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Blackberry Problems? Here's What's Wrong (and the Fix)
From orange rust (remove the whole plant!) to spotted wing drosophila, learn to identify and treat common blackberry problems. Includes organic solutions for Santa Cruz County gardeners.
The Blueberry Varieties That Actually Fruit in Santa Cruz
The best blueberry varieties for California gardens. Southern Highbush picks for low-chill areas, including Sunshine Blue, Sharpblue, and Misty - with local growing notes.
5 Easy Crops Kids Can Grow in Santa Cruz
The secret to getting kids excited about gardening? Quick wins. These 5 crops are perfect for Santa Cruz County kids: sunflowers grow dramatically tall, cherry tomatoes provide endless sweet snacks, snap peas climb and crunch, radishes are ready in just a month, and strawberries turn into a daily treasure hunt. Our mild climate means you can try these nearly year-round.
How Much Do I Really Need to Water My Garden in Fall in Santa Cruz County?
Fall is the trickiest irrigation season in Santa Cruz County. Learn when to keep watering, when to scale back, and how to transition from summer irrigation to rain-fed gardening by late November.
Growing Melons in Santa Cruz County: Which Microclimates Work (And Which Do Not)
Melons need heat, which makes them challenging in coastal Santa Cruz. But in the right microclimate with the right varieties, sweet melons are absolutely possible.
The First 5 Vegetables to Grow in Santa Cruz County
New to vegetable gardening in Santa Cruz County? Start with these 5 forgiving, productive crops chosen specifically for our microclimates: cherry tomatoes (productive and delicious), summer squash (fast and abundant), lettuce (quick harvests year-round), essential herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley), and bush beans (nearly foolproof). Build confidence with these winners, then expand from there.
Common Garden Pests in Santa Cruz County (And How to Beat Them)
Every Santa Cruz County garden has pests. Our mild climate means they're active year-round without hard freezes to knock back populations. This guide covers the most common pests in local vegetable gardens (aphids, slugs, cabbage worms, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, squash bugs, spider mites, and flea beetles), how to identify them, and organic control methods that actually work.
Growing Pumpkins in Santa Cruz County: From Seed to Jack-o-Lantern
Growing your own pumpkins is one of the most satisfying fall garden projects. Here is everything you need to know for Santa Cruz County.
How to Propagate Blackberries and Olallieberries: Complete Guide
Get free blackberry and olallieberry plants through simple propagation techniques. Tip layering is the easiest method—canes root naturally when tips touch soil. Here's how to do it right.
Growing Pineapple Tomatoes in Santa Cruz County: A Beefsteak Worth the Challenge
Pineapple tomatoes produce massive bicolor fruits with sweet, low-acid flavor. This heirloom beefsteak is worth growing in Santa Cruz County's warmest microclimates for its exceptional eating quality.
Fall Garden Cleanup for Fire Safety
Fire season in Santa Cruz County often extends into November until significant rains arrive. Fall garden cleanup is the perfect time to reduce fuel loads, prepare your garden for winter, and set up for a safer next year.
Gardening with Kids 101: Growing the Next Generation of Gardeners
Gardening with children is sensory exploration for babies, science class for school-age kids, and a chance to connect as a family. This guide covers age-appropriate activities from infants to teens, the best plants for each stage, and tips for keeping it fun. In Santa Cruz County, our year-round growing season means every season offers something to plant, watch, or harvest together.
Blackberry Growth Stages: What Each Year Looks Like
Blackberries don't produce fruit immediately—knowing what to expect each year helps you nurture plants toward maximum production. Follow the journey from bare-root to bountiful harvest.
Saving Tomato Seeds: Preserve Your Favorite Varieties
Learn how to save tomato seeds using the fermentation method. Step-by-step guide for home gardeners to preserve heirloom and open-pollinated varieties.
Growing Cucumbers in Santa Cruz County: Crisp Harvests Despite Cool Summers
Cucumbers love heat, but Santa Cruz County's cool summers do not always cooperate. These varieties and techniques produce crisp harvests anyway.
Growing Winter Squash in Santa Cruz County: From Planting to Storage
Winter squash takes patience but rewards you with months of stored food. Here is how to grow, cure, and store it in Santa Cruz County.
The Complete Guide to Growing Onions in Santa Cruz County
How to grow onions in Santa Cruz County from seeds, sets, or transplants. Day-length variety selection, planting timing, and proven varieties for Bay Area gardens.
Best Pepper Varieties for Santa Cruz County Microclimates
Not all peppers perform equally across Santa Cruz County's diverse microclimates. This comprehensive guide matches specific pepper varieties to your growing conditions, from fog-tolerant shishitos for coastal gardens to heat-loving habaneros for Watsonville's warm valleys.
Best Zucchini Varieties for Santa Cruz County
Not all zucchini varieties perform equally in Santa Cruz County. These proven picks resist powdery mildew and produce reliably in our climate.
How Gardening Shapes Kids' Eating Habits: What the Research Shows (and How to Make It Work)
Kids who help grow food are more likely to taste it, enjoy it, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make it work in your Santa Cruz garden.