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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

The Latest Dirt - March 2023

UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Spring is in the Air

March 9, 2023
Article and photos by Greg Letts The Old Farmers Almanac predicted above average rain this winter and they nailed it. I dont recall them mentioning anything about local snow, but there it was. But it is now time to move on. Spring is on the way.
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UC Master Gardeners Mary Jo Corby and Barbara Siegel check plants before a past GTPS while other CoCoMGs set up. Photo by Fletcher Oakes.
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Great Tomato Plant Sale 2023!

March 7, 2023
By Mary Jo Corby and Robin Moore Hello UC Master Gardeners, We are very excited to be back to in-person sales for both Walnut Creek and Richmond this year! The past two years sales have been online-only, and while many of our customers really enjoyed ordering their plants via the online system, we m...
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Liz Rottger and Liv Imset work in the Pollinator Garden at the Water Conservation Garden. Photo by Fletcher Oakes.
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

If You Plant It, They Will Come

March 7, 2023
By Liz Rottger It was a late afternoon in early April 2022 when I arrived at Pacific Oaks Community Garden to pick up the gardens key. UC Master Gardeners finally had a formal agreement with the community garden to take over its operations.
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A carpenter bee robs nectar from a California fuchsia, piercing the blossom at the base and drinking the nectar. Photo by JKehoe_Photos.
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Plant California Fuchsias Now for Hummers, Bees, and Fall Color

March 7, 2023
By Robin Mitchell There are so many reasons to love California fuchsias! They are drought tolerant, fast-growing, small to mid-size perennials that deer generally find unpalatable. They are easy to grow, and they tolerate garden conditions well.
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Roots Damaged by Alcohol. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/16/2/article-p294.xml
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

What is the Effect of Pouring Alcohol Into the Yard

March 7, 2023
By Terry Lippert Clients question: Can you tell me anything about pouring out old alcohol into the yard/garden/dirt? We have some cases of wine, champagne, & spirits. Terry Lipperts reply: Thank you for contacting our UC Master Gardener Help Desk.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Call before you dig?!

March 7, 2023
By Lisa Bramblet Yes, thats right. It's a good idea to find out what you may be digging into before you start. If your garden site has been occupied for 20+ years and there have been various projects conducted on the site (i.e.
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