- Author: Aubrey Bray
This in-depth publication provides research based information for individuals interested in adopting sustainable landscape practices. These practices include: plant selection, water conservation, pest management and providing wildlife habitats.
The free publication contains helpful figures, photos, and references for individuals looking for detailed and more complex information. “Sustainable Landscaping in California” can be a powerful tool for new volunteers working at a helpdesk or for developing workshop content or use in a presentation.
The sustainable landscaping publication is available as a free downloadable Adobe PDF from the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Catalog. Don't forget to check-out some of the other high-quality gardening publications available. Ask a local UCCE office about publication discounts for volunteers!
- Author: Melissa G. Womack
As University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners, we are all doing great things. Search for Excellence (SFE) awards is an opportunity to celebrate and share accomplishment by showcasing the tremendous talents of Master Gardeners statewide. Master Gardeners are invited to submit an educational and innovative county project for consideration April 1 – July 1, 2014.
What is the “Search for Excellence”?
Master Gardeners have successfully developed outreach projects in their local communities and have dedicated an huge amount of time and resources to ensure the project's success. The Search for Excellence awards are a small way to recognize and thank Master Gardeners for all that they do.
Search for Excellence is a statewide competition which recognizes county UCCE Master Gardener Programs for outstanding projects that support the mission of the UC Master Gardener Program.
What are SFE Categories?
Projects must fall under one of the following categories:
- Youth programs
- Demonstration gardens
- Workshop or presentation
- Community service
- Innovative projects
- Special needs audiences (senior, disabled or horticultural therapy)
- Research (applied scientific methodology)
What Projects Count for SFE Award Considerations?
Project submissions must fit the following parameters to qualify for SFE awards:
- Projects judged on merit for work completed between 2011 – 2013
- Projects must be completed for a full year to be considered
- Entries must be group, not individual, projects
- Each county may submit multiple SFE applications, only one project per category will be considered
Search for Excellence awards are designed to highlight the statewide conferences and we hope you will consider submitting an application for a project in your county that educates the public in a special, fun and creative way. Additional details including guidelines and an application for the 2014 SFE awards are attached below and also available on the 2014 UC Master Garden Conference website.
If you think one of the projects is a candidate for an award based on its' development, implementation and impact in the community, let your Master Gardener Program Coordinator or leader know about it!
Questions? Contact Kevin Marini, 530-889-7399
2014 SFE Application
2014 SFE Guidelines
- Author: Melissa G. Womack
Thank you for registering early to ensure the UC Master Gardener Conference will be an extraordinary event. Currently more than 400 attendees have registered for the conference!
The Tenaya Lodge is officially sold out of rooms (don't panic) from Oct. 8 -10, 2014. There are a few ways you can do to help manage the situation as outlined below:
- Attendees are encouraged to check with roommate(s) for duplicate hotel reservations and release unneeded reservations as a courtesy to their fellow Master Gardeners.
- Still need lodging? Continue to check on room availability by contacting the Tenaya Lodge directly, (559)683-6555. There is no waiting list - rooms are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The Statewide Office is looking at alternate accommodations and those options will be published as soon as they become available.
We are reviewing the lodging list from the Tenaya Lodge to ensure accuracy of reservations. Be on the look-out for an email confirmation from UC ANR regarding your lodging plans in the upcoming weeks. We still have plenty of space for UC Master Gardeners who would like to attend the event.
We promise to keep you informed on hotel updates and conference activities in the near future!
- Author: Deborah M Mathews
One of California's most adored flowering plants, impatiens, is being threatened by a serious pest. You may have noticed the common garden impatiens missing from nurseries, retail store shelves, and landscapes, parks, and gardens this year.
Impatiens are dying from a relatively new plant disease called impatiens downy mildew, caused by the fungus-like, oomycete pathogen Plasmopara obducens. The pathogen primarily affects varieties of Impatiens walleriana, or hybrids with an I. walleriana parent and wild impatiens (I. balsamina). Note that this pathogen does not affect New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) or other bedding plant genera. This disease develops rapidly, with a few leaves on apparently healthy impatiens beginning to show slight yellowing and stunting followed by development of white, powdery spores on the undersides of leaves, and later, by leaf and flower drop. Plants are likely to become completely defoliated within several weeks. The pathogen produces airborne spores, which can travel for many miles, as well as swimming zoospores and oospores, which can survive within soil and plant debris for long periods and infect healthy plants when replanted in the same area.
Early detection is especially critical for this disease since chemical control has been shown to be ineffective once sporulation begins. Scout routinely to identify and remove diseased plants before epidemics can result. Removing infected plants may limit spread to other areas of the landscape.
Consider growing alternative bedding plants that will grow well in shady areas of the landscape but that will not be affected by the disease. Some examples include Bergenia hybrids, Caladiums, Coral bells, Lobelia, New Guinea impatiens, Sweet alyssum, and wax begonias.
This article was originally published in the December 2013 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin.
/span>- Author: Judy McClure
Caution!
Don't miss this opportunity to add money to your UCCE Master Gardener Program's bank account. That's right, the MarketPlace can help volunteers increase the flow of money into their program's operating budget.
The passion UCCE Master Gardeners have for sharing horticulture with the community is fueled by our love for people and love of plants (or maybe you prefer insects). Regardless of the motivation that brings you to the UCCE Master Gardener program, we all have one thing in common - we must periodically purchase items for our gardens!
Historically, conference attendees arrive with empty suitcase space specifically intended for transporting home newly acquired treasures. The MarketPlace is an opportunity to collect unique gardening items while helping individual counties along the way.
Each county has the opportunity to reserve a sales booth space, provide sales materials of their choice and volunteer to assist with store operations. Funds raised by each individual county will be returned to them less minimal operating costs.
Within the next month each UCCE Master Gardener Coordinator will receive an information packet with preliminary participant guidelines. Space may be limited, so keep an eye on the 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference website or the statewide blog for MarketPlace updates. Absolutely, don't allow the information packets to lay dormant or become part of the compost pile.
Start the conversation in your county today, be prepared to respond quickly when the packets arrive in the mail. Talk about how your county can capitalize by participating in the MarketPlace. Brainstorm about what ‘must-have' items will motivate gardeners, naturalists, or bird watchers to part with their hard earned cash. Think about display methods for showcasing your sales items. Offer to coordinate your MarketPlace booth or be a committee participant. Be the one who makes a difference!
Yolo and Sacramento counties are proud to be hosting the 2014 MarketPlace. We look forward to having you join us in Yosemite, one of California's most treasured spots!