UC Master Gardeners of Calaveras County

For this year, knock-on-wood, we’re not looking too bad. But, the West overall is in poor shape. Are you moving towards more drought tolerant plants? Dwarf plants that will provide less fuel during fire season? Now is a good time to map goals for your garden as we move towards spring.

Do this all the time! As always, UC Master Gardeners do NOT endorse specific businesses. We are just sharing when they provide pertinent or fun info.

Growing potatoes in the backyard garden is a great experience and almost always productive. Good "seed stock" and crop rotation practices will also bolster long...-term success. If you've never grown potatoes, give it a try! via Jeff Schalau, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County https://bit.ly/3crUf9L ~js

VIOLAS AND PANSIES It is a bit early for these beauties, but at least we can imagine. You can download a FREE A4 version from their website; www.discoverthewild....co.uk/resources. via discoverthewild.co.uk

Rural Business Development Grants https://content.govdelivery.com//16/RBDG%20Information.pdf Explanation on a Maine site, but it applies to the USDA Grants available here as well. https://www.rd.usda.gov//rural-business-development-gra/me from email "The Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the FY21 Rural Business Development Grant program, a USDA Rural development (RD) grant, has been released. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 31st, ...2021. Applications involving construction or ground disturbance should be submitted sooner to allow time for the environmental review. Late applications will not be accepted for competition and will be returned. Awards will be made subject to funding availability. The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 Million in revenues. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities. Below you will find the NOSA and a PDF with some general information about the grant: who is eligible, examples of eligible projects, etc: FY21 RBDG NOSA.pdf RBDG Information.pdf Application materials are located on our website: USDA RBDG link. The materials are located under the "To Apply" tab.

Something for those of you at higher elevations. Kale is pretty hardy and do-able for winter fresh greens. At 2500ft elevation I can usually keep Kale going without row covers if it’s established (not seedling size) going into winter. Different state, but you get the idea :-)

An instructional project the Story of Flowers spans day to night and from sunshine to rain and wind. It shows the various stages of botanical growth and the help plants get along the way. https://www.thisiscolossal.com//story-of-flowers-animation/

There is a magical world at your feet when you walk in a wet forest!