Growing Beans and Peas in Santa Cruz County: Easy Protein from Your Garden
Beans and peas are some of the most rewarding crops for Santa Cruz gardens. They are easy to grow, improve your soil, and produce abundantly with minimal care.
Pole Beans vs. Bush Beans: Which to Grow
Pole beans climb and produce for months. Bush beans stay compact and harvest all at once. Here is how to choose the right type for your garden.
Growing Sugar Snap and Snow Peas in Santa Cruz
Sugar snap and snow peas thrive in Santa Cruz County's cool seasons. Plant them in fall or late winter for sweet, crunchy harvests through spring.
Succession Planting Beans for Continuous Harvest
One planting of bush beans lasts about three weeks. Succession planting every few weeks keeps fresh beans on the table from June through October.
Hand Pollinating Squash for Better Yields in Santa Cruz Gardens
Poor pollination is the number one reason for misshapen or aborted squash fruit. Hand pollination takes 30 seconds per flower and dramatically improves yields.
Squash Vine Borer Prevention in Santa Cruz County
Squash vine borers can kill healthy plants seemingly overnight. These prevention strategies protect your squash crop before damage starts.
Growing Pumpkins in Santa Cruz County: From Seed to Jack-o-Lantern
Growing your own pumpkins is one of the most satisfying fall garden projects. Here is everything you need to know for Santa Cruz County.
Growing Cucumbers in Santa Cruz County: Crisp Harvests Despite Cool Summers
Cucumbers love heat, but Santa Cruz County's cool summers do not always cooperate. These varieties and techniques produce crisp harvests anyway.
Growing Winter Squash in Santa Cruz County: From Planting to Storage
Winter squash takes patience but rewards you with months of stored food. Here is how to grow, cure, and store it in Santa Cruz County.
Best Zucchini Varieties for Santa Cruz County
Not all zucchini varieties perform equally in Santa Cruz County. These proven picks resist powdery mildew and produce reliably in our climate.
Cut-and-Come-Again Greens: Maximizing Your Harvest
Cut-and-come-again harvesting lets you pick from the same greens plants for weeks or months. Here is which greens regrow best and how to cut them properly.
Preparing Your Vegetable Garden for Fire Season
Fire season does not mean abandoning your garden. These preparation strategies protect your vegetable garden while maintaining defensible space.