Summer is here, and so is the Stanislaus County Fair! Our local University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener Program volunteers are excited to have a presence at the fair this year. Come see us in front of the Floriculture building located just inside the fairgrounds near the Arch gate off 900 North Broadway in Turlock. We will be at the fair on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Help the Monarch Butterfly

Thanks to the Great Valley Seed Company, we are giving away free seed packets of narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fasciculata) while supplies last. Plant the seeds in full sun this fall to create a milkweed patch. The monarch butterfly population has declined by 90% since the 1980's. Their caterpillars only eat milkweed, so the more patches we can establish in Stanislaus County, the better! An item of note is we are asking people not to plant tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassivica), which harbors a disease that is killing the butterfly.

Water Wise Plants

Our table will showcase a colorful poster about water wise plants, along with a helpful handout listing attractive plant choices. Be sure not to miss one of our Water Wise Landscaping classes at a local library by reading this post. At the booth, pick up a copy of our upcoming classes so you never miss an event!

Have a Pest Problem?

Stop by our table and pick up our Quick Tips cards in English or Spanish on topics like ants, powdery mildew, gophers, cockroaches, and more! Ask a Master Gardener a question about your vegetable garden or pest problem.

For more information about the fair, visit the Stanislaus County Fair Website. https://stancofair.com/