Cooperative Extension Imperial County

UCMGs and little students around a wooden raised garden bed.

The Low Desert Gardener: Article

Why I Decided to Pursue the Master Gardener Program

May 28, 2025

Hi, I’m Diego Torres — a proud certified Master Gardener with a green thumb that didn’t come naturally (believe me, I’ve earned it one plant at a time). When I first set out on this journey, my goal was simple: become a better gardener to support my role as a Health Educator for the CalFresh program. My work…

View Article

Female in between 4 wooden raised gardening beds with green sprouting squash

The Low Desert Gardener: Article

From Ramen to Radishes: How a Garden Grew in the Midst of College Chaos

May 16, 2025

It began more out of necessity than as a hobby. During my second year of college, I was juggling tuition, rent, and groceries on a tight budget. Ramen and canned beans were cheap—and on repeat. But after weeks of the same processed meals, I started to feel it. My body was sluggish, my mind foggy.The turning…

View Article

The Low Desert Gardener: Article

Growing Community in the Desert: A Gardener’s Journey in Imperial County

May 9, 2025

Welcome to our new blog, where we’ll be sharing the joys, challenges, and discoveries of gardening in one of the most unique climates in California — the low desert of Imperial County.Gardening here is not for the faint of heart. With our blazing summer heat, dry winters, alkaline soils, and occasional high…

View Article

2025 Guidelines...AVAILABLE NOW

Guidelines To Production Costs and Practices Imperial County

2025 Field and Vegetable Crops

Cost: $40.00

Cash or Check Only

Planting & Harvesting Calendars:

Vegetable Planting Calendar (Rev. - February 2020)

Plant Flower Seeds (Rev. - February 2020)

Vegetable Crops Planting & Harvesting Calendar

Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series

The latest research-based advice on weathering a drought is now available free online. The UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is working to help farmers cope with the unwelcome outcome of historically low rainfall the last three years. UC scientists, with support from the California Department of Water Resources, have recorded video presentations on high-priority drought webpages.

Each presentation is about one half hour in length and are available at the link below:

Click here to visit the Online Seminar Series

Drought Information

The University of California has been extensively involved in research and implementation of water conservation/management strategies throughout the state. A lot is knows about when and how to most effectively use limited water supplies. The links below contain a brief introduction. Additional information is available at UC ANR drought website. http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/California_Drought_Expertise/