Ongoing research

Succulent plants come in a plethora of sizes, shapes, and colors.

Dear Colleagues: Attracting and retaining highly qualified employees continues to be a top priority for UC ANR. It has been a critical part of our strategic plan and a key to our ability to deliver the mission.

April is National Volunteer Month, and it's the perfect time to recognize and appreciate the outstanding service of UC Master Gardener volunteers across California. UC Master Gardeners generously donate their time and expertise to make a significant impact in their communities.

It's time for UC IPM's Easter egg hunt! Can you guess which insects laid the eggs pictured below? Some may be pests, while others may be beneficial! Leave a comment on this blog post with your guesses, or on our Facebook and Instagram posts. Answers will be posted on Friday, April 7th. A. B. C. D.

Sandipa Gautam UCCE IPM Advisor California red scale is a common pest of California citrus attacking leaves, twigs, fruit by sucking plant sap. If the scale numbers are high serious damage can occur to the trees and highly infested fruit may be downgraded in the packinghouse.

Melody Kendall Climate change issues and water conservation have become very important topics in our area. One of the ways to conserve water in your landscape is to remove your thirsty lawn and replace it with a more water-friendly option.

UC ANR leaders and supporters met with congressional members and staff in Washington, D.C. during the CARET (Council for Agricultural Extension, Research and Teaching) meetings, March 1215.

If you want to enjoy your own fresh, homegrown tomatoes this summer, April is the time to get started. Unless you are a hardcore gardener and start your own from seeds, most likely you will be buying young tomato plants (seedlings) from a nursery or plant sale.

Stalked bulbine (Bulbine frutescens), native to southern Africa, is an undemanding succulent perennial perfectly suited to our hot dry summers. Fleshy onion-like leaves store a great deal of water, making the plant very drought tolerant.

The Madera County Resource Conservation District is holding several events in April, listed below. They are also offering free distribution uniformity tests in April through November.