News & Information Outreach

When using pesticides and other garden chemicals, you should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep yourself safe. Pesticides can enter the body via the eyes, skin, nose, or mouth. The skin is the most common way pesticides enter our bodies, usually by splashing, spillage, or spray drift…

It is not unusual to find tomato seedlings for sale in local nurseries and big box stores as early as February or March. Don't make the mistake of rushing to plant them in your garden. In our County it is much too early to put tomato seedlings in the garden, but it is the perfect time to make plans for a…

This interview concludes our Women’s History Month series- view three more interviews with women landowners on the blog home page! Every Forest Stewardship Workshop participant has their own, unique relationship with forests. For Amy Rathbone, purchasing a parcel of forestland with her husband meant…

In the winegrape vineyards of northern California, fire and its associated smoke pose a unique threat in the form of smoke-taint damage to the fruit. A preliminary study looks at whether prescribed burning as a fire prevention method poses a risk to winegrape crops.

 This interview is part of our Women’s History Month series- check back this week for stories from female forest landowners to inspire your forest stewardship journey! Forests have been a part of Joy Jackman’s life since college, where she spent three summers as a US Forest Service forestry…

Dogs use their keen sense of smell to help humans every day. Their powerful noses alert us to danger, aid in search and rescue operations, and even have the potential to diagnose diseases. But did you know that some dogs have been trained to sniff out harmful invasive pests? Enter the detector dogs! …

The CDFA is holding a public hearing on whether or not the CA Dry Bean Research and Marketing Program should continue. This is a normal hearing which occurs every five years. Additionally, the CA Dry Bean Advisory Board is requesting testimony about amendments to the CA Dry Bean and Marketing Program…

The VINE Connect Field Day offers a unique opportunity for farmers, industry professionals, and technology providersto come together and experience the latest innovations in agricultural technology. This event showcases five startupsthat are working to address key challenges in California agriculture, such…

Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMy parents were both born in Texas. I grew up in many different places because my father was in the military.  As both sets of grandparents lived in Texas, there were many visits back.  Once, my dad was even stationed in Texas at Corpus Christi…

 In English El Instituto de Agricultura Orgánica de UC visita el área para escuchar sobre las innovaciones y necesidades de los productores localesAdemás de la dedicación y esfuerzo de generaciones de agricultores y ganaderos del condado de Modoc, el éxito que tienen en su producción orgánica se lo…

This interview is part of our Women’s History Month series- check back this week for more stories from female forest landowners to inspire your forest stewardship journey! Julianna Olate has stewarded forestland in Del Norte County since 2008, managing her own 80-acre parcel and her neighbor's 160-acre…

Blog article by Cindy Yee, UC Master Gardener-SolanoI have been searching for a “perfect” giant horse conch in SW Florida for a while now. The horse conch is Florida's state shell and can reach 24 inches long.  I think it's right up there in desirability with the coveted junonia, although many might…

Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMany, many years ago, I purchased a small rosemary Christmas Tree.  It was adorable and lived on my porch, getting decorated every year.  Gradually, it outgrew its pot and then the porch.  We moved it to the sideyard and planted it in a half…

Blog by Brenda Altman, UC Master Gardener-SolanoSpring showers bring spring flowers, puddles, cloudy days, and mosquitoes.  Rainwater collects everywhere.   You can find it in hollows of trees, old tires, buckets, and pans left outside.  Many of these places are ideal places for…

 In addition to attending our monthly library classes in Stanislaus County, you can also visit us at our booth.April EventsPollinator Festival, Saturday, April 5, 2025 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join the Pollinator Parade (dress up your family AND your family dog), participate in kids activities, and a…

Like clothing, plants cycle in and out of fashion.  It's interesting when a plant that was once commonly found in a plant nursery disappears to make room for the latest trend and then reappears decades later.  Sea lavender (Limonium perezii) is such a plant. First, to clarify what sea lavender…

Blog article by Heather Hamilton, UC Master Gardener-SolanoThese are both common names for the amazing Hellebore. It has 22 species of evergreen herbaceous perennials all in the Ranunculaceae family.  Originating from Europe and Asia, as well as Turkey and Syria. The genus was established by Carl…

Blog article by Alex Russell, UC Master Gardener-Solano Last summer, I completely ran out of space to plant at home. I wasn't excited to expand. All my garden boxes and beds built up with edging had been a lot of work I didn't want to repeat. Then I thought that maybe I didn't need very much at all if…

Blog article by Loralei Dewe, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMore on my project of growing 3 citrus trees in 1 pot. To refresh the subject, here are some of the important points I found:1) Plant trees of the same species. In other words, citrus with other citrus, stone fruit with other stone fruit, etc. …