The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in California in 2008 and is now confirmed in 13 counties, including all of Southern California and as far north as Santa Clara County.* Thus, the psyllid is established near, or threatening much of, California's commercial, nursery, and residential citrus. When the pest is found, quarantines are put in place to restrict the movement of citrus plants and plant clippings in order to limit spread of the pest.
There are things that residents and maintenance gardeners can do to help minimize the spread of this pest and HLB.
To read more about ACP and HLB, click here.
*http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/
Mother's Day is right around the corner (Sunday, May 10th) and we know that Mother's Day shopping can be a challenge. If your trying to think of the perfect gift for the Mom in your life why not buy her the CA Master Gardener Handbook, Second Edition and you'll get a copy of Healthy Roses for FREE! Click on the link to order. http://
Before joining the statewide staff for the UC Master Gardener Program, Lauren worked for Yuba County Health and Human Services where she was an Administrative Analyst for twelve years. During her time at Yuba County Health and Human Services Lauren worked alongside management to develop training programs for employees and coworkers. She has a passion for creating creative and engaging trainings and is excited to bring her experience to UC Master Gardeners.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to take what Aubrey has already done and continue to build upon the great work with our coordinators, volunteers and statewide staff.” – Lauren Snowden, Statewide Training Coordinator – UC Master Gardener Program
Lauren has been a UC Master Gardener volunteer in Sutter-Yuba Counties since 2011. As a UC Master Gardener volunteer Lauren co-manages her program's monthly county newsletter, and trains the public and fellow volunteers on her favorite gardening topics, including: vegetable gardening, planting for spring flowers, and patio gardening.
Lauren resides in Yuba City on two acres of a “work in progress” with her husband Phil, dog Gunner and beloved cat Rascal. She is a substitute yoga instructor at her local gym, and is training to run a half and full marathon in 2015.
- Author: Marcy Sousa
Plant a Tree to Celebrate Arbor Day! Have you ever wondered how this national (and international) holiday got its roots? Arbor Day is an annual observance that promotes tree planting and care and reflects a hope for the future. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872, in Nebraska. 
In 1854, Julius Sterling Morton moved from Detroit to Nebraska City, Nebraska. Morton was a nature lover and felt that Nebraska's landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and urged neighbors to do the same.
Morton became editor of Nebraska's first newspaper and used the paper to share agricultural information, ideas on environmental stewardship and his enthusiasm for trees to a receptive audience. He was ahead of his time as his own version of a master gardener!
In 1872, Morton presented the State Board of Agriculture a resolution “to set aside one day to plant trees, both forest and fruit.” The Board declared April 10 Arbor Day. More than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. With this first tree planting holiday observance, J. Sterling Morton became known as the “Founder of Arbor Day.” Arbor Day did not become a legal holiday until 1885, when the legislature set aside Morton's birthday, April 22, as the holiday.
For more information on planting and caring for landscape or fruit trees visit the UC California Garden Web website.
To learn more about Arbor Day, visit the Arbor Day Foundation Website.
Information and quotes cited in this blog can be found on Arbor Day Foundation & Arbor-day.net.
- Author: Melissa G. Womack
2015 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, which is celebrated by more than 1 billion people worldwide. The national theme for this year's Earth Day is It's Our Turn to Lead, a phrase that directly describes the more than 6,000 UC Master Gardener volunteers actively leading in their local communities.
UC Master Gardeners are critical in supporting UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources' (UC ANR) strategic initiatives for healthy communities, healthy environments and healthy plants across the state of California.
“UC Master Gardener volunteers represent the most passionate and dedicated group of people I have encountered,” said Missy Gable, statewide director of the UC Master Gardener Program, “they are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of research-based gardening information with the public and their commitment of time to this practice is both generous and inspiring. UC Master Gardeners are an unbelievable resource for all residents in California and I want to recognize their efforts this Earth Day. Volunteers are taking the lead to provide sound advice to CA gardeners as we all work to use water appropriately, connect to our food systems and protect our environment.”
Join us on Earth Day 2015!
Perhaps you've seen your local UC Master Gardeners answering questions at the Farmer's Market or you've read an article by a volunteer in your local paper. If the 45th anniversary of Earth Day has inspired you to become more active with your environment, consider connecting with your local UC Master Gardener Program.
Sample of UC Master Gardener Events Happening Across the State the Week of Earth Day:
- Calaveras County:
Open Garden Day
April 25, 10 am – 2 pm - Contra Costa County:
Antioch High School Earth Day Festival
April 22, 12 – 3 pm
Lafayette Earth Day Festival
April 26, 11 am – 3 pm - El Dorado County
Rainwater Harvesting/Greywater Use
April 25, 9 am – 12 pm - Lake County:
Yuba College Earth Day
April 22, 10 am – 1 pm - Napa County:
Earth Day Celebration
April 25, 10 am – 3 pm
Sierra College Earth Day 2015
April 22, 10 am – 3 pm - Sacramento County:
Plant Clinic - Greener Gardens Expo and Garden Tour
April 25, 10 am – 3 pm - San Diego County:
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 11 am – 2 pm - Santa Clara County:
Earth Day - San Jose
April 22, 10 am – 3 pm - Sonoma County:
Drip Irrigation - Rincon
April 25, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm - Ventura County:
Front Yard Landscape Irrigation and Water Usage
April 22, 1 – 3 pm
UC Master Gardener volunteers receive University training in horticulture from experts in the field, mostly UC Cooperative Extension Advisors and Specialists. In exchange for training, UC Master Gardener volunteers extend research-based information on sustainable home horticulture practices to the public. Whether you are looking to reduce your landscape water use, grow tomatoes or even become a UC Master Gardener yourself, volunteers are ready to help you. Find a program or event near you!
