Ongoing research

UC Davis distinguished professor emeritus Art Shapiro (right) of the Department of Evolution and Ecology and Louie Yang, professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's recent open house on monarchs. (PHoto by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Turning Over an Old Leaf

January 1, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's New Year's Day and it's common for folks to turn over a new leaf. What about the old leaves? Sometimes if you turn over an old leaf this time of year in Solano and Yolo counties, you might find a monarch caterpillar.
View Article
Mlle. Franzika Kruger aka Frannie Kruger. (Photo: Debbie DiNoto)
Fresno Gardening Green: Article

Rosie's corner: What to do in the rose garden in January

January 1, 2024
Happy New Year! I hope you and yours are ready for a wonderful 2024. So, what do we do in the rose garden this month? Actually, not too much in the actual garden itself. It is time to get ready for our annual pruning, either very late January or the beginning to the middle of February.
View Article
Photo 2. Winged primrose willow (Photo credit: Luis Espino, UCCE)
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Weeds of Interest: 2023 Edition

December 31, 2023
By Consuelo B Baez Vega, Whitney B Brim-Deforest, Taiyu Guan
From Butte County Agricultural Commissioner's office: A weed sample collected in Butte County on September 19, 2023, was submitted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) botany lab for identification. The sample was identified as White Water Fire (Bergia capensis).
View Article
UC Master Gardeners of Merced County: Article

2024-01 Jan Merced Master Gardener Public Newsletter

December 30, 2023
Happy (almost) New Year! We are looking forward to welcoming the incoming class of applicants as they embark in early January on the 4 month 2024 Master Gardener Training Program! In this issue: Spring 2024 Free Community Workshops Info and Save the Dates Pre-register Online Here for the Roses 101 W...
View Article
IMG 5397 All images by Cindy Watter
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Gently Educating the Reluctant Composter

December 30, 2023
A few weeks ago, some friends were over for dinner, and I was throwing food scraps into my miniature compost bin that fits under my kitchen sink (free from the City of Napa). One gentleman told me he didn't compost. It's easy, I said. The UC Master Gardeners have workshops on it all the time.
View Article
A golden dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

2023: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

December 29, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
There's no fame, fortune or glory in writing a daily (volunteer) Bug Squad blog. It's about the insects. It's always been about the insects, from honey bees to bumble bees, to butterflies, to dragonflies, to praying mantises and more.
View Article