Agriculture

As of this writing, we're on track for a "normal" rainfall year here in Auburn. Even if the rainy season ended with last week's storm, we'll finish the year at 90 percent of our long term annual average.

With all the rain last year, even extending into August and now with the rains since December there is a lot of natural ground cover growing, When it gets out of hand, we call it weedy.

A new study that can help growers and other readers estimate costs and potential returns for growing strawberries on California's Central Coast was recently released by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Catch and release. Release and catch. No, wait. Catch...examine...and then release. That's what attendees will do at the UC Davis Bee Haven's 15th anniversary celebration, set from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 6 on Bee Biology Road, west of the central campus.

Soil Biodiversity in California Agriculture: Framework and Indicators for Soil Health Assessment Prepared by: California Department of Food and Agriculture Below Ground Biodiversity Advisory Committee Soil health depends on soil biodiversity.

The place to "bee" on Saturday, April 6 is the UC Davis Bee Haven. That's when the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its bee garden with an open house from 10 a.m. to noon. It's free and family friendly.

Although many of you are already well aware of the upcoming changes to pesticide labels related to the Endangered Species Act, many are not. A quick background can be found in a Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) press release from last year (link here).

General situation, thrips population development Temperatures and precipitation this spring are close to historic norms, and the thrips population predictions remain similar to last update. We're currently at the peak of 1st-generation adults; they'll be laying their eggs over the next few weeks.

Starting a compost pile in winter may not be at the top of your to-do list, but it may be just the thing you need to beat the winter doldrums. Your reward will be soil that is more fertile, supporting bigger and heather plants in next summer's garden.

I Can Name That Worm in Four Clues How About You? Match the clue to the Worm's Image. Place an X in the appropriate column. Worm 'A'Earthworm, nightcrawler, Lumbricus terrestris, is one of over 2,700 varieties of earthworms.