Healthy Eating

The Basics of Growing Edible Crops in Tahoe  by Kristianne H., UC Master Gardener of the Lake Tahoe BasinOvercome ChallengesA Short Window: The average frost-free growing season is only about 93 days.The frost-free window typically runs from June 18 to September 19. This is unpredictable! Freezing…

Vegetable Cycle Pollination Pollinator Isolation Distance Seed Longevity Saving Ease Direct Trans Notes Bean A Self   100’ 2-3 yrs easy D Lose vigor rapidly. Soybean A Self   100’ 2-3 yrs easy D   Beet/Chard B Cross Wind ½ mi 3-5 yrs * D Beets cross with chards. Broccoli/Kale/Cauliflower B…

Childcare centers and homes aim to create a healthy environment, but holistically assessing practices and identifying what to improve is often challenging. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior highlights the reliability and validity of the Site-Level…

Growing vegetables can be fun! It also can be very frustrating. But in any case, growing vegetables provides a wonderful learning experience for us as we learn from our successes and mistakes.  Here, we will discuss how to select varieties appropriate to our short growing season and how to start your…

Below is a crop-by-crop summary of the best time to plant vegetables here in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  Keep in mind these are estimates of ideal planting windows, each season can bring very different conditions so also take into account potential freezes in the weather forecast and your individual planting…

 As part of UC Berkeley’s 150 Years of Women mural project, Dr. Mary Blackburn was recognized among the trailblazers who have shaped the university’s public mission. The mural not only celebrates individual achievement, it highlights a legacy of impact that continues to influence communities and future…

The California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) supports Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers in purchasing fruits and vegetables by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP dollars spent on produce. Nutrition Policy Institute researchers conducted a mixed-methods study utilizing…

School meals play a critical role in supporting children’s nutrition and health in the United States; however, only about half of students participate in the National School Lunch Program on a typical school day. A recent study showed that student perceptions of school meals influence their participation…

Can reconnecting with one’s traditional culture be an important key to healthy habits? A recent community-based study evaluated the impact of a culturally-grounded intervention designed to improve beverage consumption habits among young Navajo children. Between 2021 and 2023, 74 families participated in…

Happy March! It’s time for This Month In The Garden, our monthly tips and tricks show we play on the first Thursday of every month here on In The Garden with UC Master Gardeners of Orange County California.The key emphasis at this time of year are three words: Plant, Feed, and Control. But don’t jump the gun…