- Author: Mimi Enright
The garden is located in the outdoor patio at Hall of Flowers. Master Gardener docents will be available on-site from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sonoma County Fair runs July 24 through August 9, closed Mondays.
Here are pictures of this year's demo garden.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
The annual Sonoma County Fair is upon us and the Sonoma County Master Gardeners are participating with their Demonstration Garden. This will be the 16th year that SCMG has participated in the county fair. Their booth will be once again located on the outdoor patio south of the famous Hall of Flowers.
The primary focus is on water wise gardening, including drought tolerant plants, drought tolerant raised bed vegetable and herb gardening, permeable hardscape, and blending in the fairs 60's theme. We will be incorporating a vermiculture and compost bin as well as a rain catchment system. The Sonoma County Master Gardeners Food Gardening Specialists will also be on hand to disseminate information.
Master Gardener docents will be available on-site from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sonoma County Fair, July 24 - August 10, closed Mondays
- Author: Mimi Enright menright@ucanr.edu
The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners launched a partnership with the Sonoma County Water Agency in November 2013 called “”. Under the Garden Sense program, a team of two Master Gardeners with specialized training in water efficiency schedule visits with interested Sonoma County homeowners to advise on how to transform their landscape from one that gulps water to one that sips.
Garden Sense consultants have been trained in lawn conversion, water management, irrigation systems, low-water-use plants and sustainable gardening practices.
There are a wide range of planned activities by the clients with whom we have consulted ranging from a complete re-landscape of yards with new irrigation, water-wise plants and mulching to simple irrigation improvements.
Every small step helps!
There has been a very positive response to the program, and homeowners seem genuinely grateful for assistance with recommendations in their specific home landscape. The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners will be conducting a survey later this year to assess actual impact of changes homeowners have made in landscape water use practices as a results of the Garden Sense program. Contact the Master Gardeners at 707-565-2608 or visit Garden Sense
- Author: Mimi Enright
Did you know that a low water garden in Sonoma County on average uses a third of the water that a lawn requires? For example, a 1,000 square foot water-wise garden uses 5,000 to 10,000 gallons per year, while the same size lawn uses more than 22,000 gallons per year. It's been a dry year; and helping educate Sonoma County homeowners on water conservation practices addresses the importance of reducing residential landscape water usage.
Master Gardeners are trained in water management, irrigation systems, site assessment, low-water use plants and sustainable gardening practices. The primary objective is to help home gardeners remove lawns and install drought tolerant plants that do well in Sonoma County. Garden Sense consultants are available to make a home visit to any Sonoma County residence to discuss how a homeowner can easily conserve water (and save money) by creating a climate-appropriate garden that is healthy, environmentally sound, and most of all – beautiful. More information is available on the Sonoma County Master Gardener's web site at Garden Sense.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Maybe you know about the 4-H and Master Gardener programs, but we also have Livestock & Range Management, Viticulture, Integrated Pest Management, Specialty Crop and Marine Science advisors.
In addition, we have the Agropreneurship Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Program, the Sudden Oak Death Program, the Endangered Coho Recovery Program and an Agriculture Ombudsman.
Read all about the great work we are doing in our 2012 Annual Report.