Ongoing research

Food Waste is a significant Public Health and social problem. According to data from ReFED insights engine, 14.6 million tons of food was wasted in California alone. Over half (56.7%) of that food is produce- which is both expensive and nutritious. Coming at a time when food prices continue to rise and many…

By Susan Rosenthal Having covered the first two major salvia groups, the small leaf (woody stemmed) and deciduous perennial salvias, this month's plants of the month are in the third and final group - the rosette- and clump-forming salvias.Rosette-forming species include S. argenta, S lyrata, S…

Prepared by Terry Lewis Check out the nursery, online websites and garden books for new plant varieties that use less water. In a drought year, consider native plants suitable for our area.TasksRemove thatch and aerate warm-season lawns (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) to allow better water penetration…

By Jeannette Warnert While tending your landscape and garden this spring, keep an eye out for pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), an invasive insect that has already been found in parts of Southern California. PHM could make its way to the Central Valley and cause significant damage to crops, landscape plants…