Test PB Collection: FTE

Groundwater nitrate contamination poses a growing threat to public health, particularly in California’s low-income and rural communities that depend on untreated well water. While nitrate is a known cause of infant methemoglobinemia, newer research links long-term exposure to cancer, thyroid disease, and…

Federal and state agriculture officials recently expanded the areas quarantined for citrus greening disease in California. They expanded the quarantined area in the Coto de Caza area of Orange County by 11 square miles, the Rancho Santa Margarita area of Orange County by 93 square miles, the Perris area of…

Catch up on the TLC for your houseplants. Fertilize house plants lightly, repot as necessary and replace soil.TasksWater citrus on a regular schedule to maintain even soil moisture. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches risks root rot.Renew mulch, 3 to 4 inches deep, to help retain soil moisture…

Many common street trees now growing in Fresno County are unlikely to survive in the warmer climate expected here in 2099, according to research published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.“Urban foresters in inland cities of California should begin reconsidering their palettes of…

Why Smart Irrigation Matters Now More Than Ever As Southern California enters the peak of summer, water agencies, utilities, and residents are turning their attention to one of the region’s most pressing challenges—sustainable water use. July is officially recognized as Smart Irrigation Month, a…

This series provides answers to selected questions recently submitted to the UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County Help Desk.Question: What is the best kind of mulch to use in our garden? Should I be concerned about using mulch that would make our soil too acidic? Answer: When it comes to mulch material…