News & Information Outreach

 The invasive goldspotted oak borer first struck San Diego County woodlands over a decade ago, and the damage over successive years left “boneyards” behind. That’s how Jan Gonzales describes the dead trees removed after suffering an infestation of the tiny beetles — just piles of chopped wood…

Moonscape, moon flower, moon gate, moon garden. All of these I have seen, but moon meadow?  New to me! A moon meadow is a green space filled with plants that receive moonlight exposure and attract night-time pollinators like moths, bats and nocturnal bees. (Did you know there are bees that work at night…

 Where are all the monarchs?Last year at this time,  we recorded monarchs arriving here in Vacaville, Solano County, to lay their eggs on our milkweed. So far this year: zero, zip, zilch.  Let's throw in a little nada, too, for good measure. Zero, zip, zilch, nada.Earlier this year, the…

Vice President Glenda Humiston informs the UC ANR community that longtime colleague Ken Tate, a professor and Cooperative Extension specialist in rangeland science in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, has passed away unexpectedly.

Measles and Vitamin ANews headlines have followed the alarming rise in cases of the highly contagious Measles virus across the US. Measles was nearly eradicated in the US in the early 1990s thanks to the childhood Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, but surges in 2014, 2019 and now 2025 indicate a…

As food prices continue to rise, many of us are turning to our backyards or patios to grow fresh vegetables. But did you know that planting vegetables alone might not be enough? To get the most from your garden, you need pollinators – those busy bees, butterflies, and other creatures that help your plants…

In the past few years there has been a steady increase in the incidence of bakanae in the field. Fortunately, the levels of infection we have seen have not resulted in yield reductions. However, talking to those that worked on developing the bleach treatment after bakanae was identified in California, there…

In 2007, the United States Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating a week in June as "National Pollinator Week" (this year it is June 23-29, 2025). In response to the alarm raised by an annual increase in commercial honey bee deaths in the US, the government and researchers began addressing the…

How can you determine that a movie is set in Southern California? Just look at all the signature Southern California trees – the (mostly) NON-CALIFORNIA NATIVE Palms! This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, UC Master Gardener Kris Bonner talks to Don Hodel, environmental horticulturist …

Blog by Melinda NestlerodeWe are living in challenging times. Our nation is polarized politically, civil discourse appears to be a quaint memory, the Middle East is embroiled in multiple catastrophic battles, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, anonymous people on the Internet spew unverified vitriol,…

 In a state where agriculture is a $59 billion industry, a quiet revolution is changing how Californians experience farming—not just as consumers, but as guests, learners, and partners. Agritourism, once a niche side venture for farmers, is now a significant and growing segment of the rural economy…

 Does the common checkered skipper butterfly have a checkered past?That is, "good" and "bad" periods in its life history?It's known as Burnsius communis, formerly Pyrgus communis, a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It derives its common name from its checkerboard pattern of blue-gray and…

 When harpist Samantha Murray, garden and education coordinator of the UC Davis Bee Haven and a member of the UC Davis Class of 2025, presented her senior recital, she weaved in her "passion for the harp, her admiration for bees and the rich beauty of Javanese music."Her senior recital, now on YouTube,…

Blog article by Cindy YeeLast fall I noticed a well-known iris grower’s online ad, and was captivated by the catalog’s gorgeous flowers.  Bearded iris grows from rhizomes, which are tuberous roots that look like bulbs.  They can be pricey depending on several factors, including whether or not it's…

No room in a yard? Container gardens are a great way to grow vegetables with the proper precautions. Here are several considerations when planting in containers:   SunSelect plants based on sunlight exposure. Most vegetables require 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. Leafy vegetables like lettuce,…

 What a wasp!“I've seen a lot of strange insects, but this has to be one of the most peculiar-looking ones I've seen in a while."That's what UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey, fondly known as "The Wasp Woman," told a reporter for the Independent,   London, when asked about a…

Haiku by Patti Brantley 

This articles provides information about upcoming meetings for the rice industry.