Gardening

When to plant: January to early February Harvest window: May through June, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring and post-harvest, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Prune dead and diseased branches, and roughly 10% of new growth in late summer

September gardening tips for Santa Clara County, categorized by To-Dos, What to Plant, or Pests and Diseases. Tips are available for each month, as well as tips that are applicable for every month.

Broccoli is a cool season vegetable in the brassica (cabbage) family. The part we harvest is the immature flower head plus a portion of the stem.

Artichokes are considered a cool season crop but can be grown as a perennial in Santa Clara County. They require lots of sun, plenty of water, and occasional protection from frost.

Gardening for fire defensible space serves to limit the threat of wildfire spreading to or from a structure. It includes the selection and maintenance of plants and mulch for low fire risk. Sustainable fire-wise landscaping should be easy to care for with minimal irrigation.

Pinch chrysanthemums back to 6 inches every month through July. Trim dead flowers but not leaves, from spring bulbs. Mulch cane berries, cut out all old canes and reset new canes in twine. Cultivate and pull weed seedling now to prevent bloom.

Soil science now advises gardeners to refrain from disturbing the soil in order to preserve the vast web of life beneath the surface including beneficial bacteria, fungi, algae, and other microbes that enrich soil.

Food Gardening Tasks and Tips for each month in Sonoma County home gardeners. Click on the month for the list of key tasks for a healthy food garden.

 We are lucky that here in Sonoma County, we are able to grow food sustainably year-round. Enjoy the satisfaction of producing your own delicious, ripe, nutritious fruits and vegetables in your home garden. Food Garden advice from the UC-trained and certified Food Garden Specialists of the Master…

Sonoma Master Gardeners are present at several different farmers markets each week, generally spring through fall, where we set up an information table stocked with county-specific gardening leaflets for the public, and reference books from which we can dispense accurate information for the public.