HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa

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 frost date may be as early as Halloween.

Garlic has been part of agriculture for at least 5000 years and is thought to have been brought to the Americas by Columbus.

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 were not the only ones waiting for that first seasonal rain.

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.

Even though you may still be harvesting loads of vine-ripened tomatoes, peppers and other summer grown vegetables, in September it's time to make room for winter garden vegetables. If you delay, you may miss the chance to harvest full-sized heads of broccoli, cauliflower, and Romanesco.