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Chicken Wire vs. Hardware Cloth for Gophers
Chicken wire cannot stop gophers but hardware cloth can. Compare mesh size, durability, and cost for protecting your Santa Cruz garden from burrowing pests.
Why Is My Rosemary Dying?
Overwatering kills more rosemary in Santa Cruz than anything else. This Mediterranean herb needs dry soil, good drainage, and far less water than vegetables.
Can You Grow a Productive Garden in Shade?
Many edibles thrive in 3 to 4 hours of sun, including lettuce, herbs, and root vegetables. In hot areas, shade actually prevents bolting and improves quality.
Your June Garden Checklist for Santa Cruz County
Your complete June garden checklist for Santa Cruz County. Garlic harvest, fog belt gardening tips, powdery mildew prevention, and fall brassica seed starting for every zone.
Cedar vs. Redwood Raised Beds: Which Lasts Longer?
Redwood outlasts cedar by about 5 years in raised bed applications, and it is locally available in Santa Cruz County. Here is how to choose between the two.
Do Strawberries Like Coffee Grounds?
Compost coffee grounds before adding them to strawberry beds. Direct application can tie up nitrogen and create a water-repellent layer.
Can You Grow Blueberries in California?
Southern highbush blueberry varieties thrive in California's mild climate. The trick is acidic soil, not a cold climate. Here is how to grow them.
California Natives vs. Mediterranean Plants Compared
California natives use slightly less water and support local wildlife better, but Mediterranean plants are more available. Here is how to combine both approaches.
What Vegetables Can I Grow in Partial Shade in Coastal California?
Leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs thrive in 3 to 4 hours of direct sun. Partial shade actually helps cool-season crops last longer.
Can You Compost Citrus Peels? (Yes, You Can)
Citrus peels compost just fine despite what you may have heard. Here is how to add them to your pile or worm bin without problems.
Bush Beans vs. Pole Beans: Which Produces More?
Pole beans outproduce bush beans in small spaces, yielding two to three times more per square foot. Here is how to decide which type fits your Santa Cruz garden.
How Do I Set Up Drip Irrigation for Raised Beds?
A basic raised bed drip system needs a timer, pressure regulator, mainline tubing, and emitters. Installation takes about 30 minutes per bed.
Are All Butterflies and Moths Good for Gardens?
Butterflies are beautiful, but many moth and butterfly larvae are serious garden pests. Here is how to protect crops while still supporting pollinators.
BT vs. Hand-Picking for Caterpillar Control
BT kills caterpillars that eat treated leaves while hand-picking removes them instantly. Here is when to use each method in your Santa Cruz garden.
When Can I Transplant Tomato Seedlings Outside in Santa Cruz?
Wait for soil temperatures of 60F and night air above 50F before transplanting tomatoes. That's mid-April to mid-May in most of Santa Cruz County.
Will Bought Ladybugs Stay in Your Garden? (Nope)
Those bags of ladybugs at the garden center seem like a great idea, but 80-95% fly away within two days. Here is how to attract your own instead.
Your May Garden Checklist for Santa Cruz County
Your complete May garden checklist for Santa Cruz County. Final warm-season planting, irrigation startup, strawberry harvest, and pest management as the dry season begins.
Blossom End Rot vs. Sunscald on Tomatoes
Blossom end rot is a dark patch on the bottom of tomatoes from inconsistent watering. Sunscald is a bleached patch on the sunny side. Here is how to fix both.
What Is the Best Soil Mix for Raised Beds in California?
The classic one-third topsoil, one-third compost, one-third conditioner mix works for most raised bed vegetables in California gardens.
Are Beer Traps Really the Best Slug Control?
Beer traps are a popular slug remedy, but they can attract more slugs than they kill. Here is what research says works better for California gardens.