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 extend UC’s vast storage 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 Gardeners, 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.

Visit the website at http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu

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

4-H Youth Development
Organizes, administers, directs and coordinates youth programs in cooperation with Madera County 4-H adult volunteer leaders. Programs are designed to meet the needs and interest of youth 9 to 19 years of age. Focus is on responsibility and leadership development.

Agronomic Crops and Weed Control
Provides extension education and research programs in cotton, alfalfa, cereal grains and corn. Provides weed identification and programs for efficient weed control.

Citrus and Olive Crops
Provides research and extension programs in citrus and olives crops. Serves Fresno and Madera Counties.

Dairy
Dairy productivity and product quality, as well as complex issues of animal health and welfare, waste management, and water quality.

Livestock and Natural Resources
Providing professional research and advice to support range livestock producers and rangeland managers.

Master Gardener
Trained volunteers provide advice and support for local gardeners.

Pomology
Practical advice and problem solving for fruit and nut producers.

Vegetable Crops
Provides educational information to vegetable crop producers in Madera County. Conducts research programs in tomatoes, melons, garlic and other vegetables. Serves Madera and Merced Counties.

Viticulture
Disseminates research based information from University, industry and private research to growers, processors and packers of grapes and grape products. Provides diagnosis of permanent crop plant diseases.