Backyard Orchard News
The Aggressor
Talk about aggression. Talk about bullying. Talk about power maneuvers. Ever seen male European...
Male European carder bee (left) targets a honey bee on catmint. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Male European wool carder bee scores a direct hit. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The force knocks over the male European carder bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The impact levels the honey bee. She emerges from the blow as the male European carder bee circles to attack again. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Californian pomegranates bound for Korea
UC and USDA APHIS recently presented a program at Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (KARE) addressing the requirements for the export of California pomegranates to the Republic of Korea. James E. Adaskaveg, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Riverside presented information on the management of insects and pathogens on the Korean quarantine list. Magdalena Moreno from APHIS provided information on regulatory documentation required for exporting pomegranates to Korea. The event was attended by 60 growers, packers, shippers and others interested in the export of pomegranates. There have been over 1.3 million cartons of California pomegranates exported to Korea in each of the last two years.
Field day participants looking at a pomegranate tree in a KARE field
Behold the White-Lined Sphinx Moth
Our cat used to catch them. She'd bring them into the house and watch them flutter at our...
White-lined sphinx moth in flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
White-lined sphinx moth heads for salvia (sage). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
View from above of the white-lined sphinx moth. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Seeing Red
It's easily missed because it's only a fraction of an inch long. But the color--a brilliant...
Red nymph of leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus zonatus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Leaffooted bugs, adults and nymphs, share a pomegranate. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
We're Here at the Fair-- Where Are You?
If you haven't already planned your visit to the LA County Fair, now's the time. Master Food Preservers from Los Angeles County are on hand giving demonstrations and waiting to answer your questions about food preservation. On Wednesday, September 5th, Susan Nickels and Nancee Siebert got the ball rolling with a great introduction to the world of jam and jelly production (both with and without pectin).
Volunteers from MFPLA will present demonstrations at the Culinary Styles Stage (under the racetrack grandstand) on Wednesdays and and Fridays, 9/5 - 9/28 from 12 to 3 pm. Topics include jams and jellies, the art of pickling and fermenting, and how to preserve tomatoes.
In the Farm House Kitchen across from the Big Red Barn, MFPs including Liisa Primack (seen above) will be discussing dehydration and other methods of food preservation. Come visit us from 9 am to 12 pm, Wednesdays through Fridays, 9/5- 9/28 and see Liisa's fantastic solar dehydrator.