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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 is almost here! 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.
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
Go back to the list of Spring 2026 Articles
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.
Winter 2026 NtGB
"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination."
— Terri Guillemets
A new year invites fresh intentions and renewed curiosity. Winter, often seen as a quieter season in the garden, is actually a wonderful time to deepen our skills and expand our understanding. In this issue, you’ll find practical and inspiring guidance on winter-perfect techniques such as espalier, rose pruning, grafting, and pruning native plants — all ways to grow as gardeners while our landscapes rest.
Beyond the garden, we’re focusing on critical home maintenance: protecting your outdoor living spaces from winter’s toll and securing the rainwater your landscape will depend on later. Plus, for a bit of lasting cheer, learn the secrets to keeping your holiday poinsettia healthy well into the new year.
As always, being a UC Master Gardener is about more than tending our own gardens. It’s about caring for our communities. We’re proud to share how our collective efforts continue to make a difference in addressing food insecurity, reminding us that every skill we learn and every plant we nurture can have a wider impact.
For those looking to dive even deeper, our UC Master Gardener website offers an extensive library of additional resources and guides to support your winter projects.
We hope this winter issue informs, inspires, and invites you to read on.
Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors - Contact Us
Fall 2025 NtGB
"Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.”
– Albert Camus
Our final newsletter of the year is brimming with ideas to keep your garden—and your imagination—thriving through the cooler months.
Discover smart ways to harvest rain, choose resilient California natives and shade-loving plants, and stay ahead of invasive plants.
You’ll also enjoy uplifting stories from our own community, including successes in our demonstration and school gardens, as well as a first look at the firescaping garden planned for MOFD Station 42 in Moraga.
And with the holiday season just around the corner, our fragrant herb garden piece is bound to spark delicious creativity in your kitchen.
This fall issue also marks our year’s close. We’ll take a short winter pause, but you can still catch a few classes, talks, webinars, and Farmers Market events during this fall season—details are on our website.
Thank you for helping our mission flourish in 2025. We can’t wait to welcome you back in January with fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and garden together. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and happy gardening from all of us at UC Master Gardener Volunteers of Contra Costa County!
Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors - Contact Us
Supply in the Sky: Rainwater Harvesting for the Win
Seasonal Update on our Central and East County Demo Gardens
Seasonal Update on our West County Demo Gardens
Summer 2025 NtGB
"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen
This summer, we're focusing on science-based, sustainable gardening practices that not only support your garden but also the environment. Inside, you'll find tips on earning Firewise USA® certification, designing water-wise lawns, and insights from a UC Davis study on how plants adapt to less water. We're also spotlighting the honeybee crisis, how to support pollinators with simple watering stations, and where to turn when you need expert advice, because Master Gardeners are here to help.
Looking to dig deeper? Visit us anytime at ccmg.ucanr.edu for trusted resources and local gardening guidance.
Let’s grow smarter, together.
Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors - Contact Us
Smart Watering, Beautiful Gardens: Lessons from UC Davis
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
Great Tomato Plant Sale: Bringing You Summer Veggies Since 2012!
Winter 2025
As we step into a fresh new year, let’s take a moment to celebrate the magic of gardening and how it connects us to the rhythms of nature. Each season brings its own unique gifts, and winter—often underrated—is no exception. Our winter collection of articles is here to spark your creativity, provide practical advice, and inspire you to embrace the beauty and potential of this quieter season.
So, let’s bundle up and dive into the joys of winter gardening! Discover the wonders of detaining precious rainfall to nurture your garden instead of letting it wash away. Explore how to create cozy habitats for wildlife braving the chilly months and learn how to protect our magnificent local oaks. Plus, prepare to be amazed by the hidden universe beneath our feet as plants in our sometimes messy gardens quietly work their magic, even while appearing dormant or wilted.
Feeling the winter chill and not quite ready to head outdoors? No problem! Why not try something new? Growing microgreens is a fun and easy way to bring fresh, delicious veggies to your table—and let’s be honest, it’s way more exciting than scrubbing dirt off your gardening tools!
With shorter days and longer nights, you’ve got the perfect excuse to catch up on reading. Dive into our blog for informative articles, plan a fire-safe garden for the future, or explore our website. There’s no shortage of inspiration to keep you dreaming and planning until spring arrives.
Here’s to a new year filled with growth, learning, and the joy of cultivating harmony with nature. Let’s make it our best gardening year yet!
Hedwig Van Den Broeck and Robin Mitchell, editors - Contact Us
"Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year.
For gardening begins in January with the dream." — Josephine Nuese