The Coastal Gardener

The Coastal Gardener, a quarterly Newsletter from the UC Master Gardeners of Humboldt & Del Norte Counties.

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A bouquet of cream and red flowers in a vase.

Ivory Princess Calendula: An Excellent Choice for Coastal Gardens

August 12, 2025
By Irene McAleenan
 The calendula is a beautiful and hardworking flower in the home garden. It thrives in cool weather, making it a perfect addition to the North Coast. It is in the Asteraceae family and is native to the Mediterranean region. For home gardeners seeking a plant that is easy to grow, looks beautiful in…
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Assorted vegetables harvested in January in Humboldt Couunty.

Summer's the Time for Planting Winter Vegetables

August 12, 2025
By Lisa Nedlan
While we’re in the middle of tending to the summer garden and harvesting green beans and cucumbers, it’s hard to accept that winter is coming… But now really is the time to prepare the ground and begin planting the veggies that you’ll be harvesting during the short days from December through February. …
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Acanthus plant close to a building.

Tasks for the Fall in Your Firewise Garden

August 12, 2025
By Lisa Nedlan
As summer wanes, you may be heaving a sigh of relief that you and your community have made it unscathed through another summer. You may be feeling good in the knowledge that you have been refining firewise aspects around your house for several years. And those are things to celebrate, but continuing…
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A colorful garden

Edible Landscaping

February 15, 2025
Landscapes serve many purposes, including wildlife habitat, pollinator support, and aesthetics. Incorporating a variety of edible plants adds even more value.
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Light pink roses bush

Confessions of a Timid Pruner

February 13, 2025
I have a horror of hurting the plants I try to grow, so pruning is one of my bugbears. When this time of year creeps up on the calendar, I start looking for urgent activities that will make it difficult, if not impossible, to get around to pruning.
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