UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog
Don’t Grow Crazy – An Update on California’s PlantRight Program
Since 2005, PlantRight has worked with a diverse alliance of stakeholders to address the problem of horticultural plants that become invasive in California (Figure 1). Run by non-profit Sustainable Conservation, PlantRight tackles this important issue in a collaborative, voluntary, and science-based fashion, focusing on solutions that make environmental and economic sense.
We first shared information on PlantRight's programs in the June 2012 issue of UC IPM's Retail Nursery and Garden Center News. We are pleased to give you an update on several developments that have happened since then.
Revised Plant List: After a year-long review...
Help protect California's citrus from ACP
The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in California in 2008 and is now confirmed in 13 counties, including all of Southern California and as far north as Santa Clara County.* Thus, the psyllid is established near, or threatening much of, California's commercial, nursery, and residential citrus. When the pest is found, quarantines are put in place to restrict the movement of citrus plants and plant clippings in order to limit spread of the pest.
There are things that residents and maintenance gardeners can do to help minimize the spread of this pest and HLB.
To read more about ACP and HLB, click here.
*http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/
Perfect Gift for Mother's Day!
Mother's Day is right around the corner (Sunday, May 10th) and we know that Mother's Day shopping can be a challenge. If your trying to think of the perfect gift for the Mom in your life why not buy her the CA Master Gardener Handbook, Second Edition and you'll get a copy of Healthy Roses for FREE! Click on the link to order. http://
Introducing Lauren Snowden, Master Gardener Program statewide training coordinator
Before joining the statewide staff for the UC Master Gardener Program, Lauren worked for Yuba County Health and Human Services where she was an Administrative Analyst for twelve years. During her time at Yuba County Health and Human Services Lauren worked alongside management to develop training programs for employees and coworkers. She has a passion for creating creative and engaging trainings and is excited to bring her experience to UC Master Gardeners.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to take what Aubrey has already done and continue to build upon the great work with our coordinators, volunteers and statewide staff.” – Lauren Snowden, Statewide Training Coordinator – UC Master Gardener Program
Lauren has been a UC Master Gardener volunteer in Sutter-Yuba Counties since 2011. As a UC Master Gardener volunteer Lauren co-manages her program's monthly county newsletter, and trains the public and fellow volunteers on her favorite gardening topics, including: vegetable gardening, planting for spring flowers, and patio gardening.
Lauren resides in Yuba City on two acres of a “work in progress” with her husband Phil, dog Gunner and beloved cat Rascal. She is a substitute yoga instructor at her local gym, and is training to run a half and full marathon in 2015.
Happy Arbor Day!
Plant a Tree to Celebrate Arbor Day! Have you ever wondered how this national (and international) holiday got its roots? Arbor Day is an annual observance that promotes tree planting and care and reflects a hope for the future. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872, in Nebraska.
In 1854, Julius Sterling Morton moved from Detroit to Nebraska City, Nebraska. Morton was a nature lover and felt that Nebraska's landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and urged neighbors to do the same.
Morton became editor of Nebraska's first newspaper and used the paper to share agricultural information, ideas on environmental stewardship and his enthusiasm for trees to a receptive audience. He was ahead of his time as his own version of a master gardener!
In 1872, Morton presented the State Board of Agriculture a resolution “to set aside one day to plant trees, both forest and fruit.” The Board declared April 10 Arbor Day. More than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. With this first tree planting holiday observance, J. Sterling Morton became known as the “Founder of Arbor Day.” Arbor Day did not become a legal holiday until 1885, when the legislature set aside Morton's birthday, April 22, as the holiday.
For more information on planting and caring for landscape or fruit trees visit the UC California Garden Web website.
To learn more about Arbor Day, visit the Arbor Day Foundation Website.
Information and quotes cited in this blog can be found on Arbor Day Foundation & Arbor-day.net.