Over the Fence (Alameda County)

When I started gardening, my understanding was that gardeners should try to keep insects out of their gardens.  But I’ve since learned that insects are an important and valuable part of the garden.  Certainly many insects do damage the plants that you’re trying to grow. But many other insects…

Climate Change and Weather in the Bay Area   March 2026 was one of the driest and warmest Marches in recorded history in the Bay Area. The March heat wave pushed temperatures across much of the West 3 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit above average, according to the Climate Prediction Center. In the…

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to grow beefsteak tomatoes in your Alameda City garden even though your friend in Livermore gets huge and wonderfully tasty ones? A big part of the answer relates to the different microclimates of each city. The University of California Agriculture and Natural…

Introduction   Mosquitoes are not just pesky biters that may cause allergic reactions; they can be vectors (that is, they transmit parasites) for worrisome diseases that may cause severe health problems and even death. Mosquito-borne diseases caused by protozoa (very small, single-celled organisms…

If you’ve been gardening in Alameda County for a while, you’ve probably noticed “new normals”: more warm nights, more heat spikes, and winter weather that can feel less reliably cold. Those shifts matter in a region where so many of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals are tuned to narrow…