Tomatoes at the CCAG.

At the CCAG, we have been growing a lot of veggies, but also we have fruits as well. The tomato is a popular choice in one's garden, but the CCAG was a little late to choosing it. Our tomatoes and pepper plants were planted a long time ago, in September. But, they haven't been growing indoors well. We suspect that the over watering is the cause. Overwatering pepper plants can lead to purple and yellow colored leaves. As a result, we planted them outside with coyote brush seeds. But in the heatwave of Mid September, the pepper plants were drooping and looking dead. As the rain moved in Early October, the plants, including our one cherry tomato plant, started growing rapidly. The rain also triggered the coyote brush to sprout too. In conclusion, pepper plants and tomatoes do better outside than inside.

Pepper and Tomato plants growing on October 25

Speaking about our coyote brush, we highly recommend it as a substitute for bushes or other shrubs:

1. You can easily collect the seeds. If you live near the coast, the higher chance you are within 100 feet from a coyote brush plant right now. If you think I'm lying, get out there and see! This plant is everywhere!

2. It does not go dormant during the winter. While other plants like asters die off and Coast Willows lose their leaves, the brush spreads its fur like seeds, hence the coyote brush name.

3. It is somewhat fire resistant and helps prevent erosion.

4. Coyote brush should be replacing iceplant! While coyote brush fosters a habitat for many rodents and pollinators, iceplant just destroys our ecosystem.

5. Its easy to plant. Put the seeds in some soil with their wisps still on. It's better to get more than one puff, because they sometimes don't grow.

Some coyote brush sprouts after some wet weather. When big enough, they will be transplanted to the TMAD and the CCAG's front yard.