Photo courtesy Alameda County Master

Editor's note: Once a month, we will feature information, tips and advice from the Alameda County Master Gardeners. This month, the Master Gardeners explain their Trials Garden at Lake Merritt.  

The homework wars are upon us. Parents can strike early with an effective, yet flexible, plan for where the studying should take place.  

As this week's destructive wildfires in Southern California and the Sierra foothills community of Auburn demonstrate, homeowners never know when they will be asked to evacuate on a moment's notice. How fitting, then, that September is National Preparedness Month. Here are some reminders from the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners and business owners.
 

Experts with the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers say: Check the garden to make sure young trees and rose trees are securely staked and frost-sensitive plants have been moved to protected areas.