Preserving Fresh Herbs: Drying, Freezing & Infusing for Year-Round Flavor
When your herb garden produces more than you can use fresh, preservation lets you capture that peak flavor for months to come. This guide covers four drying methods, four freezing techniques, and how to make herb-infused oils, vinegars, butters, and salts, with specific tips for handling Santa Cruz County's coastal humidity.
Growing Raspberries in Santa Cruz County: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to grow sweet, productive raspberries in Santa Cruz County's coastal climate, from choosing the right varieties to harvesting your first crop.
Best Carrot Varieties for Santa Cruz County Gardens
Not all carrots are created equal. Discover 12 varieties that thrive in Santa Cruz County's clay soil and varied microclimates, with specific recommendations for your garden.
Growing Gboma Eggplant in Santa Cruz County: A Leafy Green You Haven't Tried
Gboma eggplant is grown primarily for its nutritious leaves, not its fruit. This West African vegetable produces abundant greens all summer and handles Santa Cruz County's mild temperatures well.
Growing Rosemary in Santa Cruz: The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Herb
Rosemary may be the most forgiving herb you can grow in Santa Cruz County. This aromatic Mediterranean shrub thrives on neglect, produces year-round harvests, and lives for decades with minimal care. Here's everything you need to know about growing rosemary successfully, including important fire safety considerations for mountain properties.
Growing Mint in Santa Cruz: Tips for Containing This Vigorous Herb
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow in Santa Cruz County, perhaps too easy. This vigorous spreader can quickly escape its boundaries and colonize your entire garden if you're not careful. Here's how to enjoy abundant mint harvests while keeping this enthusiastic herb under control.
Understanding Strawberry Growth Stages in Your Santa Cruz Garden
Every strawberry plant moves through predictable growth stages, from winter dormancy through flowering, fruiting, and runner production. This guide explains each stage as it unfolds in Santa Cruz County gardens, including what to look for, what care each stage needs, and how timing varies by microclimate and variety type.
Top Strawberry Mistakes New Gardeners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Most strawberry failures come from a handful of predictable mistakes. This guide covers the 12 most common errors new gardeners make when growing strawberries, from planting crowns too deep to ignoring runner management. Each mistake includes a clear fix so you can grow strawberries successfully the first time.
Best Berries to Grow in Santa Cruz County: 5 Top Picks for Coastal Gardens
Santa Cruz County's mild temperatures and coastal influence create ideal conditions for growing berries. These five varieties thrive here, producing abundant harvests with the right care.
Carrot Troubleshooting Guide: Pests, Diseases, and Growing Problems in Santa Cruz County
From forked roots to vanishing plants, this guide diagnoses every carrot problem and provides local solutions for Santa Cruz County gardens.
Best Strawberry Varieties for Santa Cruz County
A deep dive into strawberry varieties that thrive in Santa Cruz County, with recommendations matched to your specific microclimate.
Blackberry Problems: Pests, Diseases, and Common Issues
From orange rust (remove the whole plant!) to spotted wing drosophila, learn to identify and treat common blackberry problems. Includes organic solutions for Santa Cruz County gardeners.
Best Blueberry Varieties for Santa Cruz County Gardens
The best blueberry varieties for California gardens. Southern Highbush picks for low-chill areas, including Sunshine Blue, Sharpblue, and Misty - with local growing notes.
How to Propagate Blackberries and Olallieberries: Complete Guide
Get free blackberry and olallieberry plants through simple propagation techniques. Tip layering is the easiest method—canes root naturally when tips touch soil. Here's how to do it right.
Growing Pineapple Tomatoes in Santa Cruz County: A Beefsteak Worth the Challenge
Pineapple tomatoes produce massive bicolor fruits with sweet, low-acid flavor. This heirloom beefsteak is worth growing in Santa Cruz County's warmest microclimates for its exceptional eating quality.
Blackberry Growth Stages: What to Expect Year-by-Year
Blackberries don't produce fruit immediately—knowing what to expect each year helps you nurture plants toward maximum production. Follow the journey from bare-root to bountiful harvest.
Saving Tomato Seeds: Preserve Your Favorite Varieties
Learn how to save tomato seeds using the fermentation method. Step-by-step guide for home gardeners to preserve heirloom and open-pollinated varieties.
Best Pepper Varieties for Santa Cruz County Microclimates
Not all peppers perform equally across Santa Cruz County's diverse microclimates. This comprehensive guide matches specific pepper varieties to your growing conditions, from fog-tolerant shishitos for coastal gardens to heat-loving habaneros for Watsonville's warm valleys.
Olallieberry vs Blackberry: What's the Difference and Which Should You Grow?
What's the difference between olallieberry and blackberry? Compare flavor, growing ease, and climate needs to choose the best berry for your California garden.
Growing Tomatoes in Containers in Santa Cruz County
Learn how to grow tomatoes in containers in Santa Cruz County. Container sizes, best varieties, watering tips, and patio placement for coastal success.