Urban Farmers Offer 6 Tips for Turning Brown Thumbs Green
Originally published in KQED.org by Tilde Herrera on July 1, 2013 Photographer Lori Eanes became fascinated with urban farmers after reading books about the downside of our industrial food system. … Read More
Growing Vegetables from Seed
Published by the Master Gardeners of Alameda County by Birgitt Evans As the recession takes its toll and as people become more aware of the benefits of fresh, locally grown … Read More
Steps to Take to Save the Western Monarch Migration
by Birgitt Evans, Master Gardeners of Alameda County Class of 1999 Many of us awoke this winter to the devastating news that only 28,429 monarchs were counted this winter in … Read More
Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem in Your Garden
Published in the Alameda Sun, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 by Birgitt Evans It’s June now and the garden is planted and beginning to take off. Also taking off are those … Read More
Attracting Butterflies to the Urban Garden
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, January 14, 2021 by Birgitt Evans Butterflies are attracted to red, orange, yellow and purple flowers, but they need more than just plants to … Read More
Save Water With an Irrigation System
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, June 11, 2020 by Birgitt Evans As if there isn’t enough to worry about in 2020, the Bay Area is in the grip of … Read More
Beginner’s Guide to Planting Victory Gardens
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, April 9, 2020 by Birgitt Evans In March 2010, Alameda Backyard Growers (ABG) held its first meeting. Formed in response to the financial crisis … Read More
Keep Bounty Coming in the Fall
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, August 8, 2019 by Birgitt Evans It’s August. The weather is warm and the kids are playing in the pool. So that makes this … Read More
Pesticide-Free Plants Best for Pollinator Gardens
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, October 10, 2019 by Birgitt Evans Butterflies are attracted to red, orange, yellow and purple flowers, but they need more than just plants to … Read More
Protect the Environment – Pass on Artificial Turf
Published in the Alameda Sun, February 14, 2019 Artificial lawns — usually installed to save water and reduce yard maintenance — are popping up all across Alameda. Unfortunately, there are … Read More
Five Things Vegetable Gardens Need in November
November is a transition month in Alameda. Warm sunny days may be punctuated by rainstorms, but the nights are cooling down. Plant growth is slowing down and planting begins now … Read More
My Gardening Inspirations: Joan Dye Gussow
As we explore different things in life, most of us find people who have gone before us, people who inspire us and whose expertise guides us as we move towards … Read More
May Light Makes Plants Grow
As we head towards the summer solstice on June 21, the days grow longer by about 2 minutes each day. Plants are photoperiodic, that is they are programed to respond … Read More
Gardening in a Time of Drought
Published in the Alameda Sun, Thursday, March 8, 2018 by Birgitt Evans The impending return of the drought presents challenges for Alameda gardeners. Fortunately, there are some ways to mitigate … Read More
Food safety, self-sufficiency at Oakland’s Pollinate
Originally published in SFGate, by Joe Eaton and Ron Sullivan July 11, 2013 Walk into Pollinate Farm & Garden, a new business in Oakland’s Fruitvale district, and all kinds of … Read More
Fruitvale Gets an Urban Farm Store
Originally published in East Bay Express, Apr 30, 2013 By Luke Tsai When Birgitt Evans first started gardening thirty years ago, she had to purchase nearly everything — the seeds, … Read More