- Author: Chris M. Webb
On September 1 from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm, Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish will hold the 9th annual strawberry production meeting in Ventura County.
The meeting will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish. There is no cost to attend. Scheduled topics include:
- Strawberry varieties and production
- Plant collapse
- Biology and management
- Results from 2009-2010 field trials
- Strawberry establishment with drip irrigation
- Regulatory update
- Weed control
- Fungicide evaluations
- Lygus bug, vinegar fly and mite control
Lunch will be provided. Details can be found here. To register, request special arrangements, or to ask questions please contact Oleg by email or by phone at (805) 645-1454 by August 20.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s Weed Research & Information Center (WRIC) is an important resource for weed management. Their mission statement is:
The Weed Research and Information Center is an interdisciplinary collaboration that fosters research in weed management and facilitates distribution of associated knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and for the preservation of natural resources.
In addition to information about the program, their website has a calendar of upcoming related short courses and provides links to UC ANR publications and other resources and organizations for weed management.
In addition to this statewide resource, our website has a “Weed and Invasive Plants of Ventura County” page. To find out more please click here!
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Our UC IPM website has great information for managing pests in turfgrass. It is designed for landscape professionals working at golf courses, parks, sports fields, and other lawn areas.
In addition to general information on turf grass management, you will find specific notes on the following:
- Diseases
- Insects and mites
- Nematodes
- Weeds
Home gardeners can find similar information here.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Compost provides many benefits for the home gardener and can be used in a variety of ways. Two UC ANR free publications provide great information.
Compost is good for your garden and the environment lists ways that composting is beneficial and how it can be used. Also included are instructions/guidelines on how to compost.
Compost in a hurry also explains how composting is beneficial, and provides instructions on ways that can speed up the composting process.
Either publication will help readers learn ways to decrease water usage, improve nutrient content of soil, reduce the need for pesticides, reduce waste, improve plant growth, reduce weeds, and more!
Sample of the various types of compost bins that a homeowner might use.
Dark, moist organic compost mulch in mound with shovel between ground cover beds in landscape.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Ever wanted or needed to know more about a pest? This is a common request at the Ventura County UCCE office.
The University of California has a wonderful website devoted to IPM (integrated pest management). The site is quite diverse. It has information about:
- the home, which includes pests of structures, people and pets.
- gardens and landscapes, where viewers can search by plant or by common pests, including plant diseases and weeds. Common management methods are also a part of this section.
- whether pesticide use is appropriate, how pesticide use relates to water quality, and other pesticide guidelines and suggestions.
- identification of pests and natural enemies with the aid of photo galleries.
- quick tips, available in PDF format, in English and Spanish.
These subjects and much more can be found here.