HOrT COCO: the Contra Costa Master Gardeners' Blog

30 Signs (Plus 1) That You Might be a Gardener...
Posted 1/28/2013 - In celebration of the Contra Costa Master Gardeners' 30th Anniversary, we came up with 30 (plus 1) signs that you might be a gardener. Hope you enjoy them! Argues constantly that compost smells sweet. Delays vacation travel...

Rooted in Richmond…The Month of November in a Small West County Garden
Posted 12/15/2011 - I love this time of year and all of the promise and excitement that it holds. Secret plans are being drawn up, lists are being made, and visions of plum tomatoes dance in my head. Is it the cold, wintery weather that’s got me in a tizzy? No. Is...

Rooted in Richmond…The Month of October in a Small West County Garden
Posted 11/11/2011 - In my little part of the county, winter weather is finally touching down. Just last week we started to drop into the lower 40’s at night and in the mornings everything is often covered with a heavy coat of dew. Rain is beginning to fall with more...

Rooted in Richmond...The Month of September in a Small West County Garden
Posted 10/6/2011 - As I write this blog entry the view out my window shows pendulous grey clouds and rain. Our first storm of the season has rolled in and dropped about ¾ of an inch of rain. Mother Nature’s timing couldn’t be any better- Merritt College’s Fall...

Rooted in Richmond…August in a Small West County Garden
Posted 9/3/2011 - As promised, this entry will be about some of the more experimental plants I have tried to grow this season in my garden. Since finishing my permaculture design course, I have been really interested in edible perennial plants. Although they take a bit...