In our county it is possible to grow food year round. A wealth of information is available to the public in an effort to encourage people to begin or expand their gardens.

Locally those looking for help can find resources at their local library, community gardens, and of course your local Cooperative Extension office! Further information can be found through statewide and national resources.

Local

• Ventura County Master Gardeners have gardening information on their website. They also provide advice through the Master Gardener Helpline from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This service can be accessed by email, by phone at 645-1455 or in person at 669 County Square Drive, Suite 100; Ventura, CA 93003.

• The Ventura County Cooperative Extension office has a wide assortment of resources and information for home and community gardeners. These resources can be found online, by phone 645-1451, or in person (see address above).

• Community Roots Garden is one of Ventura County’s community gardens. They wish to share their knowledge to help empower others to grow food. They can be reached through their website or by phone 616-2326.

Statewide

• UC Agriculture and Natural Resource’s Backyard Orchard website is full of helpful, practical advice for those who grow or would like to grow fruit trees at home.

• UC Agriculture and Natural Resource’s Garden web is full of a wide variety of gardening advice.

• UC Davis’ Vegetable Research and Information Center has information for home vegetable gardeners.

• UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) website provides information to assist gardeners in pest management. The goal of IPM is to use the least toxic approach while providing effective pest management.

National

• Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) is an organization that strives towards a future “in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice.

• USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative is designed to educate and encourage people and communities to grow healthy food.

• National extension service provides a wealth of information from experts across the country on a wide variety of subjects, including gardening.

Ventura County’s climate provides year-round opportunities for food gardening.