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May 2025Archived
Field picture submitted by Elizabeth Fichtner

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dry brush in front opens to landscape of hills covered by trees and rangelands. A lake is in the valley in the distance
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Central Sierra: UCCE Researchers Bring Virtual Fence Technology to Local BLM Lands

February 25, 2026
By Scott R Oneto, Brian J Allen
Emerging Precision Agriculture Tool Improves Grazing Systems  For the past four years, UC researchers have been examining the usefulness of virtual fence (VF) technology on a multitude of landscapes across the Sierra Nevada. Virtual fencing is an emerging precision agriculture tool capable of improving…
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Prepped and ready garden bed
The Stanislaus Sprout: Article

Preparing Your Stanislaus County Garden for Spring Planting

February 25, 2026
By Anne E Schellman
Spring in Stanislaus County is a season of renewal and growth. The Central Valley’s mild spring temperatures, lengthening days, and fertile soils make it one of the best times of year to establish vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees. But a productive garden doesn’t start when you put seeds in the…
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Orange Calendula flower with leaves behind
The Stanislaus Sprout: Article

Edible Flowers – Treats from your garden

February 25, 2026
By Anne E Schellman
I love walking on garden paths with friends. Together we enjoy the scent of the flowers, the buzz of the bees, and the chirps and chatter from the many birds. As I meander along, I reach down and pluck a colorful bloom – then pop it in my mouth, chewing contently as I walk. Gasp! My friends look horrified,…
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Path leading through trees in the woods
Garden Notes: Article

Horticultural Term: Bosky

February 25, 2026
By Marceline D Sousa
 Horticulture is rich with language — words that help us describe plants, landscapes, and the natural world with precision and sometimes a bit of poetry. Many horticultural terms have deep historical roots, evolving over centuries alongside our understanding of plants and gardens. Learning these terms…
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Black-eyed Susans, roses, Iris' and other flowers in the cutting garden
Garden Notes: Article

The Perfect Time to Reevaluate Your Flower Garden

February 25, 2026
By Marceline D Sousa
 Once the winter chores of pruning, cleaning up debris, mulching, and the like have been completed, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your flower garden. Perennials have been pruned back or gone dormant, fewer plants are blooming, and there are empty spaces that were previously occupied by luxurious…
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Wood mulch in flowering landscape
Garden Notes: Article

Sustainable Gardening Starts in the Soil: Rethinking What’s Beneath our Feet

February 25, 2026
By Marceline D Sousa
A thriving garden begins below the surface. In San Joaquin County, most home gardeners contend with challenging soil conditions. Local soils tend to be either poor-draining, dense clay or light, sandy soil that drains rapidly and retains few nutrients. The situation is compounded in newer subdivisions, where…
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purple flowers of the jacaranda tree with a blue sky and clouds in the background
Under the Solano Sun: Article

Helpful Support or Leftover Packaging? The Truth About Nursery Stakes, Ties and Tags

February 25, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Lauren MenaYou’ve just bought a tree at a nursery, brought it to its new location and are ready to plant. Maybe you’re fairly new to planting trees and are pleased to see that the tree came with a free stake. You figure the nursery must know what they’re doing, so you go ahead and plant it, with the…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County: Event

Garden Talk: CA Native Plants - Pruning and summer care (Livermore)

Jul 11, 2026

Best practices for pruning CA native shrubs and trees. MG and Native Plant specialist Laura Cornett will be guiding attendees on whens and hows of taking care of CA Native planting in the middle of the summer heat. This event is free. This event is outdoors and is subject to weather and the UC Master…
UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County
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UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County: Event

Garden Talk: Pollinator Gardens (Livermore)

Jun 13, 2026

If you build it they will come - Eventually.  Plants need help to proliferate.  Many need help from bees - both native and honey, butterflies, birds, even flies and wasps. Shari Wentz will be discussing plants and best practices to encourage pollinators in the garden. All you can do is make it more…
UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County
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UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County: Event

Garden Talk: Water - Lifeblood of the garden (Livermore)

May 9, 2026

All life needs water- especially the plants in the garden.  When there is not enough naturally available (whether from rain, humidity, water table) how much needs to be applied to for plants to survive and/or thrive , and how much is too much and how do you most effectively apply it. MG and Qualified…
UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County
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