Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
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A Cleaner North County, a Fallbrook 501c3 environmental nonprofit, has been here since 2021, making an impact in our community and in the surrounding areas of Fallbrook, Vista, Oceanside, and Bonsall by removing litter and illegal dumping debris. Back in July, 2023, our cumulative weight exceeded 10,000 pounds of litter removed. We are not even at the end of 2024 but as of October, 2024, the cumulative poundage removal has now exceeded 22,800 pounds. Our big project in 2024...
The projected temperature for the first week of November 2024 is near the historical average of mid-70s. If November temperatures turn hot again, Chilli thrips may continue to be a problem. Continue to investigate these pests and treat them if found. They attack new growth, buds, and blooms. Left untreated plants are stressed, often shriveling the end buds, or preventing bud formation. The life cycle of Chilli Thrips is short and includes falling to ground and becoming a grub...
Maven Roofing Company will be repairing the leak on a Sullivan Middle School roof. The Bonsall Unified School District board voted 5-0 October 16 to approve a contract between Maven Roofing Company and the school district for the repairs. The Temecula company will be paid $59,827 for the work. “This is an agreement to provide necessary repairs to our aging facility,” said BUSD superintendent Heather Golly. An inspection determined that several areas of the school have been experiencing leaks which could create sig...
Improving your soil health organically is a sustainable way to boost your garden's productivity without the use of commercial fertilizers. Here are several tips to help you enhance soil fertility and structure naturally: 1. Add Compost Compost is one of the best organic soil amendments. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances water retention. You can create your own compost from kitchen scraps (vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds), garden waste (leaves, grass clippings), and manure. Compost also int...
Monarchs overwinter on the Pacific Coast every year, from Pismo Beach to Baja California including Balboa Park. They travel from as far away as Canada, journeying thousands of miles to reach their overwintering sites. These breathtaking butterflies cluster together in dense groups on trees, creating a vibrant tapestry of orange and black. An innate sense of direction guides this incredible migration, as they navigate using the sun's position and Earth's magnetic fields. Califo...
MISSION VIEJO – A new film about the avocado industry’s success at driving demand nationwide documents the local as well as global impact of the national marketing program led by the Hass Avocado Board since its inception over 20 years ago. Independent researchers from the University of California, Davis found strategic promotion helped drive over 260% growth of U.S. avocado consumption while all fresh fruit consumption only rose by 9% during the same timeframe. Growers in California and the surrounding communities that ben...
The Vallecitos School District had not previously had a contract for monitoring and maintenance of the district’s septic system, but an Oct. 8 board vote approved a contract with McCarley Underground, Inc., for septic services. The board vote was 3-0 with Ritsa Chanthabandith absent due to a family emergency and one vacant seat. The initial agreement is for 12 months, and the agreement may be renewed every 12 months by school district request. “That will keep our systems running for many years to come,” said Vallecitos Schoo...
San Diego County released its 2023 annual Crop Report showing totals and trends in local agriculture. So, what tops the list? Nursery & Cut Flower products were 71% of the total agricultural value, followed by the Fruit & Nuts group that included crops such as avocados and citrus. Bedding Plants, Color, Perennials, Cacti & Succulents continue to reign supreme for the third year in a row, bringing in a total of $396,623,341, which is 24% of the total value of agriculture...
With their orchards, vineyards and high-value crops, California farmers have embraced drip and other forms of micro irrigation, making such systems the leading method used to water their crops. Despite increased adoption of drip, the traditional and more low-tech method of flooding the ground and using gravity to deliver water to crops remains popular in the Golden State – and not just for field crops. Less popular in California are sprinkler systems, even though they remain the most widely used irrigation method in the n...
Making your home and community safer and surviving a wildfire is a process that will be well worth the effort to be prepared. Some projects can be done in a weekend or two, although it is essential to remember that routine maintenance must be a part of any long-term plan to reduce your home's vulnerability from wildfires. Wildfires can be challenging to control, and what is controllable is how you prepare your home and surroundings before fire threatens. A valuable link...
In my last writings on the art of firescaping, I gave a broad overview of some basic concepts to this vital subject for you and yours to consider around your home, and phase II will expand on that. In years past, we would think of the autumn months as the most important time of year to be aware of fires after a hot and dry summer. This is no longer the case for the fire season has extended throughout the year's calendar due to the unique climate and weather changes occurring...
An Oct. 22 hearing has been set to increase the per diem pay given to North County Fire Protection District board members for attending meetings. The NCPFD board voted 5-0 Sept. 25 to set the hearing date. If the increase is passed that day, the board members’ per diem pay, which is currently $100, will be $105. “The increase is only $5 per meeting. It’s not a lot,” said NCFPD Fire Chief Keith McReynolds. NCFPD board members receive per diem pay for each regular or special board meeting attended, each regular or special...
SAN DIEGO – A new California law will expand the range of products managed by the PaintCare program in the state from architectural coatings to a broader array of paint product types. SB 1143, which passed the state legislature with bipartisan approval on Aug. 30, received support from CalRecycle, environmental advocates, and the American Coatings Association (ACA). Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Sept. 29. PaintCare is a nonprofit organization representing paint companies that plans and operates s...
This article was originally published in October 2020. The American West is ablaze. Wildfires are raging in every state along the West Coast and in almost every state from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains. Land, homes, lives and whole communities are lost. As my pen brings these thoughts together, over 3 1/2 million acres have burned to date, more than any other year, and now millions of people are breathing toxic air from these fires. It is not just that entire weather...
OCEANSIDE – Wildfires raging across California have forced thousands to evacuate, with forecasters predicting record-breaking heat in the West in the coming days. In fact, California is currently battling 14 active wildfires and Governor Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. As such, it is critical for residents to prep their homes ahead of what’s expected for the remainder of the week. ServiceMaster Restore’s disaster preparedness expert Peter Duncanson offered home preparedness tips with some...
I always enjoy looking back to last year's care column for the month. According to https://weathercurrents.com/, the "normal" (multi-year average) for October in Temecula is 82o/54o, but we've all seen some real scorchers every now and then, even this late in the year. So, the watchword is "vigilance" – watch the forecast and make sure to adjust your watering program to be neither stingy nor wasteful. (Your roses will reward you for it!) On that same note, mid-season p...
LAKESIDE – Students from five local high schools worked side-by-side with professional tradesmen to build six moveable tiny houses in the first-ever Tiny Houses Build Day, Sept. 18. The event showcased how the community can provide affordable, permanent housing solutions to homeless and underserved communities, while also providing tremendous career opportunities to the next generation of home builders. The Warrior Village Project, San Diego County Office of Education, and W...
The county’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) is looking for people who would like to be part of a new Environmental Justice Workgroup. Participation in the Workgroup is an opportunity to help shape sustainability policies, programs and services with a social equity focus. The group will advise County of San Diego departments, along with other jurisdictions on climate justice topics like air quality, healthy food, and access to safe, clean and green outdoor spaces. This group is intended to give a...
The county’s Board of Supervisors adopted Wednesday, Sept.12, the 2024 Climate Action Plan (2024 CAP), a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the unincorporated area and at county facilities to reach net zero emissions by 2045. The document features 70 actions that reduce GHG emissions. These features also protect the public’s health and safety, support the environment and improves the quality of life for all residents. The 2024 CAP is a community-driven plan that includes measurable performance out...
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to EDCO Disposal Corporation. A 4-0 vote Sept. 10, with Jim Desmond absent, approved a resolution authorizing the California Enterprise Development Authority to issue up to $63,500,000 of revenue bonds for EDCO. The maximum authorized amount includes $16,000,000 for the EDCO facility in the 400 block of West Aviation Road. The California Enterprise Development Authority is a joint powers authority which issues private activity bonds for the...
As the heat of summer fades and cooler autumn breezes sweep in, September is an ideal time to revamp your Southern California garden. Fall not only offers relief from the intense heat but also provides the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for a vibrant winter and spring season. Here's how to redesign your garden beds, make smart plant selections, and optimize your space for Southern California's unique climate. 1. Evaluate and refresh garden beds Start by assessing...
When planting trees, review the area and see if the installation of a root barrier would be beneficial and save you thousands of dollars down the road. Tree roots grow where they are happy and especially seek out moist and wet soils. Roots are the lifeline to absorb water and minerals from the soil and help in the dispersal of them throughout the trees. Roots can grow shallow or deep, depending on the tree species and the soil conditions. Ficus trees for example have invasive...
