HOrT COCO: UC Master Gardener Program-Contra Costa-Blog
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Mistletoe Prunings Can Be Holiday Decorations
Note: This was originally published in the Contra Costa Times. Q: I have a lot of mistletoe in my street tree, which is some sort of ash, I think. Is it a problem and if so, how do I get rid of...
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Garlic Part 2 - Planting / Care / Curing
Garlic (Allium sativum) is loved and respected around the world as a symbol of protection and luck. It is thought to impart strength and endurance and is prized as a natural medicinal remedy with...
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Garlic, Love It or Leave It
Whether you fall into the camp of a little goes a long way or too much is never enough, I hope to convince you that growing garlic is worthy of your time and some space in the garden. Let's look at...
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Weeds and Weed Seeds
Note: This was originally published in the Contra Costa Times Conquer weeds by understanding their life cycles As a gardener in Contra Costa County, you know from observation that weeds have an...
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Growing Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns
Note: This was originally published in the Contra Costa Times. Q: I know that acorns are the seeds of oak trees, but how do I plant them? A: Oaks are an important part of the California...
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Seeds Are Worth Saving
It's getting close to the end of our summer gardening season. Now is the time to start thinking about next summer's garden. Do you have annual flower or vegetable varieties that did really well in...
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Spider Mites
Spider mites are very common pests found on many of our landscape and vegetable garden plants. They are tiny and difficult to see but once you learn about them, you might start seeing evidence of...
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Spiders: Friends Not Foes
This time of year, as the heat increases and things start to get dusty, you might see a number of webs on your plants. Uh oh. Are these webs a sign of spider mites? Chances are the webs you see...
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Beat the Heat with Shade Cloth
It's summertime! Our gardens are in full swing, tomatoes are beginning to ripen, berries are mostly done, and everything is lush and green. But beware, your plants can sunburn just like you....
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The Invasion of the Voles
You really do not want voles (also called meadow mice) moving into your garden. They are larger than a house mouse or deer mouse but do not quite reach the size of an adult gopher or rat. Although...