By Kirsten Mollo As we continue to nurture our programs, fostering growth and beauty in our community, its crucial to remember that successful projects often rely on the strength of collaboration.

By Marilyn Saarni, UC Master Gardener 2018 Vice Chair West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council The August 2023 Maui fire was devastating. As of September 8, 2023, the confirmed death toll is 115, and 66 people are still missing.

By David George When it comes to volunteering hours, no one does it more often these days than Terri Takusagawa. Terri has gone Triple Platinum in hours volunteered to the program (7,500+), a level that has never been reached.

Reporting from Oslo, Norway By Liv Imset Lately, it seems like water, in one way or another, makes headlines every day. There are reports of either not enough or too much at once. Some recent examples: October 2019 to 2022 were three of the driest years on record in CA.

By Anne Sutherland This years highlight has been teaching hands-on potting up classes to Spanish-speaking mothers at local elementary schools. We began these classes last year, and the word is spreading.

By Sheila Weston In July, a client brought specimens of an insect to the Ask A Master Gardener table at Our Garden that he thought were damaging his tomato plants. They looked like flies but were actively moving around in the container. AAMG team members couldn't examine them at the table.

By Janet Miller Photos by Greg Letts The summer season at Our Garden has been one of our busiest and most productive. The year started out with more challenges than we have ever experienced.