Rangelands

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Feed Bees banner at the UC Davis Bee Haven
The Bee Gardener: Article

Bee Gardening Resources After the Haven

May 13, 2024
As mentioned in my post of May 1, my position at the Haven is being eliminated. Recognizing that the need for bee gardening information will remain, this post is a summary of resource materials, web sites, and nurseries that you may find helpful in the future.
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A lady beetle, aka ladybug, with newly deposited eggs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Happy Mother's Day!

May 10, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
In the human world, we recognize Mother's Day as a special day to celebrate all mothers. It's a day that Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Va., established on May 10, 1909 with a worship service at St. Andrew's Methodist Church, Grafton. Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, are mothers, too.
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Information on the pesticide active ingredient neem oil. From the UC IPM Pesticide Active Ingredient Database.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Updated Pesticide Active Ingredient Database from UC IPM

May 9, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
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.
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A sweat bee, genus Halictus and family Halictidae, collecting pollen from a California golden poppy, the state flower. Both the bee and the flower are natives of California. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

No Sweat....Just Pollen...

May 7, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Look closely at a patch of California golden poppies and you may see a sweat bee (genus Halictus) collecting gold pollen. The pollen basket is on the hind legs but you'll see "gold" also dusting the head and abdomen. Native bee, commonly known as "halictid bee." Native plant.
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Pollinator garden planting plan
The Bee Gardener: Article

Build Your Own Bee Haven -- Planting and Maintenance

May 6, 2024
A previous blog covered the steps to take before starting a bee garden. Now it's time to talk about the plants and how to take care of them. Plant selection depends on many factors, including personal preference, climate, soil type, irrigation frequency, and plant availability.
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List of options for turf removal
The Bee Gardener: Article

Build Your Own Bee Haven -- Preparation

May 6, 2024
I've spoken with countless gardeners over the years who wish to start their own bee haven. That's great -- the bees need all the help we can give them. But the most misunderstood part of the process is how much preparation needs to take place before a single plant goes in the ground.
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The California Honey Festival will include bee observation hives. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Forecast of Heavy Rain, Wind Changes Location of California Honey Festival

May 3, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Despite the weather forecast of heavy rain and wind, honey bees will still be "attending" the California Honey Festival. They'll be safe and dry in the bee observation hives. The free and family friendly event, co-sponsored by the University of California, Davis, takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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