HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa

The Mediterranean climate of Contra Costa County has us spoiled for choices in growing handsome perennials and shrubs, including many native plants that attract local beneficial insects and nourish our ecosystems.

Irrigation is not a set and forget' thing. Your watering schedule should be adjusted each season (at least four times each year) as water needs in the landscape vary greatly from season to season.

Q: Can I use the graywater from my washing machine to water my vegetable garden and fruit trees? A: There are two key considerations, discussed below, relating to the use of graywater in the garden: what is meant by the term graywater and on what plants to use it.

A poet once said, A weed is but an unloved flower. Sometimes though, a weed, an insect, or a four-legged critter can become a dangerous pest. In a state like California where so much of our economy is agriculturally based, these pests can wreak havoc.

Do your tomato plants suffer from lack of vigor, yellowing leaves, and poor fruit production? These symptoms are associated with many different problems, including lack of soil nutrients, excess salts in the soil or irrigation water, poor drainage or waterlogged soil, or a variety of plant diseases.