The Savvy Sage

two purple sage flowers with a green background of foliage

A Master Gardeners blog to: Educate, Inspire, and Ignite Knowledge.

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Inline drip irrigation peeking out from under a layer of straw mulch.

Ask a Master Gardener

July 15, 2026
By Deborah Cunningham
Question: How do I save water in my vegetable garden this year? Answer: Growing a vegetable garden with less water is possible by combining efficient watering practices, soil improvement and protection, and careful selection of the crops you grow...
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Bright green leaves of a large potato planted in a half wine barrel.

Ask a Master Gardener

July 15, 2026
By Deborah Cunningham
Question: How do you grow potatoes? Answer: Potatoes are nutritious, versatile, and easy to grow. They can be planted directly into the ground, or grown in containers such as pots, bags, and even “straw towers.” ...
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Purple iris flowers rising above spear shaped green leaves.

July Garden Tips

June 24, 2026
By Peg Smith
 July is a month to sit back with iced tea or lemonade and enjoy the results of your spring labors. It is also a time to make sure that garden tasks are completed early, before the heat of the day. A gardener’s body is their best tool. The sensible approach (I must confess to not always being sensible)…
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Photo of a person holding a selection of ripe vegetables from a garden.

July Vegetable Planting Guide

June 22, 2026
By Peg Smith
 July is commonly our hottest month with periods of several days with temperatures in the high nineties to well over one-hundred degrees. Based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) records, the year 2024 holds the record for the most one-hundred-degree days in Davis…
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