UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, CA Videos

Ichneumonid wasps are masters of parasitism! These tiny predators lay their eggs inside or on other insects, like caterpillars or beetle larvae. Once the eggs hatch, the ichneumonid larvae feed on their host, usually from the inside out, eventually killing it. This process helps control pest populations naturally, making ichneumonids unsung heroes of the ecosystem. Though it sounds intense, it's a vital part of nature's balance. 🌿 #Nature #Parasitism #InsectLife #EcosystemBalance

Fruit Tree Care - Suckers
Fruit trees like Roses are often grafted. The root stock controls the vigor of the tree & is often selected to ensure the tree stays small or dwarf for easier fruit picking. But what happens when it tries to take over? Find out more in this video from our fellow Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County https://zurl.co/h2SU #sonomacountymg #fruittrees

Keep your tomatoes healthy and producing until the end of the season! If you do one thing in the garden each day in August and September, trim off diseased or spent leaves from your tomatoes. Start from the bottom up and trim back to the stem. The leaves are no longer of use to the plant and you’ll prevent the spread of possible disease. Sanitize pruners between plants and dispose of suspect leaves (don’t compost yourself). Now that’s better! Just add mulch back under the plants and your tomatoes will reward you with a continuous supply of beautiful fruit.

Pictures from our climate-ready demonstration garden at the Sonoma County Fair! We partnered with Sonoma Marin Water Partnership to showcase ways to make your yard drought-proof and fire-wise. Come by the Hall of Flowers Annex during the Sonoma County Fair to check it out!

Tips on Tomato Harvesting: HARVESTING AND STORING TOMATO Don't leave ripe fruit on the vines longer than necessary. This may increase exposure to rain, which may lead to cracking. Harvesting before it rains also helps avoid fruit molds such as gray mold. Generally, it is best to harvest red ripe fruit and store it at room temperature. However, if it can't be eaten right away, the fruit can be held in the refrigerator a few more days. To extend tomato season, green fruit can remain on the plant as long as temperatures are above 50° F most of the time. When the tomatoes start to color, select the best to ripen indoors. When harvesting less ripe but full-size fruit late in the season, pick them and store at 70° F to ripen. As they become pink, move them to cooler temperatures (55° F) and then to the refrigerator when fully ripe. https://zurl.co/pdsQ

Corn planting tips: For best wind pollination, plant corn in a block with a minimum of 3 rows, at least 4 ft. by 4 ft. Pollination is more successful in blocks than in 1 or 2 long rows. Separate super sweet varieties at least 300 yards from other types to prevent cross-pollination and the loss of desirable characteristics. Remove any stunted shoots; transplant crowded strong shoots 3-4 in. tall to fill gaps in rows. Water adequately to produce full, juicy ears; corn does not do well in drought conditions. Plant successive plantings every 2 weeks of early, mid, and late-season varieties, using only the earliest varieties for late-summer crops to allow enough time for ears to mature. https://zurl.co/qJ71

From @ucipm "Squash bugs, Anasa tristis (order Hemiptera), are a common pest in vegetable gardens. They feed on plant foliage using mouthparts that let them pierce the foliage and suck plant sap. Their feeding results in plant wilt and in some cases plant death. Squash bugs target vegetable crops in the cucurbit family, such as pumpkin, squash, and melon, and can be especially aggravating to gardeners when populations reach large numbers. " " Handpick or vacuum any bugs found under wooden boards. During the growing season, pick off and destroy egg masses as soon as you see them. Use protective covers such as plant cages or row covers in gardens where squash bugs have been a problem in the past and remove covers at bloom to allow for pollination. " https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74144.html

New variety developments have greatly improved this fruit as a tree for backyard and commercial use. Trees can bear the second year. Nectarines (like peaches) are self-fruitful and do not require a pollenizer tree. https://homeorchard.ucanr.edu/Fruits_&_Nuts/Nectarine/

Right now in the gardens and on the trails, the buckwheat are starting their show. Wild buckwheats bring many months of floral interest to Sonoma County gardens when several of the more than 125 species are planted. Numerous selections with flat-headed or round blossoms in yellow, creamy white, pink, or red not only enliven ornamental landscapes, but provide important food sources for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators spring thru fall. https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Plant_of_the_Month/Buckwheat/

Diagnosing Proper Watering for Cucumber Plants Proper watering is crucial for cucumber plant health. Here’s how to diagnose if they are getting the right amount of water: Step-by-Step Diagnosis Observe Plant Appearance Leaves: Underwatered: Dry, brittle, and wilted leaves. Overwatered: Yellow, wilted, but soft leaves. Stems: Underwatered: Thin and weak. Overwatered: Swollen and soft. Check Soil Moisture Surface Check: Dry Soil: Possible underwatering. Consistently Wet Soil: Possible overwatering. Soil Probe or Stick: Moist but Not Soggy: Ideal. Dry Below Surface: Needs watering. Soggy Below Surface: Overwatered. Use a Moisture Meter Dry to Moderate Reading: Needs watering. High Reading: Overwatered. Watering Frequency Consistency: Avoid cycles of drought and overwatering. Deep Watering: Encourage deep root growth, not frequent shallow watering. Environmental Factors High Temperatures and Low Humidity: Increase water needs. Rainfall: Adjust watering schedule accordingly. Root Health Inspection Healthy Roots: White or light-colored and firm. Overwatered Roots: Brown or black, mushy, or foul-smelling. Drainage Check Proper Drainage: Ensure soil drains well. Standing Water: Indicates poor drainage and overwatering. Symptoms of Improper Watering Underwatering Leaves: Dry, brittle, wilting, or curling. Fruits: Small, misshapen, or bitter. Roots: Shallow and weak. Overwatering Leaves: Yellow, soft, and limp. Stems: Swollen, soft, or rotting. Roots: Brown, black, mushy with a foul odor. Tips for Proper Watering Water Early or Late: Reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Mulching: Retains soil moisture and reduces evaporation. Irrigation Systems: Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Avoid Overhead Watering: Reduces risk of fungal diseases and leaf burn. Best Practices Regular Monitoring: Check plants daily, especially during hot, dry periods. Deep Watering: Ensure water reaches the root zone. Soil Management: Amend soil with organic matter for better dr

Cucumber beetles are sometimes confused with the beneficial lady beetle but have longer antennae and may be striped or spotted, green or yellow, depending upon the species. These beetles feed on leaves in vegetable gardens and may also attack ripening stone fruit. While older plants may withstand cucumber beetle attacks without significant damage, younger plants are more susceptible. Read more about cucumber beetles https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/cucumberbeet.html

Trellising Cucumbers
Trellising cucumbers offers several benefits for gardeners: Space Efficiency: Trellising allows cucumbers to grow vertically, saving valuable garden space and enabling more plants to be grown in the same area. Improved Air Circulation: Growing cucumbers vertically enhances air flow around the plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. Ease of Harvesting: Trellised cucumbers are easier to see and pick. They hang down, making them more accessible and reducing the need to bend over. Healthier Fruits: Cucumbers grown on trellises are less likely to be damaged by pests or rot from contact with the soil. This leads to cleaner, healthier fruits. Better Sun Exposure: Trellising exposes more leaves to sunlight, which can improve photosynthesis and overall plant health. Reduced Pest Issues: Elevating the plants can help keep ground-dwelling pests like slugs and snails at bay. Higher Yields: Healthier plants with better sun exposure and air circulation often result in higher yields. Aesthetic Appeal: Trellised plants can add vertical interest and beauty to a garden, making it more visually appealing.

Did you plant garlic and now you are eager to harvest? Here are some tips on how to harvest garlic. Harvest bulbs in May or June when about half of tops die back or fall over. Lift or dig bulbs out of soil rather than pull to avoid cracking bulbs open. Brush off soil and allow bulbs to dry outdoors in sun for 2-3 weeks until skins become papery. Clean cured bulbs and cut off roots to about 1 in. Store in a cool, dark, dry place. https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Vegetable_of_the_Month/Garlic/

This is when we can't wait for our tomatoes ripen; here are some key tips on making sure you succeed. Support plants with stakes or cages to lift vines off the ground, control their spread, and keep foliage dry and fruit clean. Prune stems, if desired, to manage excess vining and encourage larger fruit size. Decrease water frequency as plants mature but keep the root zone moist. Allow the soil surface to dry out up to 1 in. deep. Take care not to over-water. Drip irrigation is the most efficient. Apply water evenly to guard against blossom end rot. Avoid overhead watering; keep foliage dry to prevent fungal diseases. Hand pick any worms or insects that may appear. #tomatoes #californiagardening

@kjwines #kjwinegardenparty We are making floral crowns

Today we had the first public education workshop at Los Guilicos : Botany In The Garden. Master Gardener Janet Baer took on a botanical tour of our garden plants and how they thrive in our gardens.

Many times we find problems with our tomatoes and it's too late to fix it, our MG team at Harvest For The Hungry Garden is going to do a series on how to prevent tomato problems. Here is an article about heat and tomatoes https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=43149

Ever try California Native grasses? here is a stunner, Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis Some gardeners shy away from including grasses in a garden,thinking they may be too large or labor intensive to maintain. But with only two exceptions, all grasses listed here are considered small- or medium-size and few require annual pruning; some need no pruning at all. They do accumulate enough build-up of dry material to be groomed periodically to remain attractive and fire-safe; some are short-lived and are best replaced after a few years. Mass plantings of grasses have become a popular lawn substitute, but most gardeners find more satisfaction intermingling them among annuals, perennials and shrubs, allowing plenty of space for expanding clumps and arching flower stalks. Like all types of native plants, grasses thrive in conditions similar to those in their natural habitat. Nearly all tend to be somewhat drought tolerant; all are deer resistant; flowers and foliage attract butterflies; seeds feed birds. https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Recommended_Plants_for_Sonoma_County/California_Natives/Native_Grasses/ #canativeplants

Kale and collards, a type of kale, share the same species, Brassica oleracea, and are considered non-heading or loose-leaf members of the cabbage family. Both grow best in the cool season, sweetened by frost. Although they may also be grown in summer, high temperatures and strong sun may lead to bitter tastes. Both vegetables are highly nutritious, but kale is reputed to have more vitamins and minerals than any other garden vegetable. Both are biennials that send up flower/seed stalks the second year.

It’s a full time garden job, thinning apple trees. The larger and tastier apples at harvest are worth it.