Companion Planting vs. Row Covers for Pests
Row covers physically block 100% of flying pests while companion planting works about half the time. Here is how to use both in your Santa Cruz garden.
The Garden Coop: Backyard Chickens and Ducks in Santa Cruz County
Keeping chickens, ducks, and geese in Santa Cruz County. Breeds for the fog belt, predator-proof coops, egg problems, feed, health, and seasonal care.
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.
Getting Started: How to Begin a Garden in Santa Cruz County
Start a vegetable garden on the Central Coast. Soil, beds, seeds, sun, water, and the first crops that actually work in the Santa Cruz fog belt.
What Is Blossom End Rot and How Do I Prevent It?
Blossom end rot is a calcium uptake problem caused by inconsistent watering. Mulch, water on a schedule, and skip the eggshells.
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.
Chicken Tractors and Mobile Coops for the Santa Cruz Garden
A practical guide to chicken tractors and mobile coops for small Santa Cruz gardens: sizing, rotation, predator safety, ducks, and wet-winter tips.
California Beekeeping Laws and Apiary Registration: What Beginners Must Know
California beekeeping laws explained: apiary registration with your county, BeeWhere, local setbacks, HOAs, and Africanized bees. What beginners must know.
Straw Mulch vs. Wood Chips: Which Breaks Down Better?
Straw mulch breaks down in 1-2 seasons, feeding soil fast, while wood chips last years for permanent coverage. Here is when to use each in your Santa Cruz garden.
Grow Guides for Santa Cruz County and Coastal California
Crop-by-crop growing guides written for coastal California: what actually produces in fog, cool nights, and mild winters, and what does not.
How to Repot a Houseplant
A beginner's guide to repotting houseplants: how to tell when a plant needs it, choosing the right pot size and soil, and a simple step-by-step method.
Do Coffee Grounds Make Soil Acidic?
Used coffee grounds are nearly neutral (pH 6.5 to 6.8), not acidic. They will not lower soil pH for blueberries or azaleas. Here is what actually works.
Keeping the Coop Dry: Mud, Mold, and Respiratory Health Through Santa Cruz Winters
A practical Santa Cruz County guide to a dry winter coop and run: drainage, bedding, ventilation, and how damp conditions threaten your flock's health.
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.
Heirloom Veggie Starts Worth the Drive from Santa Cruz: 7 Edible Nurseries North and South
Most of us buy our tomato and pepper starts wherever is closest, and that works fine for a standard Early Girl. But if you want real heirloom variety, a few nurseries within a couple of hours of Santa Cruz are worth the drive.
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
Finding a Poultry or Avian Vet in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Area
How to find an avian or exotic vet who treats chickens and ducks near Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, before an emergency, plus after-hours options.
Square Foot vs. Row Gardening: Which Saves Space?
Square foot gardening produces more food per square foot than row gardening by eliminating wasted walkway space. Here is how to choose the right method for your yard.
Apple Tree Growth Stages: The Annual Cycle and Years to Fruit
A guide to the apple tree's yearly cycle, from chill and bud break through bloom and fruit set, plus how many years to a real crop.
Beekeeping in California for Beginners: An Honest Starter Guide
A realistic beginner's guide to beekeeping in California. Time, cost, the climate advantage, and what a first year with a hive actually looks like.