Acorn
crops vary from year to year. This fine article addresses: "Some trees
reproduce synchronously over large areas, with widespread ecological
effects, but how and why?"
Acorn Recipes
Acorn Information, Identification, Processing, and Recipes
Growing California Oaks
Collecting, Storing, and Planting Acorns
An Introduction of Oaks
Shasta Horticulture Resource Bulletin (SHRB)
A resource for northern California gardeners
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Analysis of Environmental Groups to Donate to for a Better World
Outside
Magazine, December 28, 2016, by Anna Callaghan "The Best Environmental Groups to Donate to for a Better World"
"Change you'd like to see likely isn’t going to come from the top
down, so it’ll have to come from the organizations who have been fighting the
good fight from the bottom up for decades. “We’re not planning to stop pushing
for stronger environmental protections in D.C., but it’s likely that those
fights are going to be even harder and more forceful,” says Josh Mogerman, a
spokesman for the Natural Resources Defense Council."
Here are two links to organizations that analyze and objectively rate
some of the 1.57 million nonprofits registered in the United States:
"CHARITY NAVIGATOR Your Guide To Intelligent Giving" - search results narrowed to Environmental Protection and Conservation in California.
"CHARITY NAVIGATOR Your Guide To Intelligent Giving" - search results narrowed to Environmental Protection and Conservation in California.
"CharityWatch", founded more than 20 years ago as the American
Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) - Click on the drop-down box "Search for
charity by category" and choose "ENVIRONMENT" for starters:)
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot Update
From the California Oak Mortality Task Force Report September 2016: "First detection of Phytophthora quercina in the US, associated with outplanted Quercus lobata, valley oak – P. quercina was recently isolated from valley oaks (Quercus lobata) as part of an evaluation conducted by the Rizzo Lab (UC Davis) and Phytosphere Research on restoration sites managed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District... It has been rated the # 1 Phytophthora species of concern for introduction into the US in a USDA Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory (PERAL) report. P. tentaculata, recently found in association with multiple native plant species in CA native plant nurseries, was rated as # 5 on the same list."
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot
Some species of soil-inhabiting pathogens in the genus Phytophthora, which means "plant destroyer", cause root and crown rot diseases of herbaceous and woody plants. According to UC IPM, "Almost all fruit and nut trees, as well as most ornamental trees and shrubs (including many California natives), can develop Phytophthora rot." During the first half of 2015 thirty-three Phytophthora species were identified in container stock samples from twenty nurseries. Seventy-five percent of the participating nurseries tested positive for at least one Phytophthora species. Detection has also occurred in native habitat restoration areas with devastating effect. Since inadvertent inoculation of native habitats by Phytophthora-infected nursery stock could severely impact wildlands, the native plant community is leading the battle. A "Working Group for Phytophthoras in Native Plant Habitats" has formed to better understand Phytophthora and develop best management practices to minimize the spread of disease. "In general, Phytophthora (now considered a water mold or oomycete) requires warm, moist soils in order to cause disease. The gardener will reduce the threat of Phytophthora by avoiding prolonged saturation of the soil. Irrigate only as much and as often as necessary. If using a drip system, place the emitters at least a foot away from the trunk. Avoid planting susceptible species on poorly drained or shallow soils." - UC IPM
Monday, May 18, 2015
Landscape Survival During Drought
7 Tips for Landscape Survival During Drought: "With water reserves at all-time lows, water rates reaching all-time
highs, and severe water rationing on the horizon, representatives from
the staff at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden compiled some quick tips for homeowners whose goal is to save water as well as their
landscapes." Click on "7 Tips for Landscape Survival During Drought" in order to view the tips.
The California Garden Web, from the UC Master Gardener Program, have great links to "Drought: Gardening Tips" and "Drought: Irrigation Tips."
The California Garden Web, from the UC Master Gardener Program, have great links to "Drought: Gardening Tips" and "Drought: Irrigation Tips."
Native Plants: Tips for planting and maintaining a drought-tolerant garden with native plants
Replace your turf grass and receive a rebate of up to $2000!
What is Xeriscaping? Creating Sustainable Landscapes
Replace your turf grass and receive a rebate of up to $2000!
What is Xeriscaping? Creating Sustainable Landscapes
Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series brings timely, relevant expertise on water and drought from around the UC system and beyond directly to interested communities.
California Major Reservoir Current Conditions and California Snow Survey and Snow Water Content- California Department of Water Resources
California Drought Monitor
California Fire and Smoke Monitor
Wildfire Risk to California Communities
Cal Fire Activity Map
PSPS PG&E Power Outage Information
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Home Landscaping For Fire
This is a link to a superb publication from the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Another good link is from Cal Fire.
Another good link is from Cal Fire.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Reducing Rattlesnake-Human Conflicts
"A decade of research provides important insights into rattlesnake behavior that can be used by national parks and communities to reduce rattlesnake-human conflicts... The initial research effort examined the effects and effectiveness of relocating, or capturing and moving, nuisance snakes to different and sometimes distant locations... Reducing rattlesnake-human conflicts in developed areas can potentially result from making these areas less attractive to the small mammals and birds that rattlesnakes feed on during the summer foraging season... If a snake does need to be removed for safety reasons, then the best solution is to move the snake a short distance, less than 50 m (164 ft), to the nearest cover. A relocated snake should always be moved away from heavily used roads into habitat that is similar to that from which it was moved."
Friday, May 15, 2015
Poison Oak Exudes Trouble
Laura Christman for the Record Searchlight explains the good and bad of the native poison oak. "Poison oak is part of nature. It's a California native, after all. Birds like its berries. Bees use its flowers to make honey. Deer eat it (why is that not surprising?) and small creatures take shelter in it... Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is sly. It takes different forms. In open areas, the plant grows as a shrub. In shady forests, it's a vine. When the lobed leaves first emerge, they are reddish. Then they go into a soft, chartreuse phase. Later they become deeper green and glossy. In mid- to late summer, they turn red." Link to Laura's article and learn more about this fascinating plant.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Build a Barn Owl Box, Modeled after an Original Design by Steve Simmons
"Barn Owls have been the subjects of wonder, wisdom, magical accoutrements, and folklore for ages. Their presence adds beauty and enchantment to the environment, and their significant rodent control skills comprise a very practical need for their presence. Habitat reduction has reduced their numbers over the last century, and an active program of owl box construction will help offset this."
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Looking for Pollinators? Try Mason Bees
"The orchard mason bee, Osmia lignaria, is an effective early pollinator native to the Western US and Canada. It emerges in the spring, before honeybees. As a pollinator, it is far more efficient than the honeybee by transferring more pollen and visiting more types and numbers of flowers.The male mason bee does not sting. A female is considered non-aggressive, stings only when handled ‘roughly’, or when trapped under clothing. Mason bees are solitary. They do not produce honey; adults feed on nectar and collect pollen and nectar to feed their young. In contrast, wasps also feed on nectar but must hunt for meat to feed their carnivorous larvae.A mason bee looks like a small black fly, but flies only have one pair of wings and bees have two pairs. Mason bees are slightly smaller than honeybees. They fly only after air temperatures rise to about 55degrees F." Oregon Master Gardener™ Association – Clackamas County Chapter In Cooperation with Oregon State University Extension Service
"Many who raise mason bees turn to paper liners. These treated paper or cardboard tubes fit into holes in wood or other medium, or are sometimes used alone. The bees nest in the tubes (or “straws”), which can be removed when the bees are mature. Fresh liners in the holes provide clean nest spaces for the following season." Home made mason bee paper liners by Randy Person.
"Many who raise mason bees turn to paper liners. These treated paper or cardboard tubes fit into holes in wood or other medium, or are sometimes used alone. The bees nest in the tubes (or “straws”), which can be removed when the bees are mature. Fresh liners in the holes provide clean nest spaces for the following season." Home made mason bee paper liners by Randy Person.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra, Nassella pulchra) was designated the official state grass of California in 2004.
This article (FREMONTIA A Journal of the California Native Plant Society, 1981) makes the argument that Stipa pulchra (Nassella pulchra) is the best candidate for the restoration of native grasslands. A widespread, native perennial bunchgrass that can live for 150 years, purple needlegrass ranges from the Oregon border into northern Baja California.
Friday, July 4, 2014
California State Rock is Serpentine and State Soil is San Joaquin Soil. And Check Out the Soil Survey Website for Soil Profiles!
"California has a greater number of minerals and a wider variety of rock
types than does any other state. Serpentine, a shiny, green and blue
rock found throughout California, was named the official State Rock in
1965. It contains the state's principal deposits of chromite, magnesite,
and cinnabar. California was the first state to designate a State Rock."
"The San Joaquin Soil was designated as the official state soil in 1997. The designation commemorates the completion of the state's most comprehensive soil inventory and acknowledges the importance of soil."
SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey Browser
"Explore mapped soil survey areas using an interactive Google map and view detailed information about map units and their components. This app runs in your web browser and is compatible with desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones." This is a great website for checking out soil profiles.... and more.
"The San Joaquin Soil was designated as the official state soil in 1997. The designation commemorates the completion of the state's most comprehensive soil inventory and acknowledges the importance of soil."
SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey Browser
"Explore mapped soil survey areas using an interactive Google map and view detailed information about map units and their components. This app runs in your web browser and is compatible with desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones." This is a great website for checking out soil profiles.... and more.
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