UC Master Gardeners of Merced County

06/01/2026

Read about our new 2026 Master Gardener volunteers, the upcoming Merced County Fair June 10 -14, June workshops, a pest alert, and more.
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Newsletter at https://conta.cc/4x2a9Ql

Email from UC Master Gardeners of Merced County The latest gardening news for you   UC Master Gardeners of Merced County June 2026 Newsletter 2026 UC Master Gardeners of Merced County Graduating Class

06/01/2026

Consumer Alert!

If you purchased grapevines, citrus plants or fruit trees on or after April 21 from Costcos in northern CaliforniaA, there is a risk that the plants may have an invasive pest, the glassy winged sharpshooter. Costco Wholesale is acting as a fully cooperative partner, working closely with county agricultural commissioners to directly contact affected members. Read the full announcement from the Merced County Agricultural Commissioner

The Merced County Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), announced today that while a portion of suspect nursery shipments from Costc

03/25/2026

Join us for our next public workshop!
UC Master Gardeners of Merced County presents "Less Toxic Insecticides", a Public Workshop on Saturday, April 4th from 10am-12pm.
Presenter: Tom Dinwoodie, UC Master Gardener of Merced

Topics covered:
-How to select insecticides
-Choose products that target specific pests
-Cultural and biological controls of insects
-OMRI label meaning
-Learn to "Read the Label" activity

Photo Credits- UCANR Bug Squad Blog

* Walk-ins are encouraged and welcome
* Free event - Donations Accepted
Register Here: https://conta.cc/41u8zIs

11/16/2025

11/12/2025

Check out our November Newsletter!
https://conta.cc/4nQ5M5a

Email from UC Master Gardeners of Merced County The latest gardening news for you   UC Master Gardeners of Merced County November 2025 Newsletter Advice To Grow By ... Ask Us! Greetings! With Thanksgi

11/08/2025

This fun activity, inspired by “The Shape of Things”, helps young learners explore shapes, observe nature, and make real-world connections!

✂️ Draw, cut out, and label shapes with construction paper/cardboard.
🧵 Punch holes in each shape and thread them into bracelets or necklaces.
🌈 Head outside to find matching shapes in nature.

For full details, click here: https://www.plt.org/family-activity/the-shape-of-things/ ◼️🟢💛

11/08/2025

11/08/2025

Native Plant Spotlight: California Buckeye

The California buckeye (Aesculus californica) is a small California native tree with pale silver, (almost white) bark and many branches. Its dark green leaves with five leaflets look like hands (“palmately compound leaf”) with finely toothed edges.

In the late summer, as a self preservation adaptation, the buckeye drops all its leaves and goes dormant because water is less available.

The seeds, which linger after the leaves have fallen, are large and orangey-brown and are said to resemble a buck’s (male deer) eye.

In the spring, buckeyes display large numbers of sweetly scented, white flower clusters which are attractive to native bees and butterflies but are poisonous to honeybees. Honeybees were brought over from Europe and are not native.

It makes an excellent small tree for our dry summer climate and is a great waterwise choice.