Mt. Diablo Region Crops

 Strawberries in a hot climate:       Strawberries are a choice crop for many small farms in California's central valley who operate roadside farmstands and u-pick (aka "pick-your-own") for direct sales to customers, but the hot climate of the valley poses some challenges very different…

  Where does the time go? Cover cropping season is upon us, again. After three years of running a cover trial in a walnut orchard in eastern Contra Costa County (at the northwestern reach of the San Joaquin Valley), there are some exciting results to share that could be helpful if you are deciding…

Two worms and one idea (monitoring):     One of the main challenges to growing tree fruits are pests that can destroy the fruit or make it unmarketable. Some pests can injure the trees directly, affecting their growth.  The oriental fruit moth (scientific name, Grapholita molesta)…

Autumn is in the air, and while it is still high season for harvest for many crops, shorter days and cooler temperatures inevitably bring to mind that winter prep tasks are not far off.

(Este post est disponible en espaol) In early September 2023, nearly the entire growing area around the city of Brentwood was put under a quarantine by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) (see current included area).