When your herb garden produces more than you can use fresh, preservation lets you capture that peak flavor for months to come. This guide covers four drying methods, four freezing techniques, and how to make herb-infused oils, vinegars, butters, and salts, with specific tips for handling Santa Cruz County's coastal humidity.

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.

Not all carrots are created equal. Discover 12 varieties that thrive in Santa Cruz County's clay soil and varied microclimates, with specific recommendations for your garden.

Starting cut flowers from seed opens up hundreds of varieties and saves significant money. Here is how to do it successfully in Santa Cruz County.

One planting is never enough for a steady supply of cut flowers. Succession planting keeps blooms coming from spring through fall.

Gboma eggplant is grown primarily for its nutritious leaves, not its fruit. This West African vegetable produces abundant greens all summer and handles Santa Cruz County's mild temperatures well.

Rosemary may be the most forgiving herb you can grow in Santa Cruz County. This aromatic Mediterranean shrub thrives on neglect, produces year-round harvests, and lives for decades with minimal care. Here's everything you need to know about growing rosemary successfully, including important fire safety considerations for mountain properties.

Strawflowers are the ultimate low-maintenance cut flower. They grow easily in Santa Cruz, look stunning fresh, and dry beautifully for arrangements that last months.

Celosia brings bold color and unique texture to summer bouquets. It does best in Santa Cruz County's warm inland pockets, and here is how to handle the foggy coast.

Figs are the easiest fruit tree for Santa Cruz gardens. Learn which varieties thrive in coastal fog and inland heat, plus planting and care tips.

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 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.

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow in Santa Cruz County, perhaps too easy. This vigorous spreader can quickly escape its boundaries and colonize your entire garden if you're not careful. Here's how to enjoy abundant mint harvests while keeping this enthusiastic herb under control.