Ongoing research

UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Raised beds

Wondering how to bring life to an old raised bed? Its spring and time to plant warm-season vegetables. Assuming that your vegetable bed receives full sunlight (six to eight hours), you can get started right away. Here are a few things to consider before you begin.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Food Gardening Resources

Growing Vegetables Sustainable Food Gardening Enriching Garden Soil No-Till Food Gardening Vegetable, Fruit and Herb Articles Monthly Food Gardening Tasks & Tips Food Gardening with Less Water Food Gardening in a Drought How Much Water Does My Food Garden Need?
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Native Shrubs for Foliage

A great benefit of planting evergreen species is the constant, eye-appealing bulk and color they steadfastly exhibit every month of the year.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Ribes spp. (Currants and Gooseberries)

Over 150 shrubs of the Ribes genus are known worldwide but only a few are native to California and fewer yet are recommended for home gardens for their unparalleled floral display and tangy berries. Only ornamental species are discussed here.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Natives for the Garden

California native plants can be enjoyed at any time throughout the year, but the very best time to get them started in your garden is in the fall at the beginning of the rainy season.
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Best California native plants for a hedge row fence
UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Natives for a Hedge Row

Planting a hedgerow may seem like a departure from home gardening, but long lines of closely spaced flowering plants have been keys to growing food crops for thousands of years. They can be traced back to beyond Roman times when they served as property lines and fences for livestock.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Veggie Happenings Resources Archive

Three Sisters Gardening and Beneficial Insects (May 2022) Three Sisters Planting More about beneficial insects Beneficial Predators (Quick Tips from UC IPM) Green Lacewings (UC IPM) Assassin Bugs and Ambush Bugs (University of Wisconson-Madison) Tomatoes and Cabbage Butterflies (April 2022) Tomato G...
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Is it Spring Yet?

Food gardeners are typically itching to get out in the garden. Our success in the spring garden will be boosted by being prepared. The month of January is the perfect time to plan the spring food garden. There is time for research and detailed planning.
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Extreme Weather Gardening in the Age of Climate Change
UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Extreme Weather and Gardening in the Age of Climate Change

It used to be that Californians never had to consider much beyond their own tastes when selecting plants for home gardens. But times are changing along with the climate, and the impact of backyard gardens is being considered on a scale never before questioned. Does the garden conserve water and enrich…
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UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Page

Flowering Native Shrubs

The native plants listed here are selected from the Master Gardener list of Recommended Plants for Sonoma County. All have showy seasonal blooms, some of which are long-lasting; others make a brief appearance but are noteworthy for seeds or berries that follow.
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