News & Information Outreach

 Roxanne, what inspired you to become a Master Gardener?I knew about the San Joaquin County Master Gardener Program because my mother has lived in Stockton for many years, and I enjoyed reading the articles from the program in the local newspaper (back when we still received home delivery…

 I really appreciate it when Salvias work out well in my yard. In my various trials over the last 20 years, some have been more successful than others, and in the process, I've come to understand that there are many, with new ones available regularly.The “x” in the name indicates that variety results…

 Visitors attending the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house themed  "Insects: Life Stages" on Sunday, May 18, will see everything from metamorphosis to maggot art. The event, free and family friendly, takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane…

Tiny but destructive, the emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across North America. In some cases, infested regions have lost nearly 100% of their ash trees to this pest. Though EAB has not yet been found in California, it was detected on the West Coast for the…

General outlook & thrips populationPlanting will be wrapping up over the next couple of weeks, though the heat wave coming up next week may cause delays. In general, it’s been good spring weather and earlier plantings are progressing well. The warm weather in the forecast has pushed up population…

 Ever heard a singing cicada? Want to know more about them?UC Davis postdoctoral scholar Mark Stukel will present a seminar on his research involving "the singing cicadas" at the next UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar.Stukel will speak on "From New Zealand Hybridization to…

Blog by Cindy YeeSome years ago, upon visiting the garden of new line-dancing friends, I was struck by the beautiful hanging baskets dotting their fence. The flower baskets with different-colored geraniums really added oomph to the lovely yard. I have since hung baskets on our own fence and am very happy…

Registration Now Open!The 2025 International Microirrigation School For Crop Production will be offered for the first time in California on October 13-17, 2025. It will involve three days of instruction at the University of California at Davis, and two days of field trips in the San Joaquin Valley and…

 The lavender plant has been used for centuries for many purposes. Lavender flowers can be found in bath salts, teas, baked goods, oils, and other products. This workshop is an exploration of the history of lavender, it's uses, and tips for how to grow it successfully in your garden.  In this…

Butte County has a Mediterranean climate where drought conditions occur naturally from May to October. A wide variety of succulent plants have become popular across the country in recent years, and our local gardeners are no exception. Not only are succulents drought tolerant, they grow almost anywhere. …

 If you're a beekeeper, mark your calendar! You may want to attend one or both of these two classes offered by the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP)  on queen-rearing techniques and instrumental insemination. Both will be held in the E. L. Niño Lab…

Blog article by Karen MetzDriving around town, lately I’ve seen so many flowers. First the trees were blooming, now the roses are everywhere, also irises, geraniums, rock roses, lavenders and callas.  It seems like our winter rains this year have given us such an amazing profusion of blossoms. …

 When the Bohart Museum of Entomology hosts its open house on Sunday, May 18, expect to see some "insect wedding photography."In other words, when insects "get busy."The theme: "Insects: Life Stages."The event, free and family friendly, takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge…

Serving as a Program Assistant at the California 4-H State Leadership Conference is one of many opportunities to come back to 4-H as an alumni.

Blog article by Paula PashbyI enjoy kicking back and looking over the accomplishments from a hard day in the garden. However, I will usually end up noticing other things that also need tending; a little pruning here and there or some weeds that I did not see before settling down in my comfy chair. During…