Ongoing research

Check out our information sheets on how to plant, grow, maintain and harvest common vegetables, fruits, herbs and nuts grown in Marin. We also list our favorite varieties that are best suited for local microclimates.

UC Marin Master Gardeners host a table at select farmers markets to provide gardeners with help and advice. The Farmers Market is a popular community event where UC Marin Master Gardeners provide community outreach and education, hosting a table offering "Advice to Grow by... Ask Us.

Tom Swinnen, Pexels Fruit trees need suitable climates, well-drained soil, proper planting, and maintenance throughout the season. It takes some planning and work to get them established, but once you do it's a joy to pick fruit fresh from the garden. Here's how to create your very own home orchard.

Planting and harvesting are enjoyable edible garden tasks. Courtesy UC Regents Take care to plan out your edible garden before diving in.

View our calendars for recommended times to start seeds and plant vegetables and herbs in Marin.

Feeling overwhelmed and need a place to start? Check out our monthly tips for actionable, affordable ways to reduce fuel on your property. Our fire-smart landscaping tips are a reminder to homeowners to plan and maintain their homes and landscapes with awareness of the threat of wildfires.

Be part of a wildlife corridor between islands of natural habitat. Photo: Courtesy of UC Regents Habitat gardens provide connectivity Your garden can be a place for pollinators and insects to stop and refuel as they travel through urban, suburban, and wildland areas.

Alstroemeria aurea 'Saturne'. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Perennials are flowering plants that live longer than two seasons. Some are evergreen; others die back at the end of the flowering season and then regrow from the same roots the following year. Perennials are dependable and easy.

Dymondia magaretae, Wikimedia Commons Groundcovers range from ground-hugging mats to 3 or 4-foot spreading plants. They can be woody or herbaceous, evergreen or deciduous. Some grow from a single stem; others have spreading underground rhizomes that allow the plant to "creep.

Miscanthus sinensis, Wikimedia Commons Whether you want to create a naturalistic meadow, showcase a dramatic backlit border, or line a path, ornamental grasses are up for the job. Ornamental grasses and other grass-like plants like rushes and sedges are easily grown and work with many garden styles.