Ongoing research

Ranching, like any other agricultural business, requires a considerable amount of planning. Unlike some farming businesses, however, ranching also requires a certain level of comfort with conditions that are beyond our control.

By Gayle Keane, U. C. Master Gardener of Napa County For me one of the most welcome sights of spring is when my bearded iris bloom. I particularly love the combination of bright blue and lemon-yellow blossoms. But iris come in almost every color of the rainbow, even the dusky colors of autumn.

Happy Fly Day Friday! If you've ever wondered why entomologists and insect enthusiasts post images of flies on Friday, not to worry. They consider this "Fly Day." The Urban Dictionary defines Fly Day as "the day of the week when contract employees fly from their work site to their home location.

Dear Members of the Monterey County 4-H Leaders Council, On Tuesday, June 15th, the 4-H Leaders Council will hold its monthly meeting at 7pm. This in-person meeting will be at the Sheriffs Posse Grounds, 395 Old Natividad Rd, Salinas, CA 93902.

As summer weather approaches and schools across California end their spring sessions, farms will finally have the opportunity to begin returning their operations back to normal.

Dry conditions this year have generated common questions from growers such as when should I irrigate to maximize yield? and will I be able to take this crop to seed? Many of the principles that dictate irrigation strategies in wheat are similar to those of other crops.

The federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for low-income women, infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

Me and the grower are of one mind that the brown spots recently showing up on fruit (this is Monterey variety), are from the strong winds we've had for the last four or so days. Makes sense, especially since there is no signs of disease or insects, and above all these spots are fairly firm.

Last month, the Thelma Hansen Fund hosted a three-day series to inform about climate change and the science behind it.

While you might not be able to save them all, you can take precautions in your garden that will save the plants it makes sense to save, define your gardening priorities, and plan for continuing drought conditions in our Northern California Mediterranean climate.