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Spring 2026 NtGB
"There ain't Nothing Better in Life than True Love and a Homegrown Tomato"
— Old saying
Spring has arrived! And with it, comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for… the Great Tomato Plant Sale! But that’s not the only reason to celebrate; we’re also thrilled to welcome you to the brand-new Gehringer Demonstration Garden in Concord, a fresh space designed to inspire, teach, and grow alongside our community.
This issue is bursting with ideas to get you excited about the season ahead. You’ll discover expert tips for growing abundant, flavorful vegetables, explore the beauty and benefits of California native lupines, and uncover the fascinating ways plants adapt and thrive—even when water is in short supply.
We’re also here to help you garden smarter and safer, with practical guidance on managing pests and plant diseases, plus important tips to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses.
And if you’ve ever been curious about composting, now is the perfect time to jump in.
So, pour yourself your favorite drink, step outside, and settle in, you won’t want to miss a single article. Your most vibrant, successful garden season starts right here!
Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors.
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List of Articles
Spring is Here and GTPS is Near!
We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces very soon. Please mark your calendars for the 3 locations in Contra Costa County as we’d hate for you to miss a single minute of the excitement. See you there!
Get the full scoop on this fabulous event!
Launch of the New Gehringer Demonstration Garden
Located in the public walking space outside the Gehringer Community Garden fencing, at 1790 Lynwood Dr. in Concord, it will provide a real-life demonstration of the versatility and adaptability of California native plants.
Join the community for the Launch Event on Saturday, April 4th from 1 to 3 PM, hosted by the Contra Costa UC Master Gardeners.
Read what makes this event so exciting!
Introducing New Dwarf Tomatoes for 2026 at GTPS
The Dwarf Tomato Lineup just got Better!
Have you ever wished for the taste and quality of an heirloom tomato, but on a plant, you could grow in a small space or container?
Last year, we were excited to introduce several varieties from the Dwarf Tomato Project that achieve just that. This year, we are offering three new varieties that performed well for us last summer.
Find out more about these new Dwarf Tomatoes
Watertight Plants: A Gripping Story of Survival
Plants are Astonishing! Even in their highly vulnerable state of immobility, they are capable of developing defenses to outside forces that threaten them. Around 500 million years ago, land plants first appeared and were small and moss-like, lacking true roots and stems. They required moist environments, mostly growing in bogs.
Continue reading this gripping survival story.
California Native Lupines are a Wonderful Addition to a Garden
They have dramatic bloom stalks and support many insects and other critters.
Lupines are in the pea (or legume) family, Fabaceae, which means that they fix nitrogen in the soil. In California, there are 70 lupine species and 43 varieties that are recognized by botanists, resulting in 113 taxonomic groups. Many of these native lupines are difficult to identify and occur only in particular areas in the state.
Discover all the details of these stunning CA native flowers.
Help Prevent Mosquito-Borne Illness In Your Community this Season!
Why a Tiny Bite Can Have Big Consequences!
Mosquitoes are more than mere nuisances; they transmit disease to hundreds of millions of people every year! For this reason, they are justifiably considered the most dangerous animal on the planet.
So, how can we protect ourselves from bites and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses from affecting our communities?
My Plants have Spots, Specks, and Odd Coloring
As the growing season unfolds, many gardeners begin taking a closer look at their plants, wondering whether everything is thriving as it should.
Spring is often the time of year to determine whether a little help might be needed to keep our plants healthy. Knowing what the plant should normally look like makes it easier to recognize when something is amiss.
Find out what might cause these symptoms
Compost Alchemy: Turning Scraps into Garden Gold
Every trash day, I happily wheel my green waste barrel to the curb. The municipality will turn my garden and kitchen waste into compost that, in a few months, I’ll buy as a bag from my nursery.
Wait…what? I’m throwing away organic scraps today, just to buy them back as compost in a few months. I’m giving away a valuable resource that I could have myself for free!
Learn more about Composting 101
Loose Leaves for this Spring
A perfect invitation to step outside and reconnect with your garden. As new growth emerges and the days grow warmer, this is an ideal time to plant, nurture, and set the stage for a thriving landscape in the months ahead.
Here are a few great tips on spring gardening, maintenance, and pest management
Across Contra Costa County, something wonderful is happening—and it’s all thanks to you. Through workshops, garden visits, farmers’ market conversations, and community events, we’ve had the privilege of learning and growing together.
Because of your curiosity and commitment, more gardens are thriving with pollinator-friendly plants, water-wise practices, and homegrown food. You’re choosing the right plants for the right places, composting, conserving water, and creating spaces that support both people and the environment.
We are truly grateful to be part of your gardening journey. Your willingness to learn, try new practices, and share your experiences is what makes our community stronger, greener, and more connected.
For a visual representation of your impact, you can access this PDF link:
Thank you, Contra Costa County residents, for helping our county grow greener, one plant, one garden, and one gardener at a time.
Spring is bursting with opportunities to dig in and grow something wonderful! Be sure you’ve marked your calendar for the Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS) and the exciting debut of the new Gehringer Demonstration Garden—both perfect places to find inspiration for your own garden. And don’t miss our upcoming Citrus webinar on April 21st, where you’ll pick up tips to keep your trees thriving.
The UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County are back in full swing, offering a rich lineup of talks, classes, and hands-on learning experiences. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your garden to the next level, we’re here to help—stop by our Help Desk or visit an Ask a Master Gardener (AAMG) table at your local farmers market and let’s grow together!
For those of you, looking to dive even deeper, both our UC Master Gardener website and the UCANR Pest management website offer an extensive library of additional resources and guides to support your winter projects.
And here are quite a few Daily Observances you can honor until we meet again in the summer:
3/28 - National Weed Appreciation Day
4/5-9 - National Wildlife Week
4/4 - International Carrot Day
4/5 - National Dandelion Day
4/6 - California Poppy Day
4/6 - Fresh Tomato Day
4/14 - National Gardening Day
4/22 - Earth Day
5/2 - Herb Day
5/3 - National Garden Meditation Day
5/3 - International Permaculture Day
5/8 - National Public Gardens Day
5/12 - International Day of Plant Health
5/16 - National Love a Tree Day
5/19 - Plant Something Day
5/20 - World Bee Day
5/21 - Eat More Fruits & Vegetables Day
5/22 - International Day for Bio-Diversity5/29 - Learn About Composting Day
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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.