Pests And Weeds

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Bermuda buttercup infesting a bed of landscaped plants.
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Spring is in the Air, and Oxalis is Everywhere

April 17th, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), also called buttercup oxalis or sourgrass, might be a familiar sight in winter and spring, particularly to those who live in coastal regions or the Sacramento Valley. Some people enjoy seeing this plant’s cheerful yellow flowers pop up in their spring gardens, but for…
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Companian planting workshop in the backyard of a master gardener.
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Projects & Services

Butte County Master Gardeners share research based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices through workshops, presentations, and programs.
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Central Sierra: Calendar

UC Central Sierra programming includes virtual and on-line training as well as in-person classes and workshops in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Tuolumne Counties.
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A person looking at a bottle of 20% acetic acid vinegar weed killer with a signal word DANGER.
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Can I Use Vinegar to Control Weeds?

July 18th, 2024
Acetic acid, also known as vinegar, is used in products for weed control. Many people choose it because it is natural. However, acetic acid can damage skin and eyes, especially at concentrations commonly found in weed killers.
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A small green plant with long, narrow leaves in a bed of brown wood bark mulch.
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Nutsedge—Yes, We Hate It Too!

June 26th, 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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A hand holding a dark green aquatic plant.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Hydrilla

June 5th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive, aquatic weed that can be found in many slow-moving fresh water bodies in California. The plant forms large mats that can crowd out native plants, restrict water flow, and interfere with boating and fishing.
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Figure 1. Broadleaf plant characteristics page from the UC IPM Weed Gallery.
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Need Help Identifying Weeds?

March 26th, 2024
By Karey Windbiel
After all the winter rains you may find yourself dealing with weeds and struggling to control them. The first step in successfully controlling weeds is knowing what weed you have.
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A green backyard lawn surrounded by small shrubs.
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Killing Your Lawn?

November 8th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
Kill your lawn! has become a popular phrase and landscaping trend in recent years. Whether you are looking to completely remove your lawn or just renovate it, this article will give you useful information to help you decide how best to do away with your existing lawn and prepare for your new design.
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