UCCE San Mateo/San Francisco Master Gardener Fund

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals to celebrate generosity worldwide and is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Your gifts allow UC Master Gardener volunteers to be the most reliable source of high quality research-based gardening information in California. The UC Master Gardener Program offers its services at no cost to local communities, connecting concerned citizens and home gardeners to research and information directly from the University of California. With your support, we invest in research, education, and services in your community -- to be a neighbor in times of need. We can’t do this without your help. Please donate on or before December 1st!

National Wildlife Federation

A leaf layer several inches deep is a natural thing in any area where trees naturally grow. The leaf layer is its own mini-ecosystem! Many wildlife species live in the leaf layer as their primary habitat including salamanders, chipmunks, wood frogs, box turtles, toads, shrews, earthworms, millipedes and many insects species. Read more.

San Mateo/San Francisco Master Gardeners Blog

Finding plants for coastal gardens can be challenging. While many California natives do well, others need the inland heat to look their best, but whether inland or coastal, natives need at least two years of summer watering to get established before you cut their water off. Planting them in the fall helps as the winter rains jumpstart their root balls for the spring/summer growing season. No matter when planted, though, most natives need additional summer watering during drought years. Read more about this article that appeared in "On the Coastside Magazine" as well as other Blog articles.

Choose the affected plant from photos displayed, click on the photo, remove any selections that do not apply, click on the plant names, and continue to filter selections to view the results for a possible diagnoses. Learn more.

Select links to access gardening resources, California Backyard Orchard, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), publications, and finding a local Master Gardener program. Learn more.

Do you need help picking plants for your sustainable home garden? Selecting from the “Arboretum All-Stars” list is an easy way to start making “green” choices for your great looking garden. Arboretum All-Stars are top plants recommended by the horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum. They thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate and have qualities that make them great choices for sustainable home gardens. Use a searchable plant database to pick the perfect All-Star for your garden conditions. For more information, view their website.

Due to the “Shelter in Place” order issued by all Bay Area counties, including San Mateo and San Francisco, the Master Gardeners are working remotely, effective March 17, 2020. All questions can be directed via email.

Please provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:

Since the Bay Area “shelter in place” requirements have kept many of us at home, gardening in your own backyard has become much more popular! We are seeing an increased interest at the Helpline from both new and established gardeners. It is fun to see many new gardeners asking for advice with questions such as “What do I do with these raised vegetable beds? ”and “How do I start a vegetable garden when I know nothing about gardening?” During the first 30 days of our “shelter in place,” we have had 147 helpline questions, with 17% of them asking about the Spring Garden Market. Many, many thanks to all of our Helpline Volunteers who are working the Helpline remotely and keeping our clients happily gardening!

For more information, visit Advice to Grow By – Ask a Master Gardener!