Summer 2024
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The Magic of Mulch
by Lori Palmquist
What if I told you that mulch could cut your water use by at least a third, provide abundant soil biodiversity, making your landscape thrive like you could never imagine, AND contribute to the reversal of climate change? Could you even fathom a more magical scenario emerging from a bunch of chopped-up tree clippings on the ground?
Well, it’s true, my friend. And so much more is riding on the coattails of the bold statement above.
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Native Plants for Summer Bloom
by Robin Mitchell
In most of California, because of its Mediterranean climate, the state receives rain in the late fall, winter, and spring, with generally no rain falling in the summer. This means that most California native plants have adapted to being dormant in the summer.
However, some California native plants bloom in the summer and can be wonderful additions to any garden. And for many of them, occasional summer water can keep them looking their best, although some do not even need that.
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Native Plant Resources
by Robin Mitchell
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has two recent resources that can help with identifying and understanding California native plants. The first is an updated and redesigned Calscape web platform. The second is a new “Wildflowers of California” book.
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Tropical Style Plants for Summer Dry Climates
by Cynthia Engers
Many of us enjoy the look of plantings we may have seen on vacation and might like to grow some similar plants in our own gardens. Of course, we don’t live in the tropics or Hawaii, so it goes without saying that we can’t really duplicate a tropical garden in Contra Costa County. It is certainly too cold in the winter! And we generally look to save water and select plants that are low-water users.
So are we destined to enjoy ‘tropical-looking’ plants only on our travels? Not necessarily. There are many choices appropriate for our climate which, while not technically ‘tropical,’ might be seen as such.
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Why some Stress might be Good for your Succulents
by Hedwig Van Den Broeck
In this article, we’d like to address the amazing color changes in outdoor growing succulents that produce more beautiful and vibrant colors when exposed to stressful conditions. We are not writing about their amazing flowers but rather about the color change in the leaves and stems of succulents.
Stress might sound dramatic, but, no worries, you won’t harm your succulents. You are simply manipulating the succulent’s ability to survive harsher conditions. Like all plants, succulents require just the right amounts of water and sunlight to thrive
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Container Soil Recipes for Small Spaces Gardening
by David George
All plants require four essential elements: sun, water, air, and fertile soil with space to grow. Container plants are no exception. Because they are not grown in native soil though, container plants have special soil needs. Garden centers sell excellent potting soil mixtures, but they are often expensive or lack certain nutrients. Were you aware that you can create your own container soil mix?
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Composting in Small Spaces
by Lorraine Frey
Vermiculture, also known as worm composting or vermicomposting, is the practice of raising worms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for plants. It's a sustainable gardening technique that can reduce waste and improve soil health. Vermiculture is also a popular way to compost in small spaces. As composting popularity has increased, homeowners in small spaces or restricted situations have been looking for composting options that can work for them. These possibilities range from small, enclosed outdoor composting bins to worm composting that is practical indoors.
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Master Gardeners and School Gardens
by David George and Pam Austin
Did you know that the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County has an active support program for school gardens in the county? Does your public or private school have an existing vegetable or flower garden that needs sprucing up? Is a new garden currently being planned? Or do you, as parents or school staff, have occasional gardening questions? UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County are available to help!
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Understanding Defensible Space Zone 0
by Hedwig Van Den Broeck
As we continue our series on "Home Landscaping for Fire Safety", we will now delve deeper into the topic of developing fire-resistant landscaping in Fire Zone 0.
Zone ZERO means Zero combustibles. Defensible Space Zone 0 refers to the immediate area (0–5 ft.) surrounding your home, which includes decks and other structures. This area needs to be carefully managed to reduce the likelihood of fire ignition and spread by removing all receptive fuel beds.Part 1 was published in our Spring issue of News to Grow By
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Award for UCMGCCC Richmond Low Water Demonstration Garden!
“The East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors recognized the outstanding skill and dedication of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County and the City of Richmond Parls and Landscaping Division who have made the Richmond City Hall gardens a true demonstration of partnership, stewardship, and water conservation.” As stated on the proclamation
