Test PB Collection: FTE

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…

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.

Of the hundreds of Salvia species, many dozens are favored by horticulturists around the world. But for California gardeners who seek planting natives, the focus falls on only a handful favored for their reliable form and adaptability to garden conditions.

Gardening Success with California Native Plants KNOW THE PLANTS NATURAL HABITAT Is it a wet or dry grower? Does it need fast-draining soil or heavy clay or something in between? Does it prefer a dry, sunny area; sun with water; dry shade, or shade with water?

Growing food in a drought presents a number of challenges, difficult decisions, and actions to implement them. A critical issue is being aware of a limiting water budgetrestrictions imposed by a city or county agency or a household well. Planning a water budget is similar to other budget planning.

HOW TO CALCULATE FALL GARDEN SOWING/PLANTING DATES Objective: Bring cool-weather crops to maturity (semi-hardy crops) or, at least, near-maturity (cold-hardy crops) before the sooner of a) the first average frost/freeze date or b) November 18 (which is the last day in Sonoma County with 10 or more h...

Prepared by Kathleen Fitzgerald-Orr, Certified Master Food Preserver, UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County. The National Center for Home Food Preservation website. This is your source for current research-based recommendations for most methods of home food preservation.

Tomato Bibliography Starred (*) books are available through the Sonoma County Library system. Other books are in WorldCat and may be available for interlibrary loan through your local library. *Albert, Stephen, The Kitchen Garden Growers Guide, Booksurge, 2008.

Tomato Veggie Happening, April 13, 2021 We were unable to respond to all of the questions during our April Zoom event. Therefore, we are sharing answers to questions addressed and not addressed during the Q&A portion of the Zoom event.

Many California native plants are excellent and attractive options for covering broad expanses or limited areas of ground. There are species for sun or shade, some with showy seasonal blooms, others with dramatic foliage, ground-hugging perennials for a walk-on surface, and fast-spreading shrubs for covering…