Ongoing research

As gardeners, we're often generous with our garden's bounty. From sharing seeds and plant trimmings to the joy of gifting homegrown fruit and vegetables, gardening is as much about community as it is about growing plants.

Two new studies that can help Central Coast growers and other readers estimate costs and potential returns for both organically and conventionally produced apples for processing were recently released by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension and the UC...

A new research brief developed by the Nutrition Policy Institute outlines the results and implications of the 2023 study: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education reductions during COVID-19 may have exacerbated health inequities.

Master Gardener Program Annual Winter Pruning Demonstration Next Horticultural Tour?

Next to plants, birds are probably gardeners' greatest joy. Early morning birdsong, hummers darting around flowers and tiny doves in patio nests are enchanting.

There are several advantages to planting bare-root trees: they are usually less expensive, easier for gardeners to transport, and they will grow their roots entirely into native soil (rather than having to transition from potting mix into dissimilar native soil).

It's that time of year again Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) harvest time! If you're unfamiliar with persimmons, they're orange colored fruit native to China. Asian persimmon seeds were first import in 1863 by William Saunders of the USDA.

A devoted gardener would rather give or receive tools, plants or a unique garden treasure than gold, diamonds or pearls Monitor ground moisture, especially in beds and under eaves and patios Store unused fertilizers and pesticides in a dry place Dig and divide overcrowded dahlia tubers and store in...

Few plants outperform pink knotweed, Polygonum capitatum, in the fall. The plant blooms throughout the spring and summer, but it's in autumn when most things in the garden are finished that pink knotweed really shines.

Sometimes overlooked as pollinators are the syrphid flies, also known as "hover flies" or "flower flies." Unfortunately, they are often mistaken for honey bees. Hey, if it's a critter on a flower, it's a bee, right? Not necessarily! Syrphid flies are easily distinguished from honey bees.