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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

News to Grow By

Fall 2026 NtGB

"How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."
—John Burroughs

As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to cool, the garden enters one of the most rewarding seasons of the year. In this final issue of News to Grow By for 2026, we bring you a collection of timely stories inspired by questions we’ve been hearing from gardeners throughout Contra Costa County.

We begin with two Integrated Pest Management (IPM) articles: the Black Fig Fly and Ticks, followed by practical advice for making the most of the fall planting season—from cool-weather vegetables and smarter water use to spring-flowering bulbs. You’ll also discover how even a small deck or patio can become a welcoming place for beneficial garden creatures. 

And then, take a step back in time with our special feature on the Washington Navel Orange—a nostalgic journey into California’s citrus-growing past and a landscape that has largely disappeared.

So grab a cup of something warm, settle in, explore the stories, and find a little inspiration for your own garden.

Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors.
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List of Articles

Black Fig Fly laying eggs - Etymology today

Black Fig Fly: Beware—A Home Gardener's Guide

“What’s causing all these little figs to fall off my tree?” We heard this question again and again at our Master Gardener tables at local farmers' markets this year. When we investigated, we found an unwelcome culprit: the black fig fly (Silba adipata).

Because it targets only figs, this invasive pest can be a serious concern for both home gardeners and commercial growers.

What can we do?
 

image of black-legged deer tick nymph- Courtest Robert Lane

Four Common Misperceptions about Ticks—An Interview with Medical Entomologist Dr. Robert Lane

Dr. Robert Lane began studying ticks and tick-borne diseases in the 1970s and soon realized that public education was crucial for minimizing the risk of exposure to ticks. Dr. Lane subsequently published many articles about ticks in scientific journals as well as articles in local, regional, and national magazines. He also gave public lectures and provided information to the print and broadcast media. He served as a member and first chair of the statewide Lyme Disease Advisory Committee from 2000 until 2025.  

Read the 4 common misperceptions
 

Cool-Season Vegetables Photo courtesy CoCoMG

Now is the Time to Plant Cool-Weather Vegetables

We are fortunate in the San Francisco Bay Area to have a mild winter climate that allows us to grow cool-season crops during that time.

It is ideal to start cool-season vegetables in late summer or early fall, so that they reach a level of maturity before cold winter temperatures set in. In Contra Costa County, aim for plants to be about 75% mature by mid- to late November.

Plant cool-season vegetables now!
 

Selection of Smart Controllers - courtesy Lori Palmquist

Smart Controllers: a Brilliant Way to Stop Water Waste

Are you in the market for a new smart irrigation controller? Whether you are or not, read on. 

With rising water prices, the prospect of slashing your water bill has to be attractive. 

The mission of this article is to make a convincing argument for utilizing a technology that has the ability to ensure the plants in your garden get exactly the amount of water they require at any given time. 

Read on about terrific incentives to make the switch
 

pexels-jaroslaw-ponikowski-64452663-11530314

Bulbs: Plant now for Spring Flowers

The best time to plant spring bulbs is in the fall once cooler temperatures have set in. 

Plant them while the soil is still workable, so they have plenty of time to develop roots and become established over winter. Avoid planting too early, as warm temperatures may confuse the bulbs and cause them to start growing prematurely. 

Bear in mind that most bulbs need a sunny spot and well-drained soil in order to thrive.

Read some wonderful tips on planting spring bulbs
 

Soldier and Ladybird Beetles eating aphids - Courtesy UCANR

Attracting Beneficials to Your Deck or Patio Garden for Small Space Gardening

Beneficial creatures are as important to a deck or patio garden as to an in-ground garden. You can never have enough natural predators to help manage pests and eliminate the need for toxic pesticides. But how can you attract these helpful insects, arachnids, reptiles, and amphibians?

There are two general categories of beneficial creatures.

How to create a pollinator-friendly patio or deck?
 

avel Orange with embryonic bulge - Courtesy Liz Rottger

Washington Navel Orange in the Garden of Eden

“California is a Garden of Eden,” Woody Guthrie sang in “If You Ain’t Got the Do-Re-Me.” But it was the orange tree, not the apple tree, that thrived in California. One of its most iconic citrus fruits, the Washington Navel Orange, is deeply connected to the development of the Southern California Orange Empire—a land not necessarily well-suited for the growth of citrus, with its too-cold winters and hardpan soil that doesn’t drain well. 

The characteristic navel-like bulge at the end of the orange is actually an embryonic fruit—an outie—that gave the orange its name—the navel orange.

Step back in time to California's Citrus Groves
 

Loose Leaves TN

Loose Leaves for this Fall

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Feel like taking a walk down memory lane? We invite you to explore our collection of past issues to see just how much News to Grow By has blossomed.