by Robin Harper
You step into the garden, breathing in the fragrance of newly blooming oak-leaf hydrangea or perhaps admiring the brilliant colors on your favorite rose. Then you notice a funny black spot on a leaf. What is it? Did it move? We often find mysteries in our gardens, and of course, the first worry is often whether it’s a pest or a disease that will spread and harm your favorite plants. Or maybe you see a volunteer that might be a weed? Or perhaps it’s a special native plant? How can you tell?
The Master Gardeners Help Desk volunteers are here to help you solve some of these mysteries. We get dozens of questions every month throughout the year from brand new gardeners and from experienced veterans, wondering what that insect is, or how to save a treasured tree, or what has been eating the vegetable garden. We don’t guess – we research. Backed by science-based research from the University of California, we dig through expert horticultural resources to find the best answers for your specific situation.
These days, most questions come in by email to ccmg@ucanr.edu. People write to us about their garden plans, often wondering how they can make their garden environment more productive and healthier. We always love it when they include photos of the garden, the plant, the leaf, and whatever seems to be going wrong, since those details help us find the best answers. It’s also quite helpful to know about specific conditions — say, a garden hot spot prone to drying out or a recent pruning experiment gone haywire. From these clues, we start our research and work toward building a way forward.
In addition to email, we also receive questions by phone at (925) 608-6683. We’re typically available to take calls Monday through Thursday from 9 am to noon. If you reach us after hours, don’t worry—just leave a message, and one of our volunteers will get back to you promptly.
In addition to answering individual questions from local gardeners, the Master Gardeners also share their knowledge through our blog, HOrT CoCo. Every two weeks, we publish fresh, down-to-earth articles filled with practical tips, timely advice, and inspiration tailored to gardening in Contra Costa County. Some posts tackle seasonal challenges, while others offer year-round insights to help your garden thrive.
Articles have included:
- Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden - Growing a variety of plants together for a healthier and more productive garden.
- Fall is Planting Time - Why September through November is the ideal time for planting in Contra Costa.
- Prepping Soil for Vegetable Beds - Preparing your soil for the next growing season.
- Citrus in June - Explains symptoms you might see on your citrus trees this month.
Don’t miss out on practical tips, timely reminders, and inspiration for your garden, delivered right to your inbox. Click here to subscribe to HOrT CoCo and stay connected with what’s growing in Contra Costa County.