Adrienne Gaughan 11/6/25 Adrienne Gaughan 11/6/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 11/5/25 Adrienne Gaughan 11/5/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 11/3/25 Adrienne Gaughan 11/3/25

Growing Brussels Sprouts in Santa Cruz County | Cool Climate Guide

How to grow Brussels sprouts in Santa Cruz County. Varieties, topping technique, frost benefits, and why our cool coast is perfect for this crop.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/31/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/31/25

Bean and Pea Troubleshooting Guide

Yellow leaves, no pods, or mysterious holes? This troubleshooting guide covers the most common bean and pea problems in Santa Cruz County and how to fix them.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/26/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/26/25

Saving Bean and Pea Seeds

Beans and peas are the easiest crops for seed saving. Let pods dry on the vine, harvest, and store for next season's planting.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/20/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/20/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/16/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/16/25

Growing Citrus in Containers: The Mobility Advantage

Containers let you grow citrus anywhere and move trees to shelter during cold snaps. Here is how to succeed with potted citrus in Santa Cruz County.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/14/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/14/25

Growing Sprouts at Home Safely: Alfalfa, Mung Bean, and More

Learn to grow sprouts at home safely with proper sanitation. Covers alfalfa, mung bean, lentil, broccoli sprouts plus FDA and UC food safety guidelines.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/11/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/11/25

Growing Meyer Lemons in Santa Cruz County

Meyer lemons are the most popular backyard citrus in Santa Cruz County. With the right site and care, they produce fruit nearly year-round.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/3/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/3/25

Best Citrus Varieties for Santa Cruz Microclimates

Not all citrus varieties handle Santa Cruz County's cool coastal climate equally. Here are the best picks for each microclimate zone.

Adrienne Gaughan 10/2/25 Adrienne Gaughan 10/2/25

Growing a Cut Flower Garden in Santa Cruz County: A Complete Guide

Plan your Santa Cruz County cutting garden with this complete guide. Learn which flowers thrive in coastal vs inland microclimates, when to plant, and how to harvest.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/27/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/27/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/26/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/26/25

Growing Citrus in Santa Cruz County: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)

Citrus can thrive in Santa Cruz County, but not every variety and not every location. Here is what works and what to skip.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/25/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/25/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/21/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/21/25

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.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/14/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/14/25

The Fall Gardener's Guide to Planting Garlic in Santa Cruz County

When and how to plant garlic in Santa Cruz County. Fall planting timeline by microclimate, step-by-step technique, and common mistakes to avoid.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/12/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/12/25

Fruit Tree Troubleshooting: Why Your Tree Won't Fruit and How to Fix It

Discover why your fruit tree isn't producing and how to fix it. Common causes include chill hours, pollination, pruning mistakes, and more.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/12/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/12/25

Powdery Mildew on Squash: Prevention and Treatment for Santa Cruz Gardens

Powdery mildew hits nearly every squash garden eventually. These prevention strategies and organic treatments keep plants productive longer.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/10/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/10/25

Solving Common Garlic and Onion Problems in Santa Cruz County

Fix garlic and onion problems in Santa Cruz County. Solutions for small bulbs, rust, bolting, pests like gophers, and storage issues with expert local advice.

Adrienne Gaughan 9/9/25 Adrienne Gaughan 9/9/25

Best Strawberry Varieties for Santa Cruz County

A guide to strawberry varieties that thrive in Santa Cruz County, with recommendations matched to your specific microclimate.