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A sprinkler irrigation display board at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Sacramento, Calif.Photo credit: Melissa Womack Gardens in most areas of California require regular irrigation to provide the soil with the moisture needed for maximum plant growth. Vegetable crops are not drought tolerant.
Band fertilizing uses a trench to distribute fertilizer to young plants, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Photo credit: Lauren Snowden (Learn about the fertilization application process before planting in the soil preparation and improvements section.
Thinning of radish shoots to prevent overcrowding, thin radishes so plants are 1 inch apart. Photo source: eLearning Brothers Overcrowded plants cannot grow rapidly or reach a good size. Thin small root crops, salad crops, and those grown for greens early at the second or third true leaf stage.
Apply mulch around your garden beds and pull young weeds before they can become established in your vegetable garden. Photo credit: Lauren Snowden Weeds adversely affect crop growth by competing for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
Welcome to the UC Master Gardener Program. Whether you are troubleshooting garden pests, learning to compost, or interested in joining our mission, we are here to help.
The UC Master Gardener Program believes that gardening is not just about growing plants, but about cultivating healthier lives, stronger communities, and a more sustainable world.
It is easy to grow your own fruits and vegetables in a container, your yard, a community garden plot or on a large ranch property! To have a successful garden just follow the seven basic rules of edible gardening: Plant only as much as you can easily maintain. Create a garden plan before you begin.
Sample Garden Plan with planting dates and bed widths. Source: California Master Gardener Handbook Growing vegetables in your home or garden is good for you, your neighborhood, and for helping to reduce your global footprint on this earth.
California has a unique vegetable growing climate and can grow many different types of vegetable crops throughout the year. Crops are classified as warm-season or cool-season crops.
