UCCE San Diego

Berry growers and enthusiasts gathered for a day of learning at our Berry Production Workshop, where participants explored the ins and outs of blueberry, strawberry, and blackberry production. UCCE Small Farms Advisor Ramiro Lobo shared research-based guidance on blueberry production, while attendees enjoyed berry-inspired treats and samples of dried strawberries and blueberries.

The learning continued with UC Master Food Preservers Shirley Salado and Helen Woodward, who presented practical information on food safety, fruit quality, proper storage, and freezing fresh berries to extend their harvest. To cap off the day, a few lucky participants went home with blueberry plants as winners of our free drawing.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a fruitful day of education, networking, and all things berries!

Mexican Fruit Fly has been detected in Spring Valley. A quarantine is now in effect for Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Jamul, and La Presa.

Do not move homegrown fruit.

See details and boundaries: CDFA MexFly website, https://bit.ly/3Sy5RAx

The San Diego County Fair is underway, and it’s a great chance to connect with agriculture right here in our region.

UC Cooperative Extension San Diego supports a range of programs that contribute to local food systems, youth development, and community education—and you can see that work in action at the fair. Our Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, and 4-H programs are part of the festivities every year.

Stop by to check out gardening tips, food preservation demos, and projects led by local youth. It’s a great way to learn something new, meet the people behind the programs, and see how this work connects across our communities.

Registration is now open for the Berry Production Workshop on June 18, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the San Diego Farm Bureau in Escondido.

Learn the essentials of growing strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, including site selection, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, and economic considerations. Whether you're a home gardener, aspiring farmer, or commercial grower, this workshop will provide practical, research-based information for berry production in San Diego County.

Registration is $40 and includes educational materials, continental breakfast, and berry tastings. Register by June 15 or before capacity is reached.

Register here:
https://bit.ly/43xGW2p

How does a giant plant grow from something as small as a seed?

Join the UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County for a STEAM Kids Garden Talk at the Poway Library on June 10. Young learners will explore the fascinating world of seeds, including the many shapes and sizes they come in, how they travel from place to place, and what they need to grow into healthy plants.

This hands-on educational program will introduce children to basic plant science while encouraging curiosity about gardening and the natural world. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of how seeds support the plants we see every day and how they can begin growing their own.

Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Poway Library, 13137 Poway Rd., Poway, CA 92064

This free, in-person event is part of the County of San Diego Library STEAM Kids program.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/43maQ9N

Exotic fruit flies pose a serious threat to California agriculture and home gardens, but early detection and rapid response help prevent these pests from becoming established.

Join UC Cooperative Extension IPM Advisor Eric Middleton tomorrow, June 9, at noon for a free Lunchtime Talk covering Mexican fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly, current quarantine efforts, management strategies, and how the public can help prevent future introductions.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4uZOUgU

Gardeners & growers: keep an eye out for Pink Hibiscus Mealybug. This invasive pest feeds on over 300 plant species and leaves behind sticky residue that can lead to sooty mold, plant decline, and even death. While it’s not known to occur in San Diego County, it’s often found on out-of-state plant shipments.

Want to learn what to look for? A new e-learning course—created with help from a UCCE IPM Advisor Eric Middleton—walks you through identification and reporting in California:
https://bit.ly/4ujvmTy

If you spot cottony clusters on stems or buds, report it to San Diego County’s Plant Pest Diagnostics Lab.

Join us for California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW)—a statewide effort to raise awareness and take action to protect California’s natural and agricultural landscapes from invasive species, June 6-14, 2026.

Don't miss the CISAW Lunchtime Webinar Series, June 8–12, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 PM (daily. We bring you engaging lunchtime presentations from scientists and natural resource managers on invasive species threatening California’s ecosystems. Hear from the experts, ask questions, and join the conversation!

Speaker line-up includes Eric Middleton, UCCE Integrated Pest Management Advisor, talking about Tiny Flies, Big Threat: California’s Battle Against Invasive Fruit Flies.

Invasive Species Lunchtime Talks are brought to you through a partnership between University of California Cooperative Extension and the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) as part of California Invasive Species Action Week.

Visit the link below for more information on how you can participate: https://ucanr.edu/site/invasive-species-action-week-lunchtime-talks/2026-cisaw-lunchtime-talks

Learn. Connect. Take action.

Thinking about becoming a UC Master Gardener? Now is a great time to start planning ahead.

The next training cycle is scheduled for 2027, with applications opening later this year. The program offers in-depth training in horticulture along with opportunities to give back through community education and outreach.

If you’re interested in science-based gardening and community service, keep an eye out for upcoming application details.

https://bit.ly/3QilcEB

This month’s Last Wednesday Meeting will be presented in Spanish and focus on water alkalinity and irrigation management for nursery and floriculture production.

Join Gerry Spinelli, Horticulture Production Advisor, on May 27 from 7:30–8:30 a.m. at the Farm Bureau Conference Room in Escondido or via Zoom. Free breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m.

Topics include water alkalinity concepts, interpreting lab analysis results, plant symptoms caused by high alkalinity, and acid injection practices to lower alkalinity and pH in containers.

En español:

Este mes, el Seminario del Último Miércoles será en español y tratará sobre la alcalinidad del agua y su manejo en la producción hortícola.

Acompáñenos el 27 de mayo de 7:30–8:30 a.m. en el Farm Bureau de Escondido o por Zoom. Desayuno gratis a las 7:00 a.m.

Presentado por Gerardo Spinelli, Asesor de Producción de Horticultura.