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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Blackberries in Containers: Compact Varieties & Care Tips
No yard? No problem. Compact blackberry varieties thrive in containers, producing full-sized berries in small spaces. Here's everything you need to know about growing blackberries in pots.
How to Prune and Trellis Blackberries: A Step-by-Step Guide
Proper pruning and trellising transforms blackberry patches from tangled messes into productive, easy-to-harvest plants. Learn the techniques that work for erect, semi-erect, and trailing varieties.
Best Blackberry Varieties for Santa Cruz County Gardens
From thornless Triple Crown to ultra-sweet Ponca, find the perfect blackberry varieties for your Santa Cruz garden. Includes flavor profiles, harvest windows, and growing tips.
Growing Strawberries: In the Ground vs. Raised Beds vs. Containers
Strawberries grow in almost any setup: directly in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers on a patio. Each method has tradeoffs around drainage, maintenance, production, and cost. This guide compares all three approaches to help Santa Cruz County gardeners choose the best option for their space, soil, and goals.
Growing Blackberries in Santa Cruz County: A Complete Guide
Blackberries thrive in Santa Cruz County's mild coastal climate. This complete guide covers variety selection, planting, trellising, and care for abundant harvests in your backyard.
Strawberry Troubleshooting Guide
Diagnose and fix the most common strawberry problems in Santa Cruz County, from plants that won't fruit to pest damage and disease.
Blueberry Problems in California: Yellow Leaves, No Fruit, and Other Issues
Diagnose and fix common blueberry problems in California: yellow leaves, no fruit, leaf browning, pests, and diseases. Solutions for Santa Cruz County gardeners.
Acidifying Soil for Blueberries in California: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to acidify soil for blueberries in California. Sulfur application rates, water pH management, and ongoing maintenance for healthy, productive plants.
Planting Bare-Root Strawberries: A Santa Cruz Guide
Everything you need to know about planting bare-root strawberries in Santa Cruz County, from preparation to first-year care.