Over the Fence (Alameda County)

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Green grapes with white powdery blotches from powdery mildew
Over the Fence (Alameda County): Article

Managing Powdery Mildew

February 10, 2026
By Linda Carloni
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…
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Carrots should be planted from seed as the long tap roots are easily damaged leading to stunted growth and misshapen carrots.

Seeds vs starts? A practical guide for planting your spring vegetable garden

February 1, 2026
By Patsy Babbitt
IntroductionAfter you've enriched your soil and readied your pots or your beds for the vegetables you want to grow in the early spring, you'll need to decide whether to begin with seeds planted directly into the soil or to transplant already-started plants (“starts”) you get from a nursery or other source…
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variety of succulents in varying types of containers

Container Gardening Basics – What I Wish I Had Known

January 6, 2026
By Judy Quan
 Container gardens are a way of having a garden when space or growing conditions are limited. Containers allow us to have plants indoors or outdoors in areas where in-ground planting is not practical.  Plants usually would rather be in the ground with access to more soil and water.  It is up…
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Bluebird with rusty breast perched in toyon bush filled with red berries

Living with Birds - Delights and Challenges

November 30, 2025
By Linda Carloni
 Gardens are meant for plants, right? So why encourage birds to join us there? The most obvious reason is that many of us love birds.  They are beautiful to look at, and we delight in hearing them sing. Birds bring a whole extra dimension to the enjoyment of nature in your outdoor place. But even…
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