Ongoing research

Our day started brisk and damp as the sun rolled out behind a curtain of central coast fog. We gathered in the grey light with our morning tea, dressed in warm clothes as the steam from our breath billowed out in front of laughter and conversation on the subject of tide pool safety and ecology.

A "boring" problem that's generating a big interest in southern California How ants can be "good" in ag production systems Is Eucalyptus a Safe Material for Mulching Trees?

UC Cooperative Extension, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Duarte Nursery are launching the wine industry's most ambitious cabernet sauvignon rootstock and clone trial in the Red Hills of Lake County to give the varietal greater resilience to climate change.

The Office of the President invites comments on a proposed revised Presidential Policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation (Revised Policy). The Policy revises the existing Policy and Procedures on Curation and Repatriation of Human Remains and Cultural Items (Current Policy).

ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING II One of the most instructive Final Project presentations made by a Master Gardener class in years gone by, was a wonderful introduction into the smaller-sized world of gardening known as Square Foot Gardening.

What a wonderful idea! The Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis boasts one of the world's largest tardigrade (water bear) collections, and what Lynn Kimsey wants to do, will certainly add to that point.

It's well known that female mosquitoes possess a highly developed sense of smell. They manage to find us, don't they? Even when we're doing our best to try to avoid them! It's not so well-known that mosquitoes, both male and female, frequent plants to feed on nectar for energy.

We wrap up the 5-location Information Sessions on Friday of this week, with 3 of those five sessions taking place the last portion of the week. It has been nice to get out and see those whom I don't often get a chance to see. Also, there have been some new folks that I hadn't met in person yet.

If you enjoy gardening, constantly learning more about gardening, and are interested in helping your local community, then consider becoming a UCCE Master Gardener.

Last week, someone called our helpline about a strange phenomenon happening on her backyard plants. She described the symptoms as big, white, masses of fluffy cotton. I asked her to email some photos our helpline address (ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu).