Vegetable Garden and Herb Workshop

By Leslie E Stevens   UCCE Master Gardener

Now that our county's been blessed with winter rains, it's time to start planning our spring vegetable gardens. But what to plant, when and where?  Is frost still a concern, particularly in the North County? Should seeds be sowed directly in the ground or started indoors? What herbs grow well in pots?

These are just a few of the questions to be addressed before buying those first...

Manzanita

By Jutta Thoerner  UCCE Master Gardener

Arctostaphylos

Size of tree: 1-15 feet high, spreading to bushy.

Bloom and season: white to pink bell shape flowers in February-March, Red Berries in summer.

Pruning needs: remove dead wood only.

Exposure: full sun to partial shade.

Water needs: drought tolerant once established.                 

Planting Zone: USDA 8 to...

Sea Lavender

By Jackie Woods   UCCE Master Gardener

Sea Lavender, Seafoam Statice

Limonium perezii

Planting Areas:Courtyards, rock gardens, flower beds; grows well in seaside conditions.

Size:  flower stalks to 2-3 feet; foliage up to 18 inches tall.

Bloom season:  blooms nearly year-round; heaviest in the summer.

Exposure: prefers full sun, does not tolerate frost conditions.

Pruning needs: minimum...

Crocosmia

By Andrea Peck   UCCE Master Gardener

Common Name: Montbretia  

Latin Name: Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora

Size of Plant: This plant grows 2'-3' high and wide.

Bloom Description: Bright orange-red flowers clustering along the end of the stem in a feather-like manner.

Exposure: Full Sun, will tolerate a bit of shade.

Pruning Needs: When flowering ceases, the plant dies back and can be pruned to ground level.

Water Needs: Low water needs once...