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!

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

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 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

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?

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!

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!

Editorial Notes

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall"
— F. Scott Fitzgerald 

In anticipation of the arrival of much needed winter rains, we dedicate this issue to a beautiful season where nature gracefully winds down and gives back bountiful: what we lose in flowers and leaves, we gain in fruits and color.

Fall is a great time to Plant!

News and Events

There is still time to come and listen to some very interesting in-person Garden Talks at our demonstration gardens or enjoy a few live webinars.

Ask a Master Gardener Tables Are Back!

Although UC Ask a Master Gardener tables reopened in limited numbers in 2021, all Farmers Markets that we normally attend in Contra Costa reopened this past summer.

by David George

List of 2022 UC AAMG tables at local Farmers Markets

Visit a UC Ask a Master Gardener farmers market table near you! Generally held through October, weather permitting.

By Stephen Guglielmana

Fall is a Great Time to Plant

Fall is a Great Time to Plant Natives and Drought Tolerant Plants

by Laurinda Ochoa

Drought Tolerant Native Groundcovers

Planning to remove or reduce your lawn? – Try these drought-tolerant native groundcovers.

By Kate Verhoef and Laurinda Ochoa

Fall Pruning

Getting Ready for Fall and Winter Pruning

by Anne Sutherland

Living with Wildfire

Living in Wildfire Country: Reducing Risk Through Tree Care

by Marilyn Saarni

Sustainable Gardening Practices: Using Recycled Water

Sustainable Gardening Practices:
Using Recycled Water — What You Should Know
By Jimm Farr

Container Gardening: Water saving Techniques

Container gardening in small spaces, such as a patio near your kitchen, is fun and can be very productive.

by David George and Terry Lippert

Fall School Gardens Newsletter

Schools have reopened from their summer breaks and school activities are already in full swing. The school gardens are drawing their fair bit of attention from the school communities.

by Soubarna Mishra

Helpdesk

Our Help Desk is staffed 50 weeks of the year, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – Noon. Currently, we are communicating through email ONLY

Editorial Notes

Seasonal Editorial Notes

Drier Doesn’t Have to Be Dire

As our magnificent hills and open spaces turn from green to golden brown, the grasses seem to be waving goodbye to spring. And it feels like we need to fortify ourselves to face the coming summer. Ever-present drought and the threat of wildfire are calling us to action as spring slips away.

by Lori D. Palmquist

Add a Flowmeter to Monitor your Water Usage

An Efficient Step to Monitor your Water Usage

by Cynthia Engers

Living with Wildfire - Firescaping Plant Lists

by Marilyn Saarni

Firewise Plant Lists are being removed from websites by many Firesafe Councils and Wildfire Preparedness agencies. This movement has occurred because these lists were often based on anecdotal evidence, “just a feeling," and ...

Summer Tasks and Wildfire Preparedness

Here is your Summer Checklist for your garden and landscape, including how to monitor pests and diseases (IPM).

Our California landscape is prone to wildfires, especially during the summer. Here are some great resources to help you prepare your home and landscape against devastating wildfires. 

Ask a Master Gardener

Have you been to a farmers' market lately? You will find an ‘Ask a Master Gardener (AAMG)’ table staffed with UC Master Gardener volunteers at many Contra Costa County farmers' market locations. Most markets are held on Saturday or Sunday.

by Kathy Gage

Gophers, Moles, and Voles

Interview with “Mr. Gopher” Bob Archer, including a video clip demonstration of the 'Gopher Hawk' trap.

by David George

Earwigs - Good Bug? Bad Bug? Which is it?

The European earwig, Forficula auricularia, known by children everywhere as a “pincher bug”, has become the most abundant earwig in California since it was first seen here in 1923.

by Janice Winsby

Container Gardening Pests

Container gardens often have fewer pest issues than in-ground plants. However, just about any insect pest that is a problem for plants grown in-ground can also attack container grown plants!

by David George.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

New Entry-Level Pest Pro Certification Provides Better Public Safety. An interview with Dr. Andrew Sutherland, the SF Bay Area Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor.

by David George

School Gardens Newsletter

by Soubarna Mishra

News and Events

We have an exciting summer ahead of us with upcoming webinars, Growing Gardeners classes and In-person Garden Talks at our demonstration gardens in Walnut Creek and Rivertown.

Editorial Notes

From the Editor ...

Thank You Note From Mission to Mars Class

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge yesterday! Your presentations, answers to questions, and informal discussions all had a big impact on our group.

Spring Garden Tasks

Here is your spring garden and landscape to-do list ...

News and Events

Here is what is coming up ...

Top 10 Hot Tomato Picks

The UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County will hold their 11th annual Great Tomato Plant Sale, opening for online orders only on April 2nd at noon...

The Best Container Tomatoes for You

With the Great Tomato Plant Sale around the corner, we should review the best tomato varieties for your container garden... 

Save Water by Irrigating with Ancient Ollas

Along with everyone else in California these past few years, I am looking for ways to use less water in my garden...

Earthworms

Earthworms are invisible, hardworking, free garden helpers who eat broken bits of leaves, grass, food scraps and things that plants can’t use. They turn them into nutrient-rich, finer organic matter, called worm castings.

Mind Your Water in the Garden

The water districts could be asking us to conserve even more this year. The whole state relies on a steady supply of snow and rain the first three months of the year. But very little of this liquid refreshment has fallen thus far. Since drought seems to have settled in, the onus is on us to bring on our best dry game.

Editorial Notes

From the Editor ...

Lichens, Mosses, and Algae

Winter rains and cool weather wake up the lichens, mosses and algae growing in our gardens and yards ...

Starting Seeds Indoors is Frugal, Fun and Fascinating

Another new year is upon us, and so we turn our thoughts to planning our summer garden ...

Creating a Wildlife Habitat

In his book Bringing Nature Home, entomologist Douglas Tallamy gives notice: ‘It has become increasingly clear that much of our wildlife will not be able to survive unless food, shelter and nest sites can be found in suburban habitats.’ 

Secret Life of Mushrooms

Have you ever wondered how the ground somehow magically absorbs everything on its surface? Fallen leaves, dead bugs, animals and trees ...

Winter Garden Tasks

Let's celebrate the much-wished-for winter rains we received so far and endure the cold with an extra jacket and some solid winter boots... 

News and Events

Upcoming activities include ...