Deergrass: A Tough California Native Bunchgrass
How to grow deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) in Santa Cruz County: a sculptural, drought-tolerant native bunchgrass and a well-behaved alternative to pampas grass.
Starting Seeds Indoors in California: Timing, Light, and Leggy Seedlings
When to start seeds indoors in California, the light and warmth seedlings need, and how to avoid leggy seedlings. Coastal Santa Cruz timing included.
The Best Bee-Friendly Plants for California Gardens by Season
The best nectar and pollen plants for California bees, season by season. Natives and garden favorites that feed honey bees and native bees year round.
How to Start a School or Classroom Garden in California
Start a school or classroom garden in California: planning, curriculum tie-ins, funding and grants, and how to keep it alive over summer break.
Varroa Mites and Other Bee Problems: An Honest Guide for Beginners
Varroa mites are the number one colony killer. A no-false-reassurance guide to monitoring, integrated pest management, and other common bee problems in California.
California Fuchsia: Hummingbird Magnet for SC Gardens
Grow California fuchsia in Santa Cruz County for brilliant scarlet fall blooms and hummingbirds. A tough, drought-tolerant native. Planting and care tips.
What Is "June Gloom" and How Does It Affect My Garden?
Coastal fog slows warm-season crops but extends cool-season harvests. Work with June gloom by placing crops in the right microclimates.
California Buckwheat: A Native Shrub for Santa Cruz
How to grow California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) in Santa Cruz County: a tough, evergreen native shrub with rust-aging blooms and huge pollinator value.
Heading North: 6 Garden Day Trips from Santa Cruz, Route by Route
Nobody drives north and south in the same day. This guide is the northern half of that decision: six realistic day trips out of Santa Cruz, each built around a town or a stretch of coast, mixing gardens, nurseries, and farms that actually chain together.
California Beekeeping Calendar: Month-by-Month Hive Tasks
A month-by-month beekeeping calendar tuned to California's mild-winter climate. What to do each month, from January buildup to fall mite treatment.
Spider Mites on Houseplants: How to Identify and Control Them
How to identify spider mites on houseplants and control them without harsh chemicals: the paper test, washing foliage, humidity, and honest treatment steps.
Grafted vs. Own-Root Fruit Trees: When It Matters
Grafted fruit trees produce sooner and handle clay soil better, but figs and olives do fine on their own roots. Here is when grafting matters for your garden.
Zucchini vs. Yellow Squash: What Is the Difference?
Zucchini edges out yellow summer squash for versatility and disease resistance, but both are prolific producers. Here is how they actually compare in a coastal garden.
Do Compost Bins Really Attract Rats?
A well-managed compost bin does not attract rats. The problems come from exposed food scraps and unsecured bins. Here is how to compost without rodent issues.
Growing Douglas Iris in Santa Cruz County
Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) is an easy California native for coastal and shady Santa Cruz gardens. How to plant, grow, and divide this evergreen iris.
How to Replace Your Lawn with California Native Plants
How to replace a thirsty lawn with drought-tolerant California natives in Santa Cruz County. Water savings, rebates, sheet mulching, and how to start.
Coyote Mint: A Fragrant Santa Cruz Native to Grow
How to grow coyote mint (Monardella villosa) in Santa Cruz County: fragrant gray-green foliage, lavender pompom flowers, and a butterfly and bee magnet.
Growing Satsuma Mandarins in the Pajaro Valley
If you garden in the Pajaro Valley around Watsonville, the satsuma mandarin is a strong, sensible citrus choice. The valley's warm summers ripen fruit beautifully, and the satsuma's cold tolerance covers you on the frosty mornings the valley floor is prone to. The one thing to re
First-Year Beekeeping in California: A Season-by-Season Timeline
A realistic first-year beekeeping timeline for California, from spring package install to first winter. Registration, feeding, mites, and honest expectations.
Worm Castings vs. Compost: Which Is Better for Soil?
Worm castings pack more nutrients per pound, but finished compost is the better value for building garden beds. Here is how to use both effectively in Santa Cruz.