Garden Troubleshooting

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Glassy-winged sharpshooter adult and (out-of-focus) nymph on green lemon twig.

Purchased a Grapevine at Costco in N. CA Recently? Read This!

May 28, 2026
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Updated May 29, 2026 at 4:30pmAn invasive insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 21, 2026. Note that the timeframe for grapevine plants sold at Costco has been extended to April…
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UC Small Farms Network: Article

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A Practical Guide for Small-Scale Growers in California

May 21, 2026
By Shufang Tian, Margaret G Lloyd, James J Farrar, Hung K Doan, Aparna Gazula, Carrie Teiken
Fact Sheet • June 2026 • Download PDF (2.8 MB)What is IPM?Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a way of using multiple methods to manage pests instead of depending on one or two solutions. These methods can include choosing the right planting practices, encouraging beneficial insects, and using sprays only…
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Pruning out old roses with bypass pruners.

Jump into Summer with these IPM Webinars!

May 21, 2026
By Yulie Velez
Looking to keep your brain stimulated this summer? Need information about garden pests? Join us every third Thursday of the month from 12:00 to 1:00pm PST to learn about a wide range of urban pest management topics. This series is free and open to the public, but advance registration is …
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Emerald Ash Borer adults emerging from a tree.

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is May 17-23, 2026

May 15, 2026
By Cherie Shook
Every year, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week reminds us that one small insect can have a massive impact on our communities. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive metallic green beetle that has caused the death of millions of ash trees across North America, killing nearly 100% of unprotected street trees…
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A long, slender, light brown insect that resembles a stick walking on a tree branch.

Stick Insects Are Cool but Can Damage Your Plants

May 5, 2026
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Have you ever seen a walking stick insect, maybe in a museum display or at an entomology demonstration? They look just like twigs and are fascinating creatures. This makes them popular as pets in classrooms and homes. However, if pet walking sticks are accidentally or purposefully let out of their cages,…
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Oxalis stricta (common yellow wood sorrel) is nearly impossible to eradicate in our area. J.C. Lawrence
The Real Dirt: Article

What Weeds Can Tell Us

April 27, 2026
Every gardener knows that weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Webster’s dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially: one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.” The use of weeds as soil indicators is not…
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UC Master Gardeners of the Lake Tahoe Basin: Article

Central Sierra: Leafy Greens Growing Instructions

April 27, 2026
Growing Kale and Collard Greens in the GroundChange planting location, no replanting for 2-4 years Full sun spring/fall, shade in summer Make sure seedling and planting location are moist and fertile before transplantingGently massage roots of kale before planting but gentle root care for the…
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