Over the Fence (Alameda County)

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to grow beefsteak tomatoes in your Alameda City garden even though your friend in Livermore gets huge and wonderfully tasty ones? A big part of the answer relates to the different microclimates of each city. The University of California Agriculture and Natural…

Introduction   Mosquitoes are not just pesky biters that may cause allergic reactions; they can be vectors (that is, they transmit parasites) for worrisome diseases that may cause severe health problems and even death. Mosquito-borne diseases caused by protozoa (very small, single-celled organisms…

If you’ve been gardening in Alameda County for a while, you’ve probably noticed “new normals”: more warm nights, more heat spikes, and winter weather that can feel less reliably cold. Those shifts matter in a region where so many of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals are tuned to narrow…

Artificial Turf in the Home Yard and Garden Artificial turf has been in use since the mid-1960’s, and has gained in popularity in home landscaping as well as in community and commercial settings. Because of the  drought crises, artificial turf was  promoted as a low-water alternative to…

Fungal diseases plague many different kinds of plants and their gardeners.  Fungal diseases tend to be persistent and can be difficult to manage.  Powdery mildew is one such disease.  It includes multiple fungal species and affects many different types of plants.  Powdery mildew…