Gardening Practices

The UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County are trained by the University of California to assist our county’s home gardeners achieve an attractive and healthy garden. We help gardeners design and maintain their home garden so that it is both sustainable and environmentally sound. We do this by extending to the public research-based information verified by UC experts about home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices. 

Our goals are to help the home gardeners of our county create:

• Healthier plants through the understanding of site appropriate plant selection, cultural practices and integrated pest management.
• A healthier environment including optimal water use, improved soil quality, reduced reliance on pesticides and reduce the volume of green waste in landfills. 

We utilize the six principles of Sustainable Home Gardening

Start by reading how you can better create a sustainable home garden by clicking the links of the 6 principles listed here:

1. ‘Right plant, right place: Choose the right plant for your specific garden site and conditions.
2. Practice water conservation and protect water quality in your garden through appropriate plant selection and irrigating, and by preventing rainwater runoff.
3. Nurture your garden soil ecosystem with composted organic amendments
4. Use Integrated Pest Management to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment using ecologically sound management methods.
5. Use garden practices that conserve energy, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels, and that recycle materials.
6. Create native garden habitats that support our local birds, bees and other beneficial wildlife.

Our volunteer garden experts author educational articles specific to gardening here in Sonoma County. 

In this section, find information on the sustainable gardening practices mentioned above plus:

• Monthly Garden Tips
• Basics of a Year in Gardening in Sonoma County
• Gardening in Sonoma County’s Summer-Dry Climate
• Sonoma Microclimates
• Planting Under Oaks
• Raised Garden Beds
• Essential Garden Tools
• Garden Tool Maintenance

We have additional articles on key garden practices including:

• Drip Irrigation from basics to specifics
• Soil, Composting and Mulch
• Gardening for Wildfire Preparedness in the Home Landscape
• Food Gardening in Sonoma County
• How to Select Climate Forward Trees for Sonoma County