- Author: Janet Hartin
Do you have Spring Fever? If you have adequate space, why not leave a legacy to your children's children by planting a tree? When the right species is planted in the right location and receives the right care, landscape trees can be enjoyed for 100 years or more.
Urban trees cool and shade urban heat islands, absorb and store carbon, produce oxygen, filter pollutants from air and water, reduce soil and water erosion, reduce internal energy needs and related costs, provide habitat, and beautify neighborhoods. Sadly, the average lifespan of our landscape trees is less than 20-25% of their potential due to poor selection and care.
Selection and Care Tips:
Plant in Spring or Fall. Avoid planting landscape trees during the heat of the summer. (Deciduous bare-root fruit trees, on the other hand, should be planted during the winter when they are dormant.)
Choose recommended species for your climate zone. Select trees based on your Sunset climate zone (zone 13 for Coachella Valley) because they are more precise than USDA zones and include information related to high temperature adaptation s as well as low temperatures which is the basis of the USDA zones).
Choose recommended species for your microclimate (shade/sun, soil conditions,water requirement, available space, etc.).Two reliable search engines that allow users to search by multiple criteria (size, water needs, flower color, ecosystem functions, pest susceptibility, etc.) are: Urban Forest Ecosystem Institute : https://selectree.calpoly.edu; California Native Plant Society: https://calscape.org/search.php. 'Lush and Efficient' is also a very useful publication produced by the Coachella Valley Desert Water Agency. Download it here: http://www.cvwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/813/2006-Lush--Efficient-Revised-Edition-PDF?bidId=as is Water Use Classification of Landscape Species IV: http://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS
Four species that we have recently identified in our research on heat and drought resistant trees that are highly recommended for the Coachella Valley are:Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata), ‘Maverick' Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), Pistacia ‘Red Push' (a hybrid between P. atlántica × P. integerrima) and Desert Willow ‘Bubba' (Chilopsis linearis)
Avoid circled, girdled roots. Remember to inspect the root system of container trees. Avoid specimens with severely circled and girdled roots. Root pruning will not solve the problem and the resulting tree is much more prone to failure later. This occurs because the upper portion of the tree continues to grow and expand while the root system lacks the breadth and architectural strength to support the tree. Many times a tree will look fine for several years and - seemingly - very suddenly, topple in winds that otherwise it could sustain with a more adequate root system. Only when the tree falls does the owner actually notice firsthand that the root system is the same size it was when the tree was planted years before!
Check drainage before you plant. Dig a hole where you are planning on planting the tree, fill it with water, and make sure it completely drains within 24-hours. If it doesn't drain, don't plant a tree there. In some cases, trees are carefully selected based on species and location only to perish ten or more years later due to poor drainage and water-logged soil. Trees often die in these situations due to a lack of aeration setting them up for disease-causing fungal pathogens. tree planting hole drainage test tree planting hole drainage test Planting the tree.
Dig a planting hole at least 2-1/2 times the width of the container (in clay or compacted soils make the hole at least 4-5 times wider) up to two inches shallower than the depth of the tree in the container to compensate for settling. Use a shovel or trowel to roughen the soil on the sides of the hole to encourage root growth into the native soil. Remove the tree from the container along with any loose soil that covers the lower part of the trunk. Carefully place the tree in the planting hole, keeping the trunk flare (the area where the trunk widens and connects with the roots) 1-2 inches above the existing grade. Gently fill the hole with the same soil that was removed. Do not add soil amendments or compost, another common cause of circled and kinked roots. Water the tree regularly until established (one or more seasons).
Water immediately after planting making sure to moisten the entire root system and a few inches below it. Many recently planted trees die due to the common misconception that they require little or no water if they are native or low water using species! Recently transplanted trees have a small volume of roots that dry out very quickly. Water trees separately from turf and surrounding higher-water using plants.
Water newly planted trees regularly through the first season. Trees in sandy soils require more frequent watering than do trees in heavier soils with appreciable clay content. Heavier soils absorb water slower but retain it longer and should be watered longer but less often. (After trees are fully established, irrigation frequency should be reduced but more water should be added during each irrigation.) Avoid staking trees unless necessary.
Stake trees only if they were staked at the nursery and/or if they are planted in a wind-prone area. Remember to loosen ties on nursery stock before they girdle the trunk. Gently secure any tree requiring staking with two opposing flexible ties on the lower half of the tree, allowing the tree to gently blow in the wind to encourage lower trunk strength. Avoids staking trees tightly, restricting flex. As the tree matures, remember to loosen ties with the goal of removing stakes entirely if the tree becomes self-supporting.
Pruning. Avoid heavy pruning at the time of planting. Remove only broken branches, crossed branches and suckers at the base of the tree. Don't top your trees! (More on this next month.)
Fertilizing. Most trees have received adequate nutrition in the nursery and do not need fertilizer at the time of planting.
Mulching. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch three or more inches away from the tree trunk. Organic mulches such as woodchips and compost should be applied and maintained at a depth of 3-4 inches to prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Inorganic mulches (gravel, pebbles, etc.) should be maintained at 2-3 inches. In fire-prone areas, organic mulches near the urban/forest interface should be avoided. Remember to irrigate below the mulch.
For more information on tree planting and care and all other home gardening and landscape topics, contact the UCCE Riverside County Master Gardener helpline here in the Coachella Valley: anrmgindio@ucanr.edu
- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
- Author: Emma McKellar
- Author: Marlyn Pulido
- Contributor: Michele Byrnes
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UC-led partnership resulted in over 29,000 pounds of fresh produce being distributed to 900 students and limited resource families in Coachella in 2018. More than a quarter of participants reported being more food secure.
The Issue
The desert city of Coachella has a population of 6,919. Seven-hundred and sixty-one residents do not live within 10 miles of a supermarket or have a car, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Research Atlas. In an effort to increase healthy food access and close the food gap in the area, CalFresh Healthy Living at University of California (CFHL-UC) teamed up with Food In Need of Distribution (FIND) Food Bank to bring fresh produce to the students and families of Cesar Chavez Elementary School.
How UC Delivers
CFHL-UC partnered with FIND in 2018 to bring CalFresh enrollment support and food donations to nutrition class participants at the Coachella Valley Adult School. In the spirit of partnership, CFHL-UC introduced FIND to Cesar Chavez Elementary School with the hopes of bringing more resources to families in the area. With staff and teacher support at Cesar Chavez Elementary, CFHL-UC delivers a spectrum of services to help influence individuals to live healthier lifestyles including nutrition and physical activity education for both children and parents using evidence-based curricula (Go, Glow, Grow; Plan, Shop, Save, Cook; and Coordinated Approach to Child Health). Environmental and policy efforts include Smarter Lunchrooms Movement resources to increase student breakfast/lunch participation, local school wellness committee collaboration to offer wellness policy support, and this recent partnership with FIND Food Bank to increase access to fresh produce.
The Impact
“When I bring the food home, my mom is happy because she does not have to go to the grocery store.”
– 3rd Grade Student at Cesar Chavez
As a result of the UC-led partnership and collaboration, FIND Food Bank made Cesar Chavez Elementary a food distribution site for their summer food donations. This included five events, with an average of 150 families attending, which helped feed an average of 690 people in 2018. Cesar Chavez was the highest attended distribution site that FIND serviced in 2018. Due to this success and need, FIND now provides monthly food distribution for the students at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. This year, FIND distributed over 29,000 pounds of fresh produce for 900 students to take home and share with their families. CFHL-UC staff highlighted the produce by supplying recipe cards from EatFresh.org for families to be able to make nutritious, easy, and inexpensive meals.
In addition, CFHL-UC helped increase food security and healthy living for program participants by teaching food resource management skills. Participants in the Plan, Shop, Save, Cook series reported making behavior changes such as planning meals ahead of time (44% of 124 survey respondents), comparing unit prices (40%), shopping with a grocery list (35%), and using Nutrition Facts to make food choices (54%). Importantly, 27% of participants were less likely to run out of food before the end of the month. This program is one example of how UC ANR improves food security, contributing to the public value of safeguarding abundant and healthy food for all Californians. CFHL-UC aims to continue working in Coachella and collaborating further with FIND Food Bank to increase access to healthful foods at other sites in need.
- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
- Editor: Andra Nicoli
- Contributor: Marlyn Pulido
- Contributor: Jackie Barahona
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UC-led partnership resulted in a successful “Breakfast on the Playground” campaign for Coachella Valley Unified Child Nutrition Services, increasing school breakfast participation at Cesar Chavez Elementary from 29% to 50% of student population.
The Issue
Cesar Chavez Elementary School located in Eastern Coachella Valley is a school with high needs facing several challenges including high poverty, food insecurity, and childhood obesity. According to Lift to Rise's Neighborhood Data for Social Change, almost one in five of the residents live below 100% of federal poverty level in 2017. The percentage of free or reduced price meals at this school is 87%, and 37% of students fall in the overweight/obese category.
How UC Delivers
To champion student health and wellness, CalFresh Healthy Living at University of California (CFHL, UC) has been a strong partner with the instrumental Cesar Chavez Elementary School Wellness Committee. Formed six years ago under the direction of former Principal Robert Hughes and chaired by Dr. Megan Greene, the school wellness committee contributed to the Coachella Valley Unified School District Wellness Policy. CFHL, UC started the school's partnership with FIND Food Bank which led to regular food distributions to students and the school community last year. At one of the school wellness committee meetings early in 2018-2019 school year, the Coachella Valley Unified (CVUSD) Child Nutrition Services Director Marcus Alonzo announced that the District had received a USDA grant to implement school breakfast at ten school sites. All of the schools in CVUSD have more than 50% students receiving free/reduced price meals and are qualified for SNAP Education. The grant also provided funding for program promotion and Alonzo sought assistance to complete this objective before the end of the school year.
In response, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources News and Outreach in Spanish (UC ANR NOS) with Director Ricardo Vela proposed a marketing campaign that involves ten 30-second videos, nine radio spots in two radio stations, and a two-minute interview that runs in the Univision's morning show called Despierta Palm Springs every day for a month. UC ANR NOS also produced 12 videos to be posted two each week on Facebook by Univision, one of which can be found here: Breakfast on the Playground video.
The campaign aimed to promote the new “Breakfast on the Playground” carts that were implemented at ten school sites. The video production highlighted CFHL, UC educators Marlyn Pulido and Jackie Barahona, food service staff, teachers, and students from Cesar Chavez and Saul Martinez elementary schools. The key messages were to increase awareness about the importance of eating breakfast and to encourage students to participate in school breakfast. CVUSD Child Nutrition Services Department was interviewed by a local broadcasting station about the campaign and the interview ran during the local morning news. Social media coverage was targeted by zip codes surrounding the ten schools. No Kid Hungry, a part of the nonprofit organization known as Share Our Strength, later joined in and supported two Twitter and Facebook ads featuring videos produced by UC ANR NOS.
The Impact
"I see that the children who participate in the breakfast program pay more attention during class."
- Mr. Lomeli, 4th Grade teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary
Twitter reported 94,363 video views for the two ads run in March 2019, two weeks each. Facebook had a larger number of reach. Through the four-week campaign via Facebook, the videos reached more than 200,000 people and had an engagement of 55,000 people among males and females ages 25-45 years. CFHL, UC estimated that at least 50% of student population or 465 students at Cesar Chavez were reached by the "Breakfast on the Playground" campaign. Breakfast participation at Cesar Chavez increased from about 29% to 50% of student population. Dora Juarez, the Principal at Cesar Chavez Elementary, was recognized for going above and beyond to make school breakfast possible for kids in need and inducted into No Kid Hungry's 2019 School Breakfast Hall of Fame.
During 2018-2019 school year, Cesar Chavez enrolled 141 students from seven kindergarten to third grade classes in CFHL, UC nutrition education. All of the participating teachers either strongly agreed or agreed that more students can identify healthy food choices and are more willing to try new foods at school. Fear of trying new foods has been associated with lower intake of fruits and vegetables in children. In addition, research studies have shown that eating breakfast is associated with improved student concentration and school performance. This project highlights how partnership between UC ANR programs and school food service improves health for all as well as improves food security among students, contributing to the public values of promoting healthy people and communities and safeguarding sufficient, safe, and healthy food for all Californians.
- Author: Sonia Rios
In the fall of 2015 and 2916, growers in the desert regions reported excessive fruit drop. Particularly in the Coachella Valley, Imperial County, and in Yuma, Arizona. The cause of the fruit drop is unknown. Come learn more about the current situation and find out how you can help resolve this issue.
SEPT. 12, 2017 – INDIO, CA
Noon-1pm Ciro's Resturante & Pizza, 81963 CA- 111, Indio, CA 92201 Lunch will be provided
Lemon Growers in the desert regions are highly suggested to attend
Will be in attendance: Sonia Rios, UC Farm Advisor, Peggy Mauk, UC Specialist, Tracy Kahn, UCR Specialist, Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor and Alan Washburn
Please RSVP for this Free Event:
http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynu
If you have any questions, please contact Sonia Rios: sirios@ucanr.edu; 951-683-6491 Ext. 224
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Farmers growing vegetables in Southern California and Arizona deserts had to contend with a new pest this fall. The Bagrada bug - a native of East and Southern Africa, Egypt, Zaire and Senegal - made its first appearance in the area, posing especially significant problems to organic farmers, according to an article in Capital Press.
Bagrada bugs were introduced to California last year in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. This past August, farmers began seeing the pest in broccoli, cauliflower, and other cole crops in the Imperial and Coachella valleys, and in southwestern Arizona.“Bagrada bugs were everywhere; it’s not like we’ve had to look for them,” the story quoted John Palumbo, an extension specialist at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center.
According to UC Riverside’s Center for Invasive Species Research, adult Bagrada bugs are 5 to 7 millimeters long with black, shield-shaped bodies and distinctive white and orange markings. The adult female is larger than the male.
Bagrada bugs suck sap from young leaves causing small white patches on leaf edges. The damage can prevent the plant from producing edible vegetable heads or can cause double heads that are too small for market. Severe Bagrada feeding can kill the plant.
Capital Press reporter Cary Blake spoke to UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County farm advisor Eric Natwick about the Bagrada bug situation for California desert farmers. Natwick said he saw major Bagrada bug damage in an organically grown red cabbage field in Holtville in late October.
“I’d estimate about 30 percent of the early September-planted transplants developed single heads,” Natwick was quoted. “The other plants (about 70 percent) had no head or two smaller, unmarketable heads.”
Natwick found higher single-head numbers in mid-to-late September-planted cabbage. The field contained adults, nymphs, and eggs.