Slow cookers are safe devices when used correctly Slow cookers (aka “crock pots”) work by cooking food at a low temperature (generally between 170-280°F) for several hours. Direct heat from the pot, steam, and long cooking times combine to destroy bacteria, making foods safe to consume.Some specific…
From a food safety perspective, the answer is out The USDA recommends against cooking stuffing inside the cavity of whole turkeys, for one main reason: bacteria. Warm, moist stuffing is an ideal environment in which bacteria can proliferate, potentially causing foodborne illness. Stuffing that’s cooked…
Photo credit Pixabay Winter Vegetable Gardening Certified Master Gardener Terry Garman will speak about how to prepare for your winter vegetable garden. You will learn what to plant, when to plant, how to prepare your soil, fertilizing and irrigating, as well as vegetable garden pests. This class…
Sure, you can, but they may not be the best pick Supersweet varieties of corn are popular because – well – super sweet! They are wonderful for fresh eating, but supersweet and white varies of corn are not necessarily the best choices for canning. Canning supersweet and white varieties of corn do not…
Photo credit Pixabay Healthy Soil Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving garden — and understanding it changes everything. Join Ventura County Master Gardeners for an informative class exploring soil biology, composting, and vegetable selection tailored to our coastal climate. Whether…
Tartrate crystals are a common occurrence in grape products Hard, crystalline shards or granules are often found in home canned grape juice, syrups and jellies. These formations are the result of tartaric acid, a naturally occurring compound in grapes, reacting with potassium. The reaction forms…
Environmental Water Quality: Understanding Pollutants, Processes, and Watershed Connections Water Quality Beyond the TapWater quality is often something we think about only when there is a problem.In Southern California, however, water quality is shaped every day by how water moves through our…
A powerful biological tool for targeting mosquitoes?UC Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow Lyna Ngor of the UC Irvine Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, will discuss "Exploring Flower-Mediated Wolbachia Transmission: A Self-Sustaining Approach to Mosquito-Borne Disease Control" at the UC…
Join Master Gardeners to learn how to integrate succulents into your garden plan.Master Gardeners will explore the ecological and environmental benefits of succulents in your garden. Learn how to create a beautiful garden by putting these amazing and versatile plants to work, transitioning them from…
The Las Flores Learning Gardens in north Napa is a premier demonstration site featuring California natives, pollinator-friendly plants, low-water/low-maintenance landscaping, and succulents. In partnership with the City of Napa, Master Gardeners transformed once-weedy areas into beautiful gardens for…
