Gardening

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A long, speckled brown insect with a pointed head on a green leaf.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

What are exotic and invasive pests?

July 16, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Exotic and invasive pests threaten California's natural environments, agricultural production, structures, landscapes and gardens. Exotic pests are organisms introduced into an area beyond their natural range and become pests in the new environment.
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A canal of water next to a fenced area with residential homes and trees.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Urban Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Water Quality

July 14, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Pesticides and fertilizers applied around homes, residential or commercial landscapes, school sites, and other areas can enter our creeks, rivers, and oceans, degrading water quality.
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The OMRI seal may appear on pesticides determined as organically acceptable by the Organic Materials Review Institute.

Organic, Natural, and Less Toxic: What’s the Difference?

July 11, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce, Belinda Messenger-Sikes, Karey Windbiel-Rojas
You've heard of terms such as green, organic, natural, ecofriendly, and less toxic to describe pest control products and services. But what do these terms really mean? To different people, they can mean different things, creating obvious confusion.
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Line items of a sample water bill
Over the Fence (Alameda County): Article

8 Water Wise Tips That You Can Start Today

July 8, 2024
By Jim Farr
Stay waterwise this summer with practical tips for gardeners to conserve water and keep landscapes healthy from the UC Master Gardeners of Alameda County.
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Pest prevention tips for July.

July Pest Prevention Tips

July 3, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Follow these tips for the month of July to prevent pests in the garden and landscape. To see more tips specific to your region, visit the Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist on the UC IPM website. Clean up fallen fruit or nuts to avoid attracting or harboring pests.
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Buy it where you burn it!

Don’t Move Firewood!

July 1, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
What you do with firewood this upcoming 4th of July (and year-round!) can impact more than just the s'mores on your campfire. If you move firewood around the state, you could spread deadly plant diseases and invasive insects. Don't take firewood with you if you travel or camp this holiday weekend.
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A small green plant with long, narrow leaves in a bed of brown wood bark mulch.

Nutsedge—Yes, We Hate It Too!

June 26, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Nutsedges are aggressive and persistent weeds that commonly infest lawns, vegetable and flower gardens, and landscapes. These perennial sedges are a problem in lawns because they grow faster than turfgrasses and result in non-uniform turf.
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