Ongoing research

We were sampling plots in the Delta in July 2016, and found a small clump of this plant pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

The destruction after a fire can be pretty gruesome and sad. Many times, though the fire moves through the orchard so fast that, even though the canopy has turned brown, there is a good chance the trees can come back. It all depends on how much damage has been done to the trunk.

Sonia Rios, Area Subtropical Horticulture Advisor, Riverside & San Diego Counties Henry Herrera, Forester, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Gary Bender, Subtropical Horticulture Advisor, San Diego County This is a reposting of a blog from 2015 that is still pertinent...

When plant and insect enthusiast Ria de Grassi discovered caterpillars on her firecracker plant, Russelia equisetiformis, last July 10 in her yard in Davis, Calif., she asked noted butterfly authority Art Shapiro, UC Davis distinguished professor of evolution and ecology, to identify them.

A third day for applying for USDA - Farm Service Agency/Natural Resources Conservation Service Disaster Relief has been added.

Want to bee-come a beekeeper and learn the ABC's of taking care of colonies? Think "A" for apiary; "B" for bees; and "C" for colonies. Here's how to join the ranks of California's estimated 11,000 backyard and small-scale beekeepers.

University of California Cooperative Extension & USDA Farm Service Agency Presents Emergency Avocado & Citrus Post-Wildfire Informational Meeting We understand this is a difficult time for all of our friends, family and neighbors affected by the devastating Lilac fire.

After the fires, the question has come up of whether an orchard should be replanted or topworked in the field, possibly to a new variety. This has been an issue in the past and was addressed in a little study nearly 20 years ago.

Last Thursday the San Benito County Weed Management Area had its 16th Annual Continuing Education Seminar for Ranchers. We had a great turnout and lots of interesting presentations.

Oh, how much this is needed! Congratulations to the California Master Beekeeper Program, the newly announced recipient of a $199,949 grant from the UC Agricultural and Natural Resources through its 2017 Competitive Grants Program.