Ongoing research

 Fresno and Madera county residents who want to share their passion for gardening with the public are encouraged to apply to become volunteer Master Gardeners.The program, offered in counties throughout the state by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, trains and certifies…

The garden is in full bloom. Cut flowers and harvest produce frequently to encourage repeated production of flowers and veggies. Pull weeds and hoe often.TasksWater and mow lawn. Set mower higher to shade out weeds and keep roots cool.Be cautious when applying sulfur to grapevines for mildew control. Damage…

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Four Funding OpportunitiesAlfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System ProgramLink to Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program WebsiteASAFS will support the development of improved alfalfa seed and forage production systems, practices, and supporting…

Canning Basics: Research disputes manufacturers' claims regarding safety. Electric “multi-use” pressure cookers are all the rage these days, with good reason.  One simple device can be used for many cooking applications, saving time and energy (as well as other benefits). Unfortunately, despite…

Canning Basics: If sub-zero, separate the gauge before storing the canner. There’s no question that a pressure canner can take up a lot of cabinet or pantry space.  As it’s an appliance that typically is not used on a daily or very frequent basis, many people opt to store their pressure canner in a…

Canning Basics: Annual test of dial gauge ensures accuracy. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, its gauge should be tested annually for accuracy (pressure canners with weighted gauges do not need to be tested for accuracy).  Using a dial gauge that reads too high can result in under…