Santa Barbara

Mark Gaskell is best known these days for cultivating the idea of California-grown coffee that launched the emerging industry. But coffee isn't the first crop that Gaskell convinced California farmers could be locally grown.

As part of the University of California Office of the President restructuring effort, President Napolitano appointed an advisory committee to determine a set of recommendations regarding UC ANR.

Mark Gaskell is best known these days for cultivating the idea of California-grown coffee that launched the emerging industry. But coffee isn't the first crop that Gaskell convinced California farmers could be locally grown.

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Client' Request: Hi! What bug (or other cause) is responsible for my Bright Lights Swiss chard leaves to look dry and brown? (See pictures below) What can I do to fix this?

Itching to start your weekend? Us too! These Columbian black-tailed deer twins (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) seen outside the window at CalNat HQ north in Hopland are a more common occurrence than single fawns, who are born mostly to young does.

The common question comes up all the time What can I grow here that will make money? Why not lemons or avocados. The coastal California area is generally well adapted to these crops and infrastructure and markets are developed.

Advice for Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Client's Request: The photo shows a fungal-looking substance that developed in my wood chip bed.

Say what? Atmosphere meters can be used to assess irrigation requirement. Here's a great little report from Mark Battany, our advisor in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

[This story was updated July 5 to add Jennifer Henkens, 4-H community educator for UCCE Sacramento County, to the list of 4-H eLearning team members. Her name was inadvertently omitted in the original announcement.

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Client's Request: I am aware that asparagus is a 2/3/4th year veggie. I am a patient person. However, I am not so talented, or patient enough to start from scratch.