Archive Nut, Prune and Olive Programs

by Robin Mitchell This past winter, California had record precipitation in the form of both rain (in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as other places) and snow in the mountains. And the previous years we experienced drought.

by Hedwig Van Den Broeck For many years it was the severe drought, dwindling reservoirs, and devastating wildfires that captured the headlines; this winter it was the atmospheric rivers causing disaster. Historically, both drought and flooding have contributed to California's water issues.

by David George A new East Contra Costa County Master Gardener demonstration garden is in the works! Funding approval was gained in February and work is now in progress for the garden on a portion of the Family Harvest Farm (FHF) grounds on Power Avenue in Pittsburg.

Let's not forget to take care of our gardens this summer in addition to all the fun activities we have planned, especially when temperatures are rising and our priceless landscape begins to get thirsty.

Otherwise, regular watering is essential. Your vegetable garden will need constant care in all areas of water, pest and weed control, and fertilizing. Find out what to stay on top of in the garden this month as UC Master Gardener hosts Katrina Kirkeby and Teena Spindler help you plan your month.

The man who pioneered the field of genetic engineering for food crops has died.

Save the dates! The seventh annual International Monarch Monitoring Blitz will take place Friday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 6.

Rachael Freeman Long grew up in Berkeley but was fascinated by farming. The UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor has spent the past 37 years doing research on crop production, pollination and pest control and collaborating with farmers.

I control most of my garden weeds by hoeing and pulling. This morning I was doing a quick once-over with the hoe before work when I was inspired by the abundance of purslane present in the garden to write a quick post on hoeing.

It seems like the simplest thing is the hardest. Recently, I was called out to evaluate why newly planted trees were failing at two sites and they both had a common problem. In one case, the trees had been planted too deeply at the beginning.