Adrienne Gaughan 7/26/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/26/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/24/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/24/25

Greens Troubleshooting: Bolting, Bitterness, and Pests

Bolting lettuce, bitter arugula, and pest-riddled kale are frustrating but fixable. Here are the most common leafy green problems and their solutions.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/21/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/21/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/18/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/18/25

Yes, You Can Grow Blackberries in Pots (Here's How)

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/18/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/18/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/12/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/12/25

Beyond Onions: Growing Shallots and Leeks in Santa Cruz

How to grow shallots and leeks in Santa Cruz County. Fall planting for shallots, seed starting for leeks, plus variety recommendations and harvest tips.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/11/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/11/25

Starting Peppers from Seed in Santa Cruz County: Access Better Varieties

Starting peppers from seed gives you access to the varieties that actually thrive in Santa Cruz County's cool climate, not just the standard bells that struggle in fog. The process requires patience and a heat mat, but rewards you with stronger plants and far better variety selection than nursery transplants offer.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/10/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/10/25

How to Overwinter Carrots in Santa Cruz County: Your Guide to Sweet, Year-Round Harvests

Learn to overwinter carrots in Santa Cruz County for sweeter, year-round harvests. Planting times, best varieties, and winter protection tips for local gardeners.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/10/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/10/25

Growing Arugula and Mustard Greens in Santa Cruz

Arugula and mustard greens are fast-growing, flavorful, and perfectly suited to Santa Cruz County's mild climate. Most varieties go from seed to salad in under a month.

Adrienne Gaughan 7/2/25 Adrienne Gaughan 7/2/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/28/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/28/25

8 Blackberry Varieties Proven in 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.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/25/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/25/25

Grafting Fruit Trees in Santa Cruz County: Add Varieties, Save Trees, and Grow Your Own

Grafting lets you add new varieties to existing trees, rescue declining trees, and create custom multi-fruit trees. Here is how to do it in Santa Cruz County.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/22/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/22/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/14/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/14/25

Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes: Which to Grow in Santa Cruz County

Understand the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes. Which type is best for Santa Cruz County's coastal climate and your garden goals?

Adrienne Gaughan 6/12/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/12/25

Tomato Problems and How to Fix Them: A Santa Cruz Troubleshooting Guide

Troubleshoot common tomato problems in Santa Cruz County: blossom end rot, cracking, blossom drop, leaf diseases, and pests. Local causes and practical fixes.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/7/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/7/25

Growing Malabar Spinach in Santa Cruz County: Summer Greens When Spinach Bolts

Malabar spinach thrives in summer heat when regular spinach bolts. This vigorous climbing vine produces abundant, nutritious leaves perfect for stir-fries, soups, and fresh eating all season.

Adrienne Gaughan 6/7/25 Adrienne Gaughan 6/7/25

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.