HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa

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.

Problem While most of our garden plants need at least 6 hours of full sun to be productive, too much sun, especially when combined with too much heat, can be too much for plants to bear. Problems arise especially when temperatures are over 85 to 90 degrees F.

Prune Apricot and Cherry Trees in August If you have apricot, cherry, or related hybrid tree varieties such as aprium and pluot in your yard, plan to prune them before the end of August.

Fertilizing Fruit Trees and Information on Chill Hours" Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County Home Gardener Request: We're finally jumping into fully caring for our mini-orchard here in Mid-County.