UC Master Gardener Program of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties

Today's the day! Our FREE virtual Mini-Conference begins at 9 a.m., livestreaming on Facebook & YouTube! Today's schedule: 9 - 10 a.m. - Growing Together Thr...ough it All! 12 - 1 p.m. - Gardeners with Heart: Incredible Volunteers Doing Incredible Work 3 - 4 p.m. - Houseplants: Soil, Water, and such for Sustainable Indoor Growing Visit the conference website for more information: https://bit.ly/2020MiniMGConf

Read the October 2020 Master Gardener newsletter at: https://conta.cc/3mAnGdM

Read our September UC Master Gardener Program of San Mateo and San Francisco CountiesNewsletter!

Virtual 2020 UC Master Gardener Mini Conference preview: Houseplants: Soil, water and such for sustainable indoor growing. Of course sunlight is very important ...for indoor plants and is the most important resource insufficiently provided to houseplants. But, what else should indoor growers do and take into consideration when growing plants indoors if you're not in Hawaii or a tropical country where most houseplants plants originate? https://ucanr.edu//2020MGCon/2020_Virtual_Mini_Conference/

Soils & Bees If you're looking to improve bee diversity in your garden, leaving some open soil for them to nest in is a great idea. A recent study conducted by ...researchers at Oregon State University looked at the interaction between agricultural soils and wild bees. While honey bees are well known pollinators world wide, ground nesting native bees can work just as hard and currently receive much less recognition. The researchers analyzed the sites and soil the bees were using for their nests and discovered a previously unknown lipid in the soil samples, which might help with waterproofing the nests. You can read more about the soils the bees preferred in the journal article below. ~kgm Journal Article: https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20085 Cornell Article on Groundnesting Bees: https://entomology.cals.cornell.edu//native-bees-your-bac/ UF/IFAS Article on Miner Bees: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu//misc/bees/anthophora_abrupta.htm

It’s Tip Tuesday! Figs are ready for picking when the fruit breaks off easily when bent back towards the branch. Figs should be soft to the touch and harvested with gloves as the milky sap irritates the skin and mucus membranes

Need Help Troubleshooting Your Compost Problems?? How do I know when my compost is done? Why is my compost pile stinky? How do I keep pests out of my compost? ... Our expert panel is here to help and will be hosting 2 live Q & A sessions this month! Join us for an interactive Zoom seminar to get the answers you need. The panel of experts are UC Master Gardeners/Master Composters, who will take your questions, photos & videos in advance of the seminar to be sure to address common and difficult issues during the seminar. Please send us your questions, photos & videos when you register. BACKYARD COMPOSTING Saturday, August 15, 2020 10:00 AM 11:30 AM via ZOOM meeting REGISTER HERE - https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=29733 WORM COMPOSTING Saturday, August 22, 2020 10:00 AM 11:30 AM via ZOOM meeting REGISTER HERE - https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=31765 Provided by: UC Master Gardener Program San Mateo County Office of Sustainability

We are working with our federal and state partners to investigate packages of unsolicited seeds from China. Please do not plant seeds from unknown origins! Find out how to report: https://go.usa.gov/xfQrx

It’s Tip Tuesday! The best time to cut flowers and bring them indoors is early morning or late evening. Harvesting blooms when the weather is cool ensures the plant is full of moisture and its stems and leaves are plump and strong. Show us your cut flowers in the comments!

Homeschooling your kids? Bay Area families are invited to visit Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center in Half Moon Bay for an educational change of scenery https://bit.ly/2YtdDgH

National Pollinator Month encourages the planting of pollinator-friendly gardens that use native, non-invasive pollen and nectar-producing plants. Gardens provi...de pollinators with a diversity of nesting opportunities. In one study, 213 bee species were collected from a garden! #PlantsDoThat See more

NO FLOWERS? OH, BITE ME! Science Magazine is reporting a new discovery with pollen-foraging efficiency. Bumblebees that bite flowers to force them into bloom.... Apian biting is a previously unknown behavior that will coerce the flowers into budding a month earlier than normal. Worker bees usually don’t live long enough to see the flowering, but do it to ensure maximum pollination for the good of the colony. https://bit.ly/3cVtjhF ~ tw Photo credit: Hannier Pulido, De Moraes and Mescher Laboratories Disclaimer: Extension Master Gardener does not endorse any commercial products. Mention of products in articles, websites or podcasts should not infer endorsement. Contact your local Extension office to find information specific to your location. To find the office nearest you, click on this link and follow the prompts: http://bit.ly/2OuheHX

Helpline Update ---- What has been happening on the Helpline during the Shelter in Place Order? The Bay Area Shelter In Place requirements began in San Francisco on March 15th then broadened to all of California on March 18th. This new normal has kept many of us at home as a result, gardening in our backyards has become super popular! We are definitely seeing an increased interest at the Helpline from both new and established gardeners. It is fun to see many new gar...deners asking for advice with questions such as: What do I do with these raised vegetable beds? How do I start a vegetable garden when I know nothing about gardening? Can you help identify my houseplants & how do I take care of them? Now that I have been sheltering in place & have ‘discovered’ my backyard & garden I want to become a Master Gardener! When is your next class? Since the start of our Shelter In Place we have received 347 helpline questions (March 15th to May 26th). This is an average of 5 questions per day--- a 45% increase over what we seen in past years during the same March/April/May timeframe (data from 2015 to 2019). So if nothing else people are REALLY gardening! Here is the breakdown of the most popular topics: 28% Vegetable Gardening 18% Fruit Trees 14% Plant Pests 10% House Plants 10% Landscape Trees Many, many, many, thanks to all of our Helpline Volunteers who are working the Helpline remotely and keeping our clients Happily Gardening! For more information, visit http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/Advice_to_Grow_By/

It's Tip Tuesday! Cool early morning harvest is best for greens, fruits and vegetables . A sharp pair of shearers or clippers will help avoid ripping the mo...ther plant when harvesting. Have questions about how to store your harvest? Check out this storage sheet from UC Postharvest Technology Center to determine how to store your produce https://bit.ly/2WNDz4B Happy harvesting See more