Growing Oregano in Santa Cruz: The Mediterranean Herb That Thrives Here
Oregano is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs for Santa Cruz County gardens. This Mediterranean native thrives in our dry summers and mild winters, producing aromatic leaves that are far more flavorful than anything you can buy at the grocery store. Here's everything you need to know to grow oregano successfully in your garden.
Fire-Wise Gardening with California Natives
California natives can be both fire-wise and water-wise when chosen carefully. Learn which native plants work for defensible space, which to avoid near structures, and how to maintain them safely.
What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in October
October is garlic month in Santa Cruz County. Plant fava beans, cool-season greens, and peas while harvesting the last of summer's tomatoes. The transition season requires managing both.
Extending Tomato Season in Santa Cruz County
Learn how to extend your tomato season in Santa Cruz County's foggy coastal climate. Variety selection, soil warming, protection, and late-season strategies.
Growing Shishito & Padrón Peppers in Santa Cruz: The Perfect Peppers for Coastal Gardens
Shishito and padrón peppers are the rare warm-season crops that actually thrive in Santa Cruz County's cooler microclimates. These mild, thin-walled peppers produce prolifically, mature quickly, and taste incredible when blistered in a hot pan. Here's how to grow them in every Santa Cruz microclimate.
Succession Planting Carrots in Santa Cruz County: How to Harvest Fresh Carrots Year-Round
Learn succession planting for year-round carrots in Santa Cruz County. Planting schedules by microclimate, best varieties, and continuous harvest strategies.
Fire-Wise Maintenance: A Seasonal Checklist for Santa Cruz Gardeners
Fire-safe landscaping requires ongoing maintenance, not just one-time projects. This seasonal checklist breaks down defensible space tasks by month for Santa Cruz County's climate and fire season.
What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in September
September in Santa Cruz County is still summer. Temperatures hit 90s to 100s inland while tomatoes peak. Plant cool-season crops now for fall harvest, but don't pull productive summer plants yet.
Growing Raspberries in Containers
If you garden on a deck, balcony, or tiny backyard, raspberries in containers can still deliver bowls of fresh fruit without letting canes run wild through your beds. Container growing also gives you more control over soil, water, and sun exposure, which is especially useful in Santa Cruz County's mix of foggy coasts and warm inland spots. This guide covers container selection, best varieties for pots, soil and planting, watering and feeding, pruning, and long-term care.
Growing Blueberries in Santa Cruz County: A Complete Guide
Learn how to grow blueberries in Santa Cruz County's coastal climate. Low-chill varieties, acidic soil tips, and local planting advice for abundant harvests.
When and How to Harvest Tomatoes for Peak Flavor
Learn when to pick tomatoes for best flavor in Santa Cruz County. Ripeness stages, harvest techniques, and coastal climate strategies for home gardeners.
What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in August
August in Santa Cruz County is your last chance for many fall crops. Days are shortening fast. Transplant brassicas, seed greens and carrots while harvesting summer's peak tomato abundance.
Growing Basil in Santa Cruz County: The Complete Guide
Basil thrives in Santa Cruz County's warm microclimates but struggles in coastal fog. Learn which varieties work where, when to plant, and how to grow bushier plants through proper pinching.
Fire-Wise Landscaping on a Budget
The most important fire-wise changes cost little or nothing. Clearing debris, maintaining what you have, and smart priorities matter more than expensive overhauls. Here's how to protect your home.
When to Plant Peppers in Santa Cruz County: Get the Timing Right
The pepper transplants appear at nurseries in March, but planting them immediately is a mistake in Santa Cruz County. Our cool soil and cold nights can permanently stunt peppers planted too early. This guide explains exactly when to plant peppers in each microclimate for the best results.
What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in July
July brings peak summer harvest and peak heat. But it's also critical for fall planting. The brassicas and greens you start now become your November through February harvests. Don't skip this month.
Growing Blueberries in Containers: A California Gardener's Guide
Growing blueberries in pots is often the best approach in California. Container size, soil mix, and care tips for productive potted blueberries.
Best Mulberry Varieties for Coastal California (And Which to Plant in Santa Cruz County)
Compare mulberry varieties for Santa Cruz County: Pakistan for sweetness, Black Beauty for flavor, Illinois Everbearing for long harvest, plus dwarf options for small spaces.
How to Prune Raspberries: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pruning is the single most confusing part of growing raspberries, but it doesn't have to be. Once you understand how primocane and floricane raspberries grow, you can prune with confidence and dramatically improve your harvests. This visual guide covers the simple one-crop method for primocane varieties (easiest), the two-crop system for extended harvest, and selective pruning for summer-bearing floricane types, with timing specific to Santa Cruz County's climate.
What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in June
June is when your garden hits its stride, but don't stop planting. Succession plant beans and squash for continuous harvest, and start fall brassicas indoors now for winter abundance.