Urban Agriculture

 As climate change in California becomes more palpable, local gardeners are feeling the literal heat. In a recent episode of KQED Forum, host Alexis Madrigal brought together a panel of gardening experts to discuss how rising temperatures, inconsistent rainfall, and urban microclimates are reshaping the…

Urban tree canopies (UTCs), i.e, the layers of leaves, branches, and stems that cover the ground in cities, are essential tools in managing stormwater, particularly in dense urban areas like those across Southern California. In landscapes dominated by impermeable surfaces such as pavements and rooftops,…

  Every drop counts, especially in California. That’s why May is officially recognized as Water Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the value of water in our lives, our landscapes, and our future.Why Water Awareness Month?Initiated in the early 1980s by the California Department of Water…

 UC Davis and UCANR are conducting a research study to enhance water and nutrient use efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities, focusing greenhouses and indoor vertical farms. This initiative, supported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), will…

PlantingThe avocado is a shallow rooted tree (most of the feeder roots are in the top 6 inches of soil) that needs good aeration. It does well if mulched with a coarse yard mulch, which means one that is woody and in 2-inch pieces, Redwood bark will work and maybe cocoa bean husks and shredded tree bark…

How can farmers and ranchers continue to grow our food while facing challenges of a changing climate, increasingly scarce water, land use pressures and rising costs? UC and UC ANR scientists are using surveys and interviews with people in the state's agricultural sector to learn what folks need to stay…