The Coastal Gardener

Several years ago, I tried growing carrots in my garden, and found them to be very tasty, and rewarding to grow in the home garden. While a bag of carrots at the grocery store is relatively cheap, the flavor of home grown just cannot be beat.

As a University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener I often have to do some research to be able to answer client's questions. The three web sites below are tremendous research tools for all kinds of garden questions.

How do I keep my poinsettia alive and then get it to bloom again next year? Most of us can keep them alive, however, to get them to bloom and display color we enjoy during the holiday season is difficult and sometimes achievable with a lot of effort.

It is that time again to think about sprucing up our landscapes and gardens. Bare root roses are starting to appear at our local nurseries. Look for these roses which were awarded The Local Artist designation for California's Mediterranean climate.

During my time as a Master Gardener in San Joaquin County, I was one of the evaluators gathering data and evaluating roses for the American Rose Trials for Sustainability. Being allowed to participate was educational as well as extremely rewarding.