing spent flowers and stems can improve air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.
Santa Barbara Daisies – For the summer pruning, I pruned them back quite a bit. Cutting back spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the summer. Pruning helps manage the plant's spread, keeping it from overtaking other areas of your garden. Regular trimming keeps the plant looking tidy and well maintained.
Lavenders – After they bloom, I cut back the lavenders to 3 inches above the wood. It is important not to allow the plant to become woody. Pruning after flowering encourages the plant to grow more densely, preventing it from becoming woody. Pruning can sometimes lead to a second bloom later in the season. Keeping the plant's shape neat and compact helps it stay healthy and attractive.
Creeping Thyme Ground Cover – Using cordless shears, I run the shears over the top of the ground cover, removing the spent flowers and steams encroaching onto the sidewalk. Pruning helps the thyme spread more evenly and densely, creating a lush ground cover. Regular trimming keeps the stems from becoming too woody and unproductive. Removing spent flowers can encourage more blooms and a longer flowering period.
Maximizing Efficiency with Irrigation Controllers
Incorporating an irrigation controller is a significant time saver and essential for the success of your plants. Let's face it—plants are expensive, and investing in their care is crucial. With a variety of irrigation controllers available, I opted for ones that I could control via my smart phone or tablet. I have two separate controllers—one for the front landscape and one for the back. This setup was more cost-effective than paying for labor to run extensive wiring.
My smart Wi-Fi models automatically adjust to weather conditions and the specific watering needs of my plants. As a bonus, I was able to apply for a rebate from my city since they are water-saving devices. Interestingly, while the controller I selected for the front landscape is highly regarded and came with a hefty price tag, I found the less costly controller in the back landscape to have the most user-friendly app.
If you're considering replacing or installing an irrigation controller, I recommend looking for a smart Wi-Fi model and checking with your local city water department to see if rebates are available.
Curating My Garden: Plant Selections
As a plant lover, I wanted to create a garden that not only thrives in my climate and microclimate but also brings me joy on multiple levels throughout the year. I carefully selected plants that offer beauty, fragrance, movement, and texture, while also attracting and supporting pollinators. There's something magical about watching bees become intoxicated with the lavender or seeing hummingbirds flit among the salvias and other blooms.
Now, I'm excited to share the details of my plant choices with you, both in this article and in the upcoming winter and spring newsletter editions.
Roses - Timeless Beauties: Roses are an essential element of my garden's tapestry. In the expansive landscape of my Lodi country home, I nurtured a collection of approximately 200 roses. However, urban living at my city residence imposes a limit, allowing for only a select few to grace my front and back landscapes. Among these chosen few for the front landscape are one Rosa x odorata 'Mutabilis' (Butterfly Rose), six pristine white Rosa 'Korbin' (Iceberg Rose), three Rosa ‘Wekroalt' Fourth of July climbers, and two rose standards. For all my roses, I deadhead weekly to encourage reblooming and prune in February.
Rosa xodorata ‘Mutabilis', commonly known as the butterfly rose, is a cherished old garden shrub rose with a rich history. It originated in China and was introduced to Europe in the 19th century. It was first introduced to horticulture in 1934. It is a popular choice for gardens due to its floriferous nature and resistance to pests and diseases. I selected to use the ‘Mutabilis' in my landscape as a specimen rose. It's a shrub rose with the mature size of three to six feet in height and a spread of two to five feet. It has a long bloom period from spring through fall and it attracts butterflies. Its clusters of single cupped flowers are slightly fragrant. A shrub in full bloom will display a wide spectrum of color, a living kaleidoscope. It opens in yellow, changing to pink and finally a deep pink. I sourced my specimen from the UC Davis Arboretum. It is an Arboretum All Star.
Rosa ‘Korbin', commonly known as the Iceberg rose, is a popular floribunda rose cultivar. It was developed by Reimer Kordes in Germany in 1958 and is known for its ruffled, double blooms that can reach up to two to four inches in diameter. The flowers bloom from spring through fall. This rose is appreciated for its fragrance and is often used as a hedge or specimen shrub in gardens. It is also noted for attracting butterflies and birds due to its nectar-rich flowers. The Iceberg rose, a result of a cross between the R. ‘Robin Hood' in R. ‘Virgo', is recognized for its upright, well-branched growth habit, reaching heights of three to five feet and widths of two to three feet. It is listed as a UCD Arboretum All Star.
I have three varieties of ‘Korbin'.
- The classic white Iceberg, forming a hedge of six.
- ‘Brilliant Pink Korbin'. I have one specimen in my backyard. This cultivar has deep pink flowers and fades to a light pink.
- Weeks Roses Two-fer Burgundy Iceberg and White Iceberg 36-inch Standard. I have two standards with 2 rose varieties (a Burgundy Iceberg and a White Iceberg) grafted on a 36-inch Dr. Huery rootstock. A rose standard, also known as a tree rose, is a type of rose that is cultivated by grafting one or more rose varieties together to produce a tall plant with long stems. This method combines the best elements of a strong root stock, a tall stem and the desired flower color and production.
Rosa ‘Wekroalt' Fourth of July climber, introduced by Tom Carruth and Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower in 1999, is an All-American Rose Selections winner. Its red and white semi-double flowers, with golden stamens, sparkle like fireworks. With a moderate apple and rose scent, the bloom spans two inches in diameter. This vigorous climber can soar from 43 inches to 15 feet in height and spread 26 inches to 6 feet wide. It is a disease-resistant variety with glossy foliage, blooming in flushes from spring through autumn. It is my husband's favorite and I'm training three specimens to ascend our privacy screen, securing the growing canes weekly to the screen.
The Ornamental Cherry Tree - A Springtime Crown Jewel: I chose the Prunus 'Snofozam' Snowy Mountain variety for my weeping cherry tree and use an up light to spotlight it in the small island section of my front landscape. Once it matures, this tree will transform the space into a serene and picturesque haven. Its gracefully weeping branches, adorned with snow-like blossoms, will create a breathtaking spectacle each spring, heralding the season's arrival with elegance and charm. This ornamental cherry tree is not only celebrated for its stunning floral display but also for its compact size, making it a perfect fit for smaller garden spaces. In early spring, the ‘Snofozam' adorns itself with pure white flowers, transforming the tree into a vision of a snowy mountain. The effect is so complete that from a distance, it appears as though the tree is covered in a layer of snow. The flowers are not only a visual treat but also emit a subtle fragrance, adding another layer of sensory delight. Following the floral fanfare, the tree produces small, sparse, black fruits that are inedible but add an ornamental quality to the tree, as well as provide a treat for birds. The leaves are a lush dark green throughout the growing season and transition to shades of gold and orange in the fall, providing year-round interest.
Unfortunately, while I do not have pictures in bloom at this time, there are some beautiful pictures on the Missouri Botanical Gardens Website. This ornamental cherry tree is a cultivar celebrated for its weeping form and stunning floral show. Its cascading branches create a poetic silhouette that dips all the way to the ground, reminiscent of a fountain—hence its nickname, Snow Fountains®.
The ‘Snofozam' thrives best in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained loams and requires full sun for optimal flowering. While it tolerates light shade, the most abundant blooms are produced when the tree is planted in a sunny location. Pruning is minimal and typically done after flowering to maintain its shape and health. Its disease and insect resistance make it a hardy choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance yet show-stopping tree.
Erigeron karvinskianus - A Dainty, Versatile Bloomer: The Santa Barbara daisy is a UCD Arboretum All Star. I chose 12 Santa Barbara daisies, also known as Erigeron karvinskianus, to line the front of my landscape to soften the rock edging that prevents the bark mulch from washing out. Santa Barbara daisies are low-growing, herbaceous perennials that form a dense mat of small, narrow, gray-green leaves. They produce an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers that start white and gradually turn pink and then purple, creating a lovely two-tone effect. These flowers bloom from spring through fall, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. They grow 15 to 20 inches in height and can spread 2 to 3 feet, making them an excellent ground cover. They thrive best in full sun but can tolerate some afternoon shade. Once established, they are somewhat drought-tolerant but appreciate moderate watering. Keep the soil moderately moist, especially during hot, dry periods. They benefit from a summer pruning to encourage continuous blooming and an early spring pruning to maintain shape and encourage new growth. They are generally pest-free and are considered a great low-maintenance choice.
Liriope muscari - A Graceful Evergreen Late-Summer Bloomer: Seven Liriope muscari, also known as lilyturf, edge a section of my garden. Liriope muscari is a versatile, low-maintenance perennial that adds texture and color to gardens. They form dense clumps of grass-like green foliage with spikes of purple, lavender or white flowers in the late summer. They typically grow 9 to 18 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun with afternoon shade. Once established it is relatively drought tolerant. If needed, prune during the early spring, cutting back old leaves to encourage new growth. Divide clumps every few years to maintain their vigor. They are generally pest-free and not prone to serious diseases. They are ideal for edging paths or borders, or as a ground cover to prevent soil erosion.
Coming Up in My Next Article
Continue on this journey as we transition into the winter season. In my upcoming article, I will delve into the remaining plant selections that have made it into my garden. I'll provide detailed insights into why I chose these particular plants and how they fit into the overall landscape design.
Additionally, I'll share the challenges I faced during the autumn months and how I overcame them. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at my maintenance routine, including tips on winterizing your garden, protecting delicate plants, and ensuring everything thrives despite the upcoming winter chill.
Stay tuned for practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a glimpse into the ongoing evolution of my garden. Let's embrace the beauty and resilience of seasonal gardening together!
Photo Credits and Links to Resources:
Part 1 - Transforming Your Landscape
Various Landscape Photos by Sherida Phibbs
Rosa x odorata ‘Mutabilis'
UC Davis Arboretum Picture and Plant Information
Rosa ‘Korbin'
UC Davis Arboretum Plant Information
Weeks Two-fer Burgundy Iceberg & Iceberg Standard Plant Information
Rosa ‘Wekroalt' Fourth of July
Missouri Botanical Gardens Plant Information
Prunus 'Snofozam' Snowy Mountain Prunus ‘Snofozam' Snowy Mountain
Photo Credit – Missouri Botanical Gardens
Monrovia Picture and Plant Information
Missouri Botanical Gardens Pictures and Plant Information
Erigeron karvinskianus Santa Barbara Daisy
UC Davis Arboretum plant information
Sacramento Master Gardener Video Pruning
Liriope muscari
North Carolina Extension plant information
Missouri Botanical Garden plant information
- Author: Kathy Grant, Master Gardener
An effective UC Master Gardener volunteer should see themselves first as a gardener, then a student, as well as a teacher, a storyteller, and finally, a defender of our shared California waterways and clean air. It may not be obvious, but we all live in a watershed, which is anywhere rain falls and drains, so that whatever pesticide or fertilizer you or your neighbor applies, sprays or pours in their garden, has the potential of drifting in the air, seeping into the soil to contaminate groundwater, or run off in rainwater to pollute nearby creeks and rivers and, of course the Delta. By learning and practicing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies yourself, you too can become an ambassador by modeling, teaching, and educating your community, and hopefully, improving the water and air quality of your community.
But, what is IPM exactly?
IPM combines multiple strategies to manage long-term prevention of pests in our home gardens, farms, vineyards, orchards, or natural places. Check out the University of California's Quick Tip card, which nicely outlines an overview of IPM. The primary IPM strategies include:
- Prevent pests from invading - A good defense is the best offense. Keep your eyes open for pests in and around your home and garden. Monitor for the presence of pests and their damage. Inspect what comes home from the grocery store. Check pest access to food, water, and shelter around your home and garden, like crumbs, water and weeds.
- Use cultural practices that make an area unfavorable to pests. Clean your home regularly and avoid leaving food sources, like crumbs around, for pests to eat. Store foods in containers with tight-fitting lids. Do not leave weed piles or infested plant material or fallen fruit around for pests to proliferate.
- Control pests with physical methods or mechanical devices. Keep pests out of your home with bug-tight window screens, eliminate cracks of entry doors with weather stripping and caulk. As much as possible, do not plant a garden touching the outside walls of your home. Keep the foundation of your home free of irrigation water reach. Use landscape fabric or mulch for weed control, snap traps to control rats or squirrels, and sticky traps for flies.
- Rely on “good bugs” (natural enemies) to manage pests, especially ants. Biological control is the best first line of defense for handling pest problems. Most gardens contain far more “good bugs,” or beneficial insects, than pest insects. Good bugs like spiders, lady beetles and parasitic wasps feed on pest insects and play an important role in IPM. Help the beneficials by choosing plants that provide pollen and nectar, keeping ants out of pest-infested plants, and avoiding the use of certain pesticides that kill or harm the “good bugs.”
- Use pesticides as a last resort, and always choose the least toxic. Pesticide use should be the last resort. Always read the label and choose the least toxic, effective pesticide that targets your specific pest. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that can kill natural enemies as well as pests. Less toxic pesticide choices include horticultural oils, pesticidal soaps, and microbial products such as Baccilus thuringiensis (Bt). Do not choose pesticides that expose you to the pesticide, like bait stations. And always read and follow the pesticide label to protect yourself, others and the environment. Pay attention to the active ingredients. Avoid products containing pyrethroids which have active ingredient names typically ending in “-thrin,” including permethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and tralomethrin, which are toxic in the ecosystem. An exception is esfenvalerate. Pyrethroids have been found in Central Valley watersheds. Cities and counties are mandated to help educate the public on the toxicity of these pesticides in creeks and rivers. Look for “Our Water Our World” labels at some garden stores, which help point out the less toxic pesticides.
- Finally, dispose of pesticides correctly! In San Joaquin County, the best place to dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste, including pesticides, is the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Consolidation Facility near the Stockton Airport. It has limited days and hours: Thursday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is closed Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It is located at 7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street, Stockton, CA 95206. For questions or concerns, call Solid Waste Administration at 209-468-3066 during normal business hours.
A Garden Partnership
In conjunction with the Lodi City Council, local business owners and the public, San Joaquin County Master Gardeners have developed a river-friendly demonstration garden in downtown Lodi, on School Street. It showcases the importance of working together as well the principles of a sustainable garden and landscape. The garden area also includes a community-built bench featuring plants and animals of the Mokelumne River watershed. The bench was designed by artist Donna Billick, and the project was overseen by the City of Lodi. Enjoy lunch at a Lodi restaurant and check out the garden.
As Master Gardeners and as an informed public, we can serve as educators in the community. Education is needed now more than ever, as the marketplace is being bombarded with products that are not always the best choice for a safe California or its waterways and air. By taking the time to read and understand the IPM approach, we can help our neighbors, ourselves and our homes, as well as our gardens, to thrive. Please take the time to care and share the IPM way.
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