Gardening

Help increase public awareness of invasive species and encourage participation in the ongoing fight against invasive species by celebrating California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) June 1- 9, 2024.

In this blog article we answer some frequently asked questions about moles, voles, and gophers and their management. How can I tell if I have moles, voles, gophers, or something else? Moles: look for circular or volcano-shaped mounds with the plug in the middle, or a plug may not be apparent.

Indoor food waste bins (also known as kitchen bins or compost bins) have become a popular addition to Californian homes. They are a great way to collect food scraps and divert food waste from landfills, but they can sometimes attract pest insects like maggots, ants, and fruit flies.

The emerald ash borer (EAB) may be beautiful, but it is the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. Hundreds of millions of ash trees across 36 states and 5 Canadian provinces have been killed by this invasive insect.

There are many types of good bugs commonly found in the garden or landscape. In integrated pest management (IPM) we refer to good bugs as natural enemies or beneficial organisms. Natural enemies can include insects, but also mites, pathogens, and vertebrates like birds and lizards.

Our expert guide to selecting, planting, and caring for street trees in Alameda County. Tips on site evaluation, approved species, and proper care.

The University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) has an exciting, newly updated resource to help you better understand pesticide active ingredients and the risks different active ingredients pose to people and the environment.

Need some summer plans? Join UC IPM at 12:00pm on the third Thursday of every month to learn about pest identification, prevention, and management around the home, garden, and landscape! These free IPM webinars are open to the general public so please share with others who may be interested.

May is here and with all the fluctuations in our weather lately, there is a lot going on in the landscape! Follow these general tips for the month of May to prevent pests. To see more tips specific to your region, visit the Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist on the UC IPM website.

Learn home fertilizing in spring for Alameda County gardens. Soil testing, plant analysis, organic vs. inorganic fertilizers, and timing tips.