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Resources

Primary Resources

These UC resources are used by our Master Gardeners to find the answers to your questions and are the best research-based information out there. 

Composting Resources - The UCCE Master Gardeners of Central Sierra have compiled all the answers to your composting questions here. 

California Center for Urban Horticulture - The California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) draws upon the knowledge and expertise of their partners in academia, industry, and public agencies to provide strategies and practices that enhance ecosystems. 

Online Weed Education Videos - The UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County have curated their best videos, handouts & presentations.

The California Backyard Orchard - When developing your orchard, you'll want to consider the site, the variety, the propagation, preparation and planting, irrigation, care for young trees, pollination, fertilization, and more. This site covers everything you need to know about a backyard orchard.

The California Garden Web - The California Garden Web focuses on sustainable gardening practices and uses a question and answer format to present solutions.

The UC Master Gardener Program - Across the state, the UC Master Gardener Program extends research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents ot California.

UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden - A regional amenity comprised of demonstration gardens and scientific collections as well as the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, a rare stream and grassland ecosystem managed for teaching, research, wildlife and habitat protection.

UC Guide to Healthy Lawns - All you need to know to grow a lawn using little or no pesticide, a site produced by UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.

UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the Home & Garden - University of California's official guidelines for managing pests with environmentally sound methods.

Other Resources for California gardeners:
  • California Bee-Friendly Garden Recipes, UCANR publication #8518
  • California Wildflowers - A guide to 128 species, provided by the Calif. Academy of Sciences. Look up by color, common or scientific name, or family.
  • California Native Plant Society - Information on plants native to CA with photos, and links to other native plant information.
  • Deer Management Program Publications - (Dept of Fish and Game) Provides information on deer resistant plants, the application of commercial deer repellents, and the construction of deer-proof fencing as well as other information.
  • Fair Oaks Horticulture Center - An instructional facility with many demonstration plantings. Monthly workshops are held throughout much of the year.
  • Garden Watchdog - Reviews and ratings of over 3,000 gardening catalogs and vendors. Includes links to each company's website and e-mail address.
  • Grape Growing in your backyard and other backyard growing, berries, flowers, pest control, poisonous plants and more.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Backyard Fruits and Vegetable Growers
  • International Society of Arboriculture - (ISA) Find a local certified arborist. Lots of good tree care information.
  • Master Gardener Program - UC-trained volunteers extend research-based information to the public about home horticulture and pest management. The information is provided to the public in classes, telephone hot-lines, at community events and in demonstration gardens.
  • Native Plants for Oak Gardens
  • Plant Right - Plant Right was designed to be mindful of differences in major ecological zones where invasive plants are concerned.
  • UCCE Central Sierra Living with Fire - The University of California offers publications, websites, events and workshops on living with fire in the central Sierra. We have expertise in defensible space, fire resistant home construction, and living with fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Here are some of our favorite gardening links:
UC IPM PestNotes