Hero Image

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explode,
and every sunset is different.”
- John Steinbeck

It doesn't feel much like summer yet, does it? Because of the relatively cold weather in Contra Costa County, our growing season started later than usual. This might cause you to grow a bit impatient, especially when you have just planted the new seedlings you bought at our Great Tomato Plant Sale. Rest assured however that with warmer weather and more sunshine on the horizon, more vigorous growth will follow.

Like in previous issues, we’d like to stress the importance of using CA native plants and pollinator plants as well as paying attention to Climate Change. Pollination is such a crucial ecological survival mechanism and there is a lot more that we can do to remedy Climate Change – so let’s start in our own backyard. 

 

Summer 2023
  • The annual 2023 Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS) was very successful!
    The annual 2023 Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS) was very successful!

    THANKS TO YOU!
    Since Covid, this year's GTPS was our first 'in-person-only' event and extending it to three days worked out well. Many shoppers opted to avoid the long lines of opening day and made the decision to shop on Sunday or Monday. 

    Thank you, Contra Costa County residents.
    We are very grateful for your support!


  • California Natives: A Smart Choice
    California Natives: A Smart Choice

    by Kate Verhoef
    UC Master Gardener volunteers often provide advice on reducing water use in home gardens. You can do this by selecting drought-resistant California native plants. Drought tolerance is not the only positive feature of many California natives. Here are more reasons to choose California native plants, and a list of recommended plants for a more drought-tolerant, fire-resistant landscape.


  • Remember the Pollinators
    Remember the Pollinators

    by Cynthia Engers

    The third week of June is National Pollinator Week, an international celebration of the importance and vulnerability of pollinators. It was designated as such by the U.S. Senate in 2007 to raise awareness of the declining population of pollinators. Following the global focus on this topic, we are providing links to some of our in-depth coverage from past issues, as well as looking at the opportunity to support pollinators from a new angle: Edibles.


  • Small Spaces: Growing Berries in Containers
    Small Spaces: Growing Berries in Containers

    by David George

    Berries, such as the plump, juicy ‘olallie’ blackberries, sweet red raspberries, or delicious blueberries, are among the most well-liked and nutritious container-grown foods. The majority of berry cultivars ripen between late April and early July, although some also yield a second, lesser crop on young canes in the fall. Because of their high concentration of antioxidants, necessary vitamins, fiber, and trace minerals, berries have been dubbed a "superfood".

     


  • Climate Change: Improve your garden’s ability to handle too much rain!
    Climate Change: Improve your garden’s ability to handle too much rain!

    by Robin Mitchell

    This past winter, California had record precipitation in the form of both rain (in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as other places) and snow in the mountains. And the previous years we experienced drought.

    Many homeowners experienced flooding and erosion in their gardens, which were not designed for such large amounts of rain. Is it possible to make your garden more resilient when the weather delivers that much water?

    There are a few ways to improve your garden’s ability to handle too much rain.

     


  • Climate Change: Too little water in fire prone California
    Climate Change: Too little water in fire prone California

    by Hedwig Van Den Broeck

    For many years it was the severe drought, dwindling reservoirs, and devastating wildfires that captured the headlines; this winter it was the atmospheric rivers causing disaster. Historically, both drought and flooding have contributed to California's water issues. Unfortunately, due to climate change, these swings between wet and dry have grown more extreme.

    Here are some ideas to help you create and maintain a drought-tolerant garden that will protect you better again wildfires and at the same time beautify your landscape and property as well.

     


  • Family Harvest Farm: New East County Demonstration Garden Coming Soon!
    Family Harvest Farm: New East County Demonstration Garden Coming Soon!

    by David George

    A new East Contra Costa County Master Gardener demonstration garden is in the works! Funding approval was gained in February and work is now in progress for the garden on a portion of the Family Harvest Farm (FHF) grounds on Power Avenue in Pittsburg. The area is owned by PG&E as an easement for overhead power distribution lines, but 3.5 acres were leased from PG&E in 2016 by the John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) to develop an urban garden. The trust hired 3 staff members to manage the FHF development, to recruit and train apprentices, and to coordinate with the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County (UCMGCCC) for their new 2,000 square foot demonstration garden.

     


  • Summer Tasks in the Garden
    Summer Tasks in the Garden

    Let's not forget to take care of our gardens this summer in addition to all the fun activities we have planned, especially when temperatures are rising and our priceless landscape begins to get thirsty.


Spring 2023
  • The Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale
    The Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale

    This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Contra Costa Master Gardeners Great Tomato Plant Sale and we’re very pleased to announce that we’re back to an in-person sale at two locations! With such a vast assortment of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash and more, we’re sure you’ll have plenty of great choices for your summer gardens.

    Details at a glance:

    • Our Garden: April 1st, 2nd and 3rd from 10:00am to 3:00pm each day.
      Located at N. Wiget and Shadelands Dr. in Walnut Creek
    • Richmond Civic Center Library: April 29th from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
      Located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond 
    • All plants are $4. CASH OR CHECK ONLY, checks preferred.
      Don’t forget to bring boxes to carry your new plants home!

    Please visit our website for complete details, including plant descriptions, shopping lists and helpful articles. 

    We hope to see you there!


  • Native Plant Gardening in the Spring
    Native Plant Gardening in the Spring

    by Laurinda Ochoa

    For those of us who didn’t get around to casting those wildflower seeds or starting seedlings in pots, can we plant natives during the spring months?

    Yes! Although March and April are too late to start a spring-blooming native wildflower garden, there is still time to plant summer and fall blooming California native perennials. Here are three native plants that bring color and pollinators to our yards during the summer and fall – penstemons, asters, and salvias.


  • Mulch: It's Got You Covered
    Mulch: It's Got You Covered

    by Anne Sutherland

    It’s hard not to get excited about mulch. Mulch is one of the best things you can do for your plants and you can get it for free. Free sources include your own yard waste such as grass clippings, or wood chips from a reliable tree service. UC Master Gardeners prefer organic mulches because they are part of the carbon cycle and have benefits that rock, weed barriers, and plastic lack.


  • Keeping your Hill in Place: Erosion control on hillsides
    Keeping your Hill in Place: Erosion control on hillsides

    by Hedwig Van den Broeck

    Many of our California hillsides have become unstable due to previous atmospheric river events, and some have even started to slide. Erosion is harmful because it puts local bodies of water and storm water management systems in danger, as well as your property and that of your neighbors.

    To prevent soil erosion and the loss of priceless topsoil, it is crucial to control erosion on hillsides. Many of us hurried to get sandbags or other temporary solutions this winter. It is preferable however to implement longer-term fixes that can maintain the stability of your hillside.


  • Patio Techniques for Peas and Beans
    Patio Techniques for Peas and Beans

    by David George

    Many patio gardeners have successfully grown tomatoes in containers. But have you tried peas or green beans? Peas and beans can also be quite productive and fun to grow in limited spaces. And if you are blessed with a sunny location, the ripe pickings will be sweet and packed with more nutrition than supermarket produce.

    When should you plant seedlings? Right now (April-May) are the best months for summer pea and bean seedling planting. Ripe veggies can be harvested from your plants as early as June and can last through August, depending on the variety.


  • Synthetic Turf: a UC Master Gardeners Perspective
    Synthetic Turf: a UC Master Gardeners Perspective

    by Laurinda Ochoa

    At our Ask A Master Gardener, UC Master Gardeners regularly hear questions about synthetic turf lawns. With costs for water, fertilizers and garden maintenance rising, many people wonder if it is a good idea to take out their lawns and put in an artificial turf product. From a UC Master Gardeners perspective, the answer is no. Synthetic turf is not a good substitute for our lawns. 


  • Spring Tasks: Is your Garden ready for Spring?
    Spring Tasks: Is your Garden ready for Spring?

    Frost damage! Numerous atmospheric rivers! Weeds trying to take over! Our local weather this winter might have set us back a bit. The UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County as well as the Statewide blog can help you catch up.


Winter 2023
  • Editorial Notes
    Editorial Notes

    “The Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth.”
    — Chief Seattle

    What is certain however is that each and every effort in fighting climate change counts and the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County are here to help you achieve positive results using more sustainable garden practices.


  • Now Is the Time to Plant Natives in Your Garden!
    Now Is the Time to Plant Natives in Your Garden!

    With the start of the rains in the Bay Area (thank goodness), this is a good time to incorporate native plants into your garden. 

    There are so many possibilities between California native annuals and perennials. Here are some ideas about how to get started!


  • The Benefits of Urban Trees and Why the Best Time to Plant One is Today
    The Benefits of Urban Trees and Why the Best Time to Plant One is Today

    Don’t you feel like something is missing when you stroll or drive through a city street without trees? And when you do take a tree-lined street, doesn’t your journey seem much shorter and more enjoyable? When trees are around, we are much more likely to go outside. And even if we are unable to go outside, just looking out onto a green, tree-lined street makes us feel good. It makes us happier and healthier.


  • Smart Controllers for the Win! Choose Which One is Best for You
    Smart Controllers for the Win! Choose Which One is Best for You

    Smart irrigation controllers are the intelligent choice for our gardens. They automatically adjust the irrigation schedule daily, based on changes in the weather. They’re like a thermostat for your landscape. And how great is it that our water providers are literally paying us to use them?


  • Growing Citrus in Pots
    Growing Citrus in Pots

    Are you shocked at the prices of oranges and lemons at the grocery store? Do you know that you can grow your own oranges and lemons in a patio container for just the cost of water, fertilizer, and time? Citrus trees are an attractive and rewarding addition to any patio garden. Most dwarf varieties grow well in containers and produce great quality fruit in winter months when other fruit sources are dormant. And the brightly colored orbs hang like holiday ornaments on a leafy green backdrop.


  • Are You Safe in your Garden?
    Are You Safe in your Garden?

    Safe practices in the garden have always been a key focus of the UC Master Gardener Program. Preventing serious injuries to our volunteers involves many hours of training, tool sharpening, and using equipment properly.
    No one in our program knows more about safety issues than experienced Master Gardener, Joie Spinelli.


  • Winter Tasks. Time to Bundle Up!
    Winter Tasks. Time to Bundle Up!

    There are plenty of winter tasks This Season in the Garden and our Helpdesk regularly writes very timely blog posts which you can also access via our website.

    Just in! from UCANR Statewide: How to Care for Flood and Water-Damaged Plants.

    While sheltering from severe weather, check out our YouTube Channel ! It is a treasure trove of 36 great presentations we’ve given over the past couple of years, just waiting for you to enjoy!


Fall 2022
Summer 2022
Spring 2022
Winter 2021-22
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

magnifier150

Coming soon! Search function for archive of News to Grow By articles

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

news-to-grow-by-header

Sign up for News to Grow By seasonal newsletter and event announcements