Ongoing research

Coastal California crops include many which are sensitive to frost, including grapes, strawberries, avocado and citrus.

Recently I [Matt] had a chance to interview 4-H alumnus Sandi Fitzpatrick, who is also our University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener President for Placer County. The following are Sandi's responses to my questions.

If you live in water-conscience California, you probably love succulents because of their ability to retain water. Plus they come in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors. Most people buy succulents based upon their current appearance, i.e.

UC Davis distinguished professor emeritus Art Shapiro, who's been monitoring the butterfly populations of central California since 1972, discussed his work at the Bohart Museum of Entomology recent open house on monarchs. He points out that he is a Lepidopterist but "not a monarch specialist.

Every year at this time, deciduous trees drop their leaves. This natural phenomenon has many benefits. For one thing, trees don't really need their leaves now that the days are shorter and there's less sunlight for photosynthesis.

University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., and the 10 University of California Chancellors sent the following message today (Nov.

It was a monarch state of mind... Western monarchs are now settling in their overwintering sites along coastal California, but the iconic butterflies showed up in force at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's recent open house--in the form of specimens, photographs, books, maps and displays.

Autumn has finally arrived! We have shorter cooler days, and the leaves are turning brilliant Fall colors. Gardeners with some foresight and planning can use this time of year to plant bulbs for a riot of Spring flowers.

Saturday was truly a great night at the Orange County Farm Bureau Steak Fry.

Create a visual feast with pomegranates, miniature pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds, fall flowers, and herbs from your garden The tuberous roots of sweet potatoes will be ruined if the foliage is damaged by frost.