Plant Care

Discoloration and distortion of peppers from Cucumber Mosaic Virus. Dennis H. Hall, UC IPM Program
The Real Dirt: Article

A Virus in the Garden – Part II

July 1, 2025
A virus can reduce a plant’s growth, lower its yield, and result in inferior fruit, vegetables and flowers. Viruses are often very host specific. Recognizing symptoms can help you take appropriate action, where possible, to manage a virus and hopefully prevent its spread. The following are several viruses…
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Vegetable garden with pots watered by drip system
Over the Fence (Alameda County): Article

Watering Vegetables - the Basics

June 23, 2025
By Linda Carloni
Learn how and when to water vegetables in Alameda County. Get tips on soil, plant needs, and irrigation methods to keep your garden healthy and water-wise.
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AB-1572
Smart Water Living: Urban Water Use Efficiency in SoCal: Article

Proyecto de ley de la Asamblea (AB) 1572 (2023-2024): Comprensión de la Nueva Ley sobre el Uso del Agua y el Césped no Funcional

June 23, 2025
By Daniel Gonzalez, Esther N Lofton
AB 1572 es una ley de California que tiene como objetivo conservar el agua potable al prohibir su uso para regar césped no funcional en ciertas áreas. El césped no funcional se refiere al césped que no tiene un propósito real; no se usa para deportes, juegos o recreación, como el césped a lo largo de las…
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AB
Smart Water Living: Urban Water Use Efficiency in SoCal: Article

Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 (2023–2024): Understanding the New Law on Water Use and Nonfunctional Turf

June 20, 2025
By Esther N Lofton
AB 1572 is a California law that aims to conserve drinking water (potable water) by prohibiting its use for watering non-functional grass (turf) in certain areas. Nonfunctional turf refers to grass that serves no real purpose; it’s not used for sports, play, or recreation, such as grass along roads, in…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County: Collection

Watering

Want to save water? Learn about watering of vegetables,trees and more. Here is information on gardening with graywater and using recycled water .
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flower
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Camellia

 Scientific NameCamellia japonica; C. sasanqua; C. sinensisSpecial Considerations:Japonica buds set in later summer and bloom later from Winter to Spring.Sasanqua buds set in late summer and rest and open in the late fall to early winter.Sinensis buds set in the summer and bloom in the fall.The…
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crape myrtle
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Crape Myrtle

 Scientific NameLagerstroemiaThe natural habit of Crape Myrtles is to produce multiple trunks. However, they may be trained to become a single trunk tree. Trees with multiple trunks develop a wider canopy and carry a larger number of blossoms. However, single-trunk trees still produce a profusion of…
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fuchsia
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Fuchsia

 Scientific NameFuchsia spp.Fuchsia are susceptible to frost damage. Therefore, this guide recommends pruning in mid-March, after the threat of freezing temperatures has passed. However, some Marin locations seldom freeze at night, and some fuchsia varieties are very hardy. If frost damage is not an…
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hydrangea quercifolia
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Hydrangea - Mophead, Lacecap & Oakleaf Varieties

 Scientific NameH. macrophylla; H. serrata; H. aspera; H. quercifoliaThese hydrangea varieties bloom in the early spring on wood that formed during the previous growing season.Pruning is best performed in mid-summer, after the peak of the bloom. This timing is important, because it allows the plant to…
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