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May 2025Archived
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sourdough starter of flour and water bubbling in a glass jar
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Gluten-free Sourdough Starter

Flour is the main ingredient and is especially important in making a gluten-free starter. Use a whole grain gluten-free flour like brown rice, buckwheat, sorghum or millet flour. While gluten-free flour blends can be substituted successfully in most baking recipes, they are not recommended for making…
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Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Celebrating World Bee Day!

May 20, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Today, May 20, is World Bee Day, and time to "raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today," according to the World Bee Day organizers. "We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to…
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a glass jar of red pepper jelly in front of pork sliders
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Red Pepper Jelly

If you enjoy a mild pepper jelly, this recipe should top your list. The addition of jalapeño peppers adds just the right kick, without extinguishing your taste buds.Yield: ~6 half-pint jars Prep: 15 Minutes Processing:10 MinutesIngredients: • 4 ½ cups finely chopped red bell pepper (about 4 large) • ½ cup…
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3 lemons next to a jar of frozen lemon curd and lemon juicer with two lemon cookies on a plate with a pink background
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Quick Lemon Curd

Lemon curd can add a special touch on many occasions and often only needs to be a small garnish. Serve on the side with other favorite breakfast spreads.Yield: 3 pint jars or 6 half-pint jars Prep: 30 Minutes Processing: Refrigerate or freezeIngredients: • 4 to 5 tsp grated lemon peel • 2/3 cup fresh lemon…
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coyote brush with flowers

Coyote Brush-My New Favorite Native Volunteer

May 20, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
Blog by Jennifer DeDora One day, I was strolling my front walk, and I noticed a plant I hadn’t planted…now how and when did that get there?! I left it where it was and watched it for a few weeks, and realized it was doing wonderfully and actually thriving amongst my purposefully planted plants. At that…
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two glass jars of pickled red onions
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Quick Refrigerator Pickles

Have you made quick pickles before? It’s fast, easy, and fun. Onions, cucumbers, asparagus, parsnips, radishes, and pea pods are great vegetables to start making quick refrigerator pickles.Yield: ~ 4 pint jars Prep: 30 Minutes Processing: Not required for this recipe  Ingredients: • Assorted vegetables …
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Volunteers at the Gardening Education Center
UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties: Event

Visit the UC Master Gardener Gardening Education Center

Aug 5, 2026

The Gardening Education Center (GEC) is a dynamic, experimental garden where UC Master Gardeners employ environmentally sound, water-wise methods to propagate and grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, pollinator plants and cover crops throughout the year. The GEC features a range of growing…
UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties
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UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties: Event

Visit the UC Master Gardener Gardening Education Center

Jul 1, 2026

The Gardening Education Center (GEC) is a dynamic, experimental garden where UC Master Gardeners employ environmentally sound, water-wise methods to propagate and grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, pollinator plants and cover crops throughout the year. The GEC features a range of growing…
UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties
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4 glass jars of zesty peach bbq sauce on a countertop with a bowl of peaches in the background, next to a plate of chicken and basting brush
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce

Golden orange with red flecks, this barbecue sauce not only looks amazing, but tastes out of this world. Spoon some over your chicken or fish this summer!Yield: 8 half-pint jars Prep: 45 Minutes Processing: 15 MinutesINGREDIENTS: • 6 cups finely chopped, pitted, peeled yellow peaches (about 3 lbs or 9 medium…
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sourdough starter of flour and water bubbling in a glass jar
Master Food Preserver Program of San Diego County: Page

Sourdough Starter

There’s nothing like the satisfaction that comes from making your own sourdough bread start to finish; and that means creating your own starter from scratch. With our simple directions your success is pretty much guaranteed. The ingredients couldn’t be any simpler: just flour and water. We strongly recommend…
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