UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

Article

Weeds: Pros and Cons

April 23rd, 2025

The simplest definition of a weed is “a plant growing where it’s not wanted.” Most home gardeners prefer to not have weeds growing among their landscape plants and in their vegetable gardens. However, weeds do have many benefits. For instance, they can help to control soil erosion, provide food for…

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Photo by Arizona Pest Management Center, University of Arizona

Article

Check Your Pesticides

January 1st, 2025

As of Jan 1, 2025, a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids have been banned for nonagricultural outdoor use as they have been linked to a decline in honey bees and other pollinators. Although the pesticides are no longer for sale at garden centers and retail stores, you might have them at your home…

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Photo by Ankith Choudhary via Unsplash.com

Article

Plant for Pollinators

October 1st, 2024

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and birds play an important role in pollinating your vegetable garden and supporting a healthy ecosystem. However, habitat loss, disease, and pesticide use have contributed to the decline of these species. You can help pollinators by selecting a wide variety…

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Article

Try Growing Nutritious Microgreens

August 1st, 2024

If you don't have outdoor space or want a fun indoor project, try growing fresh and nutritious microgreens. You can grow these tender and tasty greens year-round and enjoy them in soups, salads, sandwiches, stir fries and more. A minimal amount of space and supplies are needed. And you can harvest your…

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Article

Perfect Pots: Growing Things on a Smaller Scale

July 2nd, 2024

Gardening in containers is great for so many reasons, not the least of which is that almost everyone can have the opportunity to grow something, including food! From the tiniest windowsill to the most expansive acreage, plants in pots can be any size and placed almost anywhere, including established...

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Article

“Gardenomics:” Good Moves for a Lifetime of Safe and Healthy Gardening

June 2nd, 2024

It's a fact. Gardening is great exercise with big benefits for both physical and mental health. It's also hard work and many of the tasks we do in the garden can lead to aches and injuries if not done properly.

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Article

Backyard Biodiversity: Saving the Planet One Garden at a Time

May 2nd, 2024

It's May and spring is busting out all over! After months of gray skies and wet, chilly days, we can rejoice at the sight of each tender shoot, leaf and bud. With the resurgence of life all around us, it may seem as if the state of the natural world may not be so bad after all.

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Article

Shade Gardens: Learning to Love the Darker Side

April 2nd, 2024

My garden is cursed! All I have is shade and nothing will grow, wailed the neighbor. Living as we do in Sunny California, it may seem downright unfair but almost every garden has some shady spots, and they are often the most troublesome to deal with.

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Article

Gardening with Kids: It's Good for Everybody

March 2nd, 2024

Gardening with your kids might be one of the best things you can do for them. Not only is it a great way to spend quality time together, it can also make a big difference in their physical, mental and emotional health.

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Article

Starting from Scratch: The Miracle of Seeds

February 9th, 2024

Growing your own plants from seed has a lot of advantages: more variety, less cost and getting a head start on the growing season are just a few. Practicality aside, it's just plain miraculous to grow plants from seeds.

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Article

A New Year in The Garden: Inspirations for 2024

January 9th, 2024

It's January and, although it may be cold and damp, the days are getting longer by a few seconds each dayjust enough additional daylight to stir a gardener's blood.

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Article

The Rain Garden: A Simply Elegant Solution to Stormwater Pollution

December 9th, 2023

Last winter's epic rainstorms have caused many of us to think about what we can do to mitigate the impact of heavy downpours on our communities. As it happens, the impervious surfaces that keep us dry and mud-free (our homes, patios, driveways, etc.

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Article

The Changing American Landscape - Sustainable Grass Alternatives

November 28th, 2023

What is a lawn? For many of us, those traditional squares of lush, green turf grass have not only been a part of the landscape, but also an icon of our American culture for generations. A manicured lawn symbolized prosperity and respectability.

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Article

The Wonder of Fibonacci in our Gardens

October 10th, 2023

Enjoyment of the world around us and in our gardens is a deep-rooted and multifaceted aspect of the human experience.

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When It Rains: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s Troubled Waters

September 6th, 2023

Last winter's storms were unprecedented. The volume and intensity of rainfall turned creeks and streams into rushing torrents that overflowed their banks and flooded nearby areas. Gutters and drains couldn't handle the flow and turned streets into virtual canals.

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Article

A Lot at Stake: Stewarding Urban Trees On The California Coast

August 3rd, 2023

I think that I shall never see/ A poem as lovely as a tree, wrote the poet, Joyce Kilmer. The mere sight of a strong, graceful tree inspires poetry, offers peace for the soul, and provides welcome sanctuary.

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Article

It's Time to Consider Firewise Landscaping: Gardening for the 'New Abnormal'

July 11th, 2023

Many parts of California sizzle in the summer heat, but living on the coast means spending most days under a thick marine layer blanket and being buffeted by chilly breezes.

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Article

Become a Master Gardener - Learn Art, Science of Growing Plants and Communities

June 1st, 2023

This article was originally published in Coastside Magazine on May 26, 2023. Since 2016, Coastside Magazine has featured monthly articles written and edited by members of the San Mateo-San Francisco chapter of UC Master Gardeners.

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Article

Botanical Beverage Inspirations: Easy-to-Grow Plants for Spectacular Summer Sips

May 1st, 2023

While it may not be top of mind when you sip a Margarita, nearly all of the beverages we consume come from plants.

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Article

Summer Tomatoes: What to Do Now for a Successful Season

April 1st, 2023

If you want to enjoy your own fresh, homegrown tomatoes this summer, April is the time to get started. Unless you are a hardcore gardener and start your own from seeds, most likely you will be buying young tomato plants (seedlings) from a nursery or plant sale.

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Thanks for making the Spring Garden Market and Educational Fair a success

Thousands of plants found new homes this past Saturday -- tomatoes and other edibles, plants for pollinators and California native plants.

If you missed it, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter so you'll be ready for next year's sale. Want to look up info on plants you bought? Look them up in our online plant library to find out more about them.

Spring Garden Market details

Advice to Grow By...Ask Us!

Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region? Ask a UC Master Gardener: in person, by phone or email. Or, complete a simple form. Click here.

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Upcoming Events

Apr 30 2025

Laurel Street Container Garden Tour

Join the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties for a free educational walking tour of the 25 round plant containers along Laurel Street. Learn how they selected the wide…

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May 4 2025

Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum

Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum Description: Come anytime between 12:00 to 3:00 pm for this walk-in plant clinic. UC Master Gardeners will be available to answer your…

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May 4 2025

Success with Houseplants

Do you love houseplants? Are you just getting started, and looking for ways to ensure your plants will thrive? Join this discussion to learn about common houseplants, and how to care for them and…

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May 7 2025

Laurel Street Container Garden Tour

Description: Join the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties for a free educational walking tour of the 25 round plant containers along Laurel Street. Learn how they selected…

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