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Flowering Quince: A Sure Sign of Spring

Spring won't arrive until March 19, but don't tell that to the honey bees foraging on the...

A honey bee foraging on flowering quince, a member of the rose family. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee foraging on flowering quince, a member of the rose family. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A flowering quince bud makes a great pocket for a honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A flowering quince bud makes a great pocket for a honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bottoms up! A honey bee determined to bring back food for her colony on this flowering quince. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bottoms up! A honey bee determined to bring back food for her colony on this flowering quince. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

Thoughts From My Garden

I have been on fire mitigation detail all summer long around my place. Those of you who know my place know that my house along with the 2 other houses on the property are surrounded by trees. Well, there are fewer trees than there were a couple years ago because we changed our lease and now don't have the walnut and olive orchards that we used to. However, I think that we still have as many leaves as before. As a result, leaf management is an ongoing job. During the summer, I had the opportunity to work with Maureen Clark on a presentation on how to manage our gardens for fire safety and prevention. If you were unable to attend that presentation, I hope to do it again in 2025. It was an excellent learning experience. If you want to go down a rabbit hole to see what to do over the winter for summer prevention, visit the ANR as there are easily 100 pages of information. Here is one link to look over: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/

So, how did I get here from there you might ask? Well, while filling my green waste container while raking the leaves from just one of the remaining walnut trees, I got to thinking about the weather reports on the Today Show detailing the horrid weather and fire conditions across our nation. (I must confess that I have been pretty myopic over the years in thinking that fires and drought stopped at the California borders.) The weather reporter talked about the drought conditions across the country and how those awful hurricanes happened and flooded areas previously unaffected by hurricanes. Then comes the report of yet another atmospheric river heading our way. I got very curious about all these terms I had been hearing but never really thought that much about at those specific times. So, I got onto the internet and headed down another information rabbit hole. I chose these sites for research -- DOE, NOAA, Accuweather, and USGS.

Firstly, just what is an atmospheric river? "It is a large, narrow section of the Earth's atmosphere that carries moisture from the tropics near the equator to the poles." Studies have found that these "rivers" can be up to 300 miles wide and can transport water vapor at a rate equal to 7 to 15 times the average daily discharge rate of the Mississippi River. They carry massive amounts of moisture. On average, 4 or 5 of these active "rivers" at any given time. They are a major factor in cloud formation and responsible for 90% of the movement of moisture from the tropics towards the north and south poles. They significantly influence air temperatures, sea ice, and other climate components. Essentially, they are like "rivers in the sky" carrying the largest amounts of freshwater on earth. A very common name,

especially in Southern California, is "The Pineapple Express". As mentioned before, they usually begin in tropical regions where warm ambient temperatures cause the ocean water to evaporate and rise up into the atmosphere where strong winds carry it. Then, as it moves over land, it is pushed farther up into the atmosphere, cooling the vapor. Because climate change is warming the planet, atmospheric river days are expected to increase.

That brings me to my next question. What is a "Bomb cyclone"? By definition, it is a storm that undergoes rapid strengthening over a 24-hour period. Essentially, it means "Explosive storm strengthening." It can be tropical or non-tropical in nature. It mostly occurs over the oceans as a giant rising column of air that spins counter-clockwise in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern. As the air rises, the surrounding pressure lowers quickly, dropping the barometric pressure. As the air rises and cools, the moisture condenses, producing clouds and rain or snow. The faster this happens, the heavier the resulting precipitation. This can also happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass.

Now, to get to the fire mitigation part of my wandering thought process. Here in California, we are all too aware of wildfires. We have lived through a couple way too close to home in the recent past. We all appreciate the beautiful green hills after a good rainy season, but also are aware of the dry, brown, flammable vegetation that follows in the summer and fall. Whenever there is a fire, a prayer for rain goes up, however, once a fire severely burns an area, little vegetation remains and the burn makes the top layer of soil non-absorptive for a short time causing the water to run off, especially downhill, carrying mud and debris with it. For example, a forest's ground is usually like a sponge and can absorb and filter large amounts of water, but after a fire, the water can't penetrate the soil, causing runoff. Hence, we have seen massive mudslides on the news.

Well, as I sit inside, listening to the rain, my curiosity is mostly satisfied. The last question is: Will we have a decently wet winter, or are we going to get what we get now and not much more?

I hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday season.

View of the hills at the end of Clayton Rd in October and below, view of the tractor access to the vineyard behind my house today, Dec. 16.

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Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM

Author: Jenni Dodini

Your Rat Management Questions Answered!

UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this...

Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM

Feb. 8 is UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day: A Super Science Day

Have you ever wished that you and your family and friends could visit the UC Davis campus and chat...

Visitors examine the insect specimens at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Visitors examine the insect specimens at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

At the 12th annual Biodiversity Museum Day, Miles Pickard, 4 and his mother Marissa Pickard checked out the Center for Plant Diversity. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

At the 12th annual Biodiversity Museum Day, Miles Pickard, 4 and his mother Marissa Pickard checked out the Center for Plant Diversity. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Paleontology Collection, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, draws scores of visitors during UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Paleontology Collection, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, draws scores of visitors during UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lisa Pacumio with great-horned owl at the California Raptor Center on Old Davis Road. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lisa Pacumio with great-horned owl at the California Raptor Center on Old Davis Road. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A nematode display at the Katherine Esau Science Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A nematode display at the Katherine Esau Science Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

From Concrete to Green: How Gardening is Changing California's Cities

Imagine living in a place where parks are scarce and concrete stretches for miles. This is the reality for many Californians - in fact, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, 94.2% live in urban areas, making it America's most urbanized state. In cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim, more than 7,400 people share each square mile of space.

In these densely packed urban environments, many residents face significant challenges. Research shows that 30% of California's youth lack access to parks, sidewalks, or community centers in their neighborhoods, and nearly one-third of adults fall short of physical activity guidelines. Many adults spend their days sitting inside while stress levels rise and healthy habits decline. Urban living often correlates with higher-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles, which can impact both mental and physical health.

Since 1980, the UC Master Gardener Program has been transforming California's urban spaces one garden at a time. With more than 6,000 active volunteers across 53 counties, the program's impact is seen across the state. In just the past year alone, UC Master Gardeners supported more than 2,000 gardening projects, taught nearly half a million residents in person, and helped create 3.5 million square feet of new garden space – that's equivalent to 60 football fields of green!

"Taking the UC Master Gardeners class not only taught me how to grow my own food but also became a source of therapy for me," shares Shirley Alvarez. "I feel healthier, happier, and more connected to nature." Studies support Shirley's experience. According to research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, adults with a household member participating in community gardening consumed fruits and vegetables 1.4 more times per day than those who didn't. Even more impressive, they were 3.5 times more likely to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

The impact spreads far beyond home gardens. At Skyridge Elementary, students now plant seeds, harvest crops, and even take mindful walks through their gardens. "These experiences have become an instrumental piece of our school community," says Principal Wright. In Los Angeles County, UC Master Gardener Florence Nishida sees another vital benefit, “[UC] Master Gardeners provide great help as teachers, garden advisors, help provide some food security for urban residents."

Research also shows that spending time outside leads to increased physical activity, which can help prevent or reduce the risk of illnesses associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Being outside can also help with mental health and stress levels by alleviating negative and increasing positive factors. Spending time outdoors is good for us in so many ways, and UC Master Gardeners are here to help you find ways to spend more time outdoors, in your own garden, an outdoor patio, or at a local community garden. Whether you dream of growing tomatoes on your balcony or helping others learn to garden, the UC Master Gardener Program offers the knowledge and support to make it happen.

Program data shows that two-thirds of participants at workshops and educational events spend more time outdoors, while nearly three-quarters successfully grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Through workshops, community projects, and partnerships, the UC Master Gardener Program is making it easier for all Californians to experience the countless benefits of gardening and connecting with nature. The program is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their gardening experience or living situation, empowering you to take the first step towards a greener, healthier lifestyle.

Click here to Find a Program and connect with your local UC Master Gardener Program. You will be redirected to your local county website and contact information. UC Master Gardener volunteers are available to help answer questions for FREE. Happy gardening!

Posted on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 11:25 AM

Author: Barbra Braaten