HOrT COCO: UC Master Gardener Program-Contra Costa-Blog
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Fertilizing Citrus
Are you noticing that the leaves on your citrus trees are looking yellow, and wondering if now is the time to fertilize? We have some answers for you. Should You Fertilize Now? First of all,...
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Looking for Expert Garden Help?
Master Gardeners have many clients whose gardens need work beyond the standard mowing, leaf blowing and hedge trimming, such as a new design, nursing an older garden back to health, improving...
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Selecting and Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees
Winter is an ideal time to plant a fruit tree. Although it requires some patience, success is best using bare root trees. There are many advantages: the trees are lighter and easier to handle; you...
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Garden Tool Care
Evenings are growing dark and maybe it's too cold and wet to work in the garden. What better time for tool care? It's also a great time of year to drop some hints to friends and family for those...
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Is it Time to Use Dormant Sprays on Your Backyard Fruit Trees?
Now that the leaves have fallen, or mostly fallen, from your backyard fruit trees, are you wondering whether you should apply dormant sprays? “Dormant sprays” or “delayed dormant...
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Holiday Cacti - Bloom Time is Near
Christmas cactus will be in bloom soon, available at your local nursery and home and garden store, in many stunning colors to brighten our shorter days. Their bloom time can range from November to...
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Bundle Up! Winter's Coming! - Preparing for Frosty Temperatures
It's time to get ready for cold winter temperatures and to start preparing protection for citrus trees and other frost-sensitive plants. Depending on where you live in Contra Costa County, your first...
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Growing Your Own Garlic, Leeks, and Shallots
Garlic has been part of agriculture for at least 5000 years and is thought to have been brought to the Americas by Columbus. There is much folklore associated with it, from treating warts to fighting...
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Fall Rains Trigger Mating Flights of Termites
For most of the Bay Area we had an unexpected but wonderful seasonal surprise – RAIN. This blessing provided a drink of water to plants that we have had to ignore due to water rationing. We...
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A Conversation About Garden Cover Crops
What is a cover crop? It's a crop grown to feed and protect the soil when the garden is not being used for active food production. Cover crops can transfer nitrogen into the soil, provide large...