The University of California Cooperative Extension launched a new Web site to serve as an information portal for California gardeners. The UC Statewide Master Gardener Program staff designed the Web site to organize and extension UC’s vast store of research-based information about gardening, landscapes and lawns to the public.

The Web site focuses on sustainable gardening practices and uses a question and answer format to present solutions. A blog on the Web site’s home page, updated weekly, highlights gardening content pertinent to the season. The site also links to useful gardening resources on other UC Web pages.

" When UC site have thorough content covering a particular topic, we link to that site rather than duplicating it," said Pam Giesel, the academic coordinator for the statewide UC Master Gardener Program. "For example, UC IPM, the Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture, and out sister site, the California Backyard Orchard, contain an abundance of information about sustainable gardening and are all link to the new portal."

The new Web site also provides California gardeners with free access to updated information from the California Master Gardener Handbook.

Special features include: Guidelines for practicing sustainable gardening, easy calculators for estimating landscape water needs, guidelines for conserving and managing water during a drought, links to local Master Gardener Web sites, comprehensive grape and berry gardening practices, vegetable gardening Frequently Asked Questions.

The site has sections on: Gardening basics, your climate zone, find your local Master Gardener, pests, diseases, weeds, vegetables, nut and fruit trees and vines, landscape trees, shrubs and vines, lawns, flowers, indoor plants, poisonous plants, glossary, classes and events.

Development of the new Web site was funded by the Elvenia J. Slosson Endowment for Ornamental Horticulture.

Spring Garden Tour
Glorious Gardens III April 25, 2009 9:00-1:00 Tickets in Advance $15.00 or $18.00 Day of Tour. Purchase tickets at the UC Extension Office,328 Madera Avenue, 675-7879; Peter’s Brother’s Nursery, 1135 S. Granada,673-7117; or Floral Fantasy, 1930 Howard Road Suite K, 673-9051

Phone Hotline
Call (559) 675-7879 to speak with a Master Gardener and have your gardening questions answered on Monday's 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. or the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Bring in plant specimens with your questions to University of California Cooperative Extension Office located at 328 S. Madera Avenue, specimens may be dropped off anytime during business hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Plant Clinics
Ask Madera Master Gardeners all your gardening questions. We are here to help. Bring a plant specimen to show to the Master Gardeners who will research your questions to get the answers you need.

Workshops & Clinics
Learn more about specific gardening topics. Refer to calendar for upcoming events.