Dormant Spray vs. Growing-Season Spray for Trees
Dormant spray prevents 80% of fruit tree pest and disease problems before they start. Here is when and how to spray in Santa Cruz's mild climate.
U-Pick Farms Worth the Drive from Santa Cruz: Berries, Apples, Flowers, and Herbs
There is a particular kind of summer afternoon that only a u-pick farm gives you. Santa Cruz sits in the middle of some of the best pick-your-own country in California: berries, apples, dahlias, and a lavender labyrinth, most of it within half an hour.
Fire-Wise Gardening in Santa Cruz County
Fire-wise gardening for the Santa Cruz Mountains: defensible space zones, ember-resistant Zone 0, fire-resistant plants, and seasonal maintenance.
Elderberry Growth Stages: Life Cycle and Harvest
How California's blue elderberry grows, from leaf-out and flowering umbels to ripe berries, with a clear note on safe harvest.
Indoor Gardening in California: Houseplants, Greens, and Seed Starting
Houseplants, grow lights, microgreens, windowsill herbs, and starting seeds indoors, written for California homes and coastal light levels.
Growing Avocados in Santa Cruz County | What Actually Works
A realistic guide to growing avocados in Santa Cruz County. Which microclimates work, best varieties, and realistic expectations for coastal California.
Growing an Avocado from Seed | Fun Project, Will It Fruit?
How to grow an avocado from a pit. Fun project for kids and beginners, but will it produce fruit in Santa Cruz? Realistic expectations and step-by-step guide.
Best Succulents for Coastal California | Fog-Tolerant Varieties
Discover the best succulents for coastal California gardens. Fog-tolerant, cold-hardy varieties that actually thrive in maritime conditions.
Langstroth vs. Top-Bar vs. Flow Hive: Choosing Your First Hive in California
Compare hive designs by inspection access, lifting, equipment compatibility and honey harvesting. Choose for the care you can manage.
Wildlife and Pest Management for Santa Cruz County Gardens
Deer, gophers, slugs, and insect pests in Santa Cruz County gardens: what actually works, what to skip, and how to keep beneficial wildlife on your side.
Summer Cover Crops for California Gardens: Buckwheat, Cowpeas & More
Grow summer cover crops to build soil between harvests. Buckwheat, cowpeas, and sorghum-sudan grass thrive in California heat and keep beds productive.
Gardening with Kids in California: A Practical Guide for Every Age
Age-by-age projects, fast crops, themed gardens, and plant safety for gardening with kids on the California coast. Tested in Santa Cruz County gardens.
Keeping a Flock in the San Lorenzo Valley
Backyard poultry in the San Lorenzo Valley: mud, redwood shade, mountain predators, and power outages. Hyper-local advice for Boulder Creek to Felton.
Sugar Snap Peas vs. Snow Peas: Coastal CA Guide
Sugar snap peas are more forgiving, more versatile, and just as productive as snow peas in coastal California. Here is how to choose the right pea for your garden.
Garden Question of the Week: Short Answers for Santa Cruz Gardeners
Find focused answers to Santa Cruz gardening questions, from tomato problems and coastal planting dates to berries, soil, watering and pests.
The Kratky Method: Pump-Free Hydroponics for Beginners
Grow lettuce and herbs in water with no pump using the passive Kratky method. A beginner setup, nutrient basics, and realistic limits for California homes.
Water-Wise Gardening in Santa Cruz County
Practical water-wise gardening for Santa Cruz County: how much to water by season, drip and olla irrigation, natives, succulents, and lawn alternatives.
Standard or Bantam Chickens for a Small Backyard?
Standard or bantam chickens for a small Santa Cruz County lot? Compare eggs, space, temperament, predator risk, and mixed flocks.