When to Plant Brassicas in Santa Cruz County | Planting Calendar
Complete brassica planting calendar for Santa Cruz County. Seed starting, transplant, and harvest dates by microclimate for broccoli, cabbage, and more.
Do I Need to Protect My Plants from Frost on the California Coast?
Prepare tender plants for cold nights in Santa Cruz County. Learn how to check frost pockets, fit covers and manage soil moisture before the cold.
Growing Romaine Lettuce in the San Lorenzo Valley
If you garden under the redwoods of Felton, Ben Lomond, or Boulder Creek, you know the frustration of growing fruiting crops in dappled shade. Lettuce is the happy exception. For a cool-season green, the valley's shade is not a problem to overcome. It is an asset.
Why Are My Chickens Eating Their Own Eggs?
Egg eating usually starts by accident, then spreads as a habit. Here are the real causes and how to stop chickens eating their own eggs.
Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
Chickens stop laying for several common reasons. Learn the most likely causes and what to check first in your Santa Cruz County backyard flock.
Predator-Proofing Your Flock in Santa Cruz County
Protect your backyard chickens, ducks, and geese from raccoons, foxes, weasels, ringtail cats, and hawks in Santa Cruz County with proven defense strategies.
Growing Celosia in Santa Cruz County: Bold Texture for Warm Season Bouquets
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.
How Do I Improve Heavy Clay Soil in California?
Compost is the best amendment for clay soil. Work it in when the soil is dry, add more each fall, and never mix in sand without enough organic matter.
Growing Heritage Apples in the Pajaro Valley
There is no better place in California to grow a heritage apple than the Pajaro Valley. A century ago, the orchards around Watsonville were among the most important apple-growing ground on the planet, and the valley still carries that legacy in its soil, its climate, and its tree
Growing Southern Highbush Blueberries in the San Lorenzo Valley
If you garden in Felton, Ben Lomond, or Boulder Creek, you have quietly been handed the best blueberry soil in Santa Cruz County. The acidic redwood ground that frustrates so many other crops is exactly what blueberries want.
Growing Figs in Santa Cruz County: The Easiest Fruit Tree for Local Gardens
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.
Growing Beans and Peas in Santa Cruz County: Easy Protein from Your Garden
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.
Sensory Garden for Babies and Toddlers: Engaging Little Ones in the Garden
You don't have to wait until your kids can walk to start gardening together. Babies and toddlers are sensory learners, and Santa Cruz County gardens offer textures, scents, and tastes that create powerful early memories. Learn which plants are safe to explore and simple activities for ages 0-3.
How Long Do Backyard Hens Keep Laying Eggs?
Hens lay best in their first 2 to 3 years, then taper off each year. Here is what to expect by age, plus the case for keeping older hens.
How Many Chill Hours Do Fruit Trees Need in Santa Cruz?
Choose a fruit tree for your Santa Cruz garden by comparing variety chill needs, local winter records and the conditions that shape a harvest.
Why Is My Duck Not Laying Eggs in Winter?
Ducks slow or stop laying in winter due to shorter daylight. Learn why this happens and what Santa Cruz County flock keepers can do about it.
Fire-Wise Gardening 101: Protecting Your Home and Garden in Santa Cruz County
After the CZU fires, Santa Cruz County homeowners are rethinking landscaping. Learn how to create defensible space with fire-resistant plants that are beautiful and water-wise.
How Much Do I Really Need to Water My Garden in Winter in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County's winter rains do most of the work for your garden. Learn when to turn irrigation off, which exceptions need attention, and how to check if your soil has enough moisture.
Heritage and Rescue Chicken Breeds for Santa Cruz
Discover heritage chicken breeds that thrive in Santa Cruz County and how to adopt rescue birds from local shelters for a resilient garden flock.
Bats as Garden Allies: Installing Bat Houses for Natural Mosquito Control
Bats eat 1,000+ mosquitoes nightly, free pest control for Santa Cruz County gardens. With Aedes aegypti mosquitoes now in Boulder Creek, attracting bats matters more than ever. Learn proper bat house installation, placement, and habitat creation.