California Garden Web Launched

UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog

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News and updates from the statewide UC Master Gardener Program office.

Author: Pamela M. Geisel

Published on: July 6, 2009

Visit the California Garden Web at http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu.

The University of California Statewide Master Gardener Program has launched a new Web site to serve as an information portal for California gardeners. The UC Statewide Master Gardener Program staff designed the Web site to organize and extend UC's vast store of research-based information about gardening, landscapes and lawns to the public.

The Web site focuses on sustainable gardening practices and uses a question and answer format to present solutions. A blog on the Web sites home page, updated weekly, highlights gardening content pertinent to the season. The site also links to useful gardening resources on other UC Web pages.

"When UC sites have thorough content covering a particular topic, we link to that site rather than duplicating it," said Pam Giesel, the academic coordinator for the statewide UC Master Gardener Program. "For example, UC IPM, the Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture, and our sister site, the California Backyard Orchard, contain an abundance of information about sustainable gardening and are all linked to the new portal."

The new Web site also provides California gardeners with free access to updated information from the California Master Gardener Handbook.

Special features include:

Guidelines for practicing sustainable gardening
Easy calculators for estimating landscape water needs
Guidelines for conserving and managing water during a drought
Links to local Master Gardener Web sites
Comprehensive grape and berry gardening practices
Vegetable gardening FAQ

The site has sections on:

Gardening basics
Your climate zone
Find your local Master Gardener
Pests, diseases, weeds
Vegetables
Nut and fruit trees and vines
Landscape trees, shrubs and vines
Lawns
Flowers
Indoor plants
Poisonous plants
Glossary
Classes and events

Visit the California Garden Web at http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu.

Development of the new Web site was funded by the Elvenia J. Slosson Endowment for Ornamental Horticulture.

Comments: 7

Comments:

by Michael L. Freitas

on July 13, 2009 at 3:28 PM

Another great tool for MGs. Thanks a lot.

by Maggie E McDowell

on July 18, 2009 at 10:30 PM

This is extremely interesting to just peruse and I always find something pertinent to my garden or something that reminds me of a project I've wanted to do in the past. I've put it on my Favorites. Thank you MG's!

by Janet Cangemi

on August 3, 2009 at 8:31 PM

Many thanks to you Pam and to your terrific support staff for an invaluable tool for not only the public, but also for our MG team throughout the state to use in advancing sound horticultural practices to the public through our various outreaches.

by Pamela M. Geisel

on August 4, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Thank you for your very kind words. Keep check the site because we are making changes and adding things daily! If you have ideas of things to add, please let us know. Best regards, Pam Geisel

by Joan k Kempik

on August 6, 2009 at 11:57 AM

Great to review. I nice tool for my questions.

by John Chavez

on August 7, 2009 at 6:25 PM

Getting valuable horticultural information to the gardening public is a very important part of the Master Gardener Program. This is an outstanding addition to the many other successful ways we reach the home gardener. Let's add information about Sudden Oak Death since it is impacting many gardeners along the North Coast.

by Pat Freeman

on August 21, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Great resource. I'd like to see more Orange County classes and events listed.