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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

Spring 2025 NtGB

Big Changes, Big Tomatoes, and Even Bigger Excitement! 

We’ve got some juicy news—our website has officially moved to a brand-new platform! While we’re putting the finishing touches on things (including this very newsletter), everything is up and running. If you notice anything missing, don’t worry—we’re on it! Thanks for sticking with us through the transition.

Now, let’s dig into the good stuff! This spring, we’re gearing up for the Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS)—a gardener’s dream! Along with that, we’ve packed this issue with must-read articles on growing your own food, mastering irrigation, and keeping pesky pests in check in our Mediterranean climate.

Grab your gardening gloves, and let’s grow together! 

Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors - Contact Us

"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” – Michael Pollan

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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Great Tomato Plant Sale: Bringing You Summer Veggies Since 2012!

March 24, 2025
 Spring is in the air! And we hope you are prepping your gardens for a season full of fresh, homegrown veggies. The Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS) is just a little over a week away. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect veggies for your garden.  We’ve got plenty of exciting varieties to choose…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Spring Irrigation Startup

March 26, 2025
By Lori D Palmquist
 As the rainy season winds down and spring irrigation startup is steadily creeping toward us, it’s time to prepare your irrigation system for the busy season ahead. The following recommendations are meant to give you direction for ensuring your irrigation is in top condition when the time comes for it…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Aphids in the Garden

March 26, 2025
By Susan Heckly and the Helpdesk Team
 Aphids can be a scourge in the garden. There are over 4,000 species of aphids in the world, but fortunately, only(!) about 250 species are attracted to the plants we grow in our gardens and landscapes.Aphids are small, slow-moving insects that come in a variety of colors—green, yellow, brown, red, or…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Berries Anyone?

March 26, 2025
By David George
 My “berry” favorite garden-grown treats in springtime are berries: plump, juicy blackberries, sweet red raspberries, healthy and organically grown strawberries, and pop-in-your-mouth blueberries. Regionally grown varieties ripen from April through July, making delicious toppings for cereal, ice cream,…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Great Patio Container Tomatoes and Peppers for Small Spaces Gardening

March 26, 2025
By David George
 This year’s Contra Costa County Master Gardeners Great Tomato Plant Sale supplies easy-to-grow and delicious tomato and pepper varieties for container gardening. Small spaces container tomatoes though require some specific best practices that you will find in a UC ANR article (Contra Costa is defined…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Galls on our Apple Trees

March 26, 2025
By Tina Mayer
 During a routine winter pruning of 15-year-old apple trees, an unsettling discovery was made—large, brown, hard, swollen lumps clinging to the branches., Even the espaliered apple trees in the front yard were not spared. These growths appeared concerning, almost as if they were harming the trees, but…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Gardening in a Mediterranean Climate Zone

March 26, 2025
By Tina Mayer
 Did you know that we live and garden in a rare and unique climatic zone? The Mediterranean climate exists in only 2% of the world’s land mass, found in just five regions: the Mediterranean Basin, Chile, South Africa, California, and Australia. Despite being spread across different continents, these…
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