Beginning Vegetable Gardening
If you are new to vegetable gardening or just want a refresher, here are a list of resources to guide you.
Introduction to Vegetable Gardening
- Vegetable Garden Basics
by Pamela M. Geisel, UCCE Farm Advisor, Environmental Horticulture, Fresno County.
If just starting your first vegetable garden or want a refresher on the basics, take a look at 'Vegetable Garden Basics' by Pamela M. Geisel. She introduces and explains important points for a successful vegetable garden.
UCANR's Vegetable Garden Basics - Click here
- Starting a Victory Vegetable Garden
by Jodi Bay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
An article published in the San Diego Union Tribune that explains the steps to take in preparing and planning a vegetable garden.
Starting a Victory Vegetable Garden - Click here
- Warm and Cool Season Vegetables for San Diego County
by Vincent Lazaneo, Urban Horticulture Advisor Emeritus, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
A list of cool and warm season vegetables and their growing season for San Diego County.
San Diego Vegetable Planting Guide - Click here
- Plain Facts About Growing Sweet Corn
by Jodi Bay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
Growing Sweet Corn is a rite of summer. Here are some tips in this San Diego Union Tribune article on how to have a successful sweet corn harvest.
Growing Sweet Corn in San Diego County - Click here
- Indoor Seed Starting
Learn the methods for successful indoor seed starting from the University of California.
Seed Starting - Click here
- Seed Saving
by Jodi Bay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
Many vegetable seeds can be saved and replanted next season. This short tutorial discusses many easy-to-save vegetable seeds.
Seed Saving - Click here
- Joyce Gemmell's Seed Suppliers List
Joyce Gemmell was the UC Master Gardener of San Diego County's leading authority on growing vegetables. This is her list of tried and true seed suppliers.
MG Joyce Gemmell Seed Catalog List - Click here
- Growing Carrots
by Jodi Bay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
Carrots are easy to grow and fun to eat. This article provides information and tips on growing carrots successfully.
Growing Carrots - Click here
- Companion Planting - Folklore or Scientific Fact
by Donna McClay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
There are very few scientific studies to validate the efficacy of companion planting. However, there may be some truth to the anecdotal history many of us have heard from our relatives and other longtime home vegetable gardeners. This article in the San Diego Union Tribune clarifies what is known scientifically about companion planting.
Companion Planting - Click here
Vegetable Gardening Resources
- Questions? Contact UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County Hotline:
- Phone: (858) 822-6910. Open 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Email: Help@MasterGardenerSD.org
- Joyce Gemmell's Vegetable Planting Guides for San Diego County.
UC Master Gardener Joyce Gemmell's legacy lives on with her Vegetable Planting Guides. They are the go-to resource for growing vegetables in San Diego County. Listed by vegetable types, the guides share which varieties grow best in San Diego County, along with information on harvesting and pest management.
Joyce Gemmell's Vegetable Planting Guides for San Diego County - Click here
- UC Master Gardeners of San Diego Growing Guides.
The Growing Guides are short tutorials on successfully growing vegetables, tomatoes, avocados, and citrus.
UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County Growing Guides - Click here
- Growing Berries in Your Backyard.
Everything to know about growing berries at home. Best varieties for California, planting, pruning, and pest management are discussed.
Growing Berries in Your Backyard - Click here
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program.
The UC IPM website helps home gardeners to identify and manage garden and household pests.
UC Statewide Integrated Pest Managment - Click here
- University of California Vegetable and Melon Pest Index.
Categorized by type of edible, this list helps gardeners understand and prepare for pest that might harm their vegetables and melons.
UC Vegetable and Melon Pest Index - Click here
- University of California Pest Note Library.
If the pest is known, review a one to two page tutorial on how to manage or remedy the problem. Each Pest Note includes environmentally-friendly options.
UC Pest Notes - Click here
- Building a Raised Garden Bed.
If the soil in your garden is compacted or otherwise unhealthy, consider building an above ground raised bed. The following links offer advice and tutorials on what to consider to build a raised bed.
Sunset Magazine: Build the Ultimate Raised Bed - Click here
- UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County - Raised Vegetable Beds
Vegetable Garden Planning Worksheet
- Here is a tool to aid in planning your garden. Download this easy-to-use template to document what was planted and diagram where it was planted. Recording this information makes it easier to know what grew well and what you liked.
Planting Record - BVG Spring Seminar 2020 - Click here
Produce Storage, Preservation and Safety
- Harvesting
by Donna McClay, UC Master Gardener, San Diego County.
Article in the San Diego Union Tribune on harvesting and preserving vegetables.
Enjoy the fruits (and the vegetables) of your labor - Click here.
- Produce Storage
This chart lists the best methods for extending the freshness of just-picked produce.|
Storing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Better Taste - Click here.
- Produce Preservation
Resources for long term storage of fruits and vegetables.
National Center for Home Food Preservation - Click here
UCANR Preserving Fruits and Vegetables at Home - Click here
Preserving Tomatoes - Click here
- Produce Safety
Techniques on safe handling of produce.
UC Food Safety - Click here
Beginning Vegetable Gardening Workshops
If you want to know more about vegetable gardening, join us for the Beginning Vegetable Gardening Workshops. Workshops are taught locally, in community gardens, urban farms, or other gardening locations. Look here for an announcement of when classes will resume.
Home vegetable gardening is a fun and healthy activity for families, individuals, neighbors and friends. Benefits include healthier food options, wider selection of vegetable varieties, a lower carbon footprint and improved accessibility to fresh food. Additionally, getting into the garden provides exercise, satisfaction from enjoying what was grown, and being a good steward for the Earth.
The Beginning Vegetable Gardening (BVG) Workshops unravel the mystery of vegetable gardening and educate new gardeners on tested methods for growing a home or community vegetable garden.
Taught by UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County, the BVG workshops are four, two to three hour sessions consisting of part lecture and part hands-on. The four lessons are:
- Planning Your Garden - Garden Planning, Site and Plant Selection and Raised Bed Care
- Getting Started - Soil Needs, Seed Starting, Composting and Water Wise Gardening
- Pest Management - Identifying Garden Pests and Effective and Eco-Friendly Management Methods
- Harvesting and Storage - Harvesting, Storage and Produce Safety.
Workshops are $20 per person including materials. To schedule a BVG series of workshops at your community garden or library, please contact: bvg@MasterGardenerSD.org