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.

Several common vegetables handle drought well, including chard, cherry tomatoes, Armenian cucumber, and Mediterranean herbs. Here are the best picks for California.

Powdery mildew loves coastal California's warm days and cool nights. Prevention through spacing and airflow works better than any spray treatment.

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.

Fall planting in California gives plants cooler weather and natural rainfall to establish roots before summer. For many crops, it beats spring planting.

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.

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.

Determinate tomatoes set fruit all at once and stop. Indeterminate keep growing and producing all season. Your microclimate helps decide which to grow.

Cool nights slow tomato ripening on the coast. Choose early varieties and use warm microclimates for red tomatoes in Santa Cruz.

Tomato blossom drop is caused by temperature stress, usually cool nights on the coast. It is temporary and corrects itself when conditions stabilize.