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Learning Center
July is all about "Compost Heroes!"
In July, we will discover what is going on beneath the ground beneath us. While soil may seem to be dead, it is actually teaming with life! In soil, we find many different types of insects, "myriapods" (like millipedes and centipedes), arachnids, animals (like worms), bacteria, and fungi. WOW! That's a lot of life!
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Composting is a process of decomposition. Much of the life present in soil is actively decomposing organic matter like leaves, roots, wood, and other plant, animal, and insect waste material. Decomposition allows nutrients to be recycled and become available for plants to use. Without this process, life on earth would be vastly different and potentially impossible.
This week at the learning center:
Fungi are one of the most important decomposers on earth! And their tiny, root-like fibers, or mycelia, help plants absorb nutrients and even communicate between one another! But . . . are they good or bad in the garden? Click on your favorite mushroom to find out!
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Last week: Earthworms are one of our favorite compost heroes! (And this year they happen to feel quite good about themselves as the 2026 Annual Art Competition winners!)
Check out this time-lapse video of a worm compost bin. A glass side panel allows us to see what skilled decomposers they are!
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June's Theme was "Pollination Station!"
June is the time when the frenzy of Spring begins to relax into the sunny heat of Summer.
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As flowers abound during this time, the honeybees, native bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, and flies who pollinate the flowers begin to wake up and get buzzing!
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We celebrate not only our more flashy, beloved pollinators, but our under-appreciated pollinators as well. Thank you to the night crew who pollinate while other sleep- our bats and moths!
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Did you know? Without pollination, all life on earth would cease to exist! So please take a moment and thank the next fly, wasp, or butterfly you see!
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Check out the amazing hover fly! This pollinator gets a bad rap, since people often confuse it for a bee or wasp! It is actually a fly and a very efficient pollinator. Its larvae also eat aphids! Now that is what I'd call a true Farmers' Helper! Click on the hover fly to learn more!
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Generously sponsored by Louis M. Martini Winery
Past Topics of Interest
How Can We Help Bees This Time of Year?
Learn more about Beesponsible gardening
Where Do Bees Go In Winter?
What happens to bees when the weather grows cold? Find out here!
Fall is the Perfect Time for Bird Watching
With our state's largest river and abundance of wetlands, Yolo County makes for a nearby favorite spot for bird watching
Let's Learn About The Greatness of Bats!
General Information Video
Napa County Master Gardeners blog on bats
Pallid Bat Lives in Napa County
Quick Bat Facts for Kids
Why Certain Plants Have Evolved to Produce Certain Scents
When it comes to plant aromas, we tend to forget that we, as humans, are not the target audience, and these odors were not designed with us in mind—we are really passive spectators to a show that luckily most of us happen to enjoy.” Here's a very interesting article about why certain plants have evolved to produce certain scents.
The Role of Decomposers
Check out this National Geographic article about the role of decomposers. What are they and how do they work?
​Grades 5 - 8
Generously sponsored by Louis M. Martini Winery