- Author: Melissa G. Womack
As we celebrate our exceptional volunteers in the UC Master Gardener Program, it is essential to highlight the incredible work and dedication of Sharon Radish, Marion Cantor, Ann Wright, Joanne Crawford, and Chrissy Freeman. These individuals have made significant contributions to the program through their communication excellence and commitment to our mission!
Sharon Radish
Sharon Radish, known as the tech guru among UC Master Gardener volunteers in Fresno County, is an invaluable asset to the program. Always working quietly behind the scenes, she ensures the smooth functioning of the program's technological aspects. Sharon has developed local registration systems for public education classes, board election nominations, and online self-correcting tests for new training classes. Thanks to her tireless efforts, public education classes have seen increased registration numbers in Fresno County, and UC Master Gardeners can easily access crucial documents. We are grateful for Sharon's vision and dedication in using technology to uplift and streamline the program!
Marion Cantor
Marion Cantor is a passionate volunteer who excels in promoting the UC Master Gardener name across various platforms, from social media to traditional newspapers. As the lead of the publicity committee for Yolo County, Marion skillfully directs her team to disseminate information about the program, its events, and volunteer efforts. With her guidance, the committee has reached more than 3,000 residents via email blasts, social media sites, and newspapers in Yolo County. All public-facing projects have benefited from Marion's publicity expertise, resulting in increased public participation and recognition for the UC Master Gardener Program!
Ann Wright
Ann Wright's writing prowess and warm personality have made her an essential contributor to the UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County. Her bi-monthly gardening articles for The Union newspaper offer valuable insights into local gardening challenges and promote workshops and educational events. Ann played a pivotal role in revising and updating the county's Western Sierra Foothills Garden Guide in 2020, which sold more than 700 copies despite the COVID-19 shutdown.
Additionally, Ann produces the local monthly Trowel & Error and Curious Gardener newsletters and frequently hosts the popular UC Master Gardener and Friends radio show on KNCO. As the webmaster for ncmg.ucanr.edu, she ensures the site remains updated with the latest information, making it easier for UC Master Gardeners to access relevant resources. Ann's exceptional writing and communication skills have significantly contributed to the program's positive reputation in the Nevada County community.
Joanne Crawford
A UC Master Gardener since 2019, Joanne Crawford has made significant contributions to the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County Speaker's Bureau with her outstanding communication skills. Joanne has meticulously reviewed, updated, and standardized more than 35 PowerPoint presentations, ensuring content accuracy and consistent branding. Joanne's attention to detail has greatly benefited the 1,400 in-person contacts and many more Zoom participants reached by the Speaker's Bureau. In addition, Joanne has taken a leadership role in the design project, instructing and guiding a group of UC Master Gardener volunteers in developing landscape designs for specific projects. Her dedication and versatility make her an invaluable asset to the UC Master Gardener Program.
Chrissy Freeman
Chrissy Freeman is the creative force behind the interpretive signage for the UC Master Gardener of Nevada County Demonstration Garden. The garden signage makes the garden it an educational destination for the community. Chrissy's work has not only increased visitor engagement but also raised awareness of sustainable gardening practices by covering essential topics such as plant selection, soil quality, efficient irrigation, insect pests, beneficial insects, and more. In addition to her work on signage, Chrissy has strengthened partnerships with local organizations like the California Native Plant Society, Redbud Chapter, and co-produced public speaking events to promote sustainable gardening practices. Through her commitment to communications excellence and collaboration, Chrissy has made a lasting impact on the Nevada County gardening community.
The UC Master Gardener Program is immensely grateful for the dedication, passion, and expertise of these remarkable volunteers. Sharon Radish, Marion Cantor, Ann Wright, Joanne Crawford, and Chrissy Freeman embody the spirit of Gardeners with Heart, using their skills to elevate the program and make a meaningful impact on their communities.
About National Volunteer Month and Gardeners with Heart
- Author: Melissa G. Womack
Kelly Christensen
Meet Kelly Christensen, a passionate gardener, and dedicated UC Master Gardener since 2011. With more than 850 volunteer hours to his credit, Kelly's contributions to the program are immeasurable. Despite a hiatus, he returned to active status in 2020 and has been actively involved in various projects ever since.
Kelly's background in waste water management spans 30 years, which he coupled with a landscape management education from Orange Coast College's horticulture program. He is a valuable asset to the UC Master Gardener Program of Orange County's Emerging Tree Pests (ETP) project, which he leads, and has been instrumental in expanding its outreach efforts to new audiences at various regional parks and nature centers. Kelly has even taken the project to local farmers' markets and multiple-day booth events.
Kelly's dedication to the ETP project is unwavering, and he is committed to its success. The project aims to educate the public on the risks posed by invasive tree pests, such as the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer, which threatens to wipe out entire tree populations in Orange County. The project provides valuable information and guidance to homeowners, gardeners, and other stakeholders on how to identify, manage, and prevent these invasive pests from spreading.
His contributions to the ETP project have been significant, but he remains humble and continues to work diligently to ensure the project's success. Kelly's love for gardening and his dedication to educating the public on the importance of preserving our natural environment are qualities that make him an outstanding member of the UC Master Gardener community.
Laura Southwarth
In addition to Kelly Christensen's outstanding work with the Emerging Tree Pests project, another UC Master Gardener volunteer has been making a difference in invasive pest detection in Sonoma County. Meet Laura Southwarth, who has been managing the information desk for the past four years. Her mission has been to ensure that the answers given to the public are current, science-based, and reliable.
Laura has been instrumental in updating the training of all volunteers at the information desk in Sonoma County, making them confident in their use of online sources and providing guidance whenever needed. During the COVID-19 shutdowns, Laura managed to sustain the response rate of the information desk, receiving an average of over 900 contacts via email and telephone. Despite the challenges, the service of the information desk remained uninterrupted, ensuring that Sonoma gardeners always had access to reliable information.
“I know that whenever I am confused or feeling at a loss, I can email your information desk, send pictures or drop off a sample and I will get a solid answer in no time,” says a happy farmers' market client praising the information desk. Laura's contributions have greatly benefited the community by providing thorough and well-researched answers to clients' questions. She has used her experience and knowledge to restructure information desk training and web page content, deciphering IPM practices. Through Laura's diligence, the UC Master Gardener Program in Sonoma County has identified several invasive pests in samples submitted to the local Agriculture Commissioner. We greatly appreciate her dedication to delivering exceptional service to the Sonoma County community.
The UC Master Gardener Program relies on volunteers like Kelly Christensen and Laura Southwarth to deliver valuable information to the public, prevent the spread of invasive pests, and promote sustainable gardening practices. Their dedication to the program is truly inspiring, and we are fortunate to have them as part of our team. We hope their contributions inspire others to get involved and make a difference in their communities.
About National Volunteer Month and Gardeners with Heart
During National Volunteer Month (April 1 - 30), the UC Master Gardener Program celebrates its 6,300 incredible UC Master Gardener volunteers and their contributions to California communities. Throughout the National Volunteer Week, will feature stories of special volunteers or Gardeners with Heart from across the state who use their skills to improve program delivery. Gardener's with Heart volunteers were nominated by their local county leadership for the impact they make every day in their communities.
- Author: Melissa G. Womack
April is National Volunteer Month, and it's the perfect time to recognize and appreciate the outstanding service of UC Master Gardener volunteers across California. UC Master Gardeners generously donate their time and expertise to make a significant impact in their communities.
UC Master Gardener volunteers are the heart of our program, providing invaluable service by sharing research-based horticultural information, engaging in sustainable landscape practices, and fostering a love for gardening in their communities.
In honor of National Volunteer Month and volunteer week (April 16-22), we will be highlighting the exceptional contributions of several Gardeners with Heart on our statewide blog and social media channels.
Each week, we'll share new stories of Gardeners with Heart, showcasing the impact they make every day in their communities. You'll read about volunteers who have spearheaded community garden projects, developed educational programs for school gardens, and created accessible gardening experiences and spaces for people with disabilities. These remarkable UC Master Gardener volunteers have gone above and beyond in their service, demonstrating passion, leadership, and innovation and their efforts have left a mark and have inspired countless others to get involved.
We invite you to join us in celebrating these extraordinary volunteers by following our blog and social media channel, where we will share stories of Gardeners with Heart and how they're making a difference. In addition to these inspiring stories, we encourage you to take the opportunity this month to thank the UC Master Gardener volunteers in your life. Whether it's a family member, friend, or neighbor, your appreciation for their hard work and dedication will undoubtedly mean a great deal to them.
- Author: Lauren Snowden
- Author: Melissa Womack
The 2023 UC Master Gardener Conference photo contest categories have been revealed. It's time to showcase your photography skills in the conference photo contest! Whether you've captured the beauty of a perfectly bloomed flower, your bountiful harvest, a native plant garden, or the joy of sharing your knowledge with others, we want to see your best shots.
Join us in celebrating the beauty of nature and the dedication of UC Master Gardeners everywhere by submitting your photos. Stay tuned for the official photo contest kick-off on June 15, 2023 when photo submission begins! In the meantime, start taking photos that fit into the below five categories.
Photo Contest Categories:
Get Growing
Submit your photos that capture the beauty and process of growing plants, whether it's in a container or a home, community garden, or school garden. We're looking for photos that showcase the various stages of plant growth, from seed to harvest, and the hard work and dedication that goes into cultivating healthy plants. The photos can be of individual plants or a collection of plants, and should showcase the beauty of nature and the joy of gardening.
Garden Lessons
It is no secret that UC Master Gardeners love teaching others about gardening and sharing knowledge, this category is for photos that capture the educational aspect of gardening, whether it's learning about new plants, techniques, or sustainability practices. We're looking for photos that showcase the knowledge-sharing aspect of gardening, whether it's a group of people learning together, a gardening workshop, or a demonstration of a new gardening skill. The photos should capture the passion and enthusiasm for gardening, and the sense of community and connection that comes from sharing knowledge and experiences!
Lovely Landscaping
California is blessed with seven different growing zones, which means we have a lot of variety of maintained landscapes. This category is for photos that showcase the artistry and creativity of landscaping. We're looking for photos of beautiful and inspiring outdoor spaces that have been designed and maintained with care and attention to detail. The photos can be of gardens, parks, or other outdoor spaces, and should capture the beauty of the plants, the harmony of the design, and the peacefulness of the setting.
Garden Fails
Even the most seasoned pro has garden fails. This category is for photos that capture the humorous and often frustrating moments that come with gardening. We're looking for photos of unexpected mishaps, gardening mistakes, and funny situations that occur in the garden. The photos can be of plant fails, garden tools gone wrong, or humorous garden signs. The photos should showcase the lighter side of gardening, and highlight the lessons learned through trial and error.
Garden Bounty
You work so hard to grow food, don't forget to take a photo and show it off. Share photos that showcase the abundance and diversity of homegrown produce. We're looking for photos of gardeners with their harvest, baskets of fruits and vegetables, or close-ups of the produce itself. The photos should capture the joy and pride of growing and harvesting your own food, and the benefits of eating fresh, healthy, and sustainable produce. The photos can be of individual plants or an entire garden and should showcase the variety and beauty of the harvest.
Contest Details
- Photo submissions June 15 - August 28, 2023
- Voting opens in September
- All images must be the original work of the photographer submitting the image
- Multiple entries are allowed
- Open to the public, must be 18 years or older
- Only UC Master Gardeners are eligible for prizes
- Prizes are in the process of finalization
- Prizes are in the process of finalization
Photo Contest Website: https://bit.ly/3SV8eti
- Author: Skylar Peters
Happy March! The days are starting to get longer, which means the spring gardening season is about to begin. As temperatures begin to warm, it's the perfect time to start tackling tasks in the garden. Whether you've been hibernating and taking a break from gardening this winter, or you've been planning your spring garden for months, we have some gardening tips to help your garden thrive.
1. Clean up your garden just before the growing season swings into full gear. March is the perfect time to clean up your garden. If you haven't already be sure to:
- Prune dead branches to keep your trees healthy (for more information check out this pruning resource.)
- Prune summer-flowering plants that bloom on new wood such as crape myrtle
- Pull weeds once garden beds aren't water-logged
- Remove dead leaves or plant debris
- Clean your garden tools
2. Fertilize your lawn. The most important nutrients for lawns are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. But most lawns only regularly need nitrogen. To give your lawn the nitrogen it likely needs, you must decide between a:
- Slow-release fertilizer that lasts 8-10 weeks (typically marked on the package as water-insoluble nitrogen or WIN)
- Soluble fertilizer that lasts about 4 weeks
3. Check your irrigation system to see if it needs maintenance. Adjust your irrigation controller for the appropriate season. Plants don't need as much water in late fall, winter, and early spring as they do in the summer months. Adjusting your watering schedule can save water and rescue plants from being overwatered. Do a walkthrough to check your irrigation system for any leaks or problems.
Common irrigation problems and solutions | |
|---|---|
|
PROBLEM |
SOLUTION |
|
broken sprinkler |
replace with a sprinkler that applies water at the same rate |
|
unmatched sprinklers |
replace with sprinklers that apply water at a common rate |
|
sunken sprinkler risers |
raise the sprinklers or replace |
|
crooked sprinklers |
straighten to an upright position |
|
turfgrass growing around sprinklers, other plants blocking sprinklers |
mow, prune or remove plant material |
|
sand or debris plugging sprinklers |
flush out sprinklers to remove debris; replace sprinklers as necessary |
4. Look for standing water in your landscape and containers. It is crucial to ensure that there is no standing water in your yard or garden, as it can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
5. Plant cool-season vegetables. March is still a good time to plant cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. These crops love the cooler weather and will thrive in your garden this time of year. Make sure to plant them in a spot that gets plenty of sun and has well-draining soil.
6. Start warm-season seeds indoors. If you're planning on growing warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants, now is the time to start your seeds indoors. Learn more about seed-starting from our recent blog: Get a Head Start on Your Garden by Starting Your Vegetable Seeds Indoors.
7. Grow herbs. March is an excellent time to grow herbs that can enhance the flavors in your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Herbs can be grown indoors (e.g., in a kitchen window) or outdoors in a pot, raised bed, or in the ground. Herb leaves and herbaceous stems are an incredible addition to most food. Try a new chimichurri recipe or herbed veggie dish this spring.
8. Look out for ladybug hatchlings. While inspecting your garden for pests, keep an eye out for newly hatched ladybugs and refrain from disturbing them. Ladybugs can be extremely beneficial to your garden as they prey on aphids that can be harmful to your plants. For additional information on ladybugs, you can refer to UC IPM's Lady Beetle information.
9. Plant flowers to attract butterflies and support your local pollinators. Some great pollinator-supporting plants include:
- Milkweed
- Lantana
- Honeysuckle
March is an exciting time in the garden as it marks the beginning of the growing season. As the temperatures start to rise there's a lot to do in the garden from maintenance to planting. It's time to start putting in the work that will pay off when you see your beautiful spring garden.
Ask your local UC Master Gardener Program
Have a gardening question? UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help. Click here to Find a Program and connect with your local UC Master Gardener Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE. Happy gardening!
