Disaster Preparedness Day & Firewise Presentation

UC Master Gardeners/County of San Mateo

San Mateo County Event Center

1346 Saratoga Drive

San Mateo, CA 94403

July 30, 2022, 1:00pm-2:00pm

The Public Education/Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) from the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department and UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties will provide a joint presentation on disaster preparedness from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. CERT will present firewise information and Master Gardeners will present information about garden and property safety including creating defensible space zones around the home, mulch research, the importance of keeping soil healthy, fire-resistant plant characteristics, and protecting your neighborhood. No registration is required.  Read more.

Summer in your Garden

June/July/August Checklists

UC Master Gardeners

View seasonal checklists from our main website. From the header bar, select "Resources" then select the season of your interest from the dropdown list. For the current season, read more.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

UC Master Gardeners

Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road

Woodside, CA 94062

August 6, 2022, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Learn about edible food growing in the fall, and then grow together with a seed swap at the library. Bring your seeds and cuttings and swap, share, or take new seedlings to start growing your garden.  Registration is full, but join the waitlist!

San Mateo Arboretum Society Plant Clinic

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum Kohl Pumphouse

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

August 7, 2022, 11:00am-2:00pm

Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified.  Read more.

Creating Sacred Space in the Garden

UC Master Gardeners

Zoom Presentation

August 7, 2022, 1:00pm-2:30pm

A human need to create a quiet, peaceful place in the garden for contemplation, reflection, writing or meditation is as old as the garden itself and is exemplified both in literature and history. Early civilizations designated certain areas in the gardens as sanctuaries or protected space and bounded them with markers, fences and walls.  View calendar to register.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

UC Master Gardeners

San Carlos Library, 610 Elm Street

San Carlos, CA 94070

August 9, 2022, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Learn about edible food growing in the fall, and then grow together with a seed swap at the library. Bring your seeds and cuttings and swap, share, or take new seedlings to start growing your garden. Registration is full, but join the waitlist!

Backyard Composting: Troubleshooting Workshop

UC Master Gardeners

Zoom Presentation

August 10, 2022, 1:00pm-3:00pm

This troubleshooting workshop will focus on backyard compost piles. Do you have questions about your hot pile not heating up? Are you concerned that your cold pile is heating up? Does your pile have a foul odor? Are you wondering if finding bugs in your compost is normal?  View calendar to register.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

UC Master Gardeners

Fair Oaks Library, 2510 Middlefield Road

Redwood City, CA  94063

August 14, 2022, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Learn about edible food growing in the fall, and then grow together with a seed swap at the library. Bring your seeds and cuttings and swap, share, or take new seedlings to start growing your garden.  Registration required.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

UC Master Gardeners

Foster City Library, 1000 East Hillsdale Blvd.

Foster City, CA  94404

August 16, 2022, 6:30pm-7:30pm

Learn how to select seeds and seedlings that are most suited to your climate and conditions. Then you’ll learn how to plant seeds and seedlings and how to nurture them to yield the most bountiful fall and winter harvests. As a bonus, you’ll also gain valuable tips on crop rotation, cover cropping and non-toxic pest control.  Registration required.

Fall Vegetable Gardening and Seed Swap

UC Master Gardeners

Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road

Portola Valley, CA 94028

September 3, 2022, 3:00pm-4:00pm

It’s time to plant your fall vegetables! In this introductory class, you’ll learn how to select seeds and seedlings that are most suited to your climate and conditions. Then you’ll learn how to plant seeds and seedlings and how to nurture them to yield the most bountiful fall and winter harvests. As a bonus, you’ll also gain valuable tips on crop rotation, cover cropping and non-toxic pest control. Registration is full, but join the waitlist!

San Carlos Library Native Plant Garden Tours

UC Master Gardeners

San Carlos Library

610 Elm Street

San Carlos, CA 94070

Every third Sunday until October 2022 the UC Master Gardeners will be offering free tours at the San Carlos Native Plant Habitat Garden & Herb Garden from 1:00-4:00pm. No registration is required.  Read more.

Soil Blocking

UC Master Gardeners

Using a soil blocker eliminates the need for plastic cell packs or peat pots; it functions as both the container and the soil for starting and growing seedlings. Seedlings develop a stronger root system. More oxygen is distributed to the roots since the growing medium is not contained. Roots are also “air-pruned” once they reach the edge of the block. Read more.

Harvest for Neighbors

UC Master Gardeners

Gathering surplus food from neighborhood gardens, various farmer’s markets, community gardens, public and private fruit trees, and hosting a space where this bounty can be shared with all is an effort being accomplished by many organizations. If your fruit tree or vegetable garden has an over abundance, please think about sharing with others in need. Read more.

Divisadero Farmers Market in San Francisco

UC Master Gardeners

1377 Fell Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

Every third Sunday; 9:00am-1:00pm

The UC Master Gardeners have partnered with the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, and will provide guidance on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and science-based gardening practices, answer questions about garden pests, planting times, and best varieties for San Francisco's diverse microclimates. Look for our table at the farmers market, and also enjoy a ton of delicious food to eat!   Read more.

Firescaping

California Native Plant Society

Zoom Presentation

August 4, 2022, 5:30pm

We’re in fire season now, the perfect time to talk about how native plants can support fire-resistant landscapes. Drawing upon a four-year research study, we’ll look at the fire behavior of planted native landscapes, hydration, and mulches. Join us for an enlightening discussion, especially if you live in fire-prone areas. Registration required.

To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives." Follow us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or YouTube channels.

PLANT PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

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.

GARDENING RESOURCES

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

ARBORETUM ALL-STARS

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.

NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES

Looking for plants native to California that are not only pretty but are pollinators and drought resistant? A few resources are: Xerces Society, California Native Plant Society, and Calflora, Or try a native plant database for plants within your zip code. This website will help you find the best native plants specifically for your area that attract butterflies and moths and the birds that feed on their caterpillars, based on the scientific research of Dr. Douglas Tallamy and Research Assistant Kimberley Shropshire.

CALIFORNIA INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL

Browse the website to see all plants on the California Invasive Plant Council inventory, including both invasive plants and “watch” species. Clicking on the scientific name will take you to the Plant Profile where you will find links to more information on the plant.

 Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region? Ask a Master Gardener by email, and provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:  

1. Name
2. City of residence/zip code
3. Email
4. Phone, best time to call
5. Description of problem/ question -- for plant the type/age of plant, what damage/problem looks like (include location, sun exposure, irrigation type, fertilization, insecticide application)
6. Please attach photos, if available (overall plant, views of pest, leaves, etc.)

Also, you can call our Helpline at (650) 276-7430 or visit a Master Gardener Helpline located in San Francisco, Redwood City, or Half Moon Bay. For address information and hours of operation, visit our website.