Welcome!

COVID-19 Update

In an abundance of caution during the COVID-19 crisis and the recommendations of various public health agencies we will be adjusting our services accordingly:

Our program is still "open for business" to answer your gardening and pest management questions. Please send an email with your inquiry to mgsacramento@ucanr.edu. We are checking email regularly and will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
We are not currently accepting phone calls, walk-ins or specimen drop offs at our Master Gardener Help Desk at the UCCE Sacramento office.
Community events scheduled until April 30 are now canceled.

2020 Gardening Guide and Calendar

Blossoms - 2020 Gardening Guide & Calendar

Blossoms! Learn about flowers and so much more in our 2020 Calendar!

Plenty of advice about growing flowers and recipes from the Master Food Preservers for cooking with them.

Just a few left--order now. Still only $10!

April Horticulture Center Updates

In the WEL

April is a lovely time in the water-efficient landscape gardens at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center.

For more favorites, please visit our plant list for Spring.

The vegetable garden

Cloche to protect tender plants from cool temps

Plant tomatoes when the soil temperature is around 65°F (usually late April or early May in the Sacramento area).

In the orchard

Harvest spring-ripening citrus like this ‘Gold Nugget’ mandarin.

Are you ready to do battle with coddling moth in apples and pears this year? Now is the time to remove infested fruit. See April in the Orchard for more tips.

Grow herbs!

Want an herb to use even in the cold of winter? Consider adding Salad Burnet to your herb garden. This evergreen perennial tastes like cucumber and makes an attractive plant all year around with lovely blooms in late spring.

Composting

Learn how to compost with worms! If you already have a worm bin, the warmer weather means they will be more active and need more to eat.

Want to see a worm composting demonstration? Consider our free workshops.

The vineyard

April in a healthy vineyard is a time of rapid growth. Management of vines at this time is critical to establishing good canopies.

See what to do in April in your vineyard.

Backyard berries

Berries are blooming. Mulch protects shallow berry roots. Manage pests--thrips on Blueberries. See more tips for April.

Pest Alerts!

Asian Citrus Psyllid

The Asian citrus psyllid has been found in Sacramento causing a County-wide quarantine. The tiny insect damages citrus fruit but of more importance, it can transmit the deadly citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening. For more: