- Author: Bradley Hanson
A colleague and a graduate student at Cornell University are conducting a survey to assess grower attitudes towards establishing wildflower strips as part of conservation programs and asked me to share the survey link to broaden the response to include California growers.
From the Cornell team: We are conducting a survey on grower attitudes towards establishing wildflower strips. This survey is part of a project we are doing on using seed pellets to establish wildflower strips. The basic idea of the project is to put multiple small wildflower seeds into a seed pellet the size and shape of a field crop seed. These pellets could then be planted using standard grain drills/planters, significantly decreasing the labor required to establish wildflower strips. Here is a link to a recent paper published in Weed Science that another graduate student wrote on these seed pellets if you would like to learn more Multi-seed pellets and biodiversity
The survey will allow us to assess general interest in these sorts of pellets/plantings, and whether we can expect people to be generally receptive to the idea. I would really appreciate it if you could share this survey with your network of growers and stakeholders.
The link to the online survey is here: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3mHYv5pnxe4b3GS
If you are planning to put some new plants in the ground now so they will be established when spring comes around, consider planting a hedgerow. In urban and suburban areas, fences or hedges are typically used to define property lines, block unsightly views, provide privacy screening, and create windbreaks. However, hedgerows are becoming a popular alternative for these landscape duties. While a hedge is made up of a single plant species placed in a tightly spaced row, a hedgerow is a broad bed planted with a variety of trees, shrubs and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants).
Urban and suburban landowners can reap these benefits by planting smaller trees and large shrubs to establish mini-hedgerows instead of fences or hedges. A scaled-down hedgerow will still attract pollinators, beneficial insects and birds. Hedgerows can also create corridors between wild spaces, allowing wildlife to more safely move through neighborhoods. As landscape designer Rebecca Lindenmeyr says, “Hedgerows can provide a slice of wild on the outskirts of a landscape design.”
If you decide to create a hedgerow, try to choose plants with a variety of heights. Different types of wildlife are adapted to living at different levels above the ground. Also, generally speaking, wider is better when it comes to hedgerows. The wider the planting area, the more room there is for a greater diversity of plants. The greater the diversity of plants in a hedgerow, the more likely it is that wildlife will find a suitable habitat there. Look for plants that provide food for wildlife. Selecting a variety plants that produce flowers, fruit, nuts, seeds, or nectar at different times of the year increases your chances of providing food for the greatest diversity of wildlife species.
Native plants are a logical choice for use in hedgerows. They are familiar sources of food and shelter for local wildlife species, and are well adapted to the local climate and soils. Large native shrubs that are suitable for residential hedgerows in our area include California redbud, toyon, many species of Ceanothus and manzanita, coffeeberry, desert willow and coyote brush. California bush anemone, Cleveland and white sage and buckwheat are more moderately-sized natives that can also be useful in hedgerows. Smaller native perennials include deer grass, California fuchsia, milkweed and penstemon. An added bonus is that, once established, all of these natives are at least moderately “deer resistant.” It is important to recognize, however, that if they are hungry enough deer will eat virtually anything.
For further information on residential hedgerows:
Hedgerows and Integrated Pest Management
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: Pamela Kan-Rice
Long's research on crops, pollination and pest control guided farming practices in Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties
Rachael Freeman Long grew up in Berkeley but was fascinated by farming. The UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor has spent the past 37 years doing research on crop production, pollination and pest control and collaborating with farmers.
Long worked with UCCE in Sonoma and San Joaquin counties as well as at UC Berkeley, before settling in Yolo County as a farm advisor in 1992. She has focused on field crops including alfalfa hay and other forages, dry beans, and hybrid seed crops such as sunflowers, melons and onions.
She plans to retire July 1 after serving growers in Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties for 31 years.
Long's pest management studies highly influential
To produce practical research results, Long has collaborated on studies with the Hrdys and many other growers over the years. Her field studies informed the sunflower, alfalfa, onion seed and dry bean production manuals that she co-authored with UC ANR colleagues.
Cost-of-production reports on alfalfa, sunflowers, lima beans, common beans and garbanzo beans that she co-authored have been used by growers for obtaining farm loans. Since 2014, her cost studies have been used over 50,000 times.
Long's research and extension of integrated pest management practices have resulted in enhanced biodiversity, reduced pesticide use, higher crop yields, healthy soils and carbon sequestration, and greater farm productivity and profitability. Her research papers have been cited by scientists over 1,200 times. She was the recipient of the Bradford Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award in 2019.
Adoption of new farming practices
Her work in the late 1990s documented how pesticides were transported offsite from farm fields in surface irrigation water. At the time, the agricultural industry was concerned the results would prompt increased regulations and restrictions on farming practices. But she persisted and her research led to the development and adoption of practices – such as pesticide choice and vegetative filter strips including cover crops – that are now commonly used to protect surface waters from pesticides used on farms.
“I'm proud of my community and appreciate the opportunity to work with farmers and the privilege of conducting research on farms,” Long said. “I'll forever be grateful to landowners for their support of my projects, even ones that seemed so far out there, like studying bats and pest control in walnut orchards!”
Her research has shown that bats, as well as insectivorous birds, help control insect pests on farms, which helps growers reduce their reliance on pesticides.
As scientists look for ways to slow climate change, one of Long's recent studies revealed that hedgerows sequester 36% more carbon than farmed areas.
“I loved working with students and postdocs on hedgerows,” she said. “We found that field edge plantings of native plants provide floral resources for natural enemies and bees that move into adjacent crops for enhanced pollination and pest control services in adjacent crops, reducing pesticide use and boosting yields. I'm proud that many have gone on to pursue careers in agriculture and natural resource conservation.”
Hedgerows become conservation practice
Mary Kimball, CEO of the Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, was Long's field assistant in 1996. Kimball, who worked for the Yolo Resource Conservation District, was the project manager for the first hedgerow project that Long led.
“Over the years, Rachael has strategically and methodically tackled every question, concern and potential barrier for on-farm hedgerow installation – not only disproving all of the myths about pests, but showing the dramatic importance of these native plant hedgerows to everything from wildlife habitat, insectary value, use by bird species, and most recently, carbon sequestration,” Kimball said.
“As a result, hedgerows are now by far the most applied-for conservation practice by farmers and landowners through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service cost-sharing programs across the state,” Kimball added. “Her impact and the way that she went about doing this research – in collaboration and with all needs and concerns of the farmer in mind – show us how to tackle new ideas and ensure their sustainability over time.”
Lifelong interest in agriculture evolves with technology
The daughter of a UC Berkeley biology professor and graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.S. in biology and UC Davis with an M.S. in entomology, Long always had an interest in wildlife, conservation and exploring the natural world.
“I've always been interested in agriculture, probably from spending summers as a kid with family in Sonoma County,” she said. “However, what totally sparked my interest in crop production was hearing a farm advisor talk about integrated pest management when I was in college. I found that so inspiring that I changed my major from pre-med to agriculture, a great decision, not only for my career, but I met my husband through work and we currently live and farm here in the Woodland area.”
For a recent project addressing labor shortages, she developed research-based guidelines for growers to use spray drones to control pests in alfalfa hay production.
As a mother and a scientist, Long is committed to piquing children's interest in science. She has published three children's books chronicling a boy's adventures with wildlife, based on stories she told her own son, Eugene. Long recently published “See You Later Alligator,” an online children's book.
In retirement, Long is looking forward to having more time to write kids' books focusing on science literacy and “sharing more about how to respect and live with wildlife for everyone's safety – animals and people.”
“Next is a high adventure story that brings kids into a world of bees!” Long said. “I'm super excited with this ArcGIS storymap format to share online with kids! It's a great teaching opportunity maps, illustrations, and a storyline, along with discussion questions to engage kids!” Long and colleagues recently created a storymap on Native Bees.
Long, who received prestigious emeritus status from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, will also finish up some research projects.
/h4>- Author: Ben Faber
Hedgerows and Cover Crops and How They Affect IPM
Date: Wednesday; Dec 14, 2022
Time: 9:30AM coffee and tour of cover crop demo, talks will be 10AM - noon
Location: UC Hansen REC, 287 Briggs Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Speakers:
Nic Anne Irvin
- "Nic has been researching biological control of invasive pests in Hoddle Lab at UCR since 2001. She started research on Asian citrus psyllid in 2017, and is currently involved in investigating Integrated Pest Management tools for California citrus growers".
Brent Mossman, RCD
- Brent Mossman is a California native that has a B.S. in Plant Science from Cal Poly Pomona. He is a CA state licensed agricultural Pest Control Adviser, specializing in Integrated Pest Management. Currently working at the Ventura County Resource Conservation District as the Conservation Agriculture Specialist, providing technical assistance to ensure the success of programs such as CDFA's WETA, IIMRLN, and HSP.
Liz Scordato
- Dr. Elizabeth Scordato is an Assistant Professor of biology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research in Ventura County focuses on using native vegetation restoration to improve ecosystem services in citrus and avocado orchards.
Gordon Frankie
- Dr. Gordon Frankie is a research biologist interested in native bees of California and Costa Rica. One of his prime interests is exploring and implementing ways to extend results of his findings and those of colleagues to a wide variety of audiences. He is currently involved in researching the many insect visitors to avocado flowers. He works closely with UC Coop Extension on this project.
Please reach out to Nicki Anderson with UCCE Ventura for any questions or concerns – nanders@ucanr.edu (805)452-4182
https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=39522It
by Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
I remember when my parents would go for a drive and the front of the car would be covered with dead bugs that had been hovering in the road. That doesn't happen any longer. The dense populations of bugs have disappeared.
National Geographic magazine and Wings, the Xerces Society magazine, have run articles on the decline in insects. In fact, the Xerces Society is named after a small blue butterfly that lived in Golden Gate Park and went extinct some 80 years ago. The article in Wings mentioned the lack of bugs on the windshields of cars today and how, in the past, cars had to be washed after a long drive.
While this observation may seem minor, it is in fact a major indication of things to come. Many scientists are calling it “the insect apocalypse.” This phenomenon is considered to be a breakdown of our food chain. The bugs are at the start of the food chain and we are at the end.
Scientists believe that climate change and bug decline are connected, but bugs are also impacted by the loss of habitat and the pesticides and other chemicals used to grow crops and maintain landscapes.
The beloved Monarch butterfly may soon be declared extinct in the western United States. In recent counts in the areas where they gather in the winter, there were no sightings at all.
This drop is blamed on many different things, including habitat loss. The fall fires probably kept many Monarchs from stopping over to feed and rest. In 2017, the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), which lives in the Midwest and northeastern U.S., was placed on the list of endangered species.
Integrated pest management is one of the subjects we study as Master Gardeners in training. I try to practice this in my garden and hope that the pollinators, pest eaters and other insects manage each other.
I once went to clean my worm bins and discovered a black widow spider. I did not bother her and she left me alone.
Many people are fearful of the insect world and want these creatures gone. Yet insects pollinate our edible plants and prey on plant pests. Even a black widow has redeeming features. Just avoid her bite.
Planting hedgerows between fields of crops enhances insect diversity by providing a place for them to hide, breed, rest and eat. Removing invasive plants has helped dragonflies in many areas. Dragonflies prey on mosquito larvae. I have read that some grape growers are adding hedgerows to their vineyards.
Home gardeners can take several steps to help the bugs in their neighborhood. Replacing lawn with shrubs, native perennials and native annuals helps a lot. A garden that always has something in bloom is a welcoming spot for pollinators.
According to National Geographic, insects perform five crucial jobs. They provide food for other bugs. They assist with decomposing organic matter. They control pests. They pollinate plants, and they work the soil. When you use untargeted pesticides, you not only kill pests, you may kill the good guys who feast on them. Better to practice integrated management and rely on the bugs to keep each other in balance.
In late summer, I like to watch as my fennel plants fade and the flowers dry up. It is always covered with tiny flying bugs that are still able to get food from the fading plant.
From the heights of the Himalayas to our planet's deepest caves, insects abound. They are one of the oldest species on the planet. Researchers have questioned why there so many varieties of insects. One theory is that, because of their size, insects can occupy many niches throughout our environment. They have had low extinction rates, according to those who study them. Some species have not changed since the time of the dinosaurs. You can help maintain this diversity in your own garden by being a bug protector.
Food Growing Forum: Second Sunday of the month through November. Sunday, February 14, 3 pm to 4 pm: “Seed Starting.” Register to get Zoom link: https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=32602
Napa Library Talks: First Thursday of each month. Thursday, March 4: “Compost at Home.” Register to get Zoom link. https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=32577
Got Garden Questions? Contact our Help Desk. The team is working remotely so please submit your questions through our diagnosis form, sending any photos to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org or leave a detailed message at 707- 253-4143. A Master Gardener will get back to you by phone or email.
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