School Garden Problem Solving
IPM, Plant Disease, and Help
This page will discuss problem solving in the School Garden, from pests and plant diseases to barriers in funding and volunteers. If you do not find what you're looking for here, please email the Alameda County Master Gardener Help Desk:
- Click here: ASK THE HELP DESK! (a form will pop up to walk you through the process)
- Email us at acmg@ucanr.edu Please tell us:
- Your name, phone number and city
- Problem description - if applicable: name of plant, when the problem began, history of watering, fertilizing, pruning, pesticides, etc.
- Photographs of the problem, if possible
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. IPM can be used to manage all kinds of pests anywhere–in urban, agricultural, and wildland or natural areas.
- University of California Statewide IPM
- Pest Notes Library
- School and Childcare Regulations
- Online Training through UCANR
Diagnosing Plant Disease
- University of California Statewide Plant Disease List
- UCANR Interactive Plant Diagnostic Tool
- Weed Gallery
Grants
Getting funding to start a school garden or update an existing site can be challenging. Check the links below for grant information.
Volunteers
Check with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at your school to see if there is a list of garden volunteers. Organizing workdays once a month or once a quarter is a good way to build community around the garden and maintain the site.