Archive Nut, Prune and Olive Programs

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.

It's time for UC IPM's Easter egg hunt! Can you guess which insects laid the eggs pictured below? Some may be pests, while others may be beneficial! Leave a comment on this blog post with your guesses, or on our Facebook and Instagram posts. Answers will be posted on Friday, April 7th. A. B. C. D.

Sandipa Gautam UCCE IPM Advisor California red scale is a common pest of California citrus attacking leaves, twigs, fruit by sucking plant sap. If the scale numbers are high serious damage can occur to the trees and highly infested fruit may be downgraded in the packinghouse.

Melody Kendall Climate change issues and water conservation have become very important topics in our area. One of the ways to conserve water in your landscape is to remove your thirsty lawn and replace it with a more water-friendly option.

UC ANR leaders and supporters met with congressional members and staff in Washington, D.C. during the CARET (Council for Agricultural Extension, Research and Teaching) meetings, March 1215.

If you want to enjoy your own fresh, homegrown tomatoes this summer, April is the time to get started. Unless you are a hardcore gardener and start your own from seeds, most likely you will be buying young tomato plants (seedlings) from a nursery or plant sale.

  Featured StoryHow To Manage Water Runoff In Your NurseryWritten by: Robert PadillaEdited by: Production Horticulture Advisor, Gerry SpinelliWater runoff is a significant issue for nurseries, especially in regions like San Diego where rains are often short but intense. It can lead to soil…

Stalked bulbine (Bulbine frutescens), native to southern Africa, is an undemanding succulent perennial perfectly suited to our hot dry summers. Fleshy onion-like leaves store a great deal of water, making the plant very drought tolerant.

The Madera County Resource Conservation District is holding several events in April, listed below. They are also offering free distribution uniformity tests in April through November.

Cecelia, you're breaking my heart You're shaking my confidence daily... --"Oh, Cecelia" written by Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkle If you think of the song, "Oh, Cecelia,' every time you pronounce Phacelia (the plant), you're not alone.