HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa

It's summertime! Our gardens are in full swing, tomatoes are beginning to ripen, berries are mostly done, and everything is lush and green. But beware, your plants can sunburn just like you.

You really do not want voles (also called meadow mice) moving into your garden. They are larger than a house mouse or deer mouse but do not quite reach the size of an adult gopher or rat.

This post is a rerun from 2023. Have you noticed tomatoes that have round, water-soaked spots on the bottom? Blossom end rot (BER) is a frustrating problem that can be quite common in vegetable gardens, as it can affect tomatoes, peppers, and squash. You might notice it after a few very hot days.

Earwigs are one of the most common pests in our gardens. There is a lot to learn about them besides knowing how to prevent the damage they cause.

Are you a gardener with questions? Are you a beginning gardener just getting started? Do you want to know more about how to troubleshoot problems in your garden?