Bob Tanem In the Garden

05/29/2026

Attention!!!
Please be aware that some grapevines have been sold at Northern CA Costco stores with glassy-wing sharpshooter (GWSS) infestations. This insect is highly destructive to the wine industry.

GWSS is an invasive insect pest that spreads a bacterium which causes a fatal grapevine disease (called Pierce's disease), potentially affecting California vineyards. The pest can also damage citrus trees, landscape plants and other crops. Early detection and rapid response are critical to preventing the pest from spreading further.

GWSS has been confirmed on plants shipped to the following counties:

Alameda
Marin
Placer
Sacramento
San Mateo
Solano
Stanislaus
Yolo
Officials are still evaluating additional suspect samples from several other counties, including:

Butte
Contra Costa
Humboldt
Merced
Napa
Sonoma

What to Do if You Purchased a Plant
People who purchased a grapevine from Costco in an affected county between April 21 and May 19, should take the following steps:

Isolate the plant:
Keep the plant in its original pot or container and away from other plants.
Do not put the plant in the ground if you have not already done so.
If possible, place the plant(s) in two trash bags, one inside the other, and seal them closed.
Do not return, transport or relocate the plant.
Do not place the plant in the trash or compost bin.
Contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office right away:
An agricultural inspector will come to look at the plant and other nearby host plants.
If inspectors find GWSS on the grapevine, they will safely remove and dispose of the plant.
GWSS monitoring traps may be placed on the property.
Please cooperate with local inspectors if they need to investigate plants on your property.
Please help spread the word. Share this notice on your social media, local networks, or simply talk to your neighbors and friends.

For more information in Placer County, call the Department of Food and Agriculture at 530-889-7372.

Photo credit: Jack Kelly Clark

https://ucanr.edu/blog/pests-urban-landscape/article/purchased-grapevine-costco-n-ca-recently-read

05/29/2026

In our garden - new this year is Showy Mullein, Verbascum 'Honey Dijon' Hardy perennial. Takes full sun, to 18 inches tall.

Several of these stems are looking great in a small arrangement. This plant would work well in a large pot. We found transplants at Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville in early April.

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

🌿💧 We’re excited to partner with EBMUD for the East Bay Public Gardens Open House on Saturday, June 6! Join the UC Master Gardeners of Alameda County at the Lake Merritt Trials and Demonstration Garden for a fun, family-friendly morning focused on water-wise gardening, sustainable practices, and hands-on learning.

Explore our demonstration garden, connect with UC Master Gardeners, and enjoy short talks and demonstrations throughout the event:

💦 10:30 AM — Drip Irrigation
🌱 11:00 AM — Compost
🐞 11:30 AM — Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs
🪴 12:00 PM — Container Gardening

We’ll also have garden tours, children’s activities, and plenty of opportunities to ask gardening questions and learn about sustainable, climate-friendly gardening practices.

📍 Lake Merritt Trials & Demonstration Garden
666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
🗓 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–1 PM

This free event is part of the East Bay Public Gardens Open House presented in partnership with EBMUD and gardens across the East Bay. We hope to see you there! 🌼🐝

05/29/2026

Fireblight

Do you have an apple or pear tree that looks like this? Common early symptoms—usually seen in May and June— include leaves turning black and new branches bending over at the tip in a “shepherd’s crook” shape. Later, you may see young fruit turning black, and oozing from branches or the trunk. You might see it on quince and pyracantha as well.

Fire blight is a bacterial disease affecting apples, pears, and related plants. Open flowers are the most common entry site. Infected flowers and flower stems wilt and turn black on pear trees and brown on apple trees. Some infections affect only the flowers, while others extend into the twigs and branches, causing small shoots to wilt and form a crook at the end. When it spreads into the tree, wood beneath the bark will have pink to orange-red streaks, and cankers can form, releasing a bacterial ooze. Prune out infections. The best way to avoid it is to select resistant varieties.

Photo: Purdue University
Photo description: Dead tree branch with fire blight and two dead leaves

05/29/2026

Join us in the ritual of saying goodbye to our seasonal beds. We'll be harvesting the flowers from our gardens and sharing them with you. Bring a vase, bring your friends and make a day of it. Bouquets are our gift to you!

05/29/2026

Come celebrate monarchs and learn how you can help them! 🩷
With special guest Mayor Marchand!

Livermore Downtown

05/29/2026

Sunday 9-10am. I hope you are thinking about your Citrus:) 415-808-5600 KSFO now at 810am on the old fashion dial radio :)

Explore our citrus gardening guide for expert tips on feeding, watering, and growing your favorite citrus fruits.

05/26/2026

This coming Saturday is our first pop-up event of the year! 🥳 We will be at Harmony Farm Supply in Sebastopol on 05/30 from 10-4! Come by to pick your plants in person, meet us, and ask us your planty questions! www.CaliforniaCarnivores.com

05/26/2026

This coming Sunday! May 31st https://walheimpress.com/
I hope you have questions for Lance. It's going to be a good show:)

Explore our citrus gardening guide for expert tips on feeding, watering, and growing your favorite citrus fruits.