Can I Plant Garlic in Fall in Coastal California?
Plant garlic in October or November in Santa Cruz for full bulbs by early summer. Softneck varieties are the most reliable choice for coastal California.
Your September Garden Checklist for Santa Cruz County
Your complete September garden checklist for Santa Cruz County. Cool-season planting, winter squash curing, cover crop sowing, and fall garden transition for every zone.
The First Rain Checklist for Santa Cruz County Gardens
Get your Santa Cruz County garden ready before the first real storm: slope mulch, drainage, irrigation timing, staking, and the weed germination window.
Plants That Repel Garden Pests in California: What the Evidence Actually Supports
Which pest-repelling plants work in a California garden? UC evidence on marigolds, scent masking, trap crops, and flowers that recruit beneficials.
Building a Fall and Winter Garden in Coastal California: The Second Season Most Gardeners Skip
How to build a fall-winter vegetable garden in Santa Cruz County: what to plant Aug-Nov, seed vs transplant, the November 18 daylight deadline, bed prep.
Canning and Preserving Tomatoes in California: A Safety-First Guide for Santa Cruz Gardeners
How to can tomatoes safely in Santa Cruz County: acidification, tested processing times from NCHFP, water bath vs pressure, and altitude adjustments.
Sowing California Native Wildflower Seed With the First Fall Rains
Sow California native wildflower seed in Santa Cruz County from late October through November. Species picks, seedbed prep, and bird protection.
Planting Fall Bulbs on the California Central Coast: What Works, What Needs Chilling, and What the Gophers Will Find
What to plant Sep through Nov in Santa Cruz County: daffodils, freesia, ranunculus, anemone, sparaxis. Depths, chilling, drainage, gopher protection.
What Are the Best Drought-Tolerant Vegetables for California?
Grow a useful harvest with less water. Explore crop choices for California gardens, from chard and tomatoes to beans suited to warmer sites.
Your August Garden Checklist for Santa Cruz County
Your complete August garden checklist for Santa Cruz County. Fall crop planting, peak summer harvest, seed garlic ordering, and heat management for coastal and inland zones.
How Do I Deal with Powdery Mildew in My Coastal California Garden?
Powdery mildew loves coastal California's warm days and cool nights. Prevention through spacing and airflow works better than any spray treatment.
How Do I Keep My Garden Watered During a California Drought?
Mulch and drip irrigation are the two biggest water savers for California gardens. Here is how to set them up and stop wasting water this summer.
Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe to Eat Without Washing?
Clean, uncracked backyard eggs need prompt refrigeration and thorough cooking. Learn collection and storage basics without relying on the bloom for safety.
Fall Vegetable Planting Guide for Santa Cruz County
When and what to plant for a coastal Santa Cruz fall garden. Timing math, start-indoors vs direct-sow, microclimate dates, and what to skip.
Heat Wave Garden Survival Guide for California
What to do before, during, and after a California heat wave. Coastal-specific advice on shade, watering, sunscald, and wilting from Santa Cruz.
Is Fall Actually the Best Time to Plant in California?
Plan fall planting in Santa Cruz with cool-season crops, California natives and practical watering advice, plus plants better saved for spring.
Can I Grow Tomatoes in the Fog Belt?
Fog belt tomatoes are possible with the right varieties and warm microclimates. Cherry tomatoes and early slicers are your best bet in coastal Santa Cruz.
How Do I Save Tomato Seeds for Next Year?
The fermentation method is the best way to save tomato seeds at home. It takes 15 minutes of active work and produces seeds that stay viable for years.
A Garden Day in Santa Cruz: The Best Local Gardens, Nurseries, and U-Pick Farms Without Leaving the County
Santa Cruz County is not the consolation prize for a day you did not feel like driving. We have a botanic garden, a working organic teaching farm you can walk for free, a two-acre demonstration garden, and a valley full of u-pick berries, apples, dahlias, and lavender.
What Is the Difference Between Determinate and Indeterminate Tomatoes?
Compare determinate and indeterminate tomatoes by harvest, support and growing space, with practical variety advice for coastal Santa Cruz gardens.