- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
What insects did you see during the Solar Eclipse, dubbed "The Great North American Eclipse?" And what were they doing?
In some parts of North America, as the moon passed between the earth and sun, folks saw a total solar eclipse. But here in Solano County, California, totality it was not.
Partial.
We watched the Great North America Eclipse as the moon took a tiny bite out of the sun.
And then a queen bumble bee buzzed into our pollinator garden just as the moon helped itself to another bite.
Bite of the moon or bite of the bumble bee?
Game over.
The bumble bee won (well, just for a few minutes) and then we returned to the solar eclipse.
The bumble bee appeared to be a Bombus californicus. And she was hungry.
If she had experienced a total solar eclipse, she may have immediately returned to her nest: "It's dark. Day over."
- Author: Ben Faber
Manipulating the Avocado & its Environment
for Optimum Temperature & Light
California Avocado Society, California Avocado Commission & UC Cooperative Extension
AVOCADO GROWER WEBINAR
Tuesday, Aug. 17
9-11 a.m.
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kByWCEvfTC-TwZgjmSWptw
And if you want to hear about irrigation from another viewpoint - greenhouses and berries - which is still good information for avocado growers, check out
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And Wait, there's MORE!!!!!!!!!!
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- Author: Betsy Buxton
According to all the garden catalogs that come my way, it’s time to “replant, repot, rejunenate “the front yard. According to those same catalogs, it will cost merely a gazillion dollars for the plants, bulbs, corms, and tubers to accomplish this transformation; and don’t forget about the soil amendments, and fertilizers the folks also want to sell you. Yeah right, I have that kind of money to use as walking round cash! Don’t you?
This year, the front yard lost all the glorious shade that came from the late, great green ash tree that stood for 20 plus years. It’s been interesting to watch the various shrubs and bushes getting acclimated to more sun, less shade. The oleanders made the transition beautifully, but of course, have you ever seen an oleander suffer from the sun? They are now rather happy campers in the hot afternoon sun, bowing gracefully in the Suisun City gale that passes for gentle winds.
The buddleia in the ground near the front door went from full leaf to rather skimpy foliage, but made a roaring comeback – full of blossoms and hummingbirds. The buddleia in the pot, however, is still trying to find a way back from “roasted”, but is managing to hold on until cooler weather when it goes into the ground itself by the side yard gate. It gets water and encouraging words for the efforts!
The other succulents in their cozy pots that are placed around are thriving and growing like weeds, which is why some of their offspring will be at the plant exchange next weekend thanks to new Master Gardener Elizabeth! The new Heucheras that were on the front porch in the shade have taken their temporary places in pots at the edge of the early afternoon semi-shade and the afternoon pure sun. They got set there to find out just how well that spot would suit them. Hurray! They are doing very nicely and I think that area will be their “forever” home.
The only plant that is not really happy with the loss of tree shade is my 17 year-old “star” magnolia which is really missing the shade and the wind break the old tree provided. However, when the new “black tulip” magnolia gets larger than the twig it is, I hope it will provide some relief for its cousin.
There are so many plants I would like to get and put out there, but we are still living with the wreckage from the old tree. Concrete walkway parts are tilted and the driveway badly cracked thanks to the invasive roots of that ash tree; that, along with a (? maybe more?) break in the main lawn irrigation are subjects for many grousings and speculation and just plain hard work. I’ve put it all off till later, but yes, I will do it.
Right now, the “new plant” budget is just big enough for some Dutch Iris (both yellow hybrid and deep blue hybrid) and 8 varieties of Muscari or Grape Hyacinths. Originally planted around the ash tree, the bulbs there “took the hit” when the ash stump was ground out. For over 35 years, wherever I have lived, there have been Dutch iris and Muscari planted around the front yard. The only difference between back then and now are the roots left by darn ash tree that have to be hacked at, ripped out, and planted around. But it will be done! (Right, Bruce? Bruce, can you hear me?)
See you on the 12th at the Master Gardener office for the plant exchange. I KNOW that there is a plant or plants with your name on them for you to take home and enjoy!
- Author: Karen Metz
When I heard that this year's Solano Fair theme was home grown fun and that Carolyn hoped we could grow some of our plants from seed, I knew I had to grow some crested Celosia, Celosia cristata. I had grown them before and really enjoyed their strangeness. I found a seed packet at the SF Flower and Garden Show and got them started.
With our cooler summer though, the plants took longer than I had anticipated to grow and when fairtime came around only one plant had a bloom bigger than an inch or two, so they didn't make the cut. Since they had missed their chance for stardom at the fair, I decided to put them in the blog. Celosias are a part of the amaranth family. Most people are more familiar with the plume form which is commonly available in many nurseries.
The crested form though is my favorite. It is fan shaped and velvety. The edges form convolutions that remind many people of brains. I am partial to the brilliant red coloration. I know from previous years that the red color holds with drying. I've used them in dried arrangements and as decorations on wreaths. This year I was hoping perhaps I might have enough to cover a small wreath form entirely with the dried blossoms. Although they were slow getting started they are blooming their hearts out now.
Celosia are annuals, which means they grow, set flower, then seed and die in one season. However, they are easy to grow from seed (After all, I grew them and I don't have much luck with seeds). They like full sun, they like water, and they grow well in containers. I have about six in individual pots and put several together in one pot. They are great fun and I think children might appreciate their velvety softness.
- Author: American Academy of Dermatology
Farming has plenty of challenges. One of the hazards that farmers worry about the least are the dangers from working in the sun year-round. Harvest time can provide a reminder for farmers to pay attention to the condition of their skin.
"More than 11,000 Americans die each year from skin cancer," says Dr. David M. Pariser, a dermatologist and president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "But when detected early, skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 percent. Since research shows farmers are among the least likely workers to receive a skin examination by a physician, it's important that farmers perform regular skin self-examinations, which could mean the difference between life and death."
It’s as easy as “ABC” to remember how you can identify a mole or lesion that needs the attention of a dermatologist:
Asymmetry (one half is unlike the other)
Border (irregular, scalloped or poorly defined)
Color (varies from one area to another)
Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser or larger)
Evolving (changing in size, shape or color)
To help farmers minimize their risk of skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone Be Sun Smart:
* Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on all exposed skin, before heading out to the field or pasture. Re-apply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days.
* Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
* Stay in the shade when possible, and make sure your tractor has a sun umbrella. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
* If working near water, snow or sand, seek extra shade because these surfaces reflect the sun’s rays and increase your chance of sunburn.
* Look at your skin after each harvest. Ask a partner to help. If you notice any moles or spots changing, growing or bleeding, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
The Academy offers a downloadable Body Mole Map with information on how to perform a skin exam and images of the ABCDEs of melanoma. The mole map is available at www.aad.org/checkspot. The site also has information on how to find a free cancer screening from a dermatologist in your area.
Performing a skin self-exam requires regularly looking over the entire body, including the back, scalp, soles of the feet and between the toes, and on the palms. It is important to use both a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to see the scalp, back and buttocks.
For more information about skin cancer, visit the SkinCancerNet section of