Ongoing research

Honey mushrooms

A Tale of Two Fungi

January 9, 2026
By Michael Lecours
By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.Last year I was fired up with the urge to clean out my junk shed and turn it into my tool shed. I marched to the southwest corner of my yard and promptly fell, thigh deep, into a hole that opened beneath me. It didn’t take me long to realize what had…
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Short mushrooms growing at the edge of a lawn along mowing strip. Caps of mushrooms are whitish to light brown and appear cracked. Caps are flat with edges rolled down slightly.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Rains Bring Lawn Mushrooms

January 9, 2026
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Winter rains and damp conditions in many parts of California may have brought a surprise visitor to your lawn: mushrooms! A few mushrooms sprouting in your lawn can be a good sign: it means there's plenty of organic matter in the soil. But if patches of mushrooms are sprinkled across your lawn, something…
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International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralist Logo featuring herding people with domestic and wildlife
Livestock and Range: Page

North American Regional Women Pastoralist Gathering

To celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralist AND the International Year of the Woman Farmer and Rancher, we are holding a North American Regional Women Pastoralist Gathering in Monterey, CA on February 7, 2026.  A group of ranching women across the United States and Canada have been…
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persimmon tree seedling in a pot
Under the Solano Sun: Article

My Favorite Fuyu Persimmon

January 9, 2026
By Jennifer M Baumbach
My favorite fruit tree is a Japanese 'Diospyrus Kaki Fuyu' persimmon growing in our front side yard.  It was a thin, spindly 3-foot stick when we planted it around 18 years ago.  Our soil is heavy rock and clay, but persimmons are hardy trees known to tolerate less than ideal conditions, although…
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Earthworms from a Amanda Hodson lab field study. (Photo courtesy of Hodson lab)
Bug Squad: Article

Amanda Hodson Seminar: Earthworms and Nematodes

January 9, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "Did you know that in one acre of almond orchard there can be more earthworms than the entire population of Los Angeles? What are they doing down there?"So asks Amanda Hodson, assistant professor of soil ecology and pest management, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematolgy, who will present a…
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UC Master Gardeners of Inyo and Mono Counties: Article

Growing Tree Fruit at Home in the Eastern Sierra

January 9, 2026
By Dustin W Blakey
By Rick Delmas Retired Inyo-Mono Farm AdvisorIn general, growing fruit requires adequate water, suitable soil, and an appropriate climate. The Eastern Sierra has long, warm summer days, cool nights, and a relatively dry growing season, which is beneficial for producing excellent fruit.The main factor that…
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Topics in Subtropics: Article

Climate Change Workshop

January 9, 2026
By Ben A Faber
Climate And Agriculture: Farming in a Changing Climate WorkshopWhen: Tuesday January 20, 2026Time: 8:30 - 2:30 (lunch will be provided)Where: Ventura County Community Foundation, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite A, Camarillo, CARegistration: https://bit.ly/ClimateAndAgVC UC ANR CLIMATE AND…
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Picture of a redwood tree with small diameter trees surrounding it.
Forestry Research and Outreach: Event

California Tree School: Humboldt Session

May 2, 2026

Join UC ANR Forest Stewardship and College of the Redwoods for a day of forestry education like no other!California Tree School: Humboldt Session is a unique forestry, fire, and natural resources education event offered in Eureka, CA. Throughout the day, attendees will take 4 classes led by UC ANR academics…
Forestry Research and Outreach
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Photo of black, crumbly biochar with a scoop in it
Climate Smart Agriculture: Article

2025 USBI Biochar Training Event

January 9, 2026
By Katie Kelly
 Introduction In December 2025, our team was able to attend a United States Biochar Initiative (USBI) training event for California agriculture. This event hosted speakers from across the biochar industry, including soil scientists, technical assistance providers, and biochar processors. We were…
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Colusa County: Article

January 2026

January 9, 2026
By Karyna Barrera
In this issue:Upcoming eventsPlant Of The Month - Russian River Coyote MintActivities at the Donna Critchfield Demonstration GardenGardener's Travels - Bidwell Mansion Historic ParkRecipes Of The Month - Butter Chicken and Rice PilafSafety Notes - Nurture The SoilGarden GuideScience Word Of The Month -…
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