California Aster: A Late-Season Native to Grow
How to grow California aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) in Santa Cruz County: lavender blooms July to November and vital late-season nectar for migrating monarchs.
Deergrass: A Tough California Native Bunchgrass
How to grow deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) in Santa Cruz County: a sculptural, drought-tolerant native bunchgrass and a well-behaved alternative to pampas grass.
California Fuchsia: Hummingbird Magnet for SC Gardens
Grow California fuchsia in Santa Cruz County for brilliant scarlet fall blooms and hummingbirds. A tough, drought-tolerant native. Planting and care tips.
California Buckwheat: A Native Shrub for Santa Cruz
How to grow California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) in Santa Cruz County: a tough, evergreen native shrub with rust-aging blooms and huge pollinator value.
Growing Douglas Iris in Santa Cruz County
Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) is an easy California native for coastal and shady Santa Cruz gardens. How to plant, grow, and divide this evergreen iris.
Coyote Mint: A Fragrant Santa Cruz Native to Grow
How to grow coyote mint (Monardella villosa) in Santa Cruz County: fragrant gray-green foliage, lavender pompom flowers, and a butterfly and bee magnet.
Growing Satsuma Mandarins in the Pajaro Valley
If you garden in the Pajaro Valley around Watsonville, the satsuma mandarin is a strong, sensible citrus choice. The valley's warm summers ripen fruit beautifully, and the satsuma's cold tolerance covers you on the frosty mornings the valley floor is prone to. The one thing to re
Western Redbud: Spring Color for SC County Gardens
How to grow Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) in Santa Cruz County: magenta spring flowers, where it thrives, planting, care, and the winter-chill catch.
Hummingbird Sage: A Native for California Dry Shade
How to grow hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea) in Santa Cruz County: a fragrant California native that thrives in dry shade under oaks and feeds hummingbirds.
Growing Avocados in Santa Cruz County | What Actually Works
Honest guide to growing avocados in Santa Cruz County. Which microclimates work, best varieties, and realistic expectations for coastal California.
Best Succulents for Coastal California | Fog-Tolerant Varieties
Discover the best succulents for coastal California gardens. Fog-tolerant, cold-hardy varieties that actually thrive in maritime conditions.
Summer Cover Crops for California Gardens: Buckwheat, Cowpeas & More
Grow summer cover crops to build soil between harvests. Buckwheat, cowpeas, and sorghum-sudan grass thrive in California heat and keep beds productive.
Narrowleaf Milkweed: Plant the Right Monarch Host
Grow narrowleaf milkweed in Santa Cruz County to help monarchs. Why to plant this CA native, not tropical milkweed, plus sun, water, seed, and care tips.
Avocado Problems in California | Yellow Leaves, Root Rot, No Fruit
Troubleshoot avocado tree problems in California. Root rot, yellow leaves, no fruit, pests, and salt burn with UC-recommended solutions.
Common Yarrow: A Great California Native to Grow
How to grow common yarrow in Santa Cruz County: our most adaptable native, a mowable low-water lawn alternative with white blooms and strong pollinator value.
Gardening by Microclimate in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County holds several distinct growing climates within a few miles. Find yours, then grow the crops and varieties that actually suit it.
Cleveland Sage: A Fragrant California Native to Grow
How to grow Cleveland sage and 'Winnifred Gilman' in Santa Cruz County: intensely fragrant foliage, blue-purple blooms, and a pollinator magnet that loves dry soil.
Growing Satsuma Mandarins in the Santa Cruz Coastal Fog Belt
If you garden in the foggy coastal strip of Santa Cruz County and you have always assumed citrus is not for you, the satsuma mandarin is the tree that proves you wrong. It is the most cold-hardy and most coast-friendly citrus there is, and it ripens in the cool of fall rather tha