Ongoing research

Vegetable Gardening - Handbook for Beginners Chapter 1.4.During fall and winter, plant double the amount you would during spring and summer, since plants will grow slowly and harvests will be less frequent. Plant what you and your family enjoy eating, and plant enough to meet your family’s needs. Choose…

Vegetable Gardening - Handbook for Beginners Chapter 1.3.There are seven major considerations in container gardening:  How much sun is available? Choose plants according to how much sun or shade they’ll get each day. Most vegetables need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day. Leafy…

 Vegetable Gardening - Handbook for Beginners Chapter 1.2.Raised beds are:Easy to maintain without stepping on loose soil reserved for plant rootsKeeps amended soil separate from pathways and unamended soilPest control is easier - snails, gophers and two-legged crittersCrop rotation is easierOwnership…

Vegetable Gardening - Handbook for Beginners Chapter 1.1. Growing vegetables in your home or garden is good for you, your neighborhood, and for helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Growing vegetables at home can be done in a single pot on your patio or on a larger scale depending upon the space and…

Ralph A. Ernst, UC Cooperative Extension poultry specialist emeritus at UC Davis, passed away on March 4, 2026.

Allyn Dale Smith, former UC ANR southern region director, died on Feb. 10, 2026, in Audubon, Pennsylvania.

UC Master Gardeners of Tuolumne County are holding their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during Open Garden Day at their demonstration garden. Located on the campus of Cassina High School at 251 South Barretta Street in Sonora, the sale will take place from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  …

Now that spring is arriving in Tulare and Kings Counties, perhaps you've noticed (or will soon) a shrub or tree not looking as vigorous, with a sticky substance on discolored leaves and dirty-looking areas on the leaves. Honeydew is the sticky, clear substance produced as excretion of excess sugar by a leaf…

Native and adapted Tahoe Friendly plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides and can include a diversity of options for your home landscape. They will however require irrigation while getting established the first year. It is a good idea to group plants by their sunlight and moisture requirements…