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.
DIY Predator-Proof Coop and Run Plans for a Small Santa Cruz Lot
Buildable predator-proof coop and run plans for a small Santa Cruz lot. Hardware cloth, buried aprons, raccoon-proof locks, covered runs, and retrofits.
Seasonal Planting: What to Plant Each Month in Santa Cruz County
Month-by-month planting guides and garden checklists for Santa Cruz County and the Central Coast, plus cool-season crops, cover crops, and fruit trees.
This vs. That: Head-to-Head Garden Comparisons for Coastal California
Side-by-side comparisons of the choices California gardeners get stuck on, from raised beds and drip lines to tomato varieties.
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.
Avian Flu and Your Santa Cruz County Backyard Flock
A calm, practical guide to bird flu (HPAI H5N1) for Santa Cruz County backyard keepers: biosecurity, warning signs, and how to report.
Succession Planting vs. All-at-Once: Which Yields More?
Succession planting produces more usable food by spreading harvests over months instead of weeks. Here is how to combine both strategies in your Santa Cruz garden.
The Real Cost to Start Beekeeping in California: A First-Year Budget
Plan a complete first season with an illustrative budget, current supplier checks and room for ongoing care. Replace worksheet allowances with your own quotes.
Garden Myth Buster: Common Gardening Advice, Tested for California
We check popular gardening advice against UC research and what actually works in coastal California soil, fog, and dry summers.
Peach Tree Growth Stages: From Bloom to Harvest
The peach tree's season from chill and bloom through fruit set, pit hardening, and the final swell to a ripe summer harvest.
Indoor Gardening in California: What Actually Grows Indoors
A realistic California guide to indoor gardening: what really grows indoors, the light reality in coastal fog, and how to set realistic expectations.
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?
A dark patch on the bottom of a tomato can be blossom-end rot. Learn what to check in the root zone and how to help later fruit develop normally.
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.