News & Information Outreach

The California Weed Science Society (CWSS) publishes a twice-yearly "CWSS Research Update and News" newsletter as one of the society's publications.  The July 2025 issue just went online and is available here: https://cwss.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CWSS_Research_Update-July-2025.pdf This issue…

There are many weedy grasses that can invade a lawn or landscaped area, but bermudagrass is one of the most hated and difficult to control weeds. It’s a low-growing, wiry perennial that has above and belowground structures which are both capable of rooting and growing into new plants.  The secret…

  Breaking News: More than 1,218 members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), including 61 Nobel laureates and 46 recipients of the National Medal of Science, this week signed a letter urging Congress to reject the FY26 science budget cuts that threaten U.S. leadership in science, health, and…

By this time of year the lush growth and colorful flowers of spring are just a memory. Many California native plants go dormant in the summer, waiting for the fall and winter rains before they grow again. Some plants, like California buckeye, are already losing their leaves. But luckily for the native garden…

I am resending this blog which is similar to one sent out a few weeks ago. I am looking at the current and extended weather forecast, and seeing low nighttime temperatures forecast for the last half of July. This is especially the case for the southern part of the Sacramento Valley. The data I am looking at…

Watergrass (Echinochloa spp.) is the most competitive weed complex in California rice production. These plants can emerge under both continuously flooded and flushed conditions, often resulting in significant yield losses—up to 100% in dry- or drill-seeded systems, and about 50% in water-seeded systems, when…

 "My turn to hold the hornworm!"Youth and adults alike clamored to hold the tobacco hornworms at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's Moth Night.While attendees held the hornworms, other hornworms munched on a tomato plant.  A display sign about Metamorphosis in the Garden read:"Tobacco hornworms …

Blog by Paula PashbyA while back, I wrote a blog about Nasturtiums, Tropaeolum, adding a nice splash of color to the garden with their vibrant, orange-colored flowers.  I planted Nasturtiums in one of my raised garden beds and added a tall trellis to provide a nice accent in the vegetable garden. …

 That "passion butterfly," the Gulf Fritillary...Ever watched a Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, touch down on its host plant, the passionflower vine, Passiflora? Ever seen two Gulf Frits sipping nectar from a single passionflower blossom? We remember what UC Davis Distinguished Professor…

As the crop starts advancing towards heading, one concern is blast. So far I have not seen any leaf blast. Blast spores need free moisture on the leaves to germinate and infect. Leaf wetness is a good measure of free moisture. Typically, leaf wetness increases during the evening and stays high until early…

Dear Colleagues,I invite you to spend time in remembrance, reflection and connection on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. as we honor Ken’s life, spirit and the love he shared with all of us. This will be a time not only to grieve our loss, but to celebrate the joy, laughter and legacy Ken leaves behind…

We are excited to announce the launch of the California Water Course (register here), a bilingual (English/Español) program designed for entry level water professionals (or refresher), community and advocates, or any person interested in addressing California’s water challenges and solutions.This…

Toxic baits, or rodenticides, used to control rodents around the home and garden can harm nontarget animals, such as pets, birds, coyotes, and other wildlife. To reduce these negative impacts, California has passed several laws to limit what rodenticides can be used, how, and by who. Here’s what you need to…

We regret to inform you that the Rice Production Workshop originally scheduled for July 23–24, 2025 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.If you have already paid the registration fee, we’ll be refunding your payment in full. The process is currently underway. If you have any questions regarding…

UC ANR will be making additional travel support available for UC Cooperative Extension specialists to collaborate directly with UCCE advisors and Research and Extension Center directors in FY 2025-26. Each specialist may apply for up to $2,000 for FY 2025-26 (travel reports must be submitted within…

 It's not Halloween yet, but you'll see a "witch" at the annual Moth Night hosted by the Bohart Museum of Entomology on Saturday, July 12.A White Witch, that is. It's the legendary moth, Thysania agrippina, from the family Erebidae.  It's also called the Ghost Moth, Great Gray…

This post provides updated information about upcoming rice meetings.