Ongoing research

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Client's Request: Can I keep and/or reuse garden soil that once had grubs in it? I've been picking them out of the soil when I find them and leaving for the birds to eat them.

We recently wrote the blog post Wait! Don't Prune Apricot and Cherry Trees Just Yet, to caution gardeners against pruning these trees in winter. Now we'd like to discuss when and how to prune avocado and citrus trees. Avocados Most avocado trees need little or no pruning.

Weeds may grow more slowly this time of year, but they can still be a problem. Most of the weeds found in gardens and landscapes now are winter annuals. These weeds germinate in late summer or fall and grow during cool weather. Annual weeds flower and set seed in spring and die in summer.

It all happened because a praying mantis at the Bohart Museum of Entomology declined to eat all her dinner. She just wasn't that hungry.

Licensed pest management professionals: The Vertebrate Pest Council is hosting a seminar series this year in conjunction with new partner Target Specialty Products.

UC Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist Jeff Mitchell is issuing a standing invitation to the public to visit the site of an ongoing conservation agriculture research project and see for themselves the results of long-term soil-building practices.

New parents returning to work after the birth of a child face a lot of questions and uncertainties, particularly around breastfeeding.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The Teatime class is coming up! So popular last year that it is being presented again. Come and enjoy learning about go-withs when having a cup of tea. As an added bonus for planning your future attendance is a list of 2019's classes with the San Bernardino Master food Preservers.

Pretty interesting conference on biological control cooking for March 5 in Santa Maria overseen by colleague Farm Advisor Surendra Dara. I was invited too, but had to decline because of conflicts.

Much like other parts of California, the Southern Sacramento Valley has seen some substantial rainstorms this season. The weather patterns left growers with a few narrow planting windows spread out over the last two months.