Master Gardener Monthly Newsletter
November 2020
Featured Articles
USDA Snap-Ed Connection
Seasonal Produce Guide -- What's in Season Now?

SNAP-Ed helps people support their local economy and eat healthy. Farmers markets are a great way to support local farms, and they are also a great place to get fruits and veggies, plus fruits and veggies cost less when they are in season. Explore different fruits and vegetables throughout the year using the Seasonal Produce Guide. Seasonal produce in your area will vary by growing conditions and weather. Remember that fresh, frozen, canned, and dried foods all count towards your MyPlate goals! Read more.
4H Youth Development Program

Through hands-on learning, youth-adult partnerships, and research-based educational programs, youth enhance their leadership abilities and develop a wide range of skills. The 4H program focuses on four focus areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Healthy Living, Civic Engagement, and Leadership. Read more.
2020 UC Master Gardener Mini Conference (videos)
Available to the Public

The physical Mini Conference was to be held at Lake Tahoe, but became virtual instead! Watch videos tailored to Master Gardeners, yet available to the public such as (1) houseplants - soil, water and such for sustainable indoor growing, (2) composting for soil health, (3) reminiscence gardening, (4) gardening with underserved communities, (5) fire safe landscaping - Southern California Focus, (6) preserving your garden harvest, and (7) mornings at Martial Cottle Park - lessons in the garden for school children. Read more.
Master Gardeners Book Club - Book Discussion
Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy (2009)
October 24, 2020, 9:00am-10:30am

You can access the book instantly and for free with you library card via hoopla. You will need your library card number and pin handy when creating a hoopla account. The book synopsis: As development and subsequent habitat destruction accelerate, there are increasing pressures on wildlife populations. There is an important and simple step toward reversing this alarming trend: Everyone with access to a patch of earth can make a significant contribution toward sustaining biodiversity. There is an unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlife—native insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, impoverishing the food source for birds and other animals. In many parts of the world, habitat destruction has been so extensive that local wildlife is in crisis and may be headed toward extinction. Registration required to join the book discussion.
Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Mark Your Calendar -- Make a Gift!

Join us on Tuesday, December 1, for #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals to celebrate generosity worldwide. #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) Your gifts allow UC Master Gardener volunteers to be the most reliable source of high quality research-based gardening information in California. The UC Master Gardener Program offers its services at no cost to local communities, connecting concerned citizens and home gardeners to research and information directly from the University of California. With your support, we invest in research, education, and services in your community -- to be a neighbor in times of need. And, we can’t do this without your help. A donation link will be on our website before December 1st!
Online Classes
Soil and Regenerative Agriculture (online class)
Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.
October 21, 2020, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Our agricultural soils are a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Soil stores significant amounts of carbon, but much has been lost through unsustainable farming. Regenerative agriculture can help put this carbon back where it belongs, while reducing the use of chemicals, increasing farmers’ resilience, and creating habitat. Learn how this works, and how you can contribute to a regenerative transformation of our food system.  Registration required.
Composting: Benefits of the Aerated Static Pile Method (online class)
Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.
October 28, 2020, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Curious about how composting works on a local farm and a horse ranch? Join Lyngso and Webb Ranch to learn more about horse manure composting on a local farm. This class will review the method of composting using an aerated static pile, and how it is preferable when composting manure and other materials that can otherwise be problematic if not composted properly. Registration required.
Master Gardener Plant Clinic (online class)
San Mateo Arboretum Society
November 1, 2020, 11:00am-12:30pm

Have a plant, pest or gardening question? Ask a Master Gardener at a remote plant clinic offered in partnership with the San Mateo Arboretum Society. If possible, please email your question along with any helpful photos to: mastergardeners.ucd@gmail.com. Submitted questions will be answered during the Zoom clinic. Live questions will be taken, time permitting. And if you don’t have a question, please still attend. Registration required.
Mycorrhizae: The Mutualistic (Usually) Relationship
Between Fungi and Plants (online class)
California Native Plant Society
November 5, 2020, 7:30pm

Most plants, about 90 percent of all species, maintain a symbiotic relationship with fungi at the roots. Those relationships are called mycorrhizae and are usually mutualistic; that is, both members of the relationship benefit, although there are exceptions to that rule. J.R. Blair will introduce the mycorrhizal relationship, discuss the benefits that the plant and fungal partner receive, and present the various types found in nature. He will also talk about some of the more recent scientific revelations of this fascinating biological phenomenon. Registration required.
Gardening Resources
PLANT PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
Choose the affected plant from photos displayed, click on the photo, remove any selections that do not apply, click on the plant names, and continue to filter selections to view the results for a possible diagnoses. Learn more.

GARDENING RESOURCES
Select links to access gardening resources, California Backyard Orchard, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), publications, and finding a local Master Gardener program. Learn more.

ARBORETUM ALL-STARS
Do you need help picking plants for your sustainable home garden? Selecting from the “Arboretum All-Stars” list is an easy way to start making “green” choices for your great looking garden. Arboretum All-Stars are top plants recommended by the horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum. They thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate and have qualities that make them great choices for sustainable home gardens. Use a searchable plant database to pick the perfect All-Star for your garden conditions. For more information, view their website.
Videos
Cover Crops (video)
Grow Organic Peaceful Valley

Learn the benefits of cover cropping, and how to reduce erosion on hillsides and top soil, increase soil fertility, water infiltration, reduce dust, and prevent orchards from becoming too muddy. But there’s more! View video.
Cover Crops for Healthy Soil (video)
Master Gardeners Program

To control weeds and build soil structure, plant cool season cover crops in the fall to create a deep root mass, cut down the crops in the spring, and then plant warm season cover crops. View video.
And More ...
Managing Wildlife Pests (podcast/website)
Joe Gardener Show With Joe Lamp'l

Managing wildlife pests in the garden and landscape is a challenge for all gardeners. It’s not just those of us in rural areas who deal with damage from deer, rabbits, raccoons, moles, and other furry foragers. These creatures have a solid foothold in metropolitan areas as well. So, what to do to protect your garden? Read or listen to more.
Save the Trees Please (recording of webinar)
Canopy, Palo Alto, CA

Canopy is an organization that plants and cares for trees where people need them the most. Their mission is to grow urban tree canopies in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Their vision is a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees. Register to view video.
Ask A Master Gardener!
Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region?


COVID-19 Update
Due to the “Shelter in Place” order issued by all Bay Area counties, including San Mateo and San Francisco, the Master Gardeners are working remotely, effective March 17, 2020. All questions can be directed via email.

Please provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:

1.   Name
2.   City of residence
3.   Email
4.   Phone, best time to call
5.   Description of problem/question -- for plant or pest problems, please attach photo(s)

Since the Bay Area “shelter in place” requirements have kept many of us at home, gardening in your own backyard has become much more popular! We are seeing an increased interest at the Helpline from both new and established gardeners. It is fun to see many new gardeners asking for advice with questions such as “What do I do with these raised vegetable beds? ”and “How do I start a vegetable garden when I know nothing about gardening?” During the first 30 days of our “shelter in place,” we have had 147 helpline questions, with 17% of them asking about the Spring Garden Market. Many, many thanks to all of our Helpline Volunteers who are working the Helpline remotely and keeping our clients happily gardening!


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